Jefferson County, Tennessee Eviction Risk: Very Low

Jefferson County, Tennessee eviction laws carries an average eviction-risk score of 2.1/10 (Low), placing it among the more landlord-friendly markets in the state. With 85 of Tennessee's 95 counties scoring higher, Jefferson County sits comfortably in the lower-risk third statewide, rank 86 of 95. For landlords and investors, that means fewer contested filings, steadier rent collection, and a tenant pool where average rent burden runs 22.9% of income, well below the thresholds that typically signal widespread payment stress.

The county's six cities span a score range of 1.8 to 2.6, all within the Low tier, so no pocket of the county presents a dramatically different operating environment. Average rent across the county is $815 per month, and 37.7% of residents rent rather than own, providing a steady base of prospective tenants. The overall picture is a stable, low-volatility market where disciplined underwriting tends to perform as expected.

The cities inside Jefferson County

The highest-scoring cities are Dandridge, population 3,538, and White Pine, population 2,565, each at 2.6/10. That score remains solidly Low, but these two towns carry the most relative risk in the county and merit slightly more careful tenant screening. New Market comes in at 2.3/10, and Baneberry sits at 2.1/10, matching the county average.

The most landlord-favorable addresses are Jefferson City, the county seat at population 8,579, and Strawberry Plains, population 2,669, both scoring 1.8/10. Risk is genuinely hyper-local here: a landlord with units in Jefferson City operates in a measurably calmer environment than one concentrated in Dandridge, even though both cities are in the same county and the same Low tier. Investors acquiring across multiple sub-markets should price that difference into their underwriting models.

State-level laws that apply here

Tennessee state law governs the eviction process under T.C.A. § 66-28 (Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act). For landlords in Jefferson County, which has a population under 75,000, the controlling notice framework can follow either URLTA or non-URLTA rules depending on adoption status. Under URLTA, nonpayment of rent requires a 7-day notice (TCA § 66-28-505, as amended by SB-1088), a material-breach notice is 14 days, and a non-curable breach requires just 3 days. In non-URLTA counties with populations under 75,000, the standard notice period extends to 30 days under TCA Title 29 Chapter 18. Understanding which framework applies to your specific municipality is essential before filing.

For a full walkthrough of timelines and required paperwork, the Tennessee eviction process guide covers each stage in detail. Court filing fees run $200 to $300, sheriff lockout fees add $40 to $150, and attorney fees typically range from $500 to $2,500. An uncontested matter typically resolves in 21 to 45 days; contested cases can extend to 45 to 120 days. Tennessee imposes no rent control, no local rent-control authority (the state preempts local ordinances), and no just-cause requirement for terminating a tenancy, all of which are meaningful structural advantages for landlords. For a detailed breakdown of what each step costs, the Tennessee eviction costs guide itemizes every fee component. Tennessee security deposit limits and Tennessee tenant protections also merit review before drafting any lease.

With a poverty rate of 11.7% and 37.7% of residents renting, Jefferson County presents a meaningful renter base against a low-risk backdrop; the city-by-city score grid above pinpoints exactly where within the county your operating risk sits.