Clark County, Wisconsin Eviction Risk: Low

Clark County, Wisconsin eviction laws earns an average eviction-risk score of 2.8/10 (Low), placing it among the more landlord-favorable markets in the state. Of Wisconsin's 72 counties, 65 are riskier and only 6 score lower, putting Clark County firmly in the lower-risk third. Across the county's 12 scored cities, scores range from 2.5 to 3.2, a spread that matters when selecting specific submarkets. Average rent runs $809, the average rent burden sits at 23.4% of income, and renters make up 32.1% of households, all figures that point to a stable, workforce-oriented rental base rather than a distressed one.

For landlords and buy-and-hold investors, that combination of low risk scores, below-average rent burden, and modest renter share suggests tenants here are generally able to meet obligations without undue financial strain. Collections pressure, lease-violation rates, and political hostility toward landlords all tend to be lower in markets with these fundamentals, which is consistent with Clark County's position near the bottom of Wisconsin eviction laws's risk ladder.

The cities inside Clark County

Risk within Clark County is hyper-local, and the spread across its cities reinforces that point. Neillsville, the county seat and its largest city at 2,230 residents, carries the highest score in the county at 3.2/10 -- still well within the Low tier, but meaningfully elevated compared to peers. Landlords operating there should expect slightly higher tenant-turnover or collections friction relative to the rest of the county. Abbotsford (2,024 residents, 2.9/10) and Colby (1,907 residents, 2.9/10) are the next-riskiest, though both remain comfortably in low-risk territory.

At the other end of the scale, Thorp (2.6/10), Greenwood (2.6/10), and Withee (2.6/10) represent the lowest-risk submarkets in the county. Loyal scores 2.7/10 with a population of 1,363, offering a mid-sized option with risk well below the county average. Investors running multi-property portfolios should weigh city-level scores alongside rent and vacancy assumptions, since the gap between Neillsville and Thorp is 0.6 points on a 10-point scale -- a difference that shows up in real eviction frequency over time.

State-level laws that apply here

Every landlord in Clark County operates under Wis. Stat. § 704 (Landlord and Tenant). Wisconsin state law sets a 5-day notice for non-payment of rent, a 14-day notice for a curable lease violation, and a 30-day notice for end-of-term or no-cause terminations. Once a case is filed, an uncontested eviction typically resolves in 21 to 45 days; contested cases can run 45 to 120 days. Total out-of-pocket costs for a filing range from a court fee of $95 to $175, a sheriff lockout fee of $50 to $150, and attorney fees of $500 to $3,000 if counsel is retained -- understanding the Wisconsin eviction costs before placing a tenant is essential planning.

Wisconsin does not impose rent control, and state law preempts any local rent-control ordinances, so Clark County landlords face no rent-cap exposure. Just cause is not required to terminate a tenancy, giving owners flexibility at lease expiration. The Wisconsin eviction process, while not the fastest in the Midwest, is relatively predictable under these statutes, and the absence of just-cause requirements and rent caps keeps operating risk lower than in many other states. Landlords must provide at least 12 hours notice before entry, per state law.

With an average poverty rate of 13.8% and renters representing 32.1% of households, Clark County's renter base is modest in size but faces manageable income pressure -- review the city grid above to compare individual market scores before committing to a specific submarket.