evictionrate

Eviction rate is a metric used to quantify how often tenants are removed from rental housing through legal eviction actions within a defined population and time period. It is commonly expressed as the number of evictions per 1,000 renter households or per 100 households in a year. Researchers often distinguish between eviction filings, which are the initiation of formal eviction proceedings, and actual evictions, which involve the physical removal of a tenant.

Measurement and data sources vary by country and jurisdiction. In the United States, data come from court records, housing departments, and administrative datasets, with research projects such as the Eviction Lab compiling city- and state-level figures from filings and related records. In other places, official statistics may track possession orders, eviction judgments, or sheriff’s or court-ordered removals. Differences in legal definitions, data coverage, and time windows mean comparisons across jurisdictions should be made cautiously.

Factors influencing eviction rates include housing affordability, neighborhood dynamics, unemployment, and household income volatility. Higher rates are often observed in urban areas and regions with rising rents relative to incomes, as well as in places with weaker tenant protections or limited access to legal aid. Legal and policy contexts—such as notice requirements, representation, and eviction court procedures—also shape observed rates.

Impacts of eviction extend beyond the immediate loss of housing, including housing instability, disruptions to education, negative health outcomes, and increased risk of homelessness. As such, eviction rates are commonly used in housing research and policy analysis to assess affordability crises and evaluate interventions like rental assistance, eviction moratoria, and tenant-protection laws.