Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management

In 2016, approximately 2.3 million individuals experienced eviction in the United States according to estimates from the Eviction Lab. As the first national database on eviction, the Eviction Lab’s estimates have highlighted large variation in eviction rates across counties. Despite large differences, explanations for why eviction rates vary are understudied. Prior research suggests connections between eviction and factors such as low household income, high rent, poverty, and race. However, these studies use data from individual cities, which may not be generalizable to other areas of the country. This paper fills this gap in the literature by using county-level data from the Eviction Lab to explore possible explanations for differences in eviction rates across the United States.

Initial results confirm some of the prior literature, while also providing new insights. Previously studied factors, such as household income, rent, poverty, and race are related to differences in eviction rates; however, the magnitudes of these relationships differ between urban and rural counties. Further, additional factors, like racial residential segregation, also explain differences in eviction rates. These findings suggest that addressing high eviction rates may require more than just changes to household finances or housing costs. A clear understanding of what is driving differences in eviction rates will help policy makers develop more effective solutions.