Newton County holds a small geometric distinction: it is the only perfectly square county in Mississippi, covering 568 square miles of east-central terrain between Neshoba County to the northwest and Lauderdale County to the east. Named for Sir Isaac Newton, the county was organized in 1836 with Decatur as its seat of government. The county has a population of about 21,300, and its rental market is split between two distinct centers: Decatur, the small county seat (pop. ~1,900) that is home to East Central Community College and county government, and Newton, the county’s largest city (pop. ~3,400), located on Interstate 20 and anchored by major manufacturing employers including La-Z-Boy and the ESCO Division of Weir. Union, situated on the Neshoba-Newton county line, provides a third smaller market anchored by Laird Hospital.
Newton’s I-20 position gives it better commercial visibility and employment depth than the county seat. Typical rents in the county run roughly $600–$850 per month for single-family homes, with a median rent in Decatur around $690. Newton County does not have a County Court — eviction proceedings are filed in Justice Court, with the filing address in Decatur.
📊 Quick Stats
County Seat
Decatur
Population
~21,300 (2020 census)
Key Communities
Newton (largest), Decatur, Union, Chunky, Lake
Court System
Justice Court (no County Court)
Typical Rent
~$600–$850/mo
Rent Control
None
Just-Cause Eviction
Not required
⚡ Eviction At-a-Glance
Nonpayment Notice
3-Day Notice to Pay or Vacate
Lease Violation
14-Day Notice to Cure or Vacate
Month-to-Month Term.
30-Day Written Notice
Filing Fee
~$75–$100 (confirm with clerk)
Hearing Set
Typically within 1–2 weeks
Eviction Timeline
2–8 weeks total
Security Deposit Return
45 days after demand
Statute
Miss. Code Ann. §§ 89-7-27, 89-8-13
Newton County Ordinances & Local Rules
Topic
Rule / Notes
Rental Licensing
No county-level rental license required. Mississippi has no statewide landlord licensing statute. Verify with the City of Newton or City of Decatur for any local code enforcement requirements within city limits.
Rent Control
None. Mississippi has no statewide rent control and Newton County has no local rent control ordinance. Landlords may raise rents freely at lease renewal.
Security Deposit
No statutory cap. Return with itemized written accounting within 45 days after termination, delivery of possession, and written tenant demand. Wrongful retention: $200 plus actual damages (Miss. Code Ann. § 89-8-21).
Court Filing — Justice Court (Eviction Venue)
Newton County does not have a County Court. All unlawful entry and detainer (eviction) proceedings are filed in Newton County Justice Court. Mailing: P.O. Box 69, Decatur, MS 39327. Physical: 11 4th Avenue, Decatur, MS 39327. Phone: (601) 635-2367 / (601) 635-2740. Fax: (601) 635-4047. Judges: Hon. Justin Chaney and Hon. Scott Round. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Main Courthouse (Circuit & Chancery)
Newton County Courthouse: 92 West Broad Street, Decatur, MS 39327. Circuit Clerk Mike Butler: P.O. Box 447, (601) 635-3368, mbutler@newtoncountyms.net. Chancery: P.O. Box 68, (601) 635-2367. Eviction filings go to Justice Court at 11 4th Avenue — not this courthouse.
Decatur vs. Newton Two-City Market
Decatur is the county seat with East Central Community College and county government employment — a smaller, more institutional rental base. Newton (on I-20) is the county’s largest, most commercially active city, anchored by La-Z-Boy, ESCO/Weir manufacturing, and highway commerce — a more manufacturing-focused tenant profile.
East Central Community College (Decatur)
ECCC in Decatur generates student rental demand. Student leases typically run August–May. Plan for summer vacancy if renting to students; screen co-signers carefully given students’ limited independent income history.
Source of Income
No state or local source-of-income protections. Landlords are not required to accept Housing Choice Vouchers. Poverty rate (~20%) means HCV demand is present in the affordable segment.
Self-Help Eviction
Mississippi permits self-help eviction only if: (1) the written lease explicitly reserves this right, and (2) it is accomplished without a breach of the peace. Lockouts are always prohibited.
Mississippi has two parallel eviction frameworks: Chapter 7 (§89-7-27, general/non-residential) and Chapter 8 (§89-8-13, Residential Landlord and Tenant Act). For RESIDENTIAL tenants, §89-8-13(5) provides the 3-day notice for nonpayment. Tenant can stop the eviction by paying all unpaid rent and costs by the court-ordered move-out date. After judgment, court orders tenant to vacate within 7 days (§89-8-39(1)). Tenant has 72 hours after writ execution to remove personal property (§89-7-31). Filing fees typically $75-$100 depending on county. Notice can be delivered via email/text if tenant agreed in writing to receive notices that way.
Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
File an eviction case with the Justice Court / County Court. Pay the filing fee (~$75).
Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
Attend the court hearing and present your case.
If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
Law enforcement executes the writ and removes the tenant if necessary.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page provides general information about Mississippi eviction laws and does not constitute legal advice.
Eviction procedures can vary by county and may change over time. Local jurisdictions may have additional requirements or tenant protections.
For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified Mississippi attorney or local legal aid organization.
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tenant screening in Mississippi —
including background checks, credit history, income verification, and rental references — is one of the most
cost-effective steps you can take to protect your rental property. Before you ever need Mississippi's
eviction process, proper tenant screening can help
you identify red flags early and avoid problem tenancies altogether.
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⚠️ Disclaimer: These calculations are estimates based on state statutes and typical court timelines. Actual results vary by county, court backlog, and case specifics. Always verify current requirements with your local courthouse. This is not legal advice.
Underground Landlord
🏘️ Communities & Screening Tips
Key communities: Newton (I-20, largest city), Decatur (county seat), Union, Chunky, Lake.
Newton: Manufacturing (La-Z-Boy, ESCO/Weir), I-20 commerce. Screen at 3x rent; use annual W-2s for hourly workers with variable overtime.
Decatur: Government, ECCC college rental. Student leases run Aug–May; plan for summer vacancy and screen co-signers carefully.
Background checks, eviction history, credit reports — get the full picture before handing over the keys.
Newton County Mississippi Landlord-Tenant Law: A Guide for Rental Owners in Newton, Decatur, and East-Central Mississippi
Newton County carries a small geometric distinction: it is the only perfectly square county in Mississippi, 568 square miles of east-central hill country named for Sir Isaac Newton and organized in 1836. The county has a total population of about 21,300 spread across two notably different urban centers — Decatur, the quiet county seat on Highway 15 with East Central Community College and the county courthouse, and Newton, the county’s largest and most commercially active city, anchored by Interstate 20 and a manufacturing economy that includes La-Z-Boy and the ESCO Division of Weir Group. These two cities define the county’s two main rental submarkets, and understanding how they differ is useful groundwork for any landlord operating here.
Decatur: County Seat and College Town
Decatur is a small town of about 1,900 people that punches above its population weight because of two institutional anchors: the Newton County government complex and East Central Community College. ECCC creates a modestly sized student rental market — off-campus demand exists for affordable units near the college. Student tenants present specific considerations: leases typically track the academic calendar (August through May), summer vacancy is a real risk if you rent primarily to students, and co-signer screening is important given that many students lack independent income history. County and college staff represent more stable, year-round tenants who tend toward longer tenancies and reliable payment histories. The median rent in Decatur is around $690, and the housing stock is predominantly older single-family homes.
Newton: I-20 Manufacturing Hub
Newton, with a population of about 3,400 and a position directly on I-20, is the economic engine of Newton County. La-Z-Boy and ESCO/Weir are among the most significant employers, and the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery brings state government employment to the city. The I-20 corridor creates highway-service commerce and some commuter access toward the Meridian metro roughly 35 miles east. Manufacturing workers in Newton typically earn hourly wages with overtime that can make monthly income variable; use annual W-2 earnings as the primary income verification tool and confirm employment stability over at least 12 months. Newton also has the historic Newton Depot and nearby Turkey Creek Water Park, giving the city modest recreational identity beyond its industrial base.
Filing Evictions: Newton County Justice Court
Newton County does not have a County Court. All unlawful entry and detainer proceedings are filed in Newton County Justice Court, located at 11 Fourth Avenue (P.O. Box 69), Decatur, MS 39327, phone (601) 635-2367. Two judges preside: Hon. Justin Chaney and Hon. Scott Round. The main county courthouse (Circuit and Chancery) is at 92 West Broad Street — eviction filings go to the 4th Avenue Justice Court address, not the Broad Street courthouse. Start with written notice: a 3-Day Notice to Pay or Vacate for nonpayment (§ 89-7-27), or a 14-Day Notice to Cure or Vacate for lease violations (§ 89-8-13). After the notice period, file a sworn Complaint for Unlawful Entry and Detainer with the clerk. The Newton County Sheriff serves the summons and enforces any Writ of Possession. Uncontested cases typically resolve in two to eight weeks.
This guide is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed Mississippi attorney or contact Newton County Justice Court at (601) 635-2367 for guidance specific to your situation. Last updated: March 2026.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: This page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Landlord-tenant law is subject to change and may vary based on individual circumstances. Consult a licensed Mississippi attorney or contact Newton County Justice Court for specific guidance. Last updated: March 2026.
