Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Fort Smith, Arkansas, United States
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Fort Smith? AirROI have just the data insights! Over the last twelve months from February 2024 to January 2025, we've uncovered key trends and opportunities that successful hosts are leveraging in Fort Smith:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Fort Smith?
The short-term rental market in Fort Smith shows distinct revenue patterns across different property tiers. Our analysis reveals that successful properties combine strategic pricing with quality management to maximize earnings potential. Market data demonstrates clear revenue differentiation among properties:
- Typical properties (median) earn $1,962 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $2,846 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $4,028+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $1,038
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Fort Smith
The market in Fort Smith shows distinct occupancy patterns influenced by seasonal trends and local dynamics. Properties that maintain high guest satisfaction scores and implement strategic pricing consistently achieve stronger occupancy rates. Current market data shows:
- Typical properties (median) maintain 45% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 65% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 80%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 25%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Fort Smith
Daily rates in Fort Smith vary based on seasonality, property quality, and market dynamics. Properties that effectively balance competitive pricing with strong amenities typically command higher rates. Market analysis shows the following rate structure:
- Typical properties (median) generate $108 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $144 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $189+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $81
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Fort Smith
Peak Season (June, April, May)
- Revenue peaks at $2881.24 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 54.79%
- Daily rates average $130.72
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $2204.09 per month
- Occupancy maintains 45.79%
- Daily rates hold at $124.07
Low Season (December, August, January)
- Revenue drops to $1439.99 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 34.69%
- Daily rates adjust to $116.73
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Fort Smith in 2025?
Yes! Fort Smith demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a healthy occupancy rate of 46% and solid monthly revenue averaging $2204 and The market's 160 active listings indicate growing demand with plenty of opportunity for new properties. There's also room for profit through rental arbitrage strategies, if you can identify competitively priced properties. To maximize your return on investment, consider employing the following strategies:
Peak Season Strategy
- Implement premium seasonal pricing strategies
- Set longer minimum stay requirements during high-demand periods
- Enforce stricter cancellation policies
Shoulder Season Strategy
- Maintain competitive market-based pricing
- Offer moderate-length stay incentives
- Target a mix of leisure and business travelers with flexible booking terms
- Focus on weekend getaway packages and mid-week business traveler promotions
Low Season Strategy
- Adjust pricing to remain competitive in the market
- Target different guest segments (business travelers, long-term stays, holiday visitors, event attendees, remote workers)
- Create targeted promotional campaigns to drive occupancy
Top Places to Start Airbnb in Fort Smith
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Fort Smith | The heart of Fort Smith, known for its historic architecture and local dining options. Attracts both tourists and business travelers looking for a central location with easy access to amenities. | Fort Smith National Historic Site, The Arkansas River, Fort Smith Museum of History, Garrison Avenue, Arts on Main |
| Belle Grove Historic District | A charming neighborhood with Victorian-style homes, ideal for guests interested in history and architecture. Close to museums and parks, making it a great option for families. | Miss Laura's Visitor Center, Belle Grove Historic District, Trolley Museum, Laneway Park, Fort Smith Convention Center |
| The Riverfront District | This area features scenic views and access to the river. It's perfect for outdoor enthusiasts and offers unique dining experiences along the waterfront. | Riverfront Park, The Old Mill, The Park at West End, The River Trail, Various local eateries |
| Chaffee Crossing | A growing area with new developments and attractions, appealing to visitors interested in the history of Fort Smith and military history. | Chaffee Barbershop Museum, Chaffee Crossing Historic District, Civil War Museum, Fort Smith Airfield, Fort Smith Trolley Museum |
| Huckabee Neighborhood | A residential area that’s rapidly gaining popularity with young professionals and families, offering access to great parks and schools. A quieter, suburban feel. | Huckabee Park, Local cafes, Community events, Nearby schools, Fort Smith Farmer's Market |
| Southside Fort Smith | Features a mix of residential and commercial properties, attracting those who prefer a local vibe while still being close to downtown. | Southside Softball Complex, Local shops, Nearby restaurants, Parks and outdoor spaces, Community activities |
| Park Hill | A scenic area known for its parks and family-friendly atmosphere. Great for outdoor activities and suitable for families visiting Fort Smith. | Park Hill Park, The Fort Smith Dog Park, Local hiking trails, Community sports facilities, Picnic areas |
| Westside Fort Smith | A diverse neighborhood that combines residential life with easy access to amenities, shopping, and dining options, making it convenient for visitors. | Local shopping centers, Restaurants, Cinemas, Westside Park, Community events |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Fort Smith?
We recommend checking directly with Fort Smith's local government regarding short-term rental licensing requirements. Current market data shows limited licensing information (0% of listings), making it essential to verify current regulations before starting your Airbnb business.
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Fort Smith
The Beland Mansion
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
The Villa - near Chaffee with in ground pool
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
4 bedrm, 2.5 bath, Sleeps 20, NO Pets
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
The Ney House - 1890 Historic Colonial Downtown FS
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
The Chaffee Chateau - a quiet escape in Ft. Smith
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
The Scarlet + Adeline House’s
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Fort Smith
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rebekah | 15 | $489,681 | 2076 | 4.93/5.0 |
| Ryan | 7 | $225,835 | 186 | 4.97/5.0 |
| Sydney | 5 | $220,375 | 260 | 4.90/5.0 |
| Luis | 5 | $138,569 | 249 | 4.95/5.0 |
| Heidi | 4 | $122,235 | 204 | 4.94/5.0 |
| David | 3 | $96,819 | 232 | 4.92/5.0 |
| Sarah | 2 | $95,466 | 48 | 4.90/5.0 |
| Tim | 8 | $92,970 | 761 | 4.86/5.0 |
| Perry | 2 | $88,063 | 299 | 4.92/5.0 |
| River Valley | 4 | $86,851 | 43 | 3.56/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Fort Smith
AirROI also have other key metrics and comprehensive data for your vacation rental, real estate needs. Go explore the advanced metrics that can help you make informed decisions:
Room Type Distribution
Property Type Distribution
Key Insights
- Market dominated by entire home listings (89.4%), with house and apartment & condo properties comprising 95.6% of inventory
- Untapped potential in boutique & hotels, others, unique stays segments (4.4% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 160 properties in Fort Smith shows that 3 bedrooms properties are most prevalent, making up 28.7% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 3 bedrooms and 2 bedrooms together representing 56.9% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 3 bedrooms (28.7%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (5%)
- Market concentration: 56.9% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 160 properties in Fort Smith reveals that 6 guests properties dominate the market, representing 24.4% of all listings. The average property accommodates 4.8 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 6 guests and 4 guests make up 46.3% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 6 guests (24.4% of market)
- Least common capacity: 7 guests (3.8% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 4.8 guests per property
- Market concentration: 46.3% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 160 properties in Fort Smith, the most common availability pattern is 91-180 days (41.9% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 181-270 days (45% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 91-180 days (41.9%)
- Most common booking duration: 181-270 days (45%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 50.6%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 52.5%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
98 listings
64.1% of total
2 Nights
30 listings
19.6% of total
3 Nights
11 listings
7.2% of total
4-6 Nights
5 listings
3.3% of total
7-29 Nights
1 listings
0.7% of total
30+ Nights
8 listings
5.2% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 83.7%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 3.3% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (5.2%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 90.9% accepting 3 nights or less
Recommendations
- Set minimum stays between 2-3 nights to align with market standards
- Adjust minimum stays seasonally based on demand patterns
- Consider monthly stay discounts to capture the growing extended-stay market
- Implement different minimum stays for weekends vs. weekdays
Cancellation Policy Distribution
Flexible
64 listings
42.1% of total
Moderate
42 listings
27.6% of total
Firm
35 listings
23% of total
Strict
11 listings
7.2% of total
Key Insights
- Flexible is the preferred policy at 42.1% of listings
- Guest-friendly policies (Flexible & Moderate) dominate at 69.7% of the market
- Strong market consensus around Flexible policies
- Strict policies are least common at 7.2% of listings
Recommendations
- Consider starting with a Flexible policy to align with market preferences
- Strong market preference for Flexible policies suggests this should be your baseline
- Consider generous cancellation terms as a competitive advantage
Booking Lead Time Trends
Key Insights
- Peak booking lead times occur in May, Apr, Nov, averaging 47 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Aug, Sep, Jan, averaging 20 days
- Spring shows the longest average booking window at 42 days, while Winter has the shortest at 22 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Spring bookings at least 42 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Winter to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Aug-Jan when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Fort Smith
Every property in Fort Smith comes standard with Air conditioning, and Wifi. Below shows the distribution of other amenities:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 98.2% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
- Primary international markets: Mexico (0.2%) and Germany (0.2%)
- English is the top language at 84.9%, followed by Spanish (11.7%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 5.7%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Fort Smith and Tulsa markets
- Develop localized content for Mexico and Germany
- Prioritize English and Spanish language support
- Tailor experiences for Pre-1950s (Silent Gen) while maintaining broad age appeal
- Implement seasonal promotions aligned with key market travel patterns
Nearby Markets
Explore short-term rental performance in markets surrounding Fort Smith. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockwell | 13 | $9,203 | $544.95 | 41% |
| Blue Eye | 25 | $6,615 | $434.05 | 55% |
| Coweta | 12 | $5,798 | $474.69 | 48% |
| McCurtain County | 79 | $5,087 | $442.25 | 40% |
| Hollister | 203 | $4,922 | $384.99 | 45% |
| Broken Bow | 2,481 | $4,878 | $379.34 | 40% |
| Wilburton | 18 | $4,731 | $265.70 | 41% |
| Hochatown | 14 | $4,568 | $379.87 | 38% |
| Lowell | 28 | $3,647 | $232.61 | 51% |
| Amity | 20 | $3,303 | $443.20 | 37% |
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