Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Wilmington, North Carolina, United States
Last updated: 2025-03-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Wilmington? AirROI have just the data insights! Over the last twelve months from April 2024 to March 2025, we've uncovered key trends and opportunities that successful hosts are leveraging in Wilmington:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Wilmington?
The short-term rental market in Wilmington 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 $2,447 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $3,727 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $5,391+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $1,409
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Wilmington
The market in Wilmington 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 46% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 67% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 82%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 27%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Wilmington
Daily rates in Wilmington 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 $158 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $209 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $297+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $117
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Wilmington
Peak Season (June, July, May)
- Revenue peaks at $4291.47 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 63.78%
- Daily rates average $195.93
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $2861.09 per month
- Occupancy maintains 47.25%
- Daily rates hold at $180.98
Low Season (March, January, February)
- Revenue drops to $1702.24 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 35.43%
- Daily rates adjust to $167.21
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Wilmington in 2025?
Yes! Wilmington demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a healthy occupancy rate of 47% and strong monthly revenue averaging $2861 and As a mature market with 1442 active listings, there's strong demand despite the competition. 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 Wilmington
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Historic Downtown | Charming area filled with history, restaurants, and shops. Great for tourists wanting to explore local culture and historical sites. | Battleship North Carolina, Bellamy Mansion, Cape Fear Museum, Riverwalk, Thalian Hall |
| Wrightsville Beach | Popular beach destination known for its stunning shores and water activities. Ideal for families and beachgoers looking for a sunny getaway. | Wrightsville Beach, Johnnie Mercer's Pier, Wrightsville Beach Museum, Water sports rentals, Local seafood restaurants |
| Carolina Beach | Vibrant beach community with a fun boardwalk atmosphere. Popular with tourists looking for classic beach experiences and amusement activities. | Carolina Beach Boardwalk, Freeman Park, Carolina Beach State Park, Local eateries, Fishing and boating opportunities |
| Masonboro Island | Natural preserve known for its beautiful beaches and wildlife. Appeals to eco-tourists and visitors looking for a serene experience. | Masonboro Island State Park, Kayaking and paddleboarding, Wildlife watching, Secluded beaches |
| Ogden | Growing suburban area close to Wilmington, perfect for families and long-term rentals. Offers a quieter lifestyle while still near the city's amenities. | Ogden Park, Close proximity to shopping centers, Family-friendly atmosphere, Local parks and trails |
| Landfall | Affluent residential community with luxury homes and a golf community. Attractive for visitors looking for upscale accommodations and privacy. | Landfall Country Club, Private beaches, Upscale shopping and dining nearby, Nature trails |
| Kure Beach | Quieter beach community ideal for those looking to relax and unwind away from busier tourist spots. Perfect for couples and families. | Kure Beach Pier, Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, Historic Kure Beach, Beachfront activities, Local seafood shacks |
| Porters Neck | Exclusive neighborhood known for its luxury homes and golf courses. Attracts wealthier clients looking for premium vacation experiences. | Porters Neck Country Club, Luxury shopping, Nature preserves, Upscale dining options |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Wilmington?
We recommend checking directly with Wilmington'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 Wilmington
Beach Dunes Luxury Retreat + Guest House & Pool!
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Saucier Way- 6 acres minutes from Wrightsville!
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
River Road Retreat - Heated Private Pool, Pond, Fi
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Chore-Free House w/ Air Hockey, Pool & Ping Pong
Entire Place • 8 bedrooms
Spacious 5-BR Retreat w/ King Suite, Game Room +
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Maggie's Oasis
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Wilmington
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erin | 33 | $2,656,398 | 731 | 4.80/5.0 |
| Evolve | 32 | $805,098 | 412 | 4.39/5.0 |
| Jody | 19 | $624,346 | 2414 | 4.84/5.0 |
| Wilmington Vacation Homes | 19 | $569,783 | 3073 | 4.91/5.0 |
| BlueStar Real Estate | 23 | $542,848 | 15 | 0.20/5.0 |
| Mary | 12 | $479,099 | 628 | 4.91/5.0 |
| Timothy Thomas | 15 | $478,957 | 7054 | 4.90/5.0 |
| Marshall | 6 | $367,752 | 858 | 4.82/5.0 |
| Steven | 7 | $339,638 | 879 | 4.93/5.0 |
| Jody | 10 | $337,145 | 577 | 4.86/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Wilmington
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 (90%), with house and apartment & condo properties comprising 83.3% of inventory
- Untapped potential in others, outdoor & mobile, unique stays segments (8.2% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 1,442 properties in Wilmington shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 29.8% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 3 bedrooms together representing 57.6% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 1 bedroom (29.8%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (2.2%)
- Market concentration: 57.6% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 1,442 properties in Wilmington reveals that 4 guests properties dominate the market, representing 23.8% of all listings. The average property accommodates 4.6 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 4 guests and 6 guests make up 45.7% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 4 guests (23.8% of market)
- Least common capacity: 1 guest (0.2% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 4.6 guests per property
- Market concentration: 45.7% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 1,442 properties in Wilmington, the most common availability pattern is 181-270 days (38.8% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 91-180 days (38.7% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 181-270 days (38.8%)
- Most common booking duration: 91-180 days (38.7%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 63.0%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 38.7%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
444 listings
32.7% of total
2 Nights
557 listings
41% of total
3 Nights
121 listings
8.9% of total
4-6 Nights
27 listings
2% of total
7-29 Nights
30 listings
2.2% of total
30+ Nights
178 listings
13.1% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 73.7%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 2% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (13.1%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 82.6% 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
Super Strict 60 Days
14 listings
1.1% of total
Super Strict 30 Days
45 listings
3.5% of total
Flexible
185 listings
14.6% of total
Moderate
395 listings
31.1% of total
Firm
342 listings
27% of total
Strict
288 listings
22.7% of total
Key Insights
- Moderate is the preferred policy at 31.1% of listings
- The market shows a balanced distribution between guest-friendly (45.7%) and strict (49.7%) policies
- Strong market consensus around Moderate policies
- Super Strict 60 Days policies are least common at 1.1% of listings
Recommendations
- Market supports various policies - choose based on your property type and target guests
- Strong market preference for Moderate policies suggests this should be your baseline
Booking Lead Time Trends
Key Insights
- Peak booking lead times occur in Jul, Jun, May, averaging 54 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Jan, Feb, Mar, averaging 34 days
- Summer shows the longest average booking window at 49 days, while Winter has the shortest at 36 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Summer bookings at least 49 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Winter to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Jan-Mar when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Wilmington
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Wilmington:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 97.2% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
- Primary international markets: DC (0.8%) and Canada (0.4%)
- English is the top language at 82.4%, followed by Spanish (12.8%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 7.0%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Raleigh and Charlotte markets
- Develop localized content for DC and Canada
- 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 Wilmington. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean Isle Beach | 414 | $5,769 | $604.07 | 39% |
| Wrightsville Beach | 438 | $4,415 | $480.27 | 40% |
| Indian Beach | 15 | $3,989 | $334.51 | 41% |
| Bald Head Island | 174 | $3,933 | $508.25 | 35% |
| Cedar Point | 24 | $3,702 | $272.42 | 48% |
| Emerald Isle | 449 | $3,694 | $347.49 | 42% |
| Kure Beach | 453 | $3,526 | $371.29 | 41% |
| Oak Island | 1,083 | $3,495 | $380.69 | 40% |
| Surf City | 632 | $3,311 | $323.50 | 41% |
| Caswell Beach | 46 | $3,300 | $400.38 | 38% |