Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Folly Beach, South Carolina, United States
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Folly Beach? 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 Folly Beach:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Folly Beach?
The short-term rental market in Folly Beach 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 $6,705 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $11,218 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $17,704+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $3,729
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Folly Beach
The market in Folly Beach 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 51% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 69% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 83%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 29%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Folly Beach
Daily rates in Folly Beach 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 $408 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $598 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $874+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $295
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Folly Beach
Peak Season (July, June, May)
- Revenue peaks at $13582.94 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 64.99%
- Daily rates average $618.96
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $8700.08 per month
- Occupancy maintains 49.44%
- Daily rates hold at $505.59
Low Season (November, December, January)
- Revenue drops to $3672.66 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 27.41%
- Daily rates adjust to $392.15
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Folly Beach in 2025?
Yes! Folly Beach demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a healthy occupancy rate of 49% and strong monthly revenue averaging $8700 and As a mature market with 890 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 Folly Beach
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Folly Beach Pier | A popular social hub on Folly Beach, featuring stunning ocean views, proximity to water activities, and a vibrant atmosphere. Ideal for tourists looking to enjoy beach life and local events. | Folly Beach Pier, Bert's Market, Folly Beach County Park, Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve, Folly Beach Sunset Park |
| Center Street | The heart of Folly Beach, filled with local shops, restaurants, and nightlife. It's a favorite spot for both tourists and locals, providing easy access to the beach and community events. | Center Street Historic District, Local restaurants and bars, Folly Beach Farmers Market, Folly Beach Public Parking, Adventure Kayak Tours |
| East Ashley Avenue | This area offers a quieter residential vibe with easy beach access, perfect for families or couples seeking a peaceful getaway while still being close to the beach activities. | Direct beach access, Residential charm, Scenic bike paths, Wildlife sightings, Local beach rentals |
| West Ashley Avenue | A less crowded area with charming beach houses and a relaxed atmosphere. Great for aquellos looking for spacious accommodations near the beach but away from the hustle and bustle. | Spacious beach homes, Quiet beaches, Beautiful home views, Access to local eateries, Ecosystem trails |
| Folly River | The scenic Folly River provides a unique setting for water activities like kayaking and fishing, making it an attractive place for those interested in water sports. | Kayaking and fishing spots, Nature observations, Scenic views, Riverside dining, Local wildlife |
| Folly Beach County Park | A well-maintained park offering stunning views, great beach access, and nature trails. Perfect for family outings, picnics, and enjoying the natural beauty of Folly Beach. | Beach access, Nature trails, Picnic areas, Restrooms and facilities, Wildlife viewing |
| Bert's Market | A local favorite grocery store and deli that offers a taste of community life. It acts as a social hub as well as a convenient stop for visitors. | Local produce, Unique food offerings, Community events, Café atmosphere, Live music nights |
| The Washout | Famous for its surf breaks, The Washout attracts surfers and beachgoers alike. A hotspot for those looking to engage in water sports and enjoy the beach scene. | Surfing spots, Beach bonfires, Local seafood vendors, Community gatherings, Scenic viewpoints |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Folly Beach?
We recommend checking directly with Folly Beach'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 Folly Beach
Chic 5-Bed Home w/ Pool & Views - Walk to Beach!
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Oceanfront 5-Bed Home w/ Private Backyard & Grill
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Ocean`s Eye by AvantStay | Beachfront Group Escape
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
The Big House - Oceanfront
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
Steps to the Beach! Spacious 7-Bed Home w/ Grill
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
The Lotus Duplex | 5bedrooms 5bathrooms 2kitchens
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Folly Beach
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MyOceanRental | 82 | $8,884,202 | 2876 | 4.81/5.0 |
| Win With Carolina One | 120 | $8,770,613 | 1928 | 4.46/5.0 |
| The Best Rentals | 83 | $8,745,119 | 2232 | 4.48/5.0 |
| Charleston Coast | 73 | $5,204,570 | 422 | 3.04/5.0 |
| Alison | 29 | $4,626,342 | 1085 | 4.64/5.0 |
| Ryan | 39 | $2,642,524 | 3461 | 4.43/5.0 |
| StayDuvet | 22 | $2,589,437 | 1336 | 4.91/5.0 |
| Nicole At Rent On Folly | 7 | $2,222,495 | 607 | 4.97/5.0 |
| ITrip Charleston Beaches | 17 | $1,593,742 | 432 | 4.85/5.0 |
| David | 8 | $1,207,478 | 1506 | 4.93/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Folly Beach
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 (93.3%), with house and apartment & condo properties comprising 93.0% of inventory
- Untapped potential in others, outdoor & mobile segments (0.7% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 890 properties in Folly Beach shows that 3 bedrooms properties are most prevalent, making up 36.3% of the market. The market tends to favor larger properties, with 3 bedrooms and 2 bedrooms together representing 57.3% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 3 bedrooms (36.3%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (9.8%)
- Market concentration: 57.3% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors larger properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 890 properties in Folly Beach reveals that 8+ guests properties dominate the market, representing 43.9% of all listings. The average property accommodates 6.2 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 8+ guests and 6 guests make up 70.1% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 8+ guests (43.9% of market)
- Least common capacity: 3 guests (0.9% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 6.2 guests per property
- Market concentration: 70.1% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 890 properties in Folly Beach, the most common availability pattern is 181-270 days (33% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 181-270 days (33.1% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 181-270 days (33%)
- Most common booking duration: 181-270 days (33.1%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 60.2%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 42.4%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
49 listings
5.8% of total
2 Nights
268 listings
31.8% of total
3 Nights
307 listings
36.4% of total
4-6 Nights
61 listings
7.2% of total
7-29 Nights
10 listings
1.2% of total
30+ Nights
148 listings
17.6% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 37.6%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 7.2% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (17.6%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 74.0% 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
101 listings
12.2% of total
Super Strict 30 Days
254 listings
30.8% of total
Flexible
26 listings
3.2% of total
Moderate
109 listings
13.2% of total
Firm
172 listings
20.8% of total
Strict
163 listings
19.8% of total
Key Insights
- Super Strict 30 Days is the preferred policy at 30.8% of listings
- The market shows a balanced distribution between guest-friendly (16.4%) and strict (40.6%) policies
- Strong market consensus around Super Strict 30 Days policies
- Flexible policies are least common at 3.2% of listings
Recommendations
- Market supports various policies - choose based on your property type and target guests
- Strong market preference for Super Strict 30 Days policies suggests this should be your baseline
Booking Lead Time Trends
Key Insights
- Peak booking lead times occur in Jun, Jul, May, averaging 95 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Dec, Jan, Feb, averaging 57 days
- Summer shows the longest average booking window at 90 days, while Winter has the shortest at 57 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Summer bookings at least 90 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Winter to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Dec-Feb when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Folly Beach
Every property in Folly Beach comes standard with Wifi, and Air conditioning. Below shows the distribution of other amenities:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 97.6% 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 84.5%, followed by Spanish (9%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 5.2%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Charlotte and Asheville 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 Folly Beach. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sullivan's Island | 25 | $6,312 | $784.12 | 42% |
| Isle of Palms | 906 | $6,251 | $667.10 | 41% |
| Talahi Island | 47 | $6,149 | $324.47 | 50% |
| Ocean Isle Beach | 405 | $6,012 | $600.66 | 40% |
| Charleston | 1,854 | $5,123 | $344.84 | 53% |
| Mount Pleasant | 440 | $4,268 | $273.28 | 55% |
| Tybee Island | 1,286 | $4,121 | $387.59 | 41% |
| Fripp Island | 126 | $3,990 | $419.99 | 38% |
| Edisto Island | 24 | $3,934 | $321.74 | 44% |
| Kiawah Island | 592 | $3,930 | $563.90 | 35% |
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