Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Custer, South Dakota, United States
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Custer? 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 Custer:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Custer?
The short-term rental market in Custer 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 $3,369 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $5,960 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $9,080+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $1,734
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Custer
The market in Custer 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 77%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 26%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Custer
Daily rates in Custer 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 $206 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $313 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $486+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $131
Daily Rate Variations by Month
Get Live Custer Market Intelligence 👇
Explore Real-time Analytics
Seasonality patterns in Custer
Peak Season (June, July, August)
- Revenue peaks at $6890.22 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 71.22%
- Daily rates average $290.98
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $4386.77 per month
- Occupancy maintains 45.37%
- Daily rates hold at $259.95
Low Season (November, December, January)
- Revenue drops to $1758.17 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 23.85%
- Daily rates adjust to $230.89
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Custer in 2025?
Yes! Custer demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a healthy occupancy rate of 45% and strong monthly revenue averaging $4387 and With 264 active listings, the market shows established demand while maintaining room for growth. 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 Custer
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Custer State Park | A stunning natural habitat featuring breathtaking landscapes, abundant wildlife, and outdoor activities. Perfect for families and nature enthusiasts looking for a peaceful getaway. | Wildlife Loop Road, Needles Highway, Sylvan Lake, Custer State Park Lodge, Black Hills |
| Crazy Horse Memorial | A monumental sculpture and cultural site that attracts visitors from around the world. Ideal for those who want to combine their stay with unique educational opportunities and breathtaking views. | Crazy Horse Mountain Memorial, Indian Museum of North America, Karma Tour, All American Indian Days, Black Hills Gold Factory |
| Mount Rushmore | An iconic symbol of America, Mount Rushmore draws millions of tourists. Staying nearby provides easy access to one of the most recognized landmarks in the world. | Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Avenue of Flags, Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center, Presidential Trail, Keystone Museum |
| Downtown Custer | Charming small-town atmosphere with local shops, restaurants, and galleries. Attractive for visitors wanting to immerse themselves in local culture and history. | Custer County Courthouse, Custer County Historical Society Museum, Various local boutiques, Custer County Arts and Crafts, Reptile Gardens |
| Black Hills National Forest | A vast area of natural beauty and recreational opportunities. Ideal for hikers, bikers, and outdoor lovers wanting to explore the diverse landscape. | Hiking Trails, Camping Areas, Biking Trails, Rock Climbing Spots, Wildlife Watching |
| Wind Cave National Park | Known for its stunning limestone formations and diverse wildlife. Offers a unique experience for visitors interested in geology and nature. | Wind Cave, Wildlife Viewing, Tours of the cave, Scenic Drives, Hiking Trails |
| Blue Bell Lodge | A charming lodge located in the heart of Custer State Park, it offers a rustic experience combined with the beauty of the surrounding nature, appealing to families and couples alike. | Horseback Riding, Fishing, Hiking Trails, Restaurant and Bar, Lodge Activities |
| Sylvan Lake | A picturesque location known for its stunning scenery and recreational opportunities, perfect for swimming, fishing, and hiking, making it a favorite for families and adventurers during the summer. | Sylvan Lake Lodge, Swimming and Kayaking, Hiking Trails, Wildlife Viewing, Scenic Photography |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Custer?
We recommend checking directly with Custer'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 Custer
20 Acres, 2 mins to Custer State Park
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
Black Hills Cabin: Hot Tub, Fishing Pond & Deck
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
Wind Dance Lodge w/ HOT TUB Large Shop garage
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Tatanka Cabin | State Game Lodge
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Modern Lodge: Hottub + Huge Space + Views + Sauna
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Papa’s Place on Willow Creek
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Custer
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| J&J Hospitality | 11 | $971,946 | 697 | 4.90/5.0 |
| Candace | 20 | $954,678 | 552 | 4.62/5.0 |
| Trystin | 10 | $853,025 | 343 | 4.91/5.0 |
| Crystal | 7 | $371,716 | 489 | 4.93/5.0 |
| Rock Crest Lodge | 8 | $371,443 | 81 | 4.16/5.0 |
| Evolve | 6 | $360,044 | 267 | 4.74/5.0 |
| TrailHound | 4 | $332,671 | 167 | 4.85/5.0 |
| State Game Lodge | 5 | $318,322 | 15 | 2.78/5.0 |
| Thomas | 5 | $303,660 | 455 | 4.99/5.0 |
| Buffalo Ridge | 7 | $283,672 | 341 | 4.66/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Custer
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 (92.8%), with outdoor & mobile and house properties comprising 80.7% of inventory
- Strong specialty sector (61.0%) combining boutique hotels, unique stays, and outdoor accommodations indicates market maturity and premium opportunities
- Untapped potential in unique stays, others segments (4.5% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 264 properties in Custer shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 29.9% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 49.2% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 1 bedroom (29.9%)
- Least common: 4 bedrooms (8.7%)
- Market concentration: 49.2% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 264 properties in Custer reveals that 8+ guests properties dominate the market, representing 35.2% of all listings. The average property accommodates 5.5 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 8+ guests and 4 guests make up 53.0% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 8+ guests (35.2% of market)
- Least common capacity: 3 guests (1.1% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 5.5 guests per property
- Market concentration: 53.0% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 264 properties in Custer, the most common availability pattern is 181-270 days (42.4% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 91-180 days (45.1% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 181-270 days (42.4%)
- Most common booking duration: 91-180 days (45.1%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 75.8%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 24.6%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
75 listings
29.3% of total
2 Nights
128 listings
50% of total
3 Nights
34 listings
13.3% of total
4-6 Nights
7 listings
2.7% of total
7-29 Nights
1 listings
0.4% of total
30+ Nights
11 listings
4.3% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 79.3%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 2.7% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (4.3%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 92.6% 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
- Implement different minimum stays for weekends vs. weekdays
Cancellation Policy Distribution
Super Strict 30 Days
1 listings
0.4% of total
Super Strict 60 Days
12 listings
4.9% of total
Flexible
50 listings
20.6% of total
Moderate
45 listings
18.5% of total
Firm
65 listings
26.7% of total
Strict
70 listings
28.8% of total
Key Insights
- Strict is the preferred policy at 28.8% of listings
- The market shows a balanced distribution between guest-friendly (39.1%) and strict (55.5%) policies
- Strong market consensus around Strict policies
- Super Strict 30 Days policies are least common at 0.4% of listings
Recommendations
- Market supports various policies - choose based on your property type and target guests
- Strong market preference for Strict policies suggests this should be your baseline
Booking Lead Time Trends
Key Insights
- Peak booking lead times occur in Jun, Jul, May, averaging 107 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Dec, Jan, Feb, averaging 45 days
- Summer shows the longest average booking window at 99 days, while Winter has the shortest at 45 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Summer bookings at least 99 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 Custer
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Custer:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 97.1% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
- Primary international markets: Canada (1%) and United Kingdom (0.5%)
- English is the top language at 87%, followed by Spanish (8.4%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 8.0%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Sioux Falls and Minneapolis markets
- Develop localized content for Canada and United Kingdom
- 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 Custer. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powder House Pass | 113 | $7,158 | $608.55 | 42% |
| Nemo | 24 | $3,850 | $359.56 | 52% |
| Black Hawk | 21 | $3,732 | $295.31 | 46% |
| Lead | 486 | $3,614 | $352.39 | 38% |
| Deadwood | 134 | $3,269 | $381.39 | 41% |
| Hot Springs | 73 | $3,177 | $323.90 | 43% |
| Whitewood | 32 | $3,152 | $326.06 | 43% |
| Keystone | 89 | $3,132 | $252.35 | 58% |
| North Spearfish | 20 | $3,038 | $237.19 | 46% |
| Spearfish | 160 | $3,010 | $290.17 | 48% |
How is your STR performing?
Your vacation rental may be amazing, but is it better than your competition? Enjoy the best-in-class AI-powered analytics for free!
Discover Insights