Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Hill City, 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 Hill City? 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 Hill City:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Hill City?
The short-term rental market in Hill City 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 $2,515 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $4,741 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $7,374+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $1,192
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Hill City
The market in Hill City 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 37% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 55% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 72%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 19%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Hill City
Daily rates in Hill City 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 $198 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $299 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $430+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $126
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Hill City
Peak Season (July, June, August)
- Revenue peaks at $5777.19 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 61.90%
- Daily rates average $274.73
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $3521.64 per month
- Occupancy maintains 39.29%
- Daily rates hold at $240.56
Low Season (February, December, January)
- Revenue drops to $1828.10 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 24.72%
- Daily rates adjust to $203.39
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Hill City in 2025?
Yes! Hill City demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a growing occupancy rate of 39% and strong monthly revenue averaging $3522 and The market's 138 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 Hill City
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Mount Rushmore | Home to the famous Mount Rushmore National Memorial, this location attracts millions of visitors each year. It's perfect for those looking to explore American history and stunning landscapes. | Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Bear Country USA, Crazy Horse Memorial, Black Hills National Forest, Custer State Park |
| Custer State Park | A large state park known for its breathtaking scenic views, wildlife, and outdoor recreational activities. Ideal for nature lovers and adventure seekers. | Custer State Park Wildlife Loop, Needles Highway, Sylvan Lake, Burro Trail, Custer State Park |
| Badlands National Park | Known for its dramatically eroded landscape, this national park attracts hiking and photography enthusiasts. The unique formations draw visitors from all over. | Badlands Loop Road, Fossil Exhibit Trail, Notch Trail, Saddle Pass Trail, Badlands National Park Visitor Center |
| Hill City Historic Downtown | A charming small town with a rich history and local shops, restaurants, and galleries. It's a welcoming place for tourists seeking a quaint atmosphere. | Hill City Depot, Walcott Gallery, Hill City Arts, Buffalo Ridge Trading Post, Historic downtown shops |
| Keystone | A small town located near Mount Rushmore, offering a variety of attractions like restaurants and shopping, perfect for tourists visiting the landmark. | Rushmore Tramway Adventures, Big Thunder Gold Mine, Gutzon Borglum Historical Center, Keystone Main Street, Mount Rushmore |
| Spearfish Canyon | Famous for its breathtaking beauty and outdoor activities, this area is a hidden gem for nature lovers and outdoor adventurers. | Spearfish Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Roughlock Falls, Hiking trails, Scenic drives |
| Nemo | A small community within the Black Hills, surrounded by outdoor recreation opportunities, great for guests wanting a peaceful retreat in nature. | Nemo Road scenic drive, Hiking trails, Black Hills National Forest, Pelican Lake, Nearby camping sites |
| Lead and Deadwood | Historic mining towns with numerous casinos, museums, and shows. Ideal for tourists looking to experience the Old West and local nightlife. | Deadwood Gambling Halls, Lead Mining Museum, Mickelson Trail, Historic Deadwood Main Street, Local saloons and events |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Hill City?
We recommend checking directly with Hill City's local government regarding short-term rental licensing requirements. Current market data shows limited licensing information (1% of listings), making it essential to verify current regulations before starting your Airbnb business.
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Hill City
Largest Hill City Cabin-Sleeps 20 with Hot Tub
Entire Place • 7 bedrooms
Presidential Luxury Loft 2
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Hill City Get Away Black Hills SD
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Cabin w/ On-Site Trails - 15 Miles to Mt Rushmore!
Entire Place • 8 bedrooms
Scenic Hill City Cabin: Hiking & ATV Trail Access
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Black Hills Home w/ Mickelson Trail Access!
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Hill City
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evolve | 10 | $726,285 | 551 | 4.75/5.0 |
| Carmen | 7 | $510,713 | 59 | 4.94/5.0 |
| High Country | 17 | $331,205 | 786 | 4.72/5.0 |
| TrailHound | 2 | $317,804 | 30 | 5.00/5.0 |
| Shane | 9 | $268,306 | 150 | 4.28/5.0 |
| Michelle | 4 | $197,795 | 122 | 4.85/5.0 |
| Jan | 9 | $130,101 | 480 | 4.73/5.0 |
| Cheri | 1 | $129,475 | 49 | 4.96/5.0 |
| Ken | 4 | $101,130 | 140 | 4.73/5.0 |
| Hospitium | 1 | $82,821 | 16 | 4.44/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Hill City
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 (85.5%), with outdoor & mobile and house properties comprising 81.1% of inventory
- Strong specialty sector (61.6%) combining boutique hotels, unique stays, and outdoor accommodations indicates market maturity and premium opportunities
- Untapped potential in others segments (4.3% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 138 properties in Hill City shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 21% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 41.3% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 1 bedroom (21%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (5.8%)
- Market concentration: 41.3% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 138 properties in Hill City reveals that 8+ guests properties dominate the market, representing 35.5% of all listings. The average property accommodates 5.6 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 8+ guests and 4 guests make up 59.4% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 8+ guests (35.5% of market)
- Least common capacity: 3 guests (2.2% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 5.6 guests per property
- Market concentration: 59.4% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 138 properties in Hill City, the most common availability pattern is 271-366 days (45.7% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 91-180 days (37.7% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 271-366 days (45.7%)
- Most common booking duration: 91-180 days (37.7%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 81.9%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 20.3%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
42 listings
30.9% of total
2 Nights
62 listings
45.6% of total
3 Nights
27 listings
19.9% of total
4-6 Nights
2 listings
1.5% of total
30+ Nights
3 listings
2.2% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 76.5%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 1.5% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (2.2%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 96.4% 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
8 listings
6% of total
Super Strict 60 Days
4 listings
3% of total
Flexible
9 listings
6.8% of total
Moderate
35 listings
26.3% of total
Firm
14 listings
10.5% of total
Strict
63 listings
47.4% of total
Key Insights
- Strict is the preferred policy at 47.4% of listings
- The market shows a balanced distribution between guest-friendly (33.1%) and strict (57.9%) policies
- Strong market consensus around Strict policies
- Super Strict 60 Days policies are least common at 3.0% 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 Jul, Jun, Apr, averaging 102 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Dec, Feb, Jan, averaging 48 days
- Summer shows the longest average booking window at 100 days, while Winter has the shortest at 48 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Summer bookings at least 100 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Winter to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Dec-Jan when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Hill City
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Hill City:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 97.8% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
- Primary international markets: United Kingdom (0.5%) and Germany (0.5%)
- English is the top language at 88.9%, followed by Spanish (7.3%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 7.1%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Sioux Falls and Omaha markets
- Develop localized content for United Kingdom 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 Hill City. 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% |
| Custer | 264 | $3,105 | $273.09 | 52% |
| North Spearfish | 20 | $3,038 | $237.19 | 46% |
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