Hill City Airbnb Market Analysis 2025: Short Term Rental Data & Vacation Rental Statistics in South Dakota, United States
Is Airbnb profitable in Hill City in 2025? Explore comprehensive Airbnb analytics for Hill City, South Dakota, United States to uncover income potential. This 2025 STR market report for Hill City, based on AirROI data from April 2024 to March 2025, reveals key trends in the niche market of 139 active listings.
Whether you're considering an Airbnb investment in Hill City, optimizing your existing vacation rental, or exploring rental arbitrage opportunities, understanding the Hill City Airbnb data is crucial. Leveraging the low regulation environment is key to maximizing your short term rental income potential. Let's dive into the specifics.
Key Hill City Airbnb Performance Metrics Overview
Monthly Airbnb Revenue Variations & Income Potential in Hill City (2025)
Understanding the monthly revenue variations for Airbnb listings in Hill City is key to maximizing your short term rental income potential. Seasonality significantly impacts earnings. Our analysis, based on data from the past 12 months, shows that the peak revenue month for STRs in Hill City is typically July, while February often presents the lowest earnings, highlighting opportunities for strategic pricing adjustments during shoulder and low seasons. Explore the typical Airbnb income in Hill City across different performance tiers:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve $6,753+ monthly, often utilizing dynamic pricing and superior guest experiences.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) earn $4,503 or more, indicating effective management and desirable locations/amenities.
- Typical properties (Median) generate around $2,396 per month, representing the average market performance.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) see earnings around $1,206, often with potential for optimization.
Average Monthly Airbnb Earnings Trend in Hill City
Hill City Airbnb Occupancy Rate Trends (2025)
Maximize your bookings by understanding the Hill City STR occupancy trends. Seasonal demand shifts significantly influence how often properties are booked. Typically, Julysees the highest demand (peak season occupancy), while January experiences the lowest (low season). Effective strategies, like adjusting minimum stays or offering promotions, can boost occupancy during slower periods. Here's how different property tiers perform in Hill City:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve 69%+ occupancy, indicating high desirability and potentially optimized availability.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) maintain 54% or higher occupancy, suggesting good market fit and guest satisfaction.
- Typical properties (Median) have an occupancy rate around 36%.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) average 19% occupancy, potentially facing higher vacancy.
Average Monthly Occupancy Rate Trend in Hill City
Average Daily Rate (ADR) Airbnb Trends in Hill City (2025)
Effective short term rental pricing strategy in Hill City involves understanding monthly ADR fluctuations. The Average Daily Rate (ADR) for Airbnb in Hill City typically peaks in February and dips lowest during April. Leveraging Airbnb dynamic pricing tools or strategies based on this seasonality can significantly boost revenue. Here's a look at the typical nightly rates achieved:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) command rates of $468+ per night, often due to premium features or locations.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) achieve nightly rates of $302 or more.
- Typical properties (Median) charge around $203 per night.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) earn around $129 per night.
Average Daily Rate (ADR) Trend by Month in Hill City
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Airbnb Seasonality Analysis & Trends in Hill City (2025)
Peak Season (July, June, August)
- Revenue averages $5,275 per month
- Occupancy rates average 53.7%
- Daily rates average $274
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $3,004 per month
- Occupancy maintains around 36.7%
- Daily rates hold near $230
Low Season (January, February, December)
- Revenue drops to average $1,691 per month
- Occupancy decreases to average 26.7%
- Daily rates adjust to average $256
Seasonality Insights for Hill City
- The Airbnb seasonality in Hill City shows highly seasonal trends requiring careful strategy. While the sections above show seasonal averages, it's also insightful to look at the extremes:
- During the high season, the absolute peak month showcases Hill City's highest earning potential, with monthly revenues capable of climbing to $5,808, occupancy reaching a high of 61.8%, and ADRs peaking at $278.
- Conversely, the slowest single month of the year, typically falling within the low season, marks the market's lowest point. In this month, revenue might dip to $1,366, occupancy could drop to 23.5%, and ADRs may adjust down to $213.
- Understanding both the seasonal averages and these monthly peaks and troughs in revenue, occupancy, and ADR is crucial for maximizing your Airbnb profit potential in Hill City.
Seasonal Strategies for Maximizing Profit
- Peak Season: Maximize revenue through premium pricing and potentially longer minimum stays. Ensure high availability.
- Low Season: Offer competitive pricing, special promotions (e.g., extended stay discounts), and flexible cancellation policies. Target off-season travelers like remote workers or budget-conscious guests.
- Shoulder Seasons: Implement dynamic pricing that balances peak and low rates. Target weekend travelers or specific events. Offer slightly more flexible terms than peak season.
- Regularly analyze your own performance against these Hill City seasonality benchmarks and adjust your pricing and availability strategy accordingly.
Best Areas for Airbnb Investment in Hill City (2025)
Exploring the top neighborhoods for short-term rentals in Hill City? This section highlights key areas, outlining why they are attractive for hosts and guests, along with notable local attractions. Consider these locations based on your target guest profile and investment strategy.
| Neighborhood / Area | Why Host Here? (Target Guests & Appeal) | Key Attractions & Landmarks |
|---|---|---|
| Custer State Park | A large state park known for its stunning scenery, wildlife, and outdoor activities. Ideal for nature lovers and families looking for adventure. | Wildlife Loop Road, Needles Highway, Custer State Park Resort, Buffalo Roundup, Sylvan Lake |
| Mount Rushmore | An iconic American landmark drawing millions of visitors to see the famous presidential carvings. Great for tourists interested in history and photography. | Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center, Black Hills Caverns, Crazy Horse Memorial |
| Badlands National Park | Known for its striking geological formations and fossil beds, this park attracts those interested in hiking and photography. Suitable for adventure tourists. | Badlands Loop Road, Notch Trail, Fossil Exhibit Trail, Wall Drug |
| Hill City Town Center | The charming downtown area of Hill City, offering unique shops, restaurants, and local art. Great for visitors looking for a local experience. | Hill City Arts Council, Black Hills Central Railroad, Local shops and galleries, Restaurants and cafes |
| Keystone | A gateway town to major attractions like Mount Rushmore and provides a range of accommodations and dining options for tourists. | Gutzon Borglum Historical Center, Rushmore Tramway Adventures, Dinosaur Park |
| Lead | Historic mining town with access to outdoor activities and a quaint downtown. Attracts visitors interested in history and the great outdoors. | Black Hills Gold Mine, Lead Historic Preservation, Terry Peak Ski Area |
| Spearfish Canyon | A scenic canyon known for its beautiful landscapes and recreational opportunities. Favored by nature enthusiasts and hikers. | Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, Roughlock Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Hiking trails |
| Rapid City | The largest city in the area, offering a range of restaurants, shops, and cultural attractions. Great base for exploring the Black Hills region. | Dahl Arts Center, Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, Rapid City Skywalk, Downtown shops and dining |
Understanding Airbnb License Requirements & STR Laws in Hill City (2025)
While Hill City, South Dakota, United States currently shows low STR regulations, specific Airbnb license requirements might still exist or change. Always verify the latest short term rental regulations and Airbnb license requirements directly with local government authorities for Hill City to ensure full compliance before hosting.
(Source: AirROI data, 2025, based on 1% licensed listings)
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Hill City (2025)
Benchmark your potential! Explore examples of top-performing Airbnb properties in Hill Citybased on Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) revenue. Analyze their characteristics, revenue, occupancy rate, and ADR to understand what drives success in this market.
Largest Hill City Cabin-Sleeps 20 with Hot Tub
Entire Place • 7 bedrooms
Cabin w/ On-Site Trails - 15 Miles to Mt Rushmore!
Entire Place • 8 bedrooms
Presidential Luxury Loft 2
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Scenic Hill City Cabin: Hiking & ATV Trail Access
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Cozy Christmas Cabin w/ horses, goats, mini donkey
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Black Hills Home w/ Mickelson Trail Access!
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Note: Performance varies based on location, size, amenities, seasonality, and management quality. Data reflects the past 12 months.
Top Performing Airbnb Hosts in Hill City (2025)
Learn from the best! This table showcases top-performing Airbnb hosts in Hill City based on the number of properties managed and estimated total revenue over the past year. Analyze their scale and performance metrics.
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evolve | 10 | $706,913 | 551 | 4.75/5.0 |
| Carmen | 7 | $472,910 | 59 | 4.94/5.0 |
| High Country | 17 | $320,756 | 786 | 4.72/5.0 |
| TrailHound | 2 | $260,310 | 30 | 5.00/5.0 |
| Shane | 10 | $247,624 | 158 | 4.34/5.0 |
| Michelle | 4 | $201,535 | 122 | 4.85/5.0 |
| Jan | 9 | $129,679 | 480 | 4.73/5.0 |
| Ken | 4 | $98,433 | 140 | 4.73/5.0 |
| Emily | 1 | $81,999 | 220 | 5.00/5.0 |
| Rocky | 14 | $78,028 | 657 | 4.19/5.0 |
Analyzing the strategies of top hosts, such as their property selection, pricing, and guest communication, can offer valuable lessons for optimizing your own Airbnb operations in Hill City.
Dive Deeper: Advanced Hill City STR Market Data (2025)
Ready to unlock more insights? AirROI provides access to advanced metrics and comprehensive Airbnb data for Hill City. Explore detailed analytics beyond this report to refine your investment strategy, optimize pricing, and maximize your vacation rental profits.
Explore Advanced MetricsHill City Short-Term Rental Market Composition (2025): Property & Room Types
Room Type Distribution
Property Type Distribution
Market Composition Insights for Hill City
- The Hill City Airbnb market composition is heavily skewed towards Entire Home/Apt listings, which make up 85.6% of the 139 active rentals. This indicates strong guest preference for privacy and space.
- Looking at the property type distribution in Hill City, Outdoor/Unique properties are the most common (56.8%), reflecting the local real estate landscape.
- Houses represent a significant 24.5% portion, catering likely to families or larger groups.
- Smaller segments like others (combined 4.3%) offer potential for unique stay experiences.
Hill City Airbnb Room Capacity Analysis (2025): Bedroom Distribution
Distribution of Listings by Number of Bedrooms
Room Capacity Insights for Hill City
- The dominant room capacity in Hill City is 2 bedrooms listings, making up 20.9% of the market. This suggests a strong demand for properties suitable for couples or solo travelers.
- Together, 2 bedrooms and 1 bedroom properties represent 41.8% of the active Airbnb listings in Hill City, indicating a high concentration in these sizes.
- A significant 38.2% of listings offer 3+ bedrooms, catering to larger groups and families seeking more space in Hill City.
Hill City Vacation Rental Guest Capacity Trends (2025)
Distribution of Listings by Guest Capacity
Guest Capacity Insights for Hill City
- The most common guest capacity trend in Hill City vacation rentals is listings accommodating 8+ guests (36%). This suggests the primary traveler segment is likely larger groups.
- Properties designed for 8+ guests and 4 guests dominate the Hill City STR market, accounting for 59.7% of listings.
- 56.9% of properties accommodate 6+ guests, serving the market segment for larger families or group travel in Hill City.
- On average, properties in Hill City are equipped to host 5.6 guests.
Hill City Airbnb Booking Patterns (2025): Available vs. Booked Days
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Booking Pattern Insights for Hill City
- The most common availability pattern in Hill City falls within the 271-366 days range, representing 46% of listings. This suggests many properties have significant open periods on their calendars.
- Approximately 83.4% of listings show high availability (181+ days open annually), indicating potential for increased bookings or specific owner usage patterns.
- For booked days, the 91-180 days range is most frequent in Hill City (37.4%), reflecting common guest stay durations or potential owner blocking patterns.
- A notable 20.1% of properties secure long booking periods (181+ days booked per year), highlighting successful long-term rental strategies or significant owner usage.
Hill City Airbnb Minimum Stay Requirements Analysis
Distribution of Listings by Minimum Night Requirement
1 Night
43 listings
31.4% of total
2 Nights
58 listings
42.3% of total
3 Nights
26 listings
19% of total
4-6 Nights
2 listings
1.5% of total
30+ Nights
8 listings
5.8% of total
Key Insights
- The most prevalent minimum stay requirement in Hill City is 2 Nights, adopted by 42.3% of listings. This highlights the market's preference for shorter, flexible bookings.
- A strong majority (73.7%) of the Hill City Airbnb data shows acceptance of very short stays (1-2 nights), indicating a dynamic, high-turnover market.
Recommendations
- Align with the market by considering a 2 Nights minimum stay, as 42.3% of Hill City hosts use this setting.
- Explore offering discounts for stays of 30+ nights to attract the 5.8% of the market seeking extended stays.
- Adjust minimum nights based on seasonality – potentially shorter during low season and longer during peak demand periods in Hill City.
Hill City Airbnb Cancellation Policy Trends Analysis (2025)
Super Strict 30 Days
9 listings
6.7% of total
Super Strict 60 Days
4 listings
3% of total
Flexible
9 listings
6.7% of total
Moderate
36 listings
26.9% of total
Firm
14 listings
10.4% of total
Strict
62 listings
46.3% of total
Cancellation Policy Insights for Hill City
- The prevailing Airbnb cancellation policy trend in Hill City is Strict, used by 46.3% of listings.
- A majority (56.7%) of hosts in Hill City utilize Firm or Strict policies, indicating a market where hosts prioritize booking security.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Consider adopting a Strict policy to align with the 46.3% market standard in Hill City.
- With 46.3% using Strict terms, this is a viable option in Hill City, particularly for high-value properties or during peak demand periods.
- Regularly review your cancellation policy against competitors and market demand shifts in Hill City.
Hill City STR Booking Lead Time Analysis (2025)
Average Booking Lead Time by Month
Booking Lead Time Insights for Hill City
- The overall average booking lead time for vacation rentals in Hill City is 74 days.
- Guests book furthest in advance for stays during July (average 110 days), likely coinciding with peak travel demand or local events.
- The shortest booking windows occur for stays in January (average 29 days), indicating more last-minute travel plans during this time.
- Seasonally, Summer (100 days avg.) sees the longest lead times, while Winter (43 days avg.) has the shortest, reflecting typical travel planning cycles.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Use the overall average lead time (74 days) as a baseline for your pricing and availability strategy in Hill City.
- For July stays, consider implementing length-of-stay discounts or slightly higher rates for bookings made less than 110 days out to capitalize on advance planning.
- Target marketing efforts for the Summer season well in advance (at least 100 days) to capture early planners.
- Monitor your own booking lead times against these Hill City averages to identify opportunities for dynamic pricing adjustments.
Popular & Essential Airbnb Amenities in Hill City (2025)
Amenity Prevalence
Amenity Insights for Hill City
- Popular amenities like Free parking on premises, Smoke alarm, Fire extinguisher are common but not universal. Offering these can provide a competitive edge.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Consider adding popular differentiators like Free parking on premises or Smoke alarm to increase appeal.
- Highlight unique or less common amenities you offer (e.g., hot tub, dedicated workspace, EV charger) in your listing description and photos.
- Regularly check competitor amenities in Hill City to stay competitive.
Hill City Airbnb Guest Demographics & Profile Analysis (2025)
Guest Profile Summary for Hill City
- The typical guest profile for Airbnb in Hill City consists of primarily domestic travelers (98%), often arriving from nearby Sioux Falls, typically belonging to the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group (50%), primarily speaking English or Spanish.
- Domestic travelers account for 98.0% of guests.
- Key international markets include United States (98%) and Canada (0.5%).
- Top languages spoken are English (85.4%) followed by Spanish (6.4%).
- A significant demographic segment is the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group, representing 50% of guests.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Target domestic marketing efforts towards travelers from Sioux Falls and Omaha.
- Tailor amenities and listing descriptions to appeal to the dominant Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) demographic (e.g., highlight fast WiFi, smart home features, local guides).
- Highlight unique local experiences or amenities relevant to the primary guest profile.
- Consider seasonal promotions aligned with peak travel times for key origin markets.
Nearby Short-Term Rental Market Comparison
How does the Hill City Airbnb market stack up against its neighbors? Compare key performance metrics like average monthly revenue, ADR, and occupancy rates in surrounding areas to understand the broader regional STR landscape.
| Market | Active Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Avg. Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powder House Pass | 114 | $6,488 | $548.07 | 41% |
| Nemo | 22 | $3,822 | $351.51 | 51% |
| Lead | 478 | $3,302 | $338.95 | 38% |
| Black Hawk | 21 | $3,280 | $282.42 | 47% |
| Deadwood | 137 | $3,111 | $372.71 | 41% |
| Whitewood | 30 | $3,067 | $342.95 | 42% |
| Custer | 253 | $2,991 | $269.25 | 52% |
| Keystone | 89 | $2,935 | $250.65 | 60% |
| Spearfish | 153 | $2,756 | $274.09 | 47% |
| Rapid City | 604 | $2,645 | $233.79 | 52% |