Norfork, Arkansas Short-Term Rental Market
Norfork, AR STRs averaged $159/night at 44.0% occupancy in April 2026 across 6,800+ active listings.
Quick Answer: Norfork, Arkansas is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Arkansas Area market area is 55%. average monthly revenue in the Arkansas Area market area is $2,842. average daily rate in the Arkansas Area market area is $186. the top operator in the Arkansas Area market area is Evolve with 434 listings. market score is 85/100 (grade A).
Market data reflects the Arkansas Area regional market, which includes Norfork. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Norfork.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Norfork, Arkansas sits at the confluence of the North Fork and White rivers in Baxter County, anchoring one of the Ozarks’ most active outdoor-recreation STR markets. The area draws trout anglers, boaters, divers, and water-sports enthusiasts to Norfork Lake (22,000 acres, 550-plus miles of shoreline) and the world-famous Norfork tailwater fishery below Norfork Dam. Baxter County recorded nearly 450,000 overnight trips and $218 million in visitor spending in 2024.
As of April 2026, the market recorded an average daily rate of $159 and occupancy of 44.0%, producing average monthly revenue of $1,962 per listing. RevPAR stood at $69.72. Year-over-year: occupancy rose 5.1%, ADR dipped 1.8%, and revenue grew 4.6%.
Active inventory spans approximately 6,875 listings. Entire-place properties account for 6,656, or 96.8% of the market. Private-room listings add 218. On platform distribution, 3,055 listings appear on Airbnb only, 600 on VRBO only, and 3,220 on both platforms simultaneously.
The bedroom mix is remarkably balanced: 2-bedroom listings lead slightly at 2,011, followed by 1-bedroom (1,992), 3-bedroom (1,922), 4-bedroom (648), and 5-bedroom-plus (297). The overall market score of 85.10 is driven by a standout investability score of 96.45 and a strong seasonality score of 83.05, offset by moderate rental demand (60.02) and regulation scores (68.40) that reflect the smaller market size and current regulatory environment.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 32% |
| Feb | 40% |
| Mar | 51% |
| Apr | 43% |
| May | 49% |
| Jun | 56% |
| Jul | 57% |
| Aug | 44% |
| Sep | 42% |
| Oct | 50% |
| Nov | 45% |
| Dec | 38% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Norfork are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Arkansas Area market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Arkansas Area market as a whole, which includes Norfork, so these counts are not Norfork-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evolve | 434 | 17,314 | ★ 4.78 |
| 2 | Arkansas Vacation | 38 | 748 | ★ 4.75 |
| 3 | King Rhodes | 32 | 408 | ★ 4.74 |
| 4 | Buffalo Outdoor Center | 27 | 308 | ★ 4.91 |
| 5 | Ivy Vacations | 25 | 3,140 | ★ 4.91 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Norfork?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Norfork are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 44.4% |
| vrbo | 8.7% |
| both | 46.8% |
Home Value Trends (Norfork)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Norfork are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Insights
Booking-window and length-of-stay analysis for Norfork — how far ahead guests book and how to price around it — is available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Norfork is among the most STR-permissive jurisdictions in Arkansas. Short-term rentals are allowed in all zoned districts city-wide under Ordinance 2023-03. No city-level STR-specific permit, fee, occupancy cap, or owner-occupancy requirement has been documented in the published Norfork Municipal Code. A November 2024 ballot measure that would have repealed Ordinance 2023-03 and banned STRs failed by a vote of 137 to 89, reaffirming the city’s permissive stance.
Operators are subject to Arkansas state-level requirements. Arkansas sales tax applies to transient rentals of under 30 days. A 2% Arkansas Tourism Tax also applies. Lodging businesses operating in cities with an Advertising and Promotion commission must obtain a free Arkansas A&P Commission tax permit. No city-level lodging tax or A&P tax has been publicly documented for Norfork specifically.
Baxter County does not impose a county-wide STR ordinance. Enforcement risk in Norfork is rated low, consistent with a city of 465 residents that recently reaffirmed its pro-rental policy at the ballot box.
Hosts should confirm current municipal requirements directly with Norfork City Hall before launching operations, as small municipalities may implement changes without broad public notice.
Market Comparison
Norfork’s April 2026 occupancy of 44.0% is below the U.S. STR median of approximately 55%, reflecting the market’s rural, seasonal, and recreation-driven character. The 2025 annual average of 45.5% is also below the national benchmark, though the gap narrows during peak summer months. ADR of $159 is well below the national STR median of approximately $220, consistent with the Ozarks drive-market and below-average acquisition costs.
The 8.9% gross yield competes strongly with many coastal markets where higher acquisition prices compress returns. The investability score of 96.45 out of 100 is among the highest in this batch of markets and indicates that the ratio of revenue potential to entry cost is favorable.
The operator landscape is led by Evolve, which holds a dominant position with 434 listings and 17,314 reviews at a 4.78 average rating, representing approximately 6.3% of total active inventory. Arkansas Vacation is second with 38 listings and 748 reviews at a 4.75 rating. King Rhodes operates 32 listings with 408 reviews at a 4.74 rating. Beyond Evolve, the market is highly fragmented with independent hosts making up the vast majority of inventory.
Frequently Asked Questions About Norfork, Arkansas
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