Blairsville, Georgia Short-Term Rental Market
Union County caps STR licenses; September 2026 averaged $297 ADR, 45.7% occupancy and $3,745 monthly revenue.
Quick Answer: Blairsville, Georgia is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the North GA Mtns market area is 46%. average monthly revenue in the North GA Mtns market area is $3,745. average daily rate in the North GA Mtns market area is $297. the top operator in the North GA Mtns market area is Evolve with 470 listings. market score is 88/100 (grade A).
Market data reflects the North GA Mtns regional market, which includes Blairsville. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Blairsville.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
This profile covers the North Georgia mountains STR market, a region that includes Blairsville, Hiawassee, Suches, Morganton, Helen, Blue Ridge, Cleveland, Dahlonega, McCaysville, Cherry Log and Ellijay. Performance figures below describe that region and not Blairsville alone. In September 2026 the average daily rate across all listings was $297, occupancy was 45.7%, and average monthly revenue was $3,745. Entire place listings averaged $298 per night, close to the all listings figure.
Year over year, occupancy rose 15.0%, ADR rose 2.5%, and revenue rose 16.1%, so the gain came mostly from more booked nights rather than higher rates. That follows a softer stretch. Average occupancy slid from 61.0% in 2021 to 46.5% in 2024 and was 46.8% in 2025, while the average rate climbed from $259 in 2021 to $284 in 2025. Year to date 2026 through September shows 43.9% occupancy and a $286 ADR.
Blairsville and Union County draw outdoor recreation visitors to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia. Vogel State Park sits at the base of Blood Mountain, Brasstown Bald is Georgia’s highest peak at 4,784 feet, and Lake Nottely covers 4,180 acres with 106 miles of shoreline. More than 80 miles of the Appalachian Trail pass through the region. Day trippers arrive from Atlanta, a two to three hour drive, as well as from Chattanooga and Greenville. The area positions itself as a more affordable mountain alternative to Blue Ridge, and its visitor mix skews toward outdoor recreation enthusiasts, retirees and weekend retreaters.
Bedroom, channel and listing-type counts and the top-operator names are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Blairsville, so this profile omits them. All performance data is for September 2026.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 33% |
| Feb | 39% |
| Mar | 48% |
| Apr | 44% |
| May | 45% |
| Jun | 57% |
| Jul | 63% |
| Aug | 47% |
| Sep | 47% |
| Oct | 61% |
| Nov | 55% |
| Dec | 51% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Blairsville are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in North GA Mtns market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the North GA Mtns market as a whole, which includes Blairsville, so these counts are not Blairsville-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evolve | 470 | 28,108 | ★ 4.76 |
| 2 | Vacasa | 457 | 32,402 | ★ 4.58 |
| 3 | Escape To Blue Ridge | 371 | 4,391 | ★ 4.78 |
| 4 | Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals | 292 | 5,288 | ★ 4.71 |
| 5 | Georgia CFY | 187 | 4,592 | ★ 4.57 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Blairsville?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Blairsville 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 | 20.2% |
| vrbo | 9% |
| both | 70.8% |
Home Value Trends (Blairsville)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Blairsville 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 Blairsville — 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
Short-term rentals are permitted, with a license required. Union County, which governs most STR activity in the Blairsville area, adopted its STR ordinance effective April 8, 2023. Operators need an Annual STR License costing $150, renewed each year by July 31. The license is issued to the property owner or legal title-holder only. Where a business entity owns the property, the licensee is the majority shareholder or partner.
The key restriction is the cap. The county limits total licenses to 5% of total housing units as reported annually by the Union County Tax Assessor, and no person or business entity may hold more than 2 licenses. Properties with multiple STRs under one ownership are classified as Tourist Accommodations and require additional Georgia Department of Public Health permitting. An STR is defined as a dwelling rented for 30 days or less.
There is no owner-occupancy or primary residence requirement, so investment properties may operate legally. Applications require a driver’s license copy, a notarized SAVE Affidavit and a property septic permit. Operators must post the license number and visitor emergency contact information conspicuously inside the unit.
Union County collects a 5% excise tax on gross rental revenue, including cleaning fees, pet fees and other non-optional charges, for stays of 30 days or less. Monthly returns are due by the 20th of the following month and must be filed even in months with no revenue. The Georgia state hotel-motel fee adds $5 per night for stays of 30 days or less. Platforms may remit the county tax on a host’s behalf, so confirm remittance status with the platform.
A seven member STR Board oversees enforcement, and an STR Officer was created under the ordinance. Complaint intake is managed online. Enforcement is rated moderate. No significant changes have been identified since adoption as of May 2026.
Market Comparison
The North Georgia mountains STR market ran at 45.7% occupancy and a $297 ADR in September 2026, with entire place listings at $298.
The seasonal peaks show the upside. July reaches 63.1% occupancy and October 61.4%, while January falls to 33.0%. Annual averages tell a similar story: 46.8% occupancy and a $284 ADR in 2025, with 2026 year to date at 43.9% and $286.
Momentum is currently favorable. September occupancy rose 15.0% year over year, ADR rose 2.5% and revenue rose 16.1%. The typical home value of $391,025 and the 5% license cap also set this market apart from many mountain destinations, because supply growth is limited by the county’s licensing rules. Investors comparing the area with Blue Ridge should note that the area positions itself as the more affordable option, with the same Blue Ridge Mountains scenery and outdoor recreation draw.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blairsville, Georgia
What is the average daily rate for short-term rentals in the Blairsville area?
What is the occupancy rate for Blairsville Airbnb rentals?
Are short-term rentals legal in Blairsville and Union County?
What taxes apply to short-term rentals in Union County?
How much revenue does a short-term rental earn per month?
When is the best time of year for Blairsville short-term rentals?
How far ahead do guests book, and how long do they stay?
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