Clayton, Georgia Short-Term Rental Market
Clayton and the North Georgia Mountains STR market posted $297 ADR, 45.7% occupancy, $3,745 monthly revenue in September 2026.
Quick Answer: Clayton, 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 473 listings. market score is 88/100 (grade A).
Market data reflects the North GA Mtns regional market, which includes Clayton. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Clayton.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Clayton, Georgia sits in the North Georgia Mountains, and the performance figures on this page describe the North Georgia Mountains STR market. Data for September 2026 show an average daily rate of $297, occupancy of 45.7%, and average monthly revenue of $3,745 per listing in the North Georgia Mountains STR market. Compared with September 2025, occupancy is up 15.0%, ADR is up 2.5%, and revenue is up 16.1%, so most of the revenue gain came from more booked nights rather than higher rates. Entire-home ADR is $298, nearly identical to the all-listings figure, which shows that whole-place stays set the pricing of the market. This market is tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Clayton, so this profile omits it for bedroom, channel, and listing-type counts and for top operator names.
Over the longer run, the North Georgia Mountains STR market peaked in 2021 at 61.0% occupancy, a $259 ADR, and $4,263 in monthly revenue. Occupancy then eased to 50.7% in 2022, 48.4% in 2023, 46.5% in 2024, and 46.8% in 2025, while ADR climbed from $264 in 2022 to $284 in 2025. Through nine months of 2026 the market shows 43.9% occupancy, a $286 ADR, and $3,576 in average monthly revenue. That year to date reading leaves out the stronger October to December months, which the seasonal section covers.
The research profile for the North Georgia Mountains grouping estimates about 3 million annual visitors, with roughly 50 percent coming from within Georgia and 30 percent from neighboring states such as Florida, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Typical stays run 3 to 4 nights, and pet-friendly properties and trail access rank as the top amenity priorities. The region is described as a leading cabin-rental destination in the Southeast, with summer and fall foliage season driving most bookings.
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 Clayton 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 Clayton, so these counts are not Clayton-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evolve | 473 | 28,174 | ★ 4.76 |
| 2 | Vacasa | 461 | 32,602 | ★ 4.58 |
| 3 | Escape To Blue Ridge | 373 | 4,433 | ★ 4.78 |
| 4 | Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals | 297 | 5,298 | ★ 4.72 |
| 5 | Georgia CFY | 186 | 4,599 | ★ 4.57 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Clayton?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Clayton 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 (Clayton)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Clayton 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 Clayton — 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
The regulatory research for this page covers the North Georgia Mountains grouping of Fannin, Gilmer, Union, Towns, White, and Lumpkin counties. It does not cover Rabun County or the City of Clayton, so confirm local requirements with the city and county before buying or listing. Within the reviewed jurisdictions, short-term rentals are broadly permitted, with no owner-occupancy requirement, no primary-residence requirement, no annual night cap, and no host limits. A permit is required, and the type varies by jurisdiction. The profile lists a permit cost of $175 with annual renewal, an occupancy tax of 6 percent, and moderate enforcement severity.
Fannin County (unincorporated) requires an Accommodation Excise Tax Certificate. As of August 2025 the application fee is $225, with a $25 penalty for certificates not renewed by December 31. Lodging tax is 6 percent of gross receipts, monthly tax reporting is due by the 20th, and noise ordinance violations carry penalties up to $1,000. The City of Blue Ridge requires a $150 STVR Certificate plus a $100 Occupation Tax Certificate, permits STVRs only in C-1, CBD, and R-3 zones, prohibits them in R-1 and R-2 zones, and levies an 8 percent lodging tax.
Gilmer County requires a Chapter 45 STR Host License, with full enforcement beginning January 1, 2026 and fees of $225 new and $300 for renewal. Lumpkin County raised its hotel-motel excise tax from 5 percent to 8 percent effective August 1, 2023, and White County updated its host license requirements effective January 31, 2024. HOA deed restrictions may apply in any jurisdiction.
Market Comparison
The North Georgia Mountains STR market runs at 45.7% occupancy and a $297 ADR in September 2026. July occupancy of 63.1% and October occupancy of 61.4% sit well above that September level, while January at 33.0% falls well below it.
The profile also states that the neighboring Blue Ridge average daily rate of $361 ranks competitively with Gatlinburg at $338 and above Asheville at $244, which indicates how strongly North Georgia cabin pricing holds up against other Southeast mountain destinations.
Because this market is tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Clayton, this profile omits top operator names. Investors comparing Clayton with other mountain towns should treat the figures as a regional benchmark and check nearby comparable listings for local rates.
Frequently Asked Questions About Clayton, Georgia
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How much revenue does a short-term rental make in this market?
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