Dahlonega, Georgia Short-Term Rental Market
The North Georgia Mountains STR market averaged $297 ADR, 45.7% occupancy and $3,745 monthly revenue in September 2026.
Quick Answer: Dahlonega, 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 Dahlonega. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Dahlonega.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
This profile covers the North Georgia Mountains STR market, a region that includes Dahlonega, Cleveland, Helen, Blairsville, Blue Ridge, Ellijay, Hiawassee, McCaysville, Morganton, Cherry Log and Suches. Performance is tracked at this shared regional level rather than uniquely for Dahlonega, so every performance figure below describes the region, and this profile omits bedroom, channel and listing-type counts and top operator names for the same reason. Data runs through September 2026.
In September 2026 the North Georgia Mountains STR market averaged an ADR of $297 and occupancy of 45.7%, producing average monthly revenue of $3,745 per listing. Entire-home listings averaged $298 per night. Compared with September 2025, 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.
The longer record shows a market that has settled after the 2020 and 2021 surge. Occupancy was 61.7% in 2020 and 61.0% in 2021, then eased to 50.7% in 2022, 48.4% in 2023, 46.5% in 2024 and 46.8% in 2025. Over the same stretch ADR climbed from $227 in 2020 to $284 in 2025. Through nine months of 2026 the year to date figures are 43.9% occupancy, $286 ADR and $3,576 in monthly revenue.
Dahlonega itself has a population of 7,537 and draws leisure travelers from metro Atlanta, roughly one hour south. The Dahlonega Wine Trail, gold rush heritage, Chattahoochee National Forest recreation and the historic downtown square anchor demand. Summing typical monthly revenue across the calendar gives annual revenue of $40,885 per listing for the region.
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 Dahlonega 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 Dahlonega, so these counts are not Dahlonega-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 Dahlonega?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Dahlonega 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 (Dahlonega)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Dahlonega 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 Dahlonega — 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 legal in Dahlonega but require active licensing. Inside city limits, operators must obtain a Land Use Permit, a City of Dahlonega Business/Occupational Tax Certificate and an annual Short-Term Rental License. The permit review cycle typically runs two to three weeks, and the license renews annually.
Zoning is the main constraint. Short-term rentals are regulated under Article VIII of the city zoning ordinance and are prohibited in R-1 residential zoning districts. They are permitted in certain commercial, mixed-use and downtown districts, subject to land-use approval. Unincorporated Lumpkin County allows STRs in residential, commercial and agricultural zones with a county permit, which costs $175 initially and $100 for each additional property, with annual renewal.
Operators must pass a Fire Marshal inspection, carry liability insurance, register for Georgia sales tax and hotel-motel tax collection, and designate a local contact person who can respond promptly to issues. The City of Dahlonega levies an 8% local hotel/motel excise tax, on top of Georgia’s 4% state sales tax and the $5-per-night state hotel-motel fee.
There is no owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirement, and no codified cap on rental nights per year. Enforcement severity is rated moderate. It is primarily complaint-driven, supported by review of online listings, Fire Marshal inspections and tax-compliance audits. Violations can result in fines, license suspension or revocation.
Recent changes are limited. Lumpkin County discontinued Host Compliance third-party STR tracking in 2024, and the city has continued to enforce Article VIII and the 8% excise tax with no major rewrite as of 2026. Confirm zoning with the city before buying.
Market Comparison
The North Georgia Mountains STR market shows a split result in September 2026, with occupancy of 45.7% and an ADR of $297.
That pattern is typical of a destination region that sells larger leisure properties but cannot fill them every night. Revenue still holds up well, at $3,745 per listing per month, because the rate offsets lower utilization. Occupancy is also improving, with a 15.0% year over year gain, while ADR rose a more modest 2.5%.
Seasonality widens the gap. In July and October the region reaches 63.1% and 61.4% occupancy. In January it falls to 33.0%. An investor should therefore treat the annual average as a blend of strong summer and fall months and a weak winter.
The region’s rental stock and its leading operators are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Dahlonega, so this profile omits it. A buyer who wants to compare management options should request local references and performance records directly from property managers serving Dahlonega.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dahlonega, Georgia
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Are short-term rentals legal in Dahlonega, Georgia?
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