Elizabethtown, Kentucky Short-Term Rental Market
Elizabethtown STRs averaged $183/night at 50.4% occupancy in April 2026, with investability scoring 97.75 out of 100.
Quick Answer: Elizabethtown, Kentucky is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Kentucky Area market area is 48%. average monthly revenue in the Kentucky Area market area is $2,886. average daily rate in the Kentucky Area market area is $203. the top operator in the Kentucky Area market area is Evolve with 344 listings. market score is 89/100 (grade A).
Market data reflects the Kentucky Area regional market, which includes Elizabethtown. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Elizabethtown.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
The Elizabethtown, Kentucky short-term rental market spans a broad regional footprint anchored by Hardin County’s position at the I-65/Bluegrass Parkway crossroads, roughly 45 minutes south of Louisville. As of April 2026, the market logged an average daily rate of $182.86 and a 50.4% occupancy rate, producing a RevPAR of $92.13. The market carries a composite score of 88.85 out of 100, driven by an exceptionally high investability score of 97.75.
Active supply is dominated by entire-place listings, which account for 7,999 of 8,451 total units (94.6%), with private rooms comprising 449 units and shared rooms just 3. By bedroom count, 2-bedroom properties lead at 2,493 units, followed closely by 1-bedroom (2,293) and 3-bedroom (2,234), with 4-bedroom (859) and 5-bedroom-plus (566) rounding out the mix. The distribution suggests a market serving both leisure couples and larger groups.
Channel distribution shows 3,945 Airbnb-only listings, 813 VRBO-only, and 3,693 listed on both platforms, indicating strong cross-platform activity. Year-over-year as of April 2026, occupancy is essentially flat (+0.17%), ADR is up 2.73%, and revenue is up 3.40%, pointing to a market that is stable and growing modestly rather than correcting.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 34% |
| Feb | 44% |
| Mar | 53% |
| Apr | 51% |
| May | 51% |
| Jun | 60% |
| Jul | 62% |
| Aug | 51% |
| Sep | 47% |
| Oct | 51% |
| Nov | 45% |
| Dec | 41% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Elizabethtown are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Kentucky Area market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Kentucky Area market as a whole, which includes Elizabethtown, so these counts are not Elizabethtown-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evolve | 344 | 14,456 | ★ 4.76 |
| 2 | Green Turtle Bay Resort | 85 | 274 | ★ 4.73 |
| 3 | Neat Suites | 41 | 1,165 | ★ 4.81 |
| 4 | Lyric | 39 | 3,002 | ★ 4.81 |
| 5 | Lake Cumberland Resort III | 30 | 902 | ★ 4.66 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Elizabethtown?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Elizabethtown 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 | 46.7% |
| vrbo | 9.6% |
| both | 43.7% |
Home Value Trends (Elizabethtown)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Elizabethtown 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 Elizabethtown — 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
Elizabethtown adopted its first dedicated short-term rental ordinance in August 2023 (Ordinance 17-2023). STRs are permitted only in residential zoning districts R3 through R6 and require a Conditional Use Permit granted by the Board of Zoning Adjustment. The permit requirement applies regardless of owner-occupancy status; neither owner-occupied nor primary-residence conditions are required.
Occupancy is capped at two times the number of bedrooms plus four guests. A single guest group may not stay more than 30 consecutive days. Properties must provide off-street parking for at least two vehicles; homes on cul-de-sacs are prohibited from using on-street parking.
Permit application fees were not published in the available data. Operators must collect and remit a 3% local transient room tax to the city (directed to the Elizabethtown Tourism Board) plus Kentucky’s statewide transient room taxes. Enforcement is rated moderate; approximately 40 applications were filed in the initial compliance window following the August 2023 adoption, though officials acknowledged additional unlicensed operators remain active. Investors should confirm current application fees and procedures directly with the Board of Zoning Adjustment before acquiring property.
Market Comparison
Elizabethtown’s 50.4% occupancy rate for April 2026 is slightly below the U.S. STR median of approximately 55%, while the $182.86 ADR is meaningfully below the national median of approximately $220. This positions Elizabethtown as a below-national-average ADR market with occupancy near the lower end of the national range, consistent with its smaller-city, regional-hub profile rather than a destination resort market.
Revenue growth of 3.40% year-over-year and an ADR increase of 2.73% year-over-year suggest the market is keeping pace with inflation rather than contracting, a reasonable signal for a secondary market.
On the operator side, Evolve leads with 344 listings and 14,456 reviews at a 4.76 average rating, making it the dominant professional manager in the area. Green Turtle Bay Resort operates 85 listings with 274 reviews at 4.73 stars, and Neat Suites manages 41 listings with 1,165 reviews at a 4.81 rating. Together the top 3 operators manage approximately 470 listings, roughly 5.6% of the total market supply, indicating a fragmented market where independent operators remain the majority.
Frequently Asked Questions About Elizabethtown, Kentucky
What is the average nightly rate for Airbnb rentals in Elizabethtown, KY?
What is the occupancy rate for short-term rentals in Elizabethtown?
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Are short-term rentals legal in Elizabethtown, KY?
Do I need a permit to operate a short-term rental in Elizabethtown?
What are the best and worst months for Airbnb rentals in Elizabethtown?
Who are the largest short-term rental managers in Elizabethtown?
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