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 is 50%. average monthly revenue is $2,475. average daily rate is $183. the top operator is Evolve with 344 listings. market score is 89/100 (grade A).
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex 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 | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 34% | $123 | $1,328 |
| Feb | 44% | $124 | $1,370 |
| Mar | 53% | $144 | $1,926 |
| Apr | 51% | $154 | $2,092 |
| May | 51% | $163 | $2,173 |
| Jun | 60% | $188 | $2,976 |
| Jul | 63% | $190 | $3,315 |
| Aug | 52% | $179 | $2,618 |
| Sep | 47% | $166 | $2,151 |
| Oct | 51% | $161 | $2,334 |
| Nov | 45% | $150 | $1,902 |
| Dec | 41% | $143 | $1,732 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Elizabethtown
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | 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 pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 2,293 |
| 2 bed | 2,493 |
| 3 bed | 2,234 |
| 4 bed | 859 |
| 5 bed | 566 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $186 |
| Luxury | $315 |
| Professionally Managed | $205 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $1,826 |
| Entire Place | $2,534 |
| House | $2,729 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 46.7% |
| vrbo | 9.6% |
| both | 43.7% |
Investment Analysis
Elizabethtown presents a compelling entry case for STR investors, supported by a near-perfect investability score of 97.75 and a revenue growth score of 75.99. Average monthly revenue in April 2026 came in at $2,475, with annualized run-rate revenue of approximately $29,694 based on the latest month.
Property type performance separates meaningfully: houses generate $2,729 per month versus $2,534 for entire-place units broadly and $1,826 for apartments, suggesting house-type properties carry a material premium. At the luxury tier, operators commanding $315.09 per night outpace the market average of $182.86 by 72%, and professionally managed properties average $205.08 per night, indicating that professional management yields a 12% ADR premium over the market-wide average.
Housing price data from the Zillow snapshot is not currently available for this area, so a gross yield calculation cannot be provided. Investors should source current home values independently before underwriting. The market’s strong investability score combined with a regulation score of 69.36 and moderate enforcement posture suggests the regulatory environment is manageable but requires attention to the conditional-use permit process established by Ordinance 17-2023.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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Elizabethtown guests book an average of 47.43 days in advance, and the average length of stay is 3.68 nights. These metrics describe a market that does not require long lead-time marketing to fill but rewards operators who price dynamically as the booking window closes.
A 3.68-night average stay means properties turn over roughly 8 times per month at full utilization, generating moderate housekeeping and operational costs relative to nightly revenue. This is slightly above the typical 2-3 night weekend-leisure baseline, suggesting some guests stay for extended weekend or midweek trips rather than just two-night weekends.
The 47-day lead time gives operators a roughly 6-week pricing window. Dynamic pricing tools set at least 6 weeks out will capture the bulk of bookings. Last-minute discounting in the final 7-14 days can recover unsold nights, particularly during the winter trough months when demand softens.
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?
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Who are the largest short-term rental managers in Elizabethtown?
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