Jamestown, Kentucky Short-Term Rental Market
Jamestown, KY STRs averaged $183/night at 50.4% occupancy in April 2026, driven by Lake Cumberland recreation demand.
Quick Answer: Jamestown, 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 342 listings. market score is 89/100 (grade A).
Market data reflects the Kentucky Area regional market, which includes Jamestown. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Jamestown.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Jamestown, Kentucky sits at the heart of Lake Cumberland, a 65,000-acre reservoir that draws over 4 million visitors annually and anchors the largest rental houseboat fleet in the United States. The city’s STR market reflects this outsized tourism draw: average daily rate reached $183 in April 2026 at 50.4% occupancy, producing a RevPAR of $92. Year-over-year trends are positive across all metrics: occupancy up 0.2%, ADR up 2.8%, and revenue up 3.5%.
Entire-place listings dominate at 7,991 of 8,442 active listings tracked. Private rooms add 448 listings, and shared rooms total just 3. The bedroom mix skews toward 2-bedroom units (2,489 listings), followed by 1-bedroom (2,292), 3-bedroom (2,233), 4-bedroom (859), and 5-bedroom (563).
Channel distribution shows substantial dual-platform presence: 3,945 Airbnb-only listings, 812 VRBO-only, and 3,685 on both platforms. The market’s investability score of 97.7 out of 100 is among the highest in this region, reflecting the combination of low property values, strong ADR, and consistent year-round demand from fishing, houseboating, and outdoor recreation travelers.
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 Jamestown 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 Jamestown, so these counts are not Jamestown-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evolve | 342 | 14,368 | ★ 4.76 |
| 2 | Green Turtle Bay Resort | 85 | 273 | ★ 4.72 |
| 3 | Lake Cumberland Resort III | 51 | 2,060 | ★ 4.71 |
| 4 | Neat Suites | 40 | 1,156 | ★ 4.80 |
| 5 | Lyric | 39 | 2,991 | ★ 4.81 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Jamestown?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Jamestown 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 (Jamestown)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Jamestown 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 Jamestown — 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
Kentucky has no statewide STR licensing framework. Regulation is delegated to cities and counties, and as of May 2026, Jamestown and Russell County have not enacted a dedicated short-term rental ordinance. STRs operate openly across the lake area, particularly cabins and waterfront homes near State Dock, Jamestown Resort and Marina, and Wolf Creek Marina.
Operators are subject to Kentucky’s general tax framework. The statewide 1% transient room tax (KRS 142.400) and the 6% Kentucky sales tax apply to stays under 30 consecutive days, for a combined effective rate of 7%. Stays of 30 consecutive days or more are exempt from both taxes under House Bill 8, effective January 1, 2023. Airbnb and VRBO collect and remit both taxes on behalf of hosts.
No local transient room tax has been enacted by the City of Jamestown or Russell County as of May 2026. Operators should verify business license requirements with Jamestown City Hall and the Russell County Planning and Zoning Office, as local requirements can change without statewide notice. There is no owner-occupancy requirement, no night cap, and no permit cap at the local level. Enforcement is rated low. Kentucky SB 110 (introduced in 2026) proposes a statewide STR framework but has not been enacted.
Market Comparison
Jamestown’s $183 ADR is slightly below the US STR median of approximately $220, but the market more than compensates through a favorable cost basis. At 50.4% occupancy in a spring shoulder month, the market tracks near the US median of approximately 55%, with summer peaks well above it.
The investability score of 97.7 out of 100 is exceptional, placing Jamestown at the top of lake-region STR markets for return-on-investment potential. The revenue growth score of 76.0 supports a steady growth trajectory.
Evolve leads the Jamestown operator market with 342 listings, 14,368 reviews, and a 4.76 average rating. Green Turtle Bay Resort manages 85 listings with a 4.72 rating and 273 reviews. Lake Cumberland Resort III holds 51 listings with 2,060 reviews at 4.71. Neat Suites has 40 listings at 4.80, and Lyric rounds out the top five with 39 listings, 2,991 reviews, and a 4.81 rating. The top five collectively manage 557 listings across the lake area.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jamestown, Kentucky
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