Union Pier, Michigan Short-Term Rental Market
Union Pier's Chikaming Township STR permit cap is full; Michigan Lakeshore ADR $516, 67.1% occupancy, August 2026.
Quick Answer: Union Pier, Michigan is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Michigan West Coastal market area is 44%. average monthly revenue in the Michigan West Coastal market area is $5,319. average daily rate in the Michigan West Coastal market area is $443. the top operator in the Michigan West Coastal market area is Jaqua Realtors with 251 listings. market score is 77/100 (grade B).
Market data reflects the Michigan West Coastal regional market, which includes Union Pier. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Union Pier.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Union Pier is a Lake Michigan community in Berrien County, Michigan, with a population of 609 and about 100,000 visitors a year. It sits in Harbor Country, roughly 70 miles from downtown Chicago. The performance data below comes from a series shared by seven Michigan Lake Michigan shoreline towns, from New Buffalo and Union Pier north to Manistee. Every figure describes the Michigan Lakeshore region STR market, not Union Pier alone.
In August 2026, the Michigan Lakeshore region STR market averaged a $516 average daily rate (ADR), 67.14% occupancy and $9,357 in monthly revenue per listing. Occupancy was down 4.71% from August 2025, ADR was up 7.03% and revenue was up 2.23%.
The longer trend favors rate over occupancy. Annual average occupancy was 52.61% in 2021 and 46.17% in 2025. ADR rose from $307 in 2021 to $345 in 2025. Average monthly revenue was $4,140 in 2024 and $4,453 in 2025. Through the first eight months of 2026, the averages are 51.04% occupancy, $375 ADR and $5,290 monthly revenue. A partial year leans on the summer months, so do not compare it directly with full years.
Supply rules matter here. Northern Union Pier sits in Chikaming Township, which capped STR permits at 550 and reports the cap as reached. Southern Union Pier sits in New Buffalo Township, which uses a separate license.
Listing counts, bedroom mix, channel mix, listing-type mix and top property managers are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Union Pier, so this profile omits them.
Local draws include Townline Beach, McKinley Street Beach, Galien River County Park, Round Barn Winery and the Acorn Performance Space. Peak season runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 30% |
| Feb | 36% |
| Mar | 41% |
| Apr | 40% |
| May | 49% |
| Jun | 64% |
| Jul | 78% |
| Aug | 68% |
| Sep | 42% |
| Oct | 38% |
| Nov | 30% |
| Dec | 35% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Union Pier are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Michigan West Coastal market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Michigan West Coastal market as a whole, which includes Union Pier, so these counts are not Union Pier-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jaqua Realtors | 251 | 4,872 | ★ 4.74 |
| 2 | Evolve | 181 | 8,033 | ★ 4.66 |
| 3 | Vacasa | 146 | 6,781 | ★ 4.54 |
| 4 | Unsalted Vacations | 128 | 2,711 | ★ 4.75 |
| 5 | Bluefish Vacation Rentals | 112 | 2,875 | ★ 4.75 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Union Pier?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Union Pier 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 | 28.4% |
| vrbo | 15.1% |
| both | 56.5% |
Home Value Trends (Union Pier)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Union Pier 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 Union Pier — 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
Union Pier straddles two jurisdictions in Berrien County, so the rules depend on the parcel address. The northern part sits in Chikaming Township and the southern part sits in New Buffalo Township.
Chikaming Township adopted Ordinance 164 on February 12, 2026, effective March 23, 2026. It caps STR permits at 550 township-wide. The cap has been reached, no new applications are accepted, and the next opening is projected for the 2027 cycle. Permit fees are $500 for the first bedroom plus $250 for each additional bedroom. Renewals are due by February 1, with a $100 late fee after that. Operating without a valid permit triggers a fine of 1.5 times the standard permit fee. Properties must pass inspection and keep year-round solid waste service. Private events are capped at three times the maximum permitted tenant count.
New Buffalo Township runs a separate rental licensing ordinance. It requires a $500 license valid for 36 months, with inspections.
Both townships require compliance with noise, litter, solid waste and burning ordinances. Michigan applies a 6% use tax on lodging stays of less than 30 days, and Berrien County does not add a county accommodations tax. Owner occupancy and primary residence are not required, and no annual night cap is published. Enforcement is rated high. Confirm the current permit status with the correct township before you buy.
Market Comparison
The US STR median occupancy is about 55% and the median ADR is about $220. In August 2026, the Michigan Lakeshore region STR market had 67.14% occupancy, which is 12.1 points above that benchmark. Its ADR of $516 is about 2.3 times the benchmark.
On an annual basis the picture changes. The 2025 average was 46.17% occupancy, which is 8.8 points below 55%. The 2025 ADR of $345 is about 57% above $220. The region earns its revenue from high summer rates, not from year-round demand. Through August 2026, the region averaged 51.04% occupancy, about 4 points below 55%, and a $375 ADR, about 70% above $220.
July averages 77.76% occupancy, and January averages 29.67%. Buyers who need steady monthly income should plan for that swing.
Top property manager data is tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Union Pier, so this profile omits it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Union Pier, Michigan
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