Holly Ridge, North Carolina Short-Term Rental Market
Holly Ridge's southeastern North Carolina coast STR market posted $382 ADR, 51.0% occupancy and $5,179 monthly revenue in September 2026.
Quick Answer: Holly Ridge, North Carolina is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Wilmington market area is 51%. average monthly revenue in the Wilmington market area is $5,179. average daily rate in the Wilmington market area is $382. the top operator in the Wilmington market area is Vacasa with 776 listings. market score is 63/100 (grade C).
Market data reflects the Wilmington regional market, which includes Holly Ridge. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Holly Ridge.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Holly Ridge is a small Onslow County town of about 5,800 residents on US-17 between Wilmington and Jacksonville, just west of the Surf City bridge to Topsail Island. It is marketed as the mainland gateway to the island and supplies the last grocery, gas and large retail stops before the beaches. Every performance figure on this page describes the southeastern North Carolina coast STR market, a shared regional series, rather than Holly Ridge alone.
In September 2026 the southeastern North Carolina coast STR market averaged an ADR of $382 and occupancy of 51.0%, which produced average monthly revenue of $5,179 per listing. Entire place listings averaged $387 per night. Year over year, occupancy rose 12.3%, ADR rose 10.1% and revenue rose 14.8%, so the gain came from both higher rates and more booked nights.
The longer record shows steady rate growth. Annual average ADR climbed from $190 in 2017 to $314 in 2025, while annual occupancy stayed between 48.9% and 59.8% over the same stretch. The first nine months of 2026 are running at 56.1% occupancy and a $352 ADR, ahead of 2025 on both measures.
Bedroom, channel and listing-type counts and the top operators are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Holly Ridge, so this profile omits them.
On the housing side, the typical home value is $346,485 and the median list price is $403,333, with 78 homes for sale and a median of 29 days to pending as of August 31, 2026. Demand in the area is described as mixed weekend leisure plus overflow from the higher priced beach towns, and the town is growing residentially. No city level annual visitor count is published for Holly Ridge.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 32% |
| Feb | 45% |
| Mar | 55% |
| Apr | 56% |
| May | 60% |
| Jun | 76% |
| Jul | 81% |
| Aug | 68% |
| Sep | 52% |
| Oct | 47% |
| Nov | 39% |
| Dec | 34% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Holly Ridge are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Wilmington market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Wilmington market as a whole, which includes Holly Ridge, so these counts are not Holly Ridge-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vacasa | 776 | 18,259 | ★ 4.46 |
| 2 | Oak Island Accommodations | 469 | 2,489 | ★ 4.43 |
| 3 | Better Beach Rentals | 445 | 3,724 | ★ 4.37 |
| 4 | Evolve | 332 | 12,283 | ★ 4.75 |
| 5 | Carolina Retreats by Vtrips | 317 | 3,785 | ★ 4.54 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Holly Ridge?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Holly Ridge 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 | 21.3% |
| vrbo | 16.9% |
| both | 61.8% |
Home Value Trends (Holly Ridge)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Holly Ridge 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 Holly Ridge — 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
Holly Ridge, NC has no short-term rental specific ordinance. The town’s zoning code (Chapter 7) does not define or separately regulate short-term or vacation rentals, tourist homes or transient occupancy, and its permitted use table lists no STR category. STRs are treated as an ordinary residential dwelling use and are allowed in the residential zoning districts without a special use permit.
Short-term rentals are permitted, no town permit or license is required, and there is no permit fee or renewal period. The town does not require owner occupancy or primary residence status, and it sets no cap on nights per year. Standard residential dimensional, parking and home occupation rules apply rather than STR specific limits. Enforcement severity is rated minimal, and in practice it runs through ordinary zoning and nuisance rules such as noise, parking and trash.
The main lodging obligation is tax. Onslow County charges a 3% room occupancy tax on STRs and vacation rentals subject to North Carolina sales tax. Owners receive a letter and register on the county’s online portal to report and remit. Private residences rented fewer than 15 days per calendar year and not listed with a broker, and stays of 90 or more continuous days, are exempt. Standard state sales and use tax on accommodations applies on top of the 3% occupancy tax.
No Holly Ridge specific changes were found. Statewide, North Carolina Senate Bill 291, introduced in March 2025, proposes limiting how far local governments can regulate short-term rentals, and the outcome is pending. Investors should confirm current rules with the Town of Holly Ridge planning department and the Onslow County finance office.
Market Comparison
The southeastern North Carolina coast STR market in September 2026 posted 51.0% occupancy and a $382 ADR, with occupancy up 12.3% and ADR up 10.1% year over year. Both rates and bookings are rising, with rate growth carrying much of the long run gain.
That pattern fits a beach destination where peak summer weeks command high nightly rates and winter demand drops off. July occupancy reaches 80.6%, while January falls to 31.7%. Annual average ADR has risen from $190 in 2017 to $314 in 2025, and the 2026 year to date figure is $352.
Holly Ridge itself sits on the mainland side of Topsail Island, so it typically serves guests who want lower priced options than the island towns, along with travelers passing through on US-17. The shared regional data may therefore sit above what a mainland listing earns on a typical night.
Top operators are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Holly Ridge, so this profile omits them. Investors who want a closer comparison should review active listings within a short drive of the property, and compare them with the regional $382 ADR and 51.0% occupancy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Holly Ridge, North Carolina
What is the average Airbnb nightly rate near Holly Ridge, NC?
What is the STR occupancy rate in the Holly Ridge area?
How much revenue does a short-term rental earn in this market?
Does Holly Ridge require a short-term rental permit?
What is the best time of year for STR income in Holly Ridge?
How much does a home cost in Holly Ridge?
Analyze Holly Ridge Rentals
Use our free calculator to estimate Airbnb revenue for any property in Holly Ridge.
Free Holly Ridge STR Calculator →
