Jacksonville, North Carolina Short-Term Rental Market
The Onslow and Carteret coast STR market averaged $313 ADR, 50.4% occupancy and $4,203 monthly revenue in September 2026.
Quick Answer: Jacksonville, North Carolina is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Morehead City/Emerald Isle market area is 50%. average monthly revenue in the Morehead City/Emerald Isle market area is $4,203. average daily rate in the Morehead City/Emerald Isle market area is $313. the top operator in the Morehead City/Emerald Isle market area is Bluewater Vacation Rentals with 557 listings. market score is 56/100 (grade C).
Market data reflects the Morehead City/Emerald Isle regional market, which includes Jacksonville. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Jacksonville.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Jacksonville, North Carolina sits beside Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Onslow County. Its short-term rental performance is measured here as part of the Onslow and Carteret coast STR market, a shared coastal series. Every performance figure on this page describes that coastal region rather than Jacksonville alone.
In September 2026 the Onslow and Carteret coast STR market recorded an average daily rate of $313, occupancy of 50.4%, and average monthly revenue of $4,203 per listing. Compared with September 2025, occupancy rose 11.5%, ADR rose 11.7%, and revenue rose 23.1%. Those gains came from more booked nights and higher rates at the same time.
The longer record shows how sharp the recovery is. Annual occupancy peaked at 60.4% in 2021, slid to 50.9% in 2024, and was 51.0% in 2025. Through the first nine months of 2026, occupancy is 54.5%, ADR is $272, and monthly revenue is $4,099, compared with $3,448 for all of 2025 and $3,480 in 2021. ADR has risen every year since 2022, from $202 to $239 in 2025.
Demand in Jacksonville itself is shaped by the military. The city has a population of 70,843 and is the commercial hub of Onslow County. Visitation is driven less by leisure tourism than by base-related travel, including graduations, homecomings, relocations, and business trips, with beach day-trips to Emerald Isle and North Topsail Beach about 20 to 30 minutes away. Onslow County visitor spending reached a record $415.26 million in 2024.
Bedroom, channel, and listing-type counts and top operators are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Jacksonville, so this profile omits them.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 36% |
| Feb | 46% |
| Mar | 54% |
| Apr | 54% |
| May | 60% |
| Jun | 75% |
| Jul | 78% |
| Aug | 65% |
| Sep | 51% |
| Oct | 48% |
| Nov | 41% |
| Dec | 38% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Jacksonville are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Morehead City/Emerald Isle market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Morehead City/Emerald Isle market as a whole, which includes Jacksonville, so these counts are not Jacksonville-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bluewater Vacation Rentals | 557 | 506 | ★ 4.50 |
| 2 | Vacasa | 276 | 6,357 | ★ 4.37 |
| 3 | Evolve | 153 | 6,899 | ★ 4.68 |
| 4 | Casago | 152 | 2,112 | ★ 4.34 |
| 5 | Spectrum Rental Properties | 126 | 2,213 | ★ 4.78 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Jacksonville?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Jacksonville 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 | 25.5% |
| vrbo | 19.1% |
| both | 55.4% |
Home Value Trends (Jacksonville)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville — 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
Jacksonville, NC currently has no short-term-rental-specific ordinance. Short-term rentals are permitted, and the city does not require an STR permit, registration, or license unique to vacation rentals. No owner-occupancy requirement, primary-residence requirement, or annual night cap was confirmed at the city level, and enforcement severity is rated minimal.
Short-term rentals operate under the city’s general residential and commercial zoning in the Unified Development Ordinance. No STR overlay or use category was confirmed. Hosts should confirm current zoning with the City Planning Department at 910-938-5236.
The main compliance obligation is tax. Lodging stays of fewer than 90 continuous days are subject to Onslow County’s 3% occupancy tax, remitted monthly by the 15th through the county’s MuniRevs portal. North Carolina sales tax on accommodations also applies at 7% (4.75% state plus 2.25% Onslow local). Stays of 90 or more continuous days and rentals under 15 days per year are exempt from occupancy tax. The statewide Vacation Rental Act also governs written rental agreements and deposits.
No verified Jacksonville, NC ordinance change was found. Many online guides conflate this city with Jacksonville, Florida or Jacksonville, Oregon and report permit certificates or zoning bans that do not apply here. Treat the regulatory environment as light, but verify directly with the City of Jacksonville Planning and Development Department and Onslow County Finance before buying.
Market Comparison
The Onslow and Carteret coast STR market shows a rate-led profile. September 2026 occupancy was 50.4% with an ADR of $313, and year to date occupancy is 54.5%. The summer peak of 78.2% in July contrasts with a winter trough of 35.9% in January.
Growth is the main reason to watch the market. Revenue is up 23.1% year over year, driven by 11.5% higher occupancy and 11.7% higher ADR.
Top operator names are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Jacksonville, so this profile omits them. For investors comparing Jacksonville to other markets, the relevant points are the high nightly rate, a pronounced summer season, a light regulatory setting, and a typical home value of $264,857 in the June 30, 2026 housing snapshot.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jacksonville, North Carolina
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How much do short-term rentals earn per month in this market?
Does Jacksonville, NC require a short-term rental permit?
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How far ahead do guests book and how long do they stay?
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