Sneads Ferry, North Carolina Short-Term Rental Market
Sneads Ferry sits in a southeastern NC coast market averaging $443 nightly, 61.7% occupancy, $7,594 monthly in August 2026.
Quick Answer: Sneads Ferry, 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 770 listings. market score is 64/100 (grade C).
Market data reflects the Wilmington regional market, which includes Sneads Ferry. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Sneads Ferry.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Sneads Ferry is a coastal fishing community in Onslow County, North Carolina, with a population of 2,548. It is an unincorporated census-designated place near the New River inlet and the Topsail Island beaches. Performance data for Sneads Ferry is reported as one shared series for the southeastern North Carolina coast that also covers Wilmington and Ocean Isle Beach, so the figures below describe the southeastern North Carolina coast STR market. In August 2026 that market averaged $443 per night at 61.7% occupancy. Average revenue per listing was $7,594 for the month. Compared with August 2025, average daily rate rose 7.9% and revenue rose 3.1%, while occupancy fell 6.0%. The market depends on summer. Occupancy ran from 31.7% in the average January to 80.6% in the average July. Over the longer record, average daily rate climbed from $190 in 2017 to $314 in 2025. Average occupancy peaked at 59.8% in 2021 and was 51.4% in 2025. Average revenue per listing grew from $2,538 a month in 2017 to $4,537 in 2025, so rate has more than offset lower occupancy. Sneads Ferry is a working shrimp and fishing port with waterfront dining, boating and beach access. The Sneads Ferry Shrimp Festival runs each August, and nearby Camp Lejeune adds steady lodging demand. No Sneads Ferry visitor count is published. Listing mix, channel mix and top-operator data are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Sneads Ferry, so this profile omits it. Onslow County recorded a record $415.26 million in visitor spending in 2024 and about 2,464 tourism jobs, according to the area profile.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 32% |
| Feb | 45% |
| Mar | 56% |
| 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 Sneads Ferry 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 Sneads Ferry, so these counts are not Sneads Ferry-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vacasa | 770 | 18,253 | ★ 4.46 |
| 2 | Oak Island Accommodations | 469 | 2,466 | ★ 4.42 |
| 3 | Better Beach Rentals | 439 | 3,661 | ★ 4.37 |
| 4 | Evolve | 331 | 12,224 | ★ 4.75 |
| 5 | Carolina Retreats by Vtrips | 314 | 3,759 | ★ 4.54 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Sneads Ferry?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Sneads Ferry 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 | 17% |
| both | 61.7% |
Home Value Trends (Sneads Ferry)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Sneads Ferry 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 Sneads Ferry — 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
Sneads Ferry is an unincorporated community with no town government, so it has no town-level short-term rental ordinance. Rules come from Onslow County and the State of North Carolina. The profile rates enforcement as minimal. Owners must register for and remit Onslow County’s 3% Room Occupancy Tax, which has applied since 1986. The Onslow County Finance Office collects it, and payment is due by the 15th of the following month. Owners file on paper or through the GovOS and MuniRevs online portal, and the county has mailed letters to short-term rental owners that explain how to register. State and local sales tax on accommodations also applies. Official county sources show no dedicated short-term rental permit or license, no cap on rental nights and no owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirement. Land use follows the Onslow County Zoning Ordinance and its Table of Uses, so whether an STR is allowed depends on the zoning district of the parcel. A county zoning permit applies to new construction, additions and changes of use. The North Carolina Vacation Rental Act governs rental agreements. Third-party claims of a 6% tax or an annual town permit conflict with official county sources. No new STR-specific ordinance changes were found in the last 24 months. Verify current rules with Onslow County Planning and Development and the Finance Office.
Market Comparison
Against US figures of about 55% occupancy and about $220 average daily rate, the southeastern North Carolina coast market runs above both in August 2026. Occupancy of 61.7% is about 7 points above the national figure. The $443 average daily rate is about double it. That comparison is a peak-season snapshot. Across the 2025 calendar year, average occupancy in this series was 51.4%, below the national figure, while the $314 average daily rate stayed above it. Average revenue per listing was $4,537 a month in 2025. The market earns its income from a short high-rate summer rather than year-round demand. Sneads Ferry itself has light rules and a 3% county room tax. Average booking lead time was 75 days in August 2026, which supports early pricing decisions. Top-operator data is tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Sneads Ferry, so this profile omits it. The market is not a year-round beach market. Winter occupancy of 31.7% in January is far below the 55% national figure.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sneads Ferry, North Carolina
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