Kelleys Island, Ohio Short-Term Rental Market
Kelleys Island STRs averaged $161 per night at 52.9% occupancy in April 2026, with summer peaks reaching $211 ADR and $3,736 in monthly revenue.
Quick Answer: Kelleys Island, Ohio is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 63%. average monthly revenue is $3,966. average daily rate is $236. the top operator is Evolve with 317 listings. market score is 85/100 (grade B).
Market data reflects the Ohio Area regional market, which includes Kelleys Island. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Kelleys Island.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Kelleys Island is a small Lake Erie island in Ohio with a year-round population of approximately 256, swelling to a much larger seasonal population each summer. It functions as a pure leisure destination accessible by ferry from Marblehead, drawing visitors for fishing, hiking, winery visits, and lakeside recreation. As of April 2026, the market recorded a 52.9% occupancy rate and a $161 average daily rate, producing a RevPAR of $85.04. These averages, however, understate the summer peak: July sees 66.2% occupancy and $206 ADR, and August climbs to $211 ADR. The inventory is almost entirely entire-place rentals (10,456 units, approximately 91% of supply), with private rooms at 1,007 and shared rooms a negligible 4. Airbnb dominates the channel mix with 5,903 exclusive listings, 4,608 cross-listed on both Airbnb and VRBO, and 956 VRBO-only. Bedroom distribution is relatively balanced: 1-bedroom (3,589 listings), 2-bedroom (3,334), 3-bedroom (2,830), 4-bedroom (1,091), and 5-bedroom-plus (610). Year-over-year through April 2026, occupancy grew 2.27%, ADR rose 2.25%, and revenue increased 2.74%, indicating consistent, if moderate, market expansion. The AirDNA total score of 84.69 is high, with an exceptional investability score of 96.79 and rental demand of 83.96.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 40% | $125 | $1,513 |
| Feb | 48% | $129 | $1,519 |
| Mar | 51% | $132 | $1,784 |
| Apr | 51% | $141 | $1,866 |
| May | 53% | $165 | $2,213 |
| Jun | 62% | $203 | $3,289 |
| Jul | 66% | $206 | $3,737 |
| Aug | 59% | $211 | $3,485 |
| Sep | 49% | $172 | $2,318 |
| Oct | 49% | $157 | $2,199 |
| Nov | 48% | $143 | $1,903 |
| Dec | 45% | $136 | $1,753 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Kelleys Island
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evolve | 317 | 10,621 | ★ 4.61 |
| 2 | Amish Country Lodging | 76 | 8,729 | ★ 4.91 |
| 3 | Island Club Home Rentals | 67 | 5,009 | ★ 4.46 |
| 4 | Ohio Shores Vacation Rentals | 61 | 4,052 | ★ 4.70 |
| 5 | Simply Better Property Management | 47 | 1,039 | ★ 4.80 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Kelleys Island?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 3,589 |
| 2 bed | 3,334 |
| 3 bed | 2,830 |
| 4 bed | 1,091 |
| 5 bed | 610 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $248 |
| Luxury | $452 |
| Professionally Managed | $368 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $3,218 |
| Entire Place | $4,179 |
| House | $4,342 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 51.5% |
| vrbo | 8.3% |
| both | 40.2% |
Investment Analysis
Kelleys Island carries one of the highest AirDNA investability scores available, 96.79 out of 100, reflecting strong, concentrated demand in a supply-constrained island setting. The typical home value was $412,763 as of April 2026. Against the April 2026 monthly revenue average of $2,236, an annualized gross revenue of approximately $26,830 implies a gross yield of roughly 6.5% before expenses and financing, using the typical home value as entry cost. However, the island’s summer-concentrated revenue pattern means that a well-operated property in peak season (June through August) can average $3,200 to $3,700 per month, substantially above the annualized average. By property type, houses generate $2,409 per month and entire-place listings $2,344, while apartments trail at $1,828. Professionally managed properties command a notably higher ADR of $214 versus the market average of $161, a $53 per-night premium that at 52.9% occupancy translates to approximately $844 in additional monthly revenue. Luxury-tier properties average $318 per night. Revenue has grown from $2,033 per month in 2017 to $2,646 in 2025, a 30% cumulative gain. The island’s very limited housing supply (only 4 for-sale listings in the April 2026 snapshot) and restricted new construction constrain future supply growth, which supports long-term pricing power for existing operators.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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Booking Insights
Kelleys Island guests book an average of 43.9 days in advance as of April 2026, the longest lead time among the five markets in this batch. This extended window reflects the island’s status as a planned summer destination, where peak weeks are reserved well ahead of the season. Average length of stay is 3.92 nights, shorter than might be expected for a remote island, suggesting a mix of long-weekend stays and mid-week short breaks rather than full-week cottage rentals. The 44-day lead time creates an important pricing window: operators who set peak-season rates early and adjust strategically inside 45 days will be acting precisely when the majority of bookings are converting. Because the island’s earning capacity is concentrated in a 90-day summer window, revenue management precision during June through August is particularly high-value. Minimum-stay policies of 3 to 4 nights during peak weeks can protect revenue per booking while still capturing the 3.92-night average. For shoulder months (May and September), shorter minimums and competitive pricing will help fill otherwise-soft inventory.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Short-term rentals are legal on Kelleys Island but actively regulated under Village Ordinance 2024-O-23, which replaced the prior 2004 ordinance with modernized requirements. Operators must register annually with the Village Transient Rental Program at a cost of $600 per year. The annual renewal deadline is May 30, and missing it means losing the right to operate legally for that season. New applicants must complete a registration form, obtain a certified home inspection, and obtain a septic inspection (a pump-out receipt alone does not satisfy this requirement). All operators must also secure a Transient Rental Property License from the Erie County Health Department. Operators are required to carry at least $300,000 in personal liability insurance. There is no owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirement, and no maximum annual nights cap was identified, meaning non-resident investors can operate without restriction on nights. On taxes, operators must collect and remit a 4% Erie County lodging tax plus Ohio and Erie County sales tax (7.25% combined). Platforms may collect the state portion automatically, but operators remain responsible for ensuring full compliance. Enforcement severity is rated moderate. The compliance burden includes annual registration, multiple inspections, insurance documentation, county licensing, and tax remittance, all of which should be factored into operating cost planning.
Market Comparison
Against national STR benchmarks of approximately 55% occupancy and $220 ADR, Kelleys Island’s all-month average occupancy of 52.9% and ADR of $161 appear modest. In context, however, the comparison is misleading for a highly seasonal lake-island market where off-season occupancy structurally pulls the annual average down. During peak summer months (June through August), occupancy exceeds 59% to 66% and ADR reaches $198 to $211, well above many comparable leisure markets. The AirDNA investability score of 96.79 is among the highest possible, indicating that the data model views Kelleys Island as an exceptional short-term rental opportunity relative to its peer set. Among the top operators, Evolve leads with 317 listings, 10,621 reviews, and a 4.613 average rating. Amish Country Lodging is notable for quality, holding 76 listings with 8,729 reviews and a 4.908 rating, the highest among the top five. Island Club Home Rentals (67 listings, 4.460 rating) and Ohio Shores Vacation Rentals (61 listings, 4.696 rating) represent local specialists with deep island-specific experience. Simply Better Property Management (47 listings, 4.797 rating) rounds out the top five with a strong quality profile. The presence of Amish Country Lodging, a regional specialty operator, alongside national platforms indicates that local expertise commands a significant quality premium in this market.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kelleys Island, Ohio
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