Lakeside Marblehead, Ohio Short-Term Rental Market
Lakeside Marblehead STRs averaged $161/night at 52.9% occupancy in April 2026, with an investability score of 97 out of 100.
Quick Answer: Lakeside Marblehead, 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 Lakeside Marblehead. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Lakeside Marblehead.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
The Lakeside Marblehead, OH short-term rental market covers the Marblehead Peninsula in Ottawa County along Lake Erie, a core part of Ohio’s Lake Erie Shores and Islands tourism region. The area draws regional drive-market visitors primarily from Ohio, Michigan, and the broader Midwest, attracted by the historic Marblehead Lighthouse (the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the Great Lakes, in service since 1822), Lake Erie fishing for walleye and perch, ferry access to Put-in-Bay and Kelleys Island, and the historic Lakeside Chautauqua gated community. Cedar Point amusement park is a short drive away.
In April 2026, the all-listing average daily rate was $161, with occupancy at 52.9% and revenue per available rental (RevPAR) at $85. Year-over-year through April 2026, occupancy improved 2.3%, ADR rose 2.3%, and monthly revenue grew 2.7%, all three metrics trending positive simultaneously.
Approximately 11,467 active listings are tracked in the market, with 10,456 entire-place units, 1,007 private rooms, and 4 shared rooms. One-bedroom properties lead (3,589 listings), followed by two-bedroom (3,334), three-bedroom (2,830), four-bedroom (1,091), and five-or-more-bedroom (610) units. The channel mix is Airbnb-dominant: 5,903 listings are Airbnb-only, 4,608 appear on both Airbnb and VRBO, and 956 are VRBO-only.
The StaySTRA scorecard rates Lakeside Marblehead at 84.7 out of 100 overall, led by a standout investability score of 96.8 and rental demand score of 83.96. Seasonality scores 63.1, revenue growth 63.9, and regulation 67.3. The 2025 annual average occupancy was 52.3% and ADR was $178.
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 Lakeside Marblehead
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 Lakeside Marblehead?
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
Lakeside Marblehead’s investability score of 96.8 and total score of 84.7 are among the highest in the StaySTRA dataset nationally, reflecting a combination of strong year-round demand, a well-established Lake Erie tourism base, and consistent revenue trends.
Housing data is not available for this area in the current dataset, so entry-cost yield estimates cannot be computed from available figures.
At the 2025 annual average of $2,646/month in revenue per listing, total annual revenue projects to approximately $31,800 per year. The 2025 ADR of $178 reflects a market where rates have grown gradually from $137 in 2020 to $178 in 2025, a 30% gain over five years.
Rate tier spreads are wide. The luxury segment averaged $318/night in ADR in April 2026, nearly double the all-listing average of $161. Professionally managed listings averaged $214/night, a 33% premium over the market average. Entire-home listings averaged $170/night. House listings averaged $2,409/month in revenue, compared with $2,344 for entire-place listings broadly and $1,828 for apartment-style units.
A critical due-diligence item: regulatory eligibility depends entirely on whether a property is located in the incorporated Village of Marblehead or the unincorporated Danbury Township. STRs are prohibited in Village residential zones. Properties in Danbury Township are not subject to the Village restriction. Investors must verify jurisdiction parcel-by-parcel before purchasing.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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In April 2026, the average booking lead time for Lakeside Marblehead rentals was 43.9 days, roughly six weeks in advance. The average length of stay was 3.9 nights, consistent with the extended-weekend character of a regional lake resort.
A 44-day lead time is moderate. For summer peak dates, particularly the Fourth of July weekend and peak July weeks, pricing should be finalized by late May. The fall fishing season and Lake Erie island ferry traffic can extend demand into September and October, making those months worth pricing strategically rather than dropping rates too aggressively after Labor Day.
At 3.9 nights average stay, monthly turnover at full occupancy is approximately 7 to 8 changeovers. The relatively consistent occupancy floor of 40% or above even in January (the trough month) suggests year-round revenue is more accessible here than in more extreme seasonal markets.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Short-term rental rules in Lakeside Marblehead depend critically on which jurisdiction a property sits in, as ZIP code 43440 spans two distinct governing bodies.
Within the incorporated Village of Marblehead: STRs (rentals under 30 consecutive days) are prohibited in all residential zoning classifications. STRs are allowed only in the Business District or as a conditionally permitted Bed and Breakfast. Despite this restriction, hundreds of listings have been reported operating in the broader area. The Village implemented a 6% room (lodging) tax in May 2024 and uses state-provided room-tax data to identify noncompliant operators. Violations can draw fines of approximately $100 to $500 per day plus cease-and-desist orders, and tax penalties of 10% to 25% plus interest.
Within unincorporated Danbury Township: STRs are common and the township’s zoning resolution does not expressly prohibit them. Most active STR listings in the Lakeside Marblehead market appear to operate in this unincorporated area. Investors must verify the exact municipal and township jurisdiction of any specific parcel before purchasing.
Regardless of jurisdiction, operators must register with Ottawa County for a Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate within 30 days of commencing rentals, obtain a county lodging-tax certificate through the LocalGov/LATA portal, and hold an Ohio Vendor’s License.
The combined tax burden is approximately 15%: a 6% Village room tax (where applicable), a 3% Ottawa County lodging excise tax, and a 6% Ohio state accommodations (sales) tax. Enforcement is rated moderate.
Market Comparison
Lakeside Marblehead’s April 2026 occupancy of 52.9% is very close to the US STR median of approximately 55%, and the 2025 annual average occupancy of 52.3% tracks near national norms. The $161 ADR in April 2026 and 2025 annual average of $178 are both below the US STR median of approximately $220, reflecting the Great Lakes regional market’s lower per-night rate expectations compared with coastal or mountain destinations.
The investability score of 96.8 and total score of 84.7 are among the highest in the StaySTRA dataset, placing Lakeside Marblehead in the top tier nationally despite its modest ADR. The rental demand score of 83.96 confirms strong underlying guest demand.
On the operator side, Evolve leads with 317 listings and 10,621 reviews (4.61 average rating). Regional specialist Amish Country Lodging manages 76 listings and carries 8,729 reviews with a 4.91 average rating, the highest in the top five. Island Club Home Rentals manages 67 listings (4.46 rating), Ohio Shores Vacation Rentals manages 61 listings (4.70 rating), and Simply Better Property Management manages 47 listings (4.80 rating). The high review count and top rating for Amish Country Lodging indicates a well-established regional operator with deep guest trust.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lakeside Marblehead, Ohio
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