Bird In Hand, Pennsylvania Short-Term Rental Market
Bird In Hand STRs averaged $198/night at 53.8% occupancy in April 2026, within a Lancaster County market drawing nearly 10 million visitors annually.
Quick Answer: Bird In Hand, Pennsylvania is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 54%. average monthly revenue is $2,875. average daily rate is $198. the top operator is Evolve with 41 listings. market score is 88/100 (grade A).
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Bird In Hand sits at the heart of Lancaster County’s Amish Country tourism corridor, one of Pennsylvania’s most visited destinations. The short-term rental market here is buoyed by the county’s estimated 9.99 million annual visitors, creating consistent demand for immersive farm-stay and countryside accommodations. As of April 2026, the market average daily rate is $198, occupancy is 53.8%, and RevPAR is $107. Year-over-year, occupancy slipped 1.1 percentage points while ADR rose 4.5%, producing a net revenue gain of 1.6% versus April 2025.
The market holds approximately 1,774 tracked listings: 1,519 entire-place units and 255 private rooms. The private room share (14%) is notably higher than most STR markets, reflecting the prevalence of farm-stay and bed-and-breakfast style properties in the Amish Country corridor. By bedroom count, 1-bedroom units lead at 707 listings, followed by 3-bedroom (373), 2-bedroom (359), 4-bedroom (208), and 5-bedroom (122). Channel distribution strongly favors Airbnb: 998 listings appear on Airbnb only, 688 on both platforms, and just 88 on VRBO only. The market scores 88.2 overall, with rental demand at an exceptional 94.9 out of 100.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 39% | $137 | $1,647 |
| Feb | 46% | $141 | $1,646 |
| Mar | 49% | $144 | $1,991 |
| Apr | 56% | $154 | $2,361 |
| May | 58% | $158 | $2,490 |
| Jun | 65% | $173 | $3,083 |
| Jul | 68% | $170 | $3,261 |
| Aug | 68% | $171 | $3,305 |
| Sep | 57% | $159 | $2,516 |
| Oct | 60% | $163 | $2,811 |
| Nov | 52% | $157 | $2,310 |
| Dec | 51% | $155 | $2,296 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Bird In Hand
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evolve | 41 | 2,455 | ★ 4.78 |
| 2 | Stay Lancaster | 36 | 5,810 | ★ 4.95 |
| 3 | Unique Stays | 34 | 224 | ★ 4.53 |
| 4 | Amish Farm Stay | 30 | 4,839 | ★ 4.92 |
| 5 | Awakened Properties | 18 | 3,291 | ★ 4.82 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Bird In Hand?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 707 |
| 2 bed | 359 |
| 3 bed | 373 |
| 4 bed | 208 |
| 5 bed | 122 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $209 |
| Luxury | $339 |
| Professionally Managed | $221 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $2,141 |
| Entire Place | $3,121 |
| House | $3,317 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 56.3% |
| vrbo | 5% |
| both | 38.8% |
Investment Analysis
Bird In Hand presents a distinctive STR investment profile centered on experiential tourism rather than traditional beach or mountain leisure. The rental demand score of 94.9 out of 100 is the market’s dominant signal: Lancaster County’s nearly 10 million annual visitors generate consistent year-round occupancy across a diverse listing inventory.
At the April 2026 average of $198 per night and $2,875 monthly revenue, the ADR is moderate relative to coastal markets, but entry costs in Lancaster County are correspondingly lower. Housing data for this specific area was not available in the April 2026 snapshot.
The ADR tier breakdown shows meaningful upside for quality-positioned operators: entire-home ADR is $209 versus $198 overall, professionally managed properties average $221 (a 11% premium), and luxury-tier listings reach $339 per night. Houses outperform apartments significantly, generating $3,317 per month versus $2,141, a 55% gap that reflects the premium placed on private farm or countryside settings. The investability score of 78.5 and revenue growth score of 66.9 reflect a steady, demand-driven market rather than a high-growth speculative one.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
Run a Free Address Analysis
Skip the market averages. Get revenue projections, comp analysis, and ROI for your specific property address. Free, instant, no signup required.
Analyze My Property →Booking Insights
Bird In Hand bookings average a 52-day lead time, roughly seven weeks in advance. This reflects the planned nature of Amish Country tourism: most guests are on road trips or dedicated Lancaster County visits that require advance coordination of farm tours, market visits, and restaurant reservations.
Average length of stay is 3.4 nights, consistent with a long-weekend or midweek rural escape market. The relatively short stay combined with the high private room share (14% of listings) suggests that a meaningful portion of guests are on one- or two-night itinerary stops rather than extended country retreats. Operators targeting longer stays should emphasize package-style amenities: farm experiences, proximity to markets, and outdoor activities that justify three- to five-night bookings. The 52-day lead time is moderate, allowing for effective advance pricing adjustments during the summer peak without excessive reliance on last-minute discounting.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Bird In Hand is an unincorporated community in Upper Leacock Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. As of May 2026, Upper Leacock Township was finalizing its first STR ordinance following a public hearing on April 16, 2026. The proposed ordinance classifies STRs as special exception uses in Agricultural, Medium Density Residential, Mixed Use, General Village, and General Commercial zones. Adoption status had not been publicly confirmed in available sources as of the profile update; operators should confirm directly with the township.
At the county level, Lancaster County requires all STR operators to register annually for $50 with the Lancaster County Treasurer and file monthly hotel tax returns by the 25th of each month. Tax obligations total approximately 11%: Pennsylvania’s 6% state Hotel Occupancy Tax plus Lancaster County’s 5% (3.9% Hotel Room Rental Tax plus 1.1% Hotel Excise Tax). Platforms like Airbnb and VRBO collect and remit the Pennsylvania state tax automatically for qualifying listings. No owner-occupancy, primary residence, or maximum nights-per-year requirement was identified. Enforcement is rated moderate.
Market Comparison
Bird In Hand’s April 2026 ADR of $198 is slightly below the US STR median of approximately $220, while occupancy at 53.8% is slightly below the national median of approximately 55%. The market’s strength lies not in headline metrics but in consistent demand: the rental demand score of 94.9 out of 100 places it among the top demand markets nationally.
The top property managers in this market are distinctly local and boutique. Evolve leads with 41 listings and 2,455 reviews (4.78 average rating). Stay Lancaster follows with 36 listings and an outstanding 5,810 reviews at a 4.95 average rating. Unique Stays holds 34 listings (4.53 rating). Amish Farm Stay manages 30 listings with 4,839 reviews and a 4.92 rating. Awakened Properties rounds out the top five with 18 listings and a 4.82 rating.
Unlike larger coastal markets dominated by national operators, Bird In Hand’s top managers are region-specific specialists. Stay Lancaster and Amish Farm Stay both hold ratings above 4.9, suggesting that local expertise and authentic positioning are genuine differentiators in this market.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bird In Hand, Pennsylvania
What is the average nightly rate for short-term rentals in Bird In Hand?
What occupancy rate can I expect in Bird In Hand?
What permits are required for a Bird In Hand short-term rental?
What taxes apply to Bird In Hand short-term rentals?
Which property types perform best in Bird In Hand?
What drives demand in the Bird In Hand STR market?
How far in advance do guests book in Bird In Hand?
Analyze Bird In Hand Rentals
Use our free calculator to estimate Airbnb revenue for any property in Bird In Hand.
Free Bird In Hand STR Calculator →
