Is Hawkinsville, Georgia Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Hawkinsville, Georgia, begin by researching local regulations through the Pulaski County Planning and Zoning Department and Hawkinsville City Hall, as the city requires short-term rental permits and compliance with zoning ordinances that typically restrict rentals to residential areas with proper licensing. Obtain necessary permits including a business license from the city ($50-100 annually), a short-term rental permit ($200-300), and ensure compliance with Georgia state tax requirements by registering for sales tax collection. Find a suitable property in residential zones near downtown Hawkinsville or historic districts, considering properties priced between $80,000-150,000 for good investment potential. Furnish the property with essential amenities including Wi-Fi, air conditioning, basic kitchen appliances, linens, and local touches highlighting Hawkinsville's heritage and proximity to attractions like the Harness Racing facility. List your property on Airbnb and VRBO with competitive pricing around $75-125 per night, emphasizing the small-town charm and central Georgia location. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, maintaining 24/7 communication availability, coordinating with local cleaning services, and ensuring compliance with Georgia's 8% state sales tax plus local hotel/motel taxes that must be collected and remitted monthly to the Georgia Department of Revenue.

For identifying profitable short-term rental properties in Hawkinsville, Georgia, focus on properties within 2-3 miles of downtown's historic district and near the Harness Festival grounds, as these areas attract the most visitors during events like the annual Harness Festival in April. Target 2-4 bedroom homes built after 1980 with modern amenities, full kitchens, parking, and outdoor spaces, as Hawkinsville's rural charm appeals to families and groups seeking authentic small-town experiences. Analyze pricing by researching comparable Airbnb and VRBO listings within a 20-mile radius, including nearby Perry and Warner Robins, with nightly rates typically ranging $80-150 depending on property size and amenities. Competition research should focus on the limited existing STR inventory in Hawkinsville proper, examining occupancy rates during peak periods like festival season, hunting season (fall/winter), and summer family vacations. Utilize tools like AirDNA for market analysis, STR Helper for revenue projections, and local resources including the Hawkinsville-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce for event calendars, Georgia Department of Natural Resources for hunting season data, and Pulaski County tax records for property values, while monitoring seasonal demand patterns driven by agricultural events, outdoor recreation, and visitors to nearby Robins Air Force Base.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Hawkinsville, Georgia, contact the Hawkinsville City Hall at 478-783-1521 or visit their offices at 100 Lumpkin Street to inquire about short-term rental licensing requirements, as the city likely requires a business license and may have specific STR regulations implemented around 2020-2022. You'll typically need to submit a completed business license application, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, certificate of insurance with minimum $1 million liability coverage, floor plan of the rental unit, contact information for a local property manager if you're not local, and pay an estimated business license fee of $50-150 annually plus a possible STR permit fee of $100-300. The application process usually takes 2-4 weeks for approval, and Hawkinsville may require compliance with fire safety codes, maximum occupancy limits based on bedrooms and square footage, parking requirements of 1-2 spaces per unit, noise ordinance compliance, and registration renewal annually. Additionally, check with Houston County for any county-level requirements and ensure compliance with Georgia state tax obligations including hotel/motel tax collection, as some municipalities in Georgia require STR operators to collect and remit local accommodation taxes ranging from 3-8% of rental income.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Hawkinsville, Georgia are generally legal but subject to state regulations and local ordinances that may apply. As of 2023, Georgia state law allows STRs but gives local municipalities authority to regulate them through zoning restrictions, licensing requirements, and operational standards. Hawkinsville, a small city in Pulaski County with approximately 4,000 residents, has not implemented comprehensive STR-specific regulations as of recent years, meaning STRs typically fall under existing residential zoning and business licensing requirements. Property owners must comply with state tax collection requirements including the 6% state sales tax and applicable local hotel/motel taxes, and may need to obtain business licenses from the city. While there are no specific prohibited areas designated by Hawkinsville city ordinances, STRs must comply with residential zoning restrictions and cannot violate noise ordinances or parking regulations. Recent changes at the state level in 2022-2023 have strengthened local government authority to regulate STRs, but Hawkinsville has not enacted major new restrictions, maintaining a relatively permissive environment for short-term rental operations compared to larger Georgia cities like Atlanta or Savannah.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Hawkinsville, Georgia include the Historic Downtown District near the courthouse square, which attracts visitors interested in the city's antebellum architecture and annual Harness Festival held each April since 1982, drawing thousands of racing enthusiasts and tourists. The residential neighborhoods along Lumpkin Street and Commerce Street offer charming historic homes within walking distance of local restaurants and shops, appealing to leisure travelers exploring middle Georgia's heritage trail. Properties near the Ocmulgee River provide scenic waterfront access for fishing and outdoor recreation enthusiasts, while areas close to Highway 341 and the intersection with Highway 26 capture business travelers and those visiting nearby Robins Air Force Base or traveling between Macon and other regional destinations. The neighborhoods surrounding Hawkinsville Opera House and near the city's medical facilities also present opportunities for visitors attending cultural events or medical appointments, with the city's central location in Pulaski County making it a convenient base for exploring the region's agricultural heritage and outdoor activities.

In Hawkinsville, Georgia, Airbnb hosts are subject to Georgia's state sales tax of 4% on lodging accommodations, which applies to rentals of less than 90 consecutive days, and this tax is typically collected by Airbnb directly from guests and remitted to the Georgia Department of Revenue on behalf of hosts through their automated tax collection system that began around 2019. Additionally, hosts may be subject to Pulaski County's local hotel/motel tax of approximately 5%, which would need to be collected separately by the host and remitted quarterly to the county tax commissioner's office, though some counties have agreements with Airbnb for automatic collection. The city of Hawkinsville may impose an additional local accommodations tax of 2-3%, which would also require separate collection and remittance by hosts to the city clerk's office on a monthly or quarterly basis. Exemptions typically include rentals to permanent residents (stays over 30 days), government employees on official business, and certain nonprofit organizations, though documentation is required. Hosts should register with the Georgia Department of Revenue for a sales tax permit and maintain detailed records of all bookings, as they remain ultimately responsible for tax compliance even when Airbnb collects state taxes automatically.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Hawkinsville, Georgia would be approximately $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase costs around $120,000-$150,000 based on median home prices in this small Georgia town. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property would require $15,000-$25,000 for quality furniture, appliances, linens, and decor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations would be $3,000-$5,000. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and tax registrations would cost approximately $500-$1,000. Insurance including landlord and short-term rental coverage would be $2,000-$3,000 annually. Utility deposits and connections for electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable would total $1,500-$2,500. First six months operating costs including utilities ($600/month), cleaning services ($100/cleaning), maintenance ($200/month), platform fees (3% of bookings), and marketing would total approximately $8,000-$12,000, assuming moderate occupancy rates of 40-60% during the initial period.

Airbnb properties in Hawkinsville, Georgia typically generate modest returns due to the small market size and limited tourist demand in this rural town of approximately 4,500 residents. Average nightly rates range from $65-$95 for entire homes, with occupancy rates averaging 35-45% annually, resulting in gross revenues of $8,000-$15,000 per year for typical 2-3 bedroom properties. Operating expenses including cleaning fees ($25-40 per turnover), utilities ($150-200 monthly), insurance ($800-1,200 annually), property management (20-25% of revenue if outsourced), and maintenance typically consume 60-70% of gross revenue. Net profit margins generally range from 15-25% before mortgage payments, translating to $2,000-$4,500 annual profit for debt-free properties. Success factors include proximity to the Ocmulgee River for fishing enthusiasts, competitive pricing below $85/night, professional photography, and targeting extended-stay business travelers or visitors to nearby Robins Air Force Base. Properties within walking distance of downtown antique shops or the historic courthouse tend to perform 10-15% better than suburban locations, though the limited market size means most hosts treat Airbnb as supplemental income rather than a primary investment strategy.

Based on Hawkinsville, Georgia market conditions, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% depending on property acquisition costs and renovation expenses. Properties in this rural Georgia market, located approximately 90 minutes from Macon, generally achieve profitability within 18-24 months due to lower property acquisition costs ($80,000-$150,000 average) but moderate occupancy rates of 45-60% annually. The market benefits from proximity to outdoor recreation areas and serves travelers visiting nearby attractions, with average daily rates of $75-$110 generating gross rental yields of 10-15% before expenses. Companies like AirDNA and Mashvisor report that smaller Georgia markets like Hawkinsville experienced growth in short-term rental demand between 2020-2023, though seasonal fluctuations significantly impact performance with stronger bookings during spring and fall months when outdoor activities peak.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for investors looking in Hawkinsville, Georgia. Local real estate agents like Hawkinsville Realty Group and Central Georgia Properties have experience with investment properties in the area, while regional firms such as Keller Williams Middle Georgia and Coldwell Banker SSK Realtors offer investor-focused services. National companies like Awning, Mashvisor, and AirDNA provide market analysis and property identification services for Airbnb investments in smaller Georgia markets. RedAwning and Vacasa offer property management services that can help investors evaluate potential returns, while local property management companies like Georgia Vacation Rentals and Peach State Property Management understand the Hawkinsville market dynamics. Investment-focused platforms such as BiggerPockets and Roofstock occasionally feature properties in central Georgia markets, and local mortgage brokers like First National Bank of Middle Georgia can provide financing expertise for investment properties in the Hawkinsville area.