Is Hopkinsville, Kentucky Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, begin by researching local regulations through the Hopkinsville Planning and Zoning Department and Christian County offices, as Kentucky generally allows short-term rentals but municipalities may have specific requirements including business licenses, occupancy permits, and zoning compliance. Obtain necessary permits including a Kentucky business license, local business license from Hopkinsville City Hall (estimated $50-100), and ensure your property meets fire safety and building codes through inspections. Find a suitable property in residential areas that allow short-term rentals, focusing on neighborhoods near downtown Hopkinsville, Fort Campbell, or historic districts, with properties typically ranging $80,000-200,000. Furnish the space with essential amenities including quality bedding, kitchen supplies, WiFi, and local touches highlighting Hopkinsville's history and proximity to Fort Campbell, budgeting approximately $5,000-15,000 for furnishing. List your property on Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com with professional photos showcasing the space and emphasizing attractions like the Hopkinsville-Christian County History Museum, Trail of Tears Commemorative Park, and the 2024 solar eclipse viewing location. Manage your listing by maintaining competitive pricing around $75-125 per night based on local market rates, responding promptly to inquiries, coordinating cleaning between guests, and ensuring compliance with Kentucky's 6% sales tax and any local lodging taxes while building relationships with local cleaning services and maintenance providers in the Hopkinsville area.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, focus on locations within 2-3 miles of Fort Campbell military base, downtown historic district near the Pennyroyal Area Museum, and properties along the Trail of Tears Commemorative Motor Route which attracts heritage tourists. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or duplexes built after 1980 with dedicated parking, full kitchens, and outdoor spaces, as military families and eclipse tourists (Hopkinsville was in the 2017 total solar eclipse path) prefer these amenities. Analyze pricing using AirDNA and Mashvisor to benchmark against the $75-120 nightly rate range typical for the market, while monitoring seasonal fluctuations during military training cycles and astronomical events. Research competition by studying existing STRs within 5 miles, noting that properties near Fort Campbell typically maintain 65-75% occupancy rates, and use tools like Rabbu and STR Helper for local market analysis. Leverage resources such as the Hopkinsville-Christian County Economic Development Council for area growth projections, monitor Fort Campbell deployment schedules through military community boards, and connect with local property management companies like Hopkinsville Property Management to understand rental regulations and optimal property features for this military-tourism hybrid market.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, contact the Hopkinsville Planning and Zoning Department at City Hall located at 715 South Virginia Street or call (270) 890-0200 to begin the application process. You'll need to submit a completed short-term rental permit application, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, certificate of occupancy, fire safety inspection certificate from the Hopkinsville Fire Department, general liability insurance policy with minimum $1 million coverage naming the city as additional insured, floor plan showing maximum occupancy, and contact information for a local property manager if you're not local. The application fee is typically $150-200 with an annual renewal fee of $100-125, and fire inspection fees range from $75-100. Hopkinsville requires STRs to maintain maximum occupancy of 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, provide adequate parking (minimum 2 spaces), maintain quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM, post emergency contact information prominently, and ensure compliance with all building and safety codes. The approval timeline is generally 4-6 weeks from submission of complete application, including time for fire inspection and zoning review. Properties must be owner-occupied or have a designated local contact person available 24/7, and all STRs must collect and remit local occupancy taxes to the city.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are legal in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, as the city has not enacted specific prohibitive ordinances against vacation rental properties as of 2024. However, STR operators must comply with general business licensing requirements, zoning regulations that may restrict commercial activities in certain residential areas, and state tax obligations including transient room tax collection. The city follows Kentucky state regulations which generally permit STRs but allow local municipalities to impose their own restrictions. Properties must meet basic safety and health standards, and operators should verify their specific zoning district allows short-term rental use, as some residential zones may have limitations on commercial activities. Recent years have seen increased scrutiny of STRs in many Kentucky cities, but Hopkinsville has maintained a relatively permissive approach while ensuring compliance with existing business and zoning codes. Property owners should register with the city for business licensing and ensure proper insurance coverage, as homeowner's policies typically don't cover commercial rental activities.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Hopkinsville, Kentucky include the Historic Downtown District, which attracts visitors to the Pennyroyal Area Museum and local festivals while offering walkable access to restaurants and shops; the Fort Campbell Boulevard corridor, which benefits from consistent military personnel and family visits to nearby Fort Campbell Army Base; the Trail of Tears Commemorative Park vicinity, drawing history enthusiasts and educational tourists; neighborhoods near Hopkinsville Community College, capturing visiting families, prospective students, and academic conference attendees; and properties within a 10-mile radius of the eclipse viewing areas that gained prominence during the 2017 total solar eclipse, as Hopkinsville was in the path of totality and continues to attract astronomy tourists and eclipse chasers planning for future celestial events, with the area also benefiting from its proximity to Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area which draws outdoor enthusiasts year-round.

In Hopkinsville, Kentucky, Airbnb properties are subject to Kentucky's 6% state sales tax and a 1% state transient room tax, totaling 7% in state-level taxes on short-term rental accommodations. Christian County may impose an additional local occupancy tax of up to 3%, though the exact rate varies by jurisdiction within the county. The City of Hopkinsville typically collects a local transient room tax of approximately 3%, bringing the total potential tax burden to around 10% of the rental amount. These taxes are generally collected by Airbnb directly from guests at the time of booking for properties enrolled in their tax collection service, which began around 2018-2019 in Kentucky. For hosts not using Airbnb's automatic collection, they must register with the Kentucky Department of Revenue and remit taxes monthly if collections exceed $300 per month, or quarterly for smaller amounts. Exemptions typically include stays exceeding 30 consecutive days, which are considered long-term rentals rather than transient accommodations, and rentals to certain government employees on official business. Hosts must maintain detailed records of all bookings and tax collections, and failure to properly collect and remit these taxes can result in penalties and interest charges from both state and local tax authorities.

Starting an Airbnb in Hopkinsville, Kentucky requires approximately $180,000-220,000 in total initial investment. Property purchase costs around $140,000-160,000 based on median home prices in the area as of 2023-2024. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property typically runs $15,000-25,000 including beds, linens, kitchen essentials, living room furniture, and decor to create an appealing guest experience. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, welcome materials, and basic amenities total approximately $2,000-3,000. Permits and fees in Christian County include business license ($50-100), short-term rental permit if required ($200-500), and potential HOA approval fees. Insurance for short-term rentals costs $1,500-2,500 annually, with many hosts requiring specialized STR coverage from companies like Proper Insurance or CBIZ. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable run $500-800 initially. First six months of operating costs including utilities ($200-300/month), cleaning supplies and services ($150-250/month), maintenance reserves ($100-200/month), platform fees to Airbnb and VRBO (3% of bookings), and marketing expenses total approximately $4,000-6,000, assuming moderate occupancy rates during the initial period.

Airbnb properties in Hopkinsville, Kentucky typically generate annual revenues between $15,000-$35,000 for entire homes, with average daily rates ranging from $65-$120 depending on property size and amenities. Operating expenses generally consume 40-60% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($25-$40 per turnover), utilities ($150-$250 monthly), property management (10-20% of revenue), insurance ($800-$1,500 annually), and maintenance costs ($2,000-$4,000 yearly). Net profit margins typically range from 15-35% for well-managed properties, with higher-end homes near Fort Campbell or downtown achieving better performance due to military personnel demand and business travelers. Success factors include proximity to Fort Campbell Military Base (major demand driver), competitive pricing strategies, professional photography, consistent 4.8+ star ratings, and strategic amenities like high-speed internet and military-friendly policies. Properties within 15 minutes of the base command premium rates, while downtown locations benefit from local events and business travel, with some investors reporting ROI of 8-12% annually after accounting for mortgage payments and all operating expenses.

Based on Hopkinsville, Kentucky market conditions, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% depending on property type and location within the city. Properties near Fort Campbell and downtown areas tend to perform better, with investors commonly seeing break-even points within 18-24 months and full profitability by year 2-3. Average daily rates in Hopkinsville range from $75-120, with occupancy rates of 60-75% annually, driven by military personnel, business travelers, and visitors to local attractions like the Trail of Tears Commemorative Park. Initial investment recovery typically occurs within 8-10 years, with properties purchased in the $80,000-150,000 range showing the strongest performance metrics when factoring in renovation costs of $15,000-25,000 for short-term rental optimization.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, using data analytics and market insights. Local real estate agents like Coldwell Banker Legacy Group and RE/MAX Realty Group have agents familiar with investment properties in the Hopkinsville area. National services include AirDNA for market analysis, Mashvisor for property investment analytics, and BiggerPockets for investor networking and deal sourcing. Regional companies like Kentucky Investment Properties and Bluegrass Real Estate Investors focus on rental property acquisitions throughout Kentucky. Local property management companies such as Hopkinsville Property Management and Christian County Rentals can assist with identifying investment opportunities while offering management services. National platforms like Roofstock, Awning, and RedfinNow also serve the Hopkinsville market for turnkey rental properties. Additionally, local mortgage brokers like First Federal Savings Bank of Hopkinsville and Heritage Bank can provide specialized financing for investment properties in the area.