Airbnb travel generated $3 billion in North Carolina economic activity in 2025

On June 12, 2026, Airbnb reported that travel on its platform generated $3B in economic activity across North Carolina in 2025. The company released these figures to highlight the financial footprint of short-term rentals on the state's tourism economy, local businesses, and resident hosts.

The data showed how short-term rentals functioned in areas lacking traditional accommodations, with Airbnb reporting that 66 percent of US Census tracts in North Carolina contained short-term rental listings but had no hotels. This distribution suggested that home sharing was often the primary source of lodging for visitors traveling outside of major urban centers.

What the data shows

In the report published on June 12, 2026, Airbnb detailed the scale of its operations and economic contributions in North Carolina during the 2025 calendar year. According to the company's latest Economic Impact Report, travel on the platform generated $3B in economic activity across the state. This economic activity was driven by guest spending at local businesses, restaurants, and natural attractions, as well as the direct earnings of hosts.

The travel activity supported a total of 39,900 jobs across North Carolina in 2025. These jobs spanned various sectors, including hospitality, retail, and local services that cater to visitors. Additionally, the travel generated $724M in total tax revenue in 2025. This tax revenue helps fund public services and community priorities across the state. Of that total, Airbnb reported that it directly collected and remitted $144M in tourism tax revenue in North Carolina during the same year.

The volume of travel was supported by more than 4.4 million guests who were welcomed to North Carolina by Airbnb hosts in 2025. The typical host in the state earned $14,000 in 2025. Airbnb reported that these earnings served as an important source of supplemental income for residents, helping them manage household expenses and remain in their homes.

How it was measured

The figures released on June 12, 2026, were compiled from multiple sources, including Airbnb's internal database and its latest Economic Impact Report. The company did not publish the specific economic modeling or the third-party methodology used to calculate the $3B in economic activity or the 39,900 jobs supported across the state.

The host demographic and motivation data was gathered through self-reported surveys and platform metrics. For example, the finding that 63% of hosts identify as women and 21% self-report as being over 60 years of age came from voluntary survey responses. Similarly, the statistics showing that 37% of hosts used hosting income to stay in their homes and 79% did not view hosting as their primary occupation were derived from host surveys. The metric regarding typical host earnings of $14,000 was based on the median earnings of North Carolina hosts during the 2025 calendar year, while the hosting frequency of just over 40 nights per year reflected the median number of nights homes were shared. The hotel-free census tract data was calculated by comparing Airbnb's active listing locations against US Census tract boundaries and traditional hotel registry data.

Host demographics and motivations

The data provided a detailed look at who is hosting on Airbnb in North Carolina and why they choose to share their homes. According to the report, the hosting community is largely composed of individual property owners rather than commercial operators. Approximately 80% of hosts in North Carolina had only one entire home listing on the platform, indicating that the inventory is highly decentralized.

Demographically, the host base skewed female and older. Airbnb reported that 63% of hosts in the state identified as women, and 21% self-reported as being over 60 years of age. For these individuals, the platform served primarily as a source of supplemental income rather than a full-time business. The report showed that 79% of hosts confirmed hosting was not their primary occupation.

The typical host shared their home occasionally, averaging just over 40 nights per year. Despite the part-time nature of this activity, the financial returns were meaningful for many households. The typical host earned $14,000 in 2025. This income was particularly critical for housing stability, with 37% of hosts confirming that the income earned through Airbnb helped them stay in their homes. The company noted that this financial support was especially vital in rural areas of the state where economic opportunities may be more limited and living costs have continued to rise.

Short-term rentals in hotel deserts

One of the most notable findings in the June 12, 2026, report was the distribution of Airbnb listings relative to traditional lodging infrastructure. Across North Carolina, 66 percent of US Census tracts were home to Airbnb listings but had no traditional hotels.

This geographic distribution means that in two-thirds of the state's census tracts, short-term rentals served as the primary, and often only, source of visitor accommodations. This pattern was especially pronounced in rural and non-traditional tourism destinations. By providing lodging options in these areas, short-term rentals allowed visitors to travel to parts of the state that would otherwise lack the infrastructure to support overnight tourism. This dispersion of travel helped direct visitor spending to local businesses, restaurants, and natural attractions in communities that do not benefit from hotel-driven tourism.

Platform safety and policy measures

Alongside the economic data, Airbnb outlined its ongoing efforts to support responsible hosting and address community concerns regarding short-term rentals in North Carolina. The company emphasized its collaboration with local governments to manage the impact of tourism on neighborhoods.

To address safety and security, Airbnb required all booking guests, hosts, and co-hosts to complete an identity verification process. In the United States, the company also conducted standard criminal background checks for both hosts and booking guests.

To curb neighborhood disruptions, Airbnb maintained a global ban on disruptive parties and events. This ban was supported by specific booking restrictions on major holiday weekends, including New Year's Eve, Halloween, and the Fourth of July, when party risks are historically higher. Airbnb reported that in the five years since introducing these policies and enforcement measures, the global rate of party reports to the company fell by over 50 percent.

Additionally, the platform provided tools for neighbors and hosts to manage local issues in real time. A Neighborhood Support Line allowed community members to report concerns, such as an active party, directly to Airbnb. For hosts and guests, a 24-hour Safety Line was available to reach the company's Safety team for urgent issues. To help hosts prevent disruptions before they escalate, Airbnb also offered free noise sensors to hosts in the United States, designed to monitor noise levels while respecting guest privacy.

What to take from it

The June 2026 report provides several structural insights for operators tracking the short-term rental market in North Carolina and similar regional economies.

• Look for geographic opportunities in hotel-deficient zones, as 66 percent of US Census tracts in the state rely solely on short-term rentals for visitor lodging.
• Benchmark individual performance against the typical host earnings of $14,000 and the typical hosting frequency of just over 40 nights per year to assess portfolio competitiveness.
• Monitor local regulatory risks, particularly in areas where single-home hosts dominate, as policy debates often center on the balance between supplemental income and housing preservation.
• Utilize platform safety features, such as free noise sensors and identity verification, to minimize operational risks and maintain positive community relations.