Airbnb bookings outside top metros 25% higher than in 2019

Coronavirus infection rates soared in rural America in July, but in June, rural Airbnb bookings surged as vacationers sought to escape the pandemic.

"According to Airbnb, hosts in rural areas of the U.S. earned over $200 million in June 2020, an increase of more than 25 percent from the same period a year ago. Airbnb also said more than nine of every 10 dollars earned by hosts for June trips inside the U.S. were for sites outside the 10 biggest American cities by population," Michelle Gao reports for CNBC.

Airbnb defines "rural" very broadly, places (presumably counties) with fewer than 100 people per square kilometer, or 160 per square mile. That includes many small metro areas and outlying counties of medium-sized metros. 

"Airbnb’s data also supports hosts’ speculation that guests are choosing to stay local," CNBC reports. "In New York, for example, Airbnb hosts earned over $5.8 million from guests living within 300 miles during June, according to data from the company."

Other trends Airbnb noted were longer average stays and larger groups, most likely comprised of multi-generational families looking to stay together, Gao reports.