by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors
Whether it’s a beachside bungalow, a mountainside chalet, or a lakeside estate, these seasonal homes are usually owned by part-time residents
In some American towns, nearly every house sits empty for part of the year. Whether it’s a beachside bungalow, a mountainside chalet, or a lakeside estate, these seasonal homes are usually owned by part-time residents—and in the most extreme cases, they make up over 98% of all housing in town.
10 Most Seasonal Towns in America
Dewey Beach, Delaware: 98.3% seasonal housing share
Quogue, New York: 97.9% seasonal housing share
Bald Head Island, North Carolina: 97.5% seasonal housing share
Barnegat Light, New Jersey: 97.2% seasonal housing share
Frisco, Colorado: 96.9% seasonal housing share
Breckenridge, Colorado: 96.7% seasonal housing share
Fontana-on-Geneva Lake, Wisconsin: 96.7% seasonal housing share
Innsbrook, Missouri: 96.4% seasonal housing share
Longport, New Jersey: 96.4% seasonal housing share
McCall, Idaho: 96.1% seasonal housing share
What is seasonal housing, and what’s happening in the market right now?
Seasonal homes are properties that are used only part of the year, often for vacations, recreation, or occasional stays. They’re typically located in popular getaway destinations, but demand tends to ebb and flow with affordability—and lately, high housing costs have made vacation homes harder to afford.
During the pandemic era of ultra-low mortgage rates, second-home purchases more than doubled, driven in part by investor activity. Since then, they’ve plunged to new lows in response to economic uncertainty and near-record housing costs. As a result, vacation markets are cooling slightly faster than other parts of the country.
A recent Redfin analysis found that home sales in seasonal towns fell 3% in July, compared to a 1% drop in nonseasonal towns. When costs are high, people are more likely to forgo or sell their ski chalet or beach house.
Here is a closer look at America’s most seasonal towns.
1. Dewey Beach, Delaware
Seasonal housing share: 98.3%
Total seasonal housing units: 1,376
Permanent population: 328
Dewey median sale price: $995,000
Along Delaware’s gorgeous Cape Region, Dewey Beach is the most seasonal town in the U.S., with more than 98% of its homes used only part-time.
Dewey Beach is a coastal town full of colonial architecture, sandy shorelines, and family-owned shops. Sussex County, which includes Dewey Beach, has grown rapidly since the turn of the century. Vast housing tracts and retirement communities have popped up in place of farmland to take advantage of pleasant weather and pristine beachfront.
Dewey Beach has a very small year-round population, but summers bring tens of thousands of visitors to a town that’s otherwise quiet.
2. Quogue, New York
Seasonal housing share: 97.9%
Total seasonal housing units: 1,376
Permanent population: 602
Quogue median sale price: $10,800,000
Pronounced “kwog,” Quogue is a small Hamptons town on the southern coast of Long Island. It sets itself apart from the affluence of the rest of the Hamptons with its low-key, down-to-earth atmosphere—although that’s not to say it’s affordable.
3. Bald Head Island, North Carolina
Previously called Smith Island, Bald Head Island is a tiny resort community an hour south of Wilmington. It’s a relatively remote town that is only accessible by ferry—in fact, cars aren’t allowed on the island. Residents instead drive golf carts, bike, or walk, which creates a very peaceful atmosphere.
4. Barnegat Light, New Jersey
Barnegat Light is the fourth-most seasonal town in the U.S. Technically a borough, it’s situated on the northern tip of Long Beach Island and is full of seaside homes, a lighthouse, and miles of beaches. Island Beach State Park lies just to the north, along with marine conservation zones that protect unique ecosystems.
5. Frisco, Colorado
Seasonal housing share: 96.9%
Total seasonal housing units: 2,344
Permanent population: 2,865
Frisco median sale price: $1,095,000
Frisco is one of many mountain towns in Colorado near renowned ski resorts. Just a few miles to the south is Breckenridge, a destination legendary among skiers and mountaineers. Frisco’s top draws are a quaint downtown with family-owned shops, views of 14ers and alpine lakes, and a marina along Dillon Reservoir.
Outdoor recreation is why most people move to the area, but with typical house prices topping $1 million, it’s very difficult to afford.
6. Breckenridge, Colorado
Mountain towns across the country saw house prices skyrocket during the pandemic, as remote workers and wealthy buyers raced to snatch up homes with outdoor access and plenty of space. In Colorado, this jump has priced out most locals, including towns like Breckenridge, Steamboat Springs, and Frisco.
Vail, Telluride, and Aspen (other high-end Colorado ski towns) have slightly lower seasonality, with housing shares of 86.8%, 82.8%, and 75%, respectively. Aspen in particular is known for its ultra-luxury housing and recently topped the charts with the most expensive listing in the nation.
7. Fontana-on-Geneva Lake, Wisconsin
Locally known as just “Fontana,” Fontana-on-Geneva Lake is a small village northeast of Chicago situated (unsurprisingly) on Geneva Lake. It’s primarily a resort town popular among water sports enthusiasts, and it has a yacht club and marina.
Because of the region’s natural beauty and proximity to Milwaukee and Chicago, it has long been a getaway for Midwestern millionaires. Large estates line small sections of the lake, owned by affluent Chicagoans like the Sears and Wrigley families.
8. Innsbrook, Missouri
Innsbrook’s name is a nod to Austria’s famous Tyrol region, where the original “Innsbruck” is located. Even the A-frame architecture is faithfully replicated.
9. Longport, New Jersey
Seasonal housing share: 96.4%
Total seasonal housing units: 1,070
Permanent population: 897
Longport median sale price: $2,825,000
Longport is located on the southern tip of Absecon Island, south of Atlantic City. It’s among the most expensive places to live in the state, as house prices along the Jersey Shore have skyrocketed in the last two decades. A typical house will run you $2 million or more.
10. McCall, Idaho
Seasonal housing share: 96.1%
Total seasonal housing units: 2,708
Permanent population: 3,847
McCall median sale price: $581,000
Last on the list is McCall, Idaho, where 96% of homes are used seasonally. McCall is a resort town on the shores of Payette Lake, two hours north of Boise, known for its alpine wilderness and outdoor recreation. Homes can be very expensive, especially in the Whitetail area, but they pale in comparison to places like Aspen.
Methodology
This story was produced by Redfin Real Estate and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
RELATED CONTENT: 5 Black-Owned Vacation Rentals That Could Be Your Home for The Holidays
Source: Black Enterprise
