Vacation Homes Make Up 2.9% of Missouri Housing

Did you know that vacation homes make up 2.9% of all housing in Missouri? That translates to around 81,000 homes—many of which are right here in the Lake of the Ozarks area. Across the country, we've seen a shift: vacation homes have decreased from 5.47 million in 2018 to 4.74 million in 2024, now representing 3.3% of U.S. housing. Interestingly, timeshares are now seeing higher occupancy rates than hotels. With over 40 years in Lake real estate, I’ve seen firsthand how these trends shape our local market and opportunities for buyers and sellers alike.