Franchise opportunities in Port Macquarie - East, NSW
Top 3 recommended franchise categories
1. Hair & Barber
452. Food & Beverage
443. Bakery & Dessert
39Port Macquarie - East snapshot
| Metric | Port Macquarie - East | State avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,726 | 20,009 | -41% |
| Median household income | $72,600 | $100,267 | -28% |
| 5-year population growth | -0.1% | 13.0% | -13.1 pts |
Community & demographics
Who lives in Port Macquarie - East, and what it means for a franchise. Every figure below is a real ABS Census 2021 median for this area, not an estimate.
| Measure | Port Macquarie - East | What it signals for franchising |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46 years | Older market, skews to health, home and aged-support services |
| Average household size | 2.2 people | Smaller households, favours convenience and single-serve formats |
| Median household income | $1,396/wk | Overall spending power of the local market |
| Median family income | $1,929/wk | Discretionary spend of family households |
| Median personal income | $761/wk | Individual earnings, a labour-cost and spend signal |
| Median rent | $350/wk | Cost of living and a proxy for commercial rents |
| Median mortgage | $1,753/mo | Homeowner cost base in the area |
Source: ABS Census 2021 G02 + ERP 2016→2021 · SA2 Port Macquarie - East (108041619). Incomes are median weekly (household income is also shown annualised in the headline stats).
Survival & viability analysis
Hair & Barber viability: High
The hair & barber opportunity in Port Macquarie - East scores 45 out of 100. With a population of 11,726, the catchment is smaller, so demand may support only one well-sited hair & barber outlet. At about 1 existing hair & barber operator, competition sits below typical metro density, an opening for a well-run entrant. Median household income ($72,600) sits below the state average ($100,267), which can favour value-led formats.
Nearby competition by category
| Category | Est. operators | Competition | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hair & Barber | 1 | Low | Gap |
| Food & Beverage | 1 | Low | Gap |
| Bakery & Dessert | 1 | Low | Gap |
| Retail | 1 | Low | Gap |
| Beauty & Health | 1 | Low | Gap |
| Lawn & Garden | 1 | Low | Gap |
Operator counts are a trade-area model derived from ABS population, not a live business census. Richer POI data (OpenStreetMap / Google Places) is ingested per methodology.
Available franchise opportunities in Port Macquarie - East
Advanced Hair Studio
Barber Industries
Acai Brothers
Boost Juice
Auntie Anne's
Bakers Delight
How Port Macquarie - East compares to nearby areas
| Location | Population | Score | Top category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Macquarie - East | 11,726 | 45 | Hair & Barber |
| Newcastle | 322,278 | 77 | Bakery & Dessert |
| Parramatta | 256,729 | 79 | Pet Services |
| Geelong | 268,277 | 75 | Pet Services |
| Gold Coast | 699,226 | 84 | Quick-Service Food |
Frequently asked questions
What franchise is best for Port Macquarie - East?
Based on population, income, growth and competition data, Hair & Barber scores highest for Port Macquarie - East at 45/100, competition sits below typical metro density. The next best are Food & Beverage and Bakery & Dessert.
How much does a franchise cost in Port Macquarie - East?
Fees don't vary by suburb, Hair & Barber franchises run $140,000–$380,000 all-in nationally (Q2 2026 Fee Index, n=65). See the Fee Index for the full breakdown.
Is Port Macquarie - East good for a coffee franchise?
It's promising: a coffee & café franchise scores 35/100 in Port Macquarie - East, with about 2 existing operators in the trade area (Moderate suitability).
Demographics: ABS Census 2021 & Regional Population. Category scores combine ABS demographics with a trade-area competition model and live franchise availability, see methodology. Fees: Q2 2026 Fee Index.