Franchise opportunities in Carlton, VIC
Top 3 recommended franchise categories
Carlton snapshot
| Metric | Carlton | State avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,064 | 18,304 | -7% |
| Median household income | $67,000 | $94,695 | -29% |
| 5-year population growth | -15.7% | 30.4% | -46.1 pts |
Community & demographics
Who lives in Carlton, and what it means for a franchise. Every figure below is a real ABS Census 2021 median for this area, not an estimate.
| Measure | Carlton | What it signals for franchising |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 27 years | Younger market, skews to fitness, quick-service food and services |
| Average household size | 1.8 people | Smaller households, favours convenience and single-serve formats |
| Median household income | $1,289/wk | Overall spending power of the local market |
| Median family income | $2,064/wk | Discretionary spend of family households |
| Median personal income | $652/wk | Individual earnings, a labour-cost and spend signal |
| Median rent | $365/wk | Cost of living and a proxy for commercial rents |
| Median mortgage | $1,871/mo | Homeowner cost base in the area |
Source: ABS Census 2021 G02 + ERP 2016→2021 · SA2 Carlton (206041117). Incomes are median weekly (household income is also shown annualised in the headline stats).
Survival & viability analysis
Quick-Service Food viability: High
The quick-service food opportunity in Carlton scores 53 out of 100. With a population of 17,064, the catchment is smaller, so demand may support only one well-sited quick-service food outlet. At about 2 existing quick-service food operators, competition sits below typical metro density, an opening for a well-run entrant. Median household income ($67,000) sits below the state average ($94,695), which can favour value-led formats.
Nearby competition by category
| Category | Est. operators | Competition | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail | 1 | Low | Gap |
| Beauty & Health | 1 | Low | Gap |
| Massage & Wellness | 1 | Low | Gap |
| Mortgage & Finance | 1 | Low | Gap |
| B2B Services | 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 Carlton
Bucking Bull
Burger Urge
7-Eleven Australia
Andersens
Cafe2U
Coolabah Tree Cafe
How Carlton compares to nearby areas
| Location | Population | Score | Top category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carlton | 17,064 | 53 | Quick-Service Food |
| Newcastle | 322,278 | 77 | Bakery & Dessert |
| Parramatta | 256,729 | 80 | Pet Services |
| Geelong | 268,277 | 75 | Pet Services |
| Gold Coast | 699,226 | 84 | Quick-Service Food |
Frequently asked questions
What franchise is best for Carlton?
Based on population, income, growth and competition data, Quick-Service Food scores highest for Carlton at 53/100, competition sits below typical metro density. The next best are Retail and Coffee & Café.
How much does a franchise cost in Carlton?
Fees don't vary by suburb, Quick-Service Food franchises run $350,000–$900,000 all-in nationally (Q2 2026 Fee Index, n=96). See the Fee Index for the full breakdown.
Is Carlton good for a coffee franchise?
It's promising: a coffee & café franchise scores 51/100 in Carlton, with about 2 existing operators in the trade area (Strong 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.