Franchise opportunities in Carrum Downs, VIC
Top 3 recommended franchise categories
2. Health & Medical
70Carrum Downs snapshot
| Metric | Carrum Downs | State avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 22,264 | 18,304 | +22% |
| Median household income | $86,200 | $94,695 | -9% |
| 5-year population growth | 3.3% | 30.4% | -27.1 pts |
Community & demographics
Who lives in Carrum Downs, and what it means for a franchise. Every figure below is a real ABS Census 2021 median for this area, not an estimate.
| Measure | Carrum Downs | What it signals for franchising |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36 years | Broad working-age and family customer base |
| Average household size | 2.5 people | Smaller households, favours convenience and single-serve formats |
| Median household income | $1,658/wk | Overall spending power of the local market |
| Median family income | $1,993/wk | Discretionary spend of family households |
| Median personal income | $817/wk | Individual earnings, a labour-cost and spend signal |
| Median rent | $370/wk | Cost of living and a proxy for commercial rents |
| Median mortgage | $1,733/mo | Homeowner cost base in the area |
Source: ABS Census 2021 G02 + ERP 2016→2021 · SA2 Carrum Downs (214011370). Incomes are median weekly (household income is also shown annualised in the headline stats).
Survival & viability analysis
Automotive viability: High
The automotive opportunity in Carrum Downs scores 70 out of 100. With a population of 22,264, there is a solid customer base, enough to sustain about 1 automotive outlet. At about 1 existing automotive operator, competition sits below typical metro density, an opening for a well-run entrant. Median household income ($86,200) sits below the state average ($94,695), which can favour value-led formats.
Nearby competition by category
| Category | Est. operators | Competition | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive | 1 | Low | Gap |
| Health & Medical | 1 | Low | Gap |
| Real Estate | 1 | Low | Gap |
| Food & Beverage | 2 | Low | Gap |
| Education & Tutoring | 1 | Low | Gap |
| Coffee & Café | 3 | 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 Carrum Downs
ABS Auto
Bob Jane T-Marts
Amcal Pharmacy
Australian Skin Clinics
Barry Plant
Belle Property
How Carrum Downs compares to nearby areas
| Location | Population | Score | Top category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carrum Downs | 22,264 | 70 | Automotive |
| 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 Carrum Downs?
Based on population, income, growth and competition data, Automotive scores highest for Carrum Downs at 70/100, competition sits below typical metro density. The next best are Health & Medical and Real Estate.
How much does a franchise cost in Carrum Downs?
Fees don't vary by suburb, Automotive franchises run $120,000–$500,000 all-in nationally (Q2 2026 Fee Index, n=62). See the Fee Index for the full breakdown.
Is Carrum Downs good for a coffee franchise?
It's promising: a coffee & café franchise scores 66/100 in Carrum Downs, with about 3 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.