Franchise opportunities in Mernda - North, VIC
Top 3 recommended franchise categories
2. Food & Beverage
613. Bakery & Dessert
56Mernda - North snapshot
| Metric | Mernda - North | State avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,553 | 18,304 | -37% |
| Median household income | $98,600 | $94,695 | +4% |
| 5-year population growth | 31.1% | 30.4% | +0.7 pts |
Community & demographics
Who lives in Mernda - North, and what it means for a franchise. Every figure below is a real ABS Census 2021 median for this area, not an estimate.
| Measure | Mernda - North | What it signals for franchising |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 34 years | Younger market, skews to fitness, quick-service food and services |
| Average household size | 2.9 people | Family-heavy, favours food, education and household services |
| Median household income | $1,897/wk | Overall spending power of the local market |
| Median family income | $2,103/wk | Discretionary spend of family households |
| Median personal income | $855/wk | Individual earnings, a labour-cost and spend signal |
| Median rent | $378/wk | Cost of living and a proxy for commercial rents |
| Median mortgage | $1,900/mo | Homeowner cost base in the area |
Source: ABS Census 2021 G02 + ERP 2016→2021 · SA2 Mernda - North (209041531). 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 Mernda - North scores 62 out of 100. With a population of 11,553, 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 ($98,600) runs above the state average ($94,695), supporting discretionary spend. Population is growing at 31.1% over five years, ahead of the state pace of 30.4%, new demand is still arriving.
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 |
| B2B Services | 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 Mernda - North
Advanced Hair Studio
Barber Industries
Acai Brothers
Boost Juice
Bakers Delight
Banjo's Bakehouse
How Mernda - North compares to nearby areas
| Location | Population | Score | Top category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mernda - North | 11,553 | 62 | Hair & Barber |
| 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 Mernda - North?
Based on population, income, growth and competition data, Hair & Barber scores highest for Mernda - North at 62/100, competition sits below typical metro density. The next best are Food & Beverage and Bakery & Dessert.
How much does a franchise cost in Mernda - North?
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 Mernda - North good for a coffee franchise?
It's promising: a coffee & café franchise scores 51/100 in Mernda - North, 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.