📊 Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX Market Demographics
Population
2,295,000
🟢 Census ACS 2023
Median Household Income
$79,900
🟢 ACS Table B19013
Median Age
34.3 yrs
🟢 ACS Table B01002
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
🟢 BLS LAUS
Homeownership Rate
53.6%
🟢 ACS Table B25003
📋 Market Analysis: Why Austin for Franchising?
Income & purchasing power. Austin's median household income of $79,900 is 6% above the national median of $75,149. Markets near the national income median support a broad range of franchise categories — neither constrained to budget concepts nor reliant on premium positioning.
Labor market conditions. The unemployment rate in Austin is 3.2%, 0.4pp below the national average of 3.6%. Tight labor markets can make staffing challenging for service-based franchises. Semi-absentee models and technology-forward concepts may outperform labor-intensive operations in this environment.
Homeownership & service demand. At 53.6%, homeownership in Austin is 11.6pp below the national rate of 65.2%. Lower homeownership rates shift franchise demand toward service-based and convenience concepts rather than home services. Look for opportunities in fitness, food, and personal care.
Top opportunity: Fitness & Wellness. With a Penetration Index of 52 (48% below the national average), Fitness & Wellness has the highest Opportunity Score of 88/100 in Austin. The market has an estimated 143 existing units versus 275 expected based on population — a gap of roughly 132 units that represents white-space opportunity for new entrants.
How Austin compares. Demographically similar metro areas include Portland, Sacramento, Kansas City. Comparing franchise penetration across peer markets can reveal whether Austin's opportunity gaps are local (untapped demand) or structural (category fit for the region). Explore each peer market for side-by-side franchise category analysis.
#1
💪
Fitness & Wellness
Gyms, boutique fitness studios, yoga, martial arts, and wellness centers
88
Opportunity
Score
🟢 Census Verified
Penetration Index
52
48% below avg
Est. Units (Austin)
143
vs 275 expected
Avg Investment
$200,000–$600,000
typical range
48% below peer-market average — 143 estimated units vs 275 expected for a market of 2.3M (Source: FDD Item 20 estimates)
📊 Source: Unit counts from IFA membership data + FDD Item 20
Full Analysis — All 10 Categories in Austin →
#2
⚕️
Healthcare & Medical
Urgent care, physical therapy, dental, vision, and medical staffing franchises
84
Opportunity
Score
🟢 Census Verified
Penetration Index
57
43% below avg
Est. Units (Austin)
78
vs 138 expected
Avg Investment
$300,000–$900,000
typical range
44% below peer-market average — 78 estimated units vs 138 expected for a market of 2.3M (Source: FDD Item 20 estimates)
📊 Source: Unit counts from CMS provider data + FDD Item 20
Full Analysis — All 10 Categories in Austin →
#3
📚
Education & Learning
Tutoring centers, preschools, STEM programs, and learning enrichment franchises
84
Opportunity
Score
🟢 Census Verified
Penetration Index
57
43% below avg
Est. Units (Austin)
117
vs 207 expected
Avg Investment
$100,000–$400,000
typical range
44% below peer-market average — 117 estimated units vs 207 expected for a market of 2.3M (Source: FDD Item 20 estimates)
📊 Source: Unit counts from Dept of Education + FDD Item 20 disclosures
Full Analysis — All 10 Categories in Austin →
#4
🚗
Automotive Services
Oil change, auto repair, detailing, and specialty automotive service franchises
76
Opportunity
Score
🟢 Census Verified
Penetration Index
67
33% below avg
Est. Units (Austin)
124
vs 184 expected
Avg Investment
$180,000–$450,000
typical range
32% below peer-market average — 124 estimated units vs 184 expected for a market of 2.3M (Source: FDD Item 20 estimates)
📊 Source: Unit counts from Census business patterns (NAICS 8111)
Full Analysis — All 10 Categories in Austin →
#5
🍔
Fast Food / QSR
Quick-service restaurants including burgers, pizza, sandwiches, and ethnic fast food
75
Opportunity
Score
🟢 Census Verified
Penetration Index
68
32% below avg
Est. Units (Austin)
621
vs 918 expected
Avg Investment
$250,000–$800,000
typical range
32% below peer-market average — 621 estimated units vs 918 expected for a market of 2.3M (Source: FDD Item 20 estimates)
📊 Source: Unit counts from FDD Item 20 + Census business patterns
Full Analysis — All 10 Categories in Austin →
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📈 Peer Market Comparison — Similar Metro Areas
| Metro Area | Population | Median HHI |
|---|
| 📍 Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX (this market) | 2,295,000 | $79,900 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA |
2,512,000 |
$78,900 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA |
2,394,000 |
$73,400 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS |
2,228,000 |
$70,200 |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best franchise categories to open in Austin?
Based on our data analysis, the top franchise categories in Austin by Opportunity Score are: 1. Fitness & Wellness (Score: 88/100), 2. Healthcare & Medical (Score: 84/100), 3. Education & Learning (Score: 84/100), 4. Automotive Services (Score: 76/100), 5. Fast Food / QSR (Score: 75/100). These scores are based on population demographics from US Census ACS 2023 and franchise unit count estimates from FDD Item 20 disclosures.
How many people live in the Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX metro area?
According to the US Census American Community Survey 2023 5-year estimates, the Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX metropolitan statistical area has a population of 2,295,000.
What is the median household income in Austin?
The median household income in the Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX metro area is $79,900, according to US Census ACS 2023 estimates (ACS Table B19013).
How many Fitness & Wellness franchise units are in Austin?
Based on FDD Item 20 disclosures and Census business pattern data, Austin has an estimated 143 Fitness & Wellness franchise units, compared to 275 expected based on the metro's population. This gives a Penetration Index of 52 — indicating a potentially underserved market.
How does the Austin market compare to similar metro areas for franchising?
Austin has a population of 2,295,000 and median household income of $79,900, which is 6% above the national median. Comparable metro areas include Portland, Sacramento, Kansas City. We recommend comparing opportunity scores across peer metros before selecting a territory, as penetration gaps vary significantly between demographically similar markets.
What factors should I consider before opening a franchise in Austin?
Key factors include: (1) local income levels — Austin's $79,900 median HHI determines which franchise price points the market supports, (2) category saturation — check the Penetration Index for your target category, (3) labor availability — the 3.2% unemployment rate affects staffing costs, and (4) real estate — homeownership at 53.6% influences both commercial lease availability and home services demand. Use our Territory Opportunity Finder for a complete category-by-category analysis.
📚 Data Sources & Methodology
This analysis is based on:
- US Census American Community Survey 2023 (5-year estimates)
- Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDD Item 20) through 2024
- International Franchise Association (IFA) market data
How Opportunity Scores are calculated: Scores combine franchise category penetration (estimated from FDD Item 20 data),
local income levels, unemployment, and regional market factors. A score of 80+ indicates strong underpenetration;
50–79 indicates moderate opportunity; below 50 indicates a saturated or challenging market.
What "estimated" means: Unit counts marked 🟡 are derived from FDD disclosures for major franchisors
and Census business pattern data. They are directional estimates, not precise counts. Verify through individual FDD Item 20 research.
Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only.
It does not constitute investment advice. Past market data does not guarantee future franchise performance.
Full methodology →
Last updated: April 1, 2026 · Data: US Census ACS 2023 · FDD through 2024
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