📊 Dayton-Kettering, OH Market Demographics
Population
810,000
🟢 Census ACS 2023
Median Household Income
$58,100
🟢 ACS Table B19013
Median Age
39.5 yrs
🟢 ACS Table B01002
Unemployment Rate
5.0%
🟢 BLS LAUS
Homeownership Rate
65.5%
🟢 ACS Table B25003
📋 Market Analysis: Why Dayton for Franchising?
Income & purchasing power. Dayton's median household income of $58,100 is 23% below the national median of $75,149. Value-oriented franchise concepts (QSR, cleaning services, discount retail) tend to perform well in markets below the national income median, as franchisees can maintain lower operating costs while serving strong demand.
Labor market conditions. The unemployment rate in Dayton is 5.0%, 1.4pp above the national average of 3.6%. A labor market near the national average provides balanced conditions for franchise operations — neither constrained by labor shortages nor burdened by weak demand.
Homeownership & service demand. At 65.5%, homeownership in Dayton is 0.3pp above the national rate of 65.2%. Homeownership near the national average supports moderate demand across both home services and consumer-facing franchise categories.
Top opportunity: Cleaning Services. With a Penetration Index of 41 (59% below the national average), Cleaning Services has the highest Opportunity Score of 83/100 in Dayton. The market has an estimated 46 existing units versus 113 expected based on population — a gap of roughly 67 units that represents white-space opportunity for new entrants.
How Dayton compares. Demographically similar metro areas include Columbia, Stockton, Baton Rouge. Comparing franchise penetration across peer markets can reveal whether Dayton'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
🧹
Cleaning Services
Residential cleaning, commercial janitorial, and specialty cleaning franchises
83
Opportunity
Score
🟡 Estimated
Penetration Index
41
59% below avg
Est. Units (Dayton)
46
vs 113 expected
Avg Investment
$60,000–$200,000
typical range
59% below peer-market average — 46 estimated units vs 113 expected for a market of 0.8M (Source: FDD Item 20 estimates)
📊 Source: Unit counts from FDD Item 20 + SBA franchise registry
Full Analysis — All 10 Categories in Dayton →
#2
🚗
Automotive Services
Oil change, auto repair, detailing, and specialty automotive service franchises
82
Opportunity
Score
🟡 Estimated
Penetration Index
42
58% below avg
Est. Units (Dayton)
27
vs 65 expected
Avg Investment
$180,000–$450,000
typical range
59% below peer-market average — 27 estimated units vs 65 expected for a market of 0.8M (Source: FDD Item 20 estimates)
📊 Source: Unit counts from Census business patterns (NAICS 8111)
Full Analysis — All 10 Categories in Dayton →
#3
🍔
Fast Food / QSR
Quick-service restaurants including burgers, pizza, sandwiches, and ethnic fast food
76
Opportunity
Score
🟡 Estimated
Penetration Index
49
51% below avg
Est. Units (Dayton)
159
vs 324 expected
Avg Investment
$250,000–$800,000
typical range
51% below peer-market average — 159 estimated units vs 324 expected for a market of 0.8M (Source: FDD Item 20 estimates)
📊 Source: Unit counts from FDD Item 20 + Census business patterns
Full Analysis — All 10 Categories in Dayton →
#4
☕
Coffee & Beverages
Coffee shops, juice bars, tea houses, and specialty beverage franchises
76
Opportunity
Score
🟡 Estimated
Penetration Index
49
51% below avg
Est. Units (Dayton)
72
vs 146 expected
Avg Investment
$150,000–$500,000
typical range
51% below peer-market average — 72 estimated units vs 146 expected for a market of 0.8M (Source: FDD Item 20 estimates)
📊 Source: Unit counts from FDD disclosures + SBA franchise data
Full Analysis — All 10 Categories in Dayton →
#5
💪
Fitness & Wellness
Gyms, boutique fitness studios, yoga, martial arts, and wellness centers
76
Opportunity
Score
🟡 Estimated
Penetration Index
49
51% below avg
Est. Units (Dayton)
48
vs 97 expected
Avg Investment
$200,000–$600,000
typical range
51% below peer-market average — 48 estimated units vs 97 expected for a market of 0.8M (Source: FDD Item 20 estimates)
📊 Source: Unit counts from IFA membership data + FDD Item 20
Full Analysis — All 10 Categories in Dayton →
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📈 Peer Market Comparison — Similar Metro Areas
| Metro Area | Population | Median HHI |
|---|
| 📍 Dayton-Kettering, OH (this market) | 810,000 | $58,100 |
| Columbia, SC |
832,000 |
$57,900 |
| Stockton, CA |
787,000 |
$60,200 |
| Baton Rouge, LA |
869,000 |
$57,800 |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best franchise categories to open in Dayton?
Based on our data analysis, the top franchise categories in Dayton by Opportunity Score are: 1. Cleaning Services (Score: 83/100), 2. Automotive Services (Score: 82/100), 3. Fast Food / QSR (Score: 76/100), 4. Coffee & Beverages (Score: 76/100), 5. Fitness & Wellness (Score: 76/100). 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 Dayton-Kettering, OH metro area?
According to the US Census American Community Survey 2023 5-year estimates, the Dayton-Kettering, OH metropolitan statistical area has a population of 810,000.
What is the median household income in Dayton?
The median household income in the Dayton-Kettering, OH metro area is $58,100, according to US Census ACS 2023 estimates (ACS Table B19013).
How many Cleaning Services franchise units are in Dayton?
Based on FDD Item 20 disclosures and Census business pattern data, Dayton has an estimated 46 Cleaning Services franchise units, compared to 113 expected based on the metro's population. This gives a Penetration Index of 41 — indicating a potentially underserved market.
How does the Dayton market compare to similar metro areas for franchising?
Dayton has a population of 810,000 and median household income of $58,100, which is -23% below the national median. Comparable metro areas include Columbia, Stockton, Baton Rouge. 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 Dayton?
Key factors include: (1) local income levels — Dayton's $58,100 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 5.0% unemployment rate affects staffing costs, and (4) real estate — homeownership at 65.5% 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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