📊 Jacksonville, FL Market Demographics
Population
1,684,000
🟢 Census ACS 2023
Median Household Income
$63,700
🟢 ACS Table B19013
Median Age
38.2 yrs
🟢 ACS Table B01002
Unemployment Rate
4.0%
🟢 BLS LAUS
Homeownership Rate
61.5%
🟢 ACS Table B25003
📋 Market Analysis: Why Jacksonville for Franchising?
Income & purchasing power. Jacksonville's median household income of $63,700 is 15% 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 Jacksonville is 4.0%, 0.4pp 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 61.5%, homeownership in Jacksonville is 3.7pp below 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: Senior Care. With a Penetration Index of 38 (62% below the national average), Senior Care has the highest Opportunity Score of 90/100 in Jacksonville. The market has an estimated 32 existing units versus 84 expected based on population — a gap of roughly 52 units that represents white-space opportunity for new entrants.
How Jacksonville compares. Demographically similar metro areas include Providence, Milwaukee, Virginia Beach. Comparing franchise penetration across peer markets can reveal whether Jacksonville'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
👴
Senior Care
In-home care, assisted living placement, and senior enrichment franchises
90
Opportunity
Score
🟢 Census Verified
Penetration Index
38
62% below avg
Est. Units (Jacksonville)
32
vs 84 expected
Avg Investment
$90,000–$250,000
typical range
62% below peer-market average — 32 estimated units vs 84 expected for a market of 1.7M (Source: FDD Item 20 estimates)
📊 Source: Unit counts from CMS CASPER + FDD Item 20 data
Full Analysis — All 10 Categories in Jacksonville →
#2
💪
Fitness & Wellness
Gyms, boutique fitness studios, yoga, martial arts, and wellness centers
84
Opportunity
Score
🟢 Census Verified
Penetration Index
45
55% below avg
Est. Units (Jacksonville)
91
vs 202 expected
Avg Investment
$200,000–$600,000
typical range
55% below peer-market average — 91 estimated units vs 202 expected for a market of 1.7M (Source: FDD Item 20 estimates)
📊 Source: Unit counts from IFA membership data + FDD Item 20
Full Analysis — All 10 Categories in Jacksonville →
#3
🐾
Pet Services
Pet grooming, boarding, training, veterinary, and specialty pet care franchises
84
Opportunity
Score
🟢 Census Verified
Penetration Index
45
55% below avg
Est. Units (Jacksonville)
53
vs 118 expected
Avg Investment
$120,000–$350,000
typical range
55% below peer-market average — 53 estimated units vs 118 expected for a market of 1.7M (Source: FDD Item 20 estimates)
📊 Source: Unit counts from APPA + FDD Item 20 disclosures
Full Analysis — All 10 Categories in Jacksonville →
#4
⚕️
Healthcare & Medical
Urgent care, physical therapy, dental, vision, and medical staffing franchises
77
Opportunity
Score
🟢 Census Verified
Penetration Index
53
47% below avg
Est. Units (Jacksonville)
54
vs 101 expected
Avg Investment
$300,000–$900,000
typical range
46% below peer-market average — 54 estimated units vs 101 expected for a market of 1.7M (Source: FDD Item 20 estimates)
📊 Source: Unit counts from CMS provider data + FDD Item 20
Full Analysis — All 10 Categories in Jacksonville →
#5
🍔
Fast Food / QSR
Quick-service restaurants including burgers, pizza, sandwiches, and ethnic fast food
76
Opportunity
Score
🟢 Census Verified
Penetration Index
54
46% below avg
Est. Units (Jacksonville)
363
vs 674 expected
Avg Investment
$250,000–$800,000
typical range
46% below peer-market average — 363 estimated units vs 674 expected for a market of 1.7M (Source: FDD Item 20 estimates)
📊 Source: Unit counts from FDD Item 20 + Census business patterns
Full Analysis — All 10 Categories in Jacksonville →
See All 10 Franchise Categories in Jacksonville
Interactive tool with full opportunity scores, confidence ratings, CSV export, and email alerts for market changes.
Open Territory Finder — Free →
📈 Peer Market Comparison — Similar Metro Areas
| Metro Area | Population | Median HHI |
|---|
| 📍 Jacksonville, FL (this market) | 1,684,000 | $63,700 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA |
1,681,000 |
$67,000 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI |
1,582,000 |
$62,500 |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC |
1,821,000 |
$67,800 |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best franchise categories to open in Jacksonville?
Based on our data analysis, the top franchise categories in Jacksonville by Opportunity Score are: 1. Senior Care (Score: 90/100), 2. Fitness & Wellness (Score: 84/100), 3. Pet Services (Score: 84/100), 4. Healthcare & Medical (Score: 77/100), 5. Fast Food / QSR (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 Jacksonville, FL metro area?
According to the US Census American Community Survey 2023 5-year estimates, the Jacksonville, FL metropolitan statistical area has a population of 1,684,000.
What is the median household income in Jacksonville?
The median household income in the Jacksonville, FL metro area is $63,700, according to US Census ACS 2023 estimates (ACS Table B19013).
How many Senior Care franchise units are in Jacksonville?
Based on FDD Item 20 disclosures and Census business pattern data, Jacksonville has an estimated 32 Senior Care franchise units, compared to 84 expected based on the metro's population. This gives a Penetration Index of 38 — indicating a potentially underserved market.
How does the Jacksonville market compare to similar metro areas for franchising?
Jacksonville has a population of 1,684,000 and median household income of $63,700, which is -15% below the national median. Comparable metro areas include Providence, Milwaukee, Virginia Beach. 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 Jacksonville?
Key factors include: (1) local income levels — Jacksonville's $63,700 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 4.0% unemployment rate affects staffing costs, and (4) real estate — homeownership at 61.5% 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
Compare Franchise Opportunities in Similar Markets
These metro areas share similar demographics with Jacksonville. Compare franchise penetration and opportunity scores across peer markets:
Related Tools & Resources