NAICS 51

Information in Dubuque, IA

Metro Market Score 58.5 (Challenging), ranked #228 of 294 metros. 77 establishments, 700 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 58.5
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Challenging

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national information average.

Dubuque's information sector saw employment decline over the past year (growth trend: 16.0). That contraction, combined with a 58.5 market score, puts this metro in the bottom quartile for market conditions. Understand why the local market is shrinking before committing.

Industry Concentration
73.5
LQ: 0.64
Rank #216 of 294 metros
Wage Competitiveness
46.6
$75,432 avg wage
Growth Trend
↓ 16.0
Employment growth index
Rank #248 of 294 metros
Wage Pressure
16.6
YoY wage change index

77 Information Firms in Dubuque

77
Establishments
-7.2% YoY
700
Total Employment
-8.7% YoY
$75,432
Average Annual Wage
-1.0% YoY
0.64
Location Quotient
Below national avg

Dubuque vs Iowa Statewide

How this metro's information market compares to Iowa overall. The state ranks #15/51 for entry risk.

Measure Dubuque IA Statewide
Overall Score 58.5 Challenging 38.3 Moderate
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #228 of 294 metros #15 of 51 states

Metro and state scores use different methodologies (metro has 4 QCEW-based metrics; state adds BDS survival and momentum data). Direct score comparisons are approximate.

Other Industries in Dubuque

Accommodation and Food Services 24.7 Retail Trade 34.4 Other Services 36.9 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 41.3 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 45.0 Healthcare and Social Assistance 47.7 Administrative and Support Services 48.2 Construction 52.1 Finance and Insurance 60.1

Information in Other Iowa Metros

Davenport-Moline-Rock Island 29.5 #56/294 Iowa City 30.0 #60/294 Ames 39.9 #114/294 Waterloo-Cedar Falls 48.5 #182/294 Sioux City 51.0 #196/294 Des Moines-West Des Moines 51.6 #198/294 Cedar Rapids 70.9 #279/294

About Metro Market Score: A weighted composite of industry concentration (25%), wage competitiveness (25%), wage pressure (20%), and employment growth trend (30%). Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions. For Dubuque's information sector, the employment growth component (84.0) has the strongest pull on the composite. Metro scores use QCEW data only (no BDS survival data at metro level). Read full methodology →

Data Sources

Data period: 2024. Last updated: April 2026.