NAICS 44-45
Retail Trade in Decatur, AL
Metro Market Score 37.0 (Moderate), ranked #31 of 378 metros. 574 establishments, 6,470 jobs.
Metro Market Assessment
Metro Market Score 37.0
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Moderate
Lower is better. Relative to national retail trade average.
Rapid Growth
Decatur ranks in the top 10% for retail trade market conditions, driven by above-average employment growth. With a market score of 37.0, conditions are relatively favorable compared to most metros.
Industry Concentration
40.7
LQ: 1.10
Rank #154 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
33.9
$36,056 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 81.2
Employment growth index
Rank #72 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
63.7
YoY wage change index
574 Retail Trade Firms in Decatur
574
Establishments
+2.3% YoY
6,470
Total Employment
+1.3% YoY
$36,056
Average Annual Wage
+0.4% YoY
1.10
Location Quotient
Above national avg
Decatur vs Alabama Statewide
How this metro's retail trade market compares to Alabama overall. The state ranks #36/51 for entry risk.
| Measure | Decatur | AL Statewide |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 37.0 Moderate | 46.4 Elevated |
| Score Type | Metro Market Score | Entry Risk Score |
| Rank | #31 of 378 metros | #36 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 Decatur
Retail Trade in Other Alabama Metros
Tuscaloosa 32.9 #14/378 Auburn-Opelika 35.6 #27/378 Gadsden 41.9 #55/378 Huntsville 44.8 #81/378 Montgomery 49.9 #137/378 Birmingham 51.8 #161/378 Anniston-Oxford 52.9 #175/378 Mobile 54.9 #195/378 Florence-Muscle Shoals 61.9 #276/378 Daphne-Fairhope-Foley 62.9 #285/378
+ 1 more metros. View all in Alabama →
Data Sources
- Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW), Bureau of Labor Statistics. MSA-level establishment counts, employment, wages, and location quotients for the Decatur, AL MSA area.
Data period: 2024. Last updated: April 2026.