NAICS 44-45

Retail Trade in Gadsden, AL

Metro Market Score 41.9 (Moderate), ranked #55 of 378 metros. 400 establishments, 4,813 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 41.9
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Moderate

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national retail trade average.

📈Rapid Growth

Gadsden is a specialized hub for retail trade, with a location quotient of 1.46 and industry concentration in the top quartile. Higher-than-average firm density means more competition for talent and customers, but also a deeper local supply chain and client pool.

Industry Concentration
93.9
LQ: 1.46
Rank #355 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
4.5
$32,677 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 85.2
Employment growth index
Rank #57 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
64.3
YoY wage change index

400 Retail Trade Firms in Gadsden

400
Establishments
+1.0% YoY
4,813
Total Employment
+1.8% YoY
$32,677
Average Annual Wage
+0.5% YoY
1.46
Location Quotient
Above national avg

Gadsden vs Alabama Statewide

How this metro's retail trade market compares to Alabama overall. The state ranks #36/51 for entry risk.

Measure Gadsden AL Statewide
Overall Score 41.9 Moderate 46.4 Elevated
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #55 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 Gadsden

Construction 14.3 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 28.8 Finance and Insurance 29.2 Information 35.4 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 35.5 Administrative and Support Services 39.0 Other Services 42.3 Healthcare and Social Assistance 48.8 Accommodation and Food Services 55.7

Retail Trade in Other Alabama Metros

Tuscaloosa 32.9 #14/378 Auburn-Opelika 35.6 #27/378 Decatur 37.0 #31/378 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 →

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 Gadsden's retail trade sector, the industry concentration component (93.9) 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.