Retail Trade in Dover, DE
Metro Market Score 69.8 (Difficult), ranked #336 of 378 metros. 553 establishments, 8,993 jobs.
Metro Market Assessment
Lower is better. Relative to national retail trade average.
Retail Trade employment in Dover contracted year-over-year, placing the growth trend in the bottom quartile at 11.4. Declining job counts can indicate consolidation, population shifts, or reduced local demand. Due diligence on the local economy is especially important here.
553 Retail Trade Firms in Dover
Dover vs Delaware Statewide
How this metro's retail trade market compares to Delaware overall. The state ranks #19/51 for entry risk.
| Measure | Dover | DE Statewide |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 69.8 Difficult | 41.8 Moderate |
| Score Type | Metro Market Score | Entry Risk Score |
| Rank | #336 of 378 metros | #19 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 Dover
Retail Trade Metros With Similar Conditions
Metros within 5 points of Dover's 69.8 score. Useful when comparing markets with comparable entry profiles.
Retail Trade in States Bordering Delaware
State-level entry risk for retail trade in adjacent states. Use this to weigh cross-border options.
Browse Retail Trade in Other States
State-level entry risk reports for retail trade across all 51 markets, sorted by rank.
Data Sources
- Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW), Bureau of Labor Statistics. MSA-level establishment counts, employment, wages, and location quotients for the Dover, DE MSA area.
Data period: 2024. Last updated: April 2026.