NAICS 44-45

Retail Trade in Ocala, FL

Metro Market Score 73.6 (Difficult), ranked #359 of 378 metros. 1,280 establishments, 19,264 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 73.6
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Difficult

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

🏭Industry Hub💰High-Cost Market

Ocala is a specialized hub for retail trade, with a location quotient of 1.61 and industry concentration in the bottom 10%. Higher-than-average firm density means more competition for talent and customers, but also a deeper local supply chain and client pool.

Industry Concentration
97.9
LQ: 1.61
Rank #370 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
77.5
$41,011 avg wage
Growth Trend
46.3
Employment growth index
Rank #204 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
68.4
YoY wage change index

1,280 Retail Trade Firms in Ocala

1,280
Establishments
+1.5% YoY
19,264
Total Employment
-0.4% YoY
$41,011
Average Annual Wage
+1.3% YoY
1.61
Location Quotient
Above national avg

Ocala vs Florida Statewide

How this metro's retail trade market compares to Florida overall. The state ranks #43/51 for entry risk.

Measure Ocala FL Statewide
Overall Score 73.6 Difficult 51.0 Elevated
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #359 of 378 metros #43 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 Ocala

Finance and Insurance 27.9 Other Services 28.9 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 29.8 Information 30.8 Construction 36.4 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 39.6 Healthcare and Social Assistance 47.4 Accommodation and Food Services 48.4 Administrative and Support Services 57.8

Retail Trade in Other Florida Metros

Gainesville 24.8 #2/378 Tallahassee 38.1 #37/378 Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville 47.7 #106/378 Jacksonville 48.1 #110/378 Homosassa Springs 49.6 #131/378 Panama City-Panama City Beach 50.1 #142/378 Sebring 50.6 #149/378 Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford 52.0 #163/378 Wildwood-The Villages 52.1 #164/378 Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent 54.0 #188/378

+ 11 more metros. View all in Florida →

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 Ocala's retail trade sector, the industry concentration component (97.9) 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.