NAICS 44-45

Retail Trade in Ames, IA

Metro Market Score 28.5 (Favorable), ranked #7 of 378 metros. 357 establishments, 6,232 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 28.5
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Favorable

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

📈Rapid Growth⚡Rising Wages✓Favorable Market

Ames ranks in the top 10% for retail trade market conditions, driven by above-average employment growth. With a market score of 28.5, conditions are relatively favorable compared to most metros.

Industry Concentration
40.2
LQ: 1.10
Rank #152 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
3.7
$32,572 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 98.9
Employment growth index
Rank #5 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
86.0
YoY wage change index

357 Retail Trade Firms in Ames

357
Establishments
+28.4% YoY
6,232
Total Employment
+19.6% YoY
$32,572
Average Annual Wage
+4.7% YoY
1.10
Location Quotient
Above national avg

Ames vs Iowa Statewide

How this metro's retail trade market compares to Iowa overall. The state ranks #16/51 for entry risk.

Measure Ames IA Statewide
Overall Score 28.5 Favorable 40.8 Moderate
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #7 of 378 metros #16 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 Ames

Healthcare and Social Assistance 8.1 Finance and Insurance 24.0 Construction 25.8 Accommodation and Food Services 26.3 Administrative and Support Services 27.4 Other Services 31.0 Information 39.9 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 43.1 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 46.9

Retail Trade in Other Iowa Metros

Dubuque 34.4 #20/378 Des Moines-West Des Moines 34.7 #23/378 Iowa City 42.0 #56/378 Cedar Rapids 45.2 #86/378 Waterloo-Cedar Falls 51.3 #155/378 Davenport-Moline-Rock Island 60.0 #252/378 Sioux City 60.7 #264/378

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 Ames's retail trade sector, the wage pressure component (86.0) 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.