NAICS 44-45

Retail Trade in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Metro Market Score 34.7 (Favorable), ranked #23 of 378 metros. 2,316 establishments, 42,272 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 34.7
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Favorable

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

📈Rapid Growth🌱Emerging Market

Des Moines-West Des Moines ranks in the top 10% for retail trade market conditions, driven by above-average employment growth. With a market score of 34.7, conditions are relatively favorable compared to most metros.

Industry Concentration
29.1
LQ: 1.05
Rank #110 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
54.2
$38,081 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 93.7
Employment growth index
Rank #25 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
59.6
YoY wage change index

2,316 Retail Trade Firms in Des Moines-West Des Moines

2,316
Establishments
+5.9% YoY
42,272
Total Employment
+4.1% YoY
$38,081
Average Annual Wage
-0.4% YoY
1.05
Location Quotient
Above national avg

Des Moines-West Des Moines vs Iowa Statewide

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

Measure Des Moines-West Des Moines IA Statewide
Overall Score 34.7 Favorable 40.8 Moderate
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #23 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 Des Moines-West Des Moines

Accommodation and Food Services 33.8 Information 51.6 Construction 52.9 Other Services 53.0 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 55.5 Finance and Insurance 60.0

Retail Trade in Other Iowa Metros

Ames 28.5 #7/378 Dubuque 34.4 #20/378 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 Des Moines-West Des Moines's retail trade sector, the wage competitiveness component (54.2) 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.