NAICS 44-45

Retail Trade in Dubuque, IA

Metro Market Score 34.4 (Favorable), ranked #20 of 378 metros. 389 establishments, 6,447 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 34.4
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Favorable

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

📈Rapid Growth

Employment in Dubuque's retail trade sector grew faster than most metros last year, pushing its growth trend index to 78.3. Combined with a 34.4 market score, this metro sits in the top 10% for overall conditions.

Industry Concentration
43.4
LQ: 1.11
Rank #164 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
14.3
$34,130 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 78.3
Employment growth index
Rank #83 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
67.4
YoY wage change index

389 Retail Trade Firms in Dubuque

389
Establishments
-1.3% YoY
6,447
Total Employment
+1.0% YoY
$34,130
Average Annual Wage
+1.1% YoY
1.11
Location Quotient
Above national avg

Dubuque vs Iowa Statewide

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

Measure Dubuque IA Statewide
Overall Score 34.4 Favorable 40.8 Moderate
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #20 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 Dubuque

Accommodation and Food Services 24.7 Other Services 36.9 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 41.3 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 45.0 Healthcare and Social Assistance 47.7 Administrative and Support Services 48.2 Construction 52.1 Information 58.5 Finance and Insurance 60.1

Retail Trade in Other Iowa Metros

Ames 28.5 #7/378 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 Dubuque's retail trade sector, the wage pressure component (67.4) 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.