Retail Trade in Paducah, KY
Metro Market Score 49.5 (Challenging), ranked #128 of 378 metros. 523 establishments, 6,701 jobs.
Metro Market Assessment
Lower is better. Relative to national retail trade average.
Paducah pairs above-average retail trade concentration (87.8) with positive employment growth (trend: 59.0). The market is competitive but still expanding, leaving room for well-positioned new entrants.
523 Retail Trade Firms in Paducah
Paducah vs Kentucky Statewide
How this metro's retail trade market compares to Kentucky overall. The state ranks #36/51 for entry risk.
| Measure | Paducah | KY Statewide |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 49.5 Challenging | 46.4 Elevated |
| Score Type | Metro Market Score | Entry Risk Score |
| Rank | #128 of 378 metros | #36 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 Paducah
Retail Trade in Other Kentucky Metros
Retail Trade Metros With Similar Conditions
Metros within 5 points of Paducah's 49.5 score. Useful when comparing markets with comparable entry profiles.
Retail Trade in States Bordering Kentucky
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 Paducah, KY-IL MSA area.
Data period: 2024. Last updated: April 2026.