NAICS 44-45

Retail Trade in Battle Creek, MI

Metro Market Score 58.5 (Challenging), ranked #238 of 378 metros. 396 establishments, 5,710 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 58.5
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Challenging

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

⚡Rising Wages

Retail Trade employment in Battle Creek contracted year-over-year, placing the growth trend in the lower half at 18.5. Declining job counts can indicate consolidation, population shifts, or reduced local demand. Due diligence on the local economy is especially important here.

Industry Concentration
28.6
LQ: 1.05
Rank #108 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
46.0
$37,203 avg wage
Growth Trend
↓ 18.5
Employment growth index
Rank #309 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
77.2
YoY wage change index

396 Retail Trade Firms in Battle Creek

396
Establishments
-6.8% YoY
5,710
Total Employment
-2.1% YoY
$37,203
Average Annual Wage
+3.0% YoY
1.05
Location Quotient
Above national avg

Battle Creek vs Michigan Statewide

How this metro's retail trade market compares to Michigan overall. The state ranks #15/51 for entry risk.

Measure Battle Creek MI Statewide
Overall Score 58.5 Challenging 40.5 Moderate
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #238 of 378 metros #15 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 Battle Creek

Information 9.4 Finance and Insurance 24.2 Accommodation and Food Services 28.1 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 34.5 Healthcare and Social Assistance 37.5 Construction 41.8 Administrative and Support Services 51.5 Other Services 70.1 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 70.5

Retail Trade in Other Michigan Metros

Niles 33.4 #15/378 Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood 37.1 #32/378 Muskegon-Norton Shores 47.1 #100/378 Midland 50.1 #141/378 Ann Arbor 52.6 #169/378 Lansing-East Lansing 55.0 #197/378 Monroe 55.1 #198/378 Saginaw 60.8 #265/378 Traverse City 61.3 #268/378 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn 63.5 #293/378

+ 4 more metros. View all in Michigan →

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 Battle Creek's retail trade sector, the employment growth component (81.5) 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.