NAICS 44-45

Retail Trade in Burlington, NC

Metro Market Score 61.6 (Difficult), ranked #274 of 378 metros. 625 establishments, 9,433 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 61.6
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Difficult

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

Burlington is a specialized hub for retail trade, with a location quotient of 1.40 and industry concentration in the lower half. Higher-than-average firm density means more competition for talent and customers, but also a deeper local supply chain and client pool.

Industry Concentration
91.3
LQ: 1.40
Rank #345 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
34.7
$36,206 avg wage
Growth Trend
↓ 18.8
Employment growth index
Rank #308 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
29.0
YoY wage change index

625 Retail Trade Firms in Burlington

625
Establishments
+0.3% YoY
9,433
Total Employment
-2.1% YoY
$36,206
Average Annual Wage
-6.3% YoY
1.40
Location Quotient
Above national avg

Burlington vs North Carolina Statewide

How this metro's retail trade market compares to North Carolina overall. The state ranks #25/51 for entry risk.

Measure Burlington NC Statewide
Overall Score 61.6 Difficult 43.4 Elevated
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #274 of 378 metros #25 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 Burlington

Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 31.2 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 37.0 Accommodation and Food Services 45.6 Administrative and Support Services 56.8 Other Services 57.2 Finance and Insurance 61.4 Healthcare and Social Assistance 63.5

Retail Trade in Other North Carolina Metros

Durham-Chapel Hill 40.3 #51/378 Wilmington 42.4 #61/378 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton 42.7 #65/378 Raleigh-Cary 44.4 #78/378 Goldsboro 45.0 #83/378 Pinehurst-Southern Pines 47.0 #99/378 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia 50.4 #146/378 Rocky Mount 56.1 #210/378 Greensboro-High Point 56.3 #212/378 Winston-Salem 60.3 #256/378

+ 4 more metros. View all in North Carolina →

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 Burlington's retail trade sector, the employment growth component (81.2) 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.