NAICS 44-45

Retail Trade in Goldsboro, NC

Metro Market Score 45.0 (Moderate), ranked #83 of 378 metros. 459 establishments, 6,269 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 45.0
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Moderate

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

🏭Industry Hub📈Rapid Growth⚡Rising Wages

With a 1.50 location quotient, Goldsboro has an outsized retail trade presence relative to its population. That concentration (index: 95.8) creates a mature local market where supplier networks are established but differentiation matters more.

Industry Concentration
95.8
LQ: 1.50
Rank #362 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
6.3
$33,072 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 85.5
Employment growth index
Rank #56 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
75.7
YoY wage change index

459 Retail Trade Firms in Goldsboro

459
Establishments
-1.9% YoY
6,269
Total Employment
+1.8% YoY
$33,072
Average Annual Wage
+2.7% YoY
1.50
Location Quotient
Above national avg

Goldsboro 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 Goldsboro NC Statewide
Overall Score 45.0 Moderate 43.4 Elevated
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #83 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 Goldsboro

Information 10.2 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 18.3 Finance and Insurance 27.5 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 29.8 Other Services 35.6 Construction 36.6 Administrative and Support Services 37.6 Healthcare and Social Assistance 41.0 Accommodation and Food Services 61.8

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 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 Burlington 61.6 #274/378

+ 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 Goldsboro's retail trade sector, the industry concentration component (95.8) 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.