NAICS 44-45

Retail Trade in Jacksonville, NC

Metro Market Score 69.7 (Difficult), ranked #335 of 378 metros. 610 establishments, 8,264 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 69.7
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Difficult

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

🏭Industry Hub⚡Rising Wages

With a 1.53 location quotient, Jacksonville has an outsized retail trade presence relative to its population. That concentration (index: 96.8) creates a mature local market where supplier networks are established but differentiation matters more.

Industry Concentration
96.8
LQ: 1.53
Rank #366 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
26.5
$35,373 avg wage
Growth Trend
↓ 24.6
Employment growth index
Rank #286 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
81.3
YoY wage change index

610 Retail Trade Firms in Jacksonville

610
Establishments
-1.6% YoY
8,264
Total Employment
-1.7% YoY
$35,373
Average Annual Wage
+3.8% YoY
1.53
Location Quotient
Above national avg

Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville NC Statewide
Overall Score 69.7 Difficult 43.4 Elevated
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #335 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 Jacksonville

Healthcare and Social Assistance 10.9 Finance and Insurance 24.0 Information 36.4 Construction 37.8 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 43.3 Other Services 49.4 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 53.0 Accommodation and Food Services 59.4 Administrative and Support Services 63.0

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 Jacksonville's retail trade sector, the industry concentration component (96.8) 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.