NAICS 44-45

Retail Trade in Rocky Mount, NC

Metro Market Score 56.1 (Challenging), ranked #210 of 378 metros. 529 establishments, 6,516 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 56.1
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Challenging

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

⚡Rising Wages

Rocky Mount's retail trade sector saw employment decline over the past year (growth trend: 14.3). That contraction, combined with a 56.1 market score, puts this metro in the lower half for market conditions. Understand why the local market is shrinking before committing.

Industry Concentration
61.9
LQ: 1.19
Rank #234 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
1.9
$32,135 avg wage
Growth Trend
↓ 14.3
Employment growth index
Rank #325 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
72.0
YoY wage change index

529 Retail Trade Firms in Rocky Mount

529
Establishments
-3.5% YoY
6,516
Total Employment
-2.5% YoY
$32,135
Average Annual Wage
+2.0% YoY
1.19
Location Quotient
Above national avg

Rocky Mount 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 Rocky Mount NC Statewide
Overall Score 56.1 Challenging 43.4 Elevated
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #210 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 Rocky Mount

Finance and Insurance 25.5 Administrative and Support Services 29.7 Other Services 29.9 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 33.1 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 39.9 Construction 43.5 Information 44.4 Accommodation and Food Services 52.0

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 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 Rocky Mount's retail trade sector, the employment growth component (85.7) 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.