NAICS 44-45

Retail Trade in Wilmington, NC

Metro Market Score 42.4 (Moderate), ranked #61 of 378 metros. 1,861 establishments, 24,626 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 42.4
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Moderate

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

📈Rapid Growth

Wilmington ranks in the top quartile for retail trade market conditions, driven by above-average employment growth. With a market score of 42.4, conditions are relatively favorable compared to most metros.

Industry Concentration
85.5
LQ: 1.32
Rank #323 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
50.5
$37,669 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 99.7
Employment growth index
Rank #2 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
41.5
YoY wage change index

1,861 Retail Trade Firms in Wilmington

1,861
Establishments
+37.5% YoY
24,626
Total Employment
+37.4% YoY
$37,669
Average Annual Wage
-3.9% YoY
1.32
Location Quotient
Above national avg

Wilmington 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 Wilmington NC Statewide
Overall Score 42.4 Moderate 43.4 Elevated
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #61 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 Wilmington

Construction 35.6 Other Services 38.6 Finance and Insurance 39.7 Healthcare and Social Assistance 40.0 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 41.9 Accommodation and Food Services 50.4 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 61.5

Retail Trade in Other North Carolina Metros

Durham-Chapel Hill 40.3 #51/378 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 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 Wilmington's retail trade sector, the industry concentration component (85.5) 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.