NAICS 44-45

Retail Trade in Fond du Lac, WI

Metro Market Score 63.5 (Difficult), ranked #294 of 378 metros. 291 establishments, 5,348 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 63.5
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Difficult

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

⚡Rising Wages

Fond du Lac scores 63.5 on the Metro Market Score for retail trade, placing it in the bottom quartile. High wage costs, strong existing competition, or slowing growth contribute to tougher entry conditions compared to most metros.

Industry Concentration
60.0
LQ: 1.19
Rank #227 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
35.2
$36,241 avg wage
Growth Trend
↓ 20.6
Employment growth index
Rank #301 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
79.3
YoY wage change index

291 Retail Trade Firms in Fond du Lac

291
Establishments
+1.0% YoY
5,348
Total Employment
-2.0% YoY
$36,241
Average Annual Wage
+3.4% YoY
1.19
Location Quotient
Above national avg

Fond du Lac vs Wisconsin Statewide

How this metro's retail trade market compares to Wisconsin overall. The state ranks #1/51 for entry risk.

Measure Fond du Lac WI Statewide
Overall Score 63.5 Difficult 33.3 Moderate
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #294 of 378 metros #1 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 Fond du Lac

Accommodation and Food Services 26.7 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 31.2 Other Services 31.2 Administrative and Support Services 33.5 Finance and Insurance 34.0 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 43.9 Information 47.4 Construction 61.7 Healthcare and Social Assistance 62.6

Retail Trade in Other Wisconsin Metros

Racine-Mount Pleasant 31.0 #9/378 Wausau 34.6 #21/378 La Crosse-Onalaska 34.8 #24/378 Sheboygan 38.0 #36/378 Appleton 39.0 #46/378 Milwaukee-Waukesha 39.2 #47/378 Eau Claire 45.5 #87/378 Madison 45.9 #90/378 Oshkosh-Neenah 47.9 #107/378 Kenosha 49.2 #125/378

+ 2 more metros. View all in Wisconsin →

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 Fond du Lac's retail trade sector, the employment growth component (79.4) 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.