NAICS 44-45

Retail Trade in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI

Metro Market Score 34.8 (Favorable), ranked #24 of 378 metros. 499 establishments, 9,960 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 34.8
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Favorable

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

📈Rapid Growth⚡Rising Wages

Employment in La Crosse-Onalaska's retail trade sector grew faster than most metros last year, pushing its growth trend index to 98.2. Combined with a 34.8 market score, this metro sits in the top 10% for overall conditions.

Industry Concentration
63.5
LQ: 1.20
Rank #240 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
7.9
$33,293 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 98.2
Employment growth index
Rank #8 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
81.9
YoY wage change index

499 Retail Trade Firms in La Crosse-Onalaska

499
Establishments
+20.5% YoY
9,960
Total Employment
+14.5% YoY
$33,293
Average Annual Wage
+3.9% YoY
1.20
Location Quotient
Above national avg

La Crosse-Onalaska vs Wisconsin Statewide

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

Measure La Crosse-Onalaska WI Statewide
Overall Score 34.8 Favorable 33.3 Moderate
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #24 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 La Crosse-Onalaska

Construction 24.1 Accommodation and Food Services 24.4 Other Services 35.7 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 39.6 Information 43.1

Retail Trade in Other Wisconsin Metros

Racine-Mount Pleasant 31.0 #9/378 Wausau 34.6 #21/378 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 Green Bay 53.7 #183/378

+ 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 La Crosse-Onalaska's retail trade sector, the wage pressure component (81.9) 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.