The three largest of those industries in Alabama are gas stations with convenience stores (2,869 establishments), insurance agencies and brokerages (1,663), and plumbing and HVAC contractors (1,569). WETYR buys qualifying Alabama businesses directly and confidentially, and, with an owner's OK, introduces Alabama owners to registry buyers whose buy box fits. Owners and buyers then deal directly with their own advisors.
The largest owner-operated industries in Alabama
Alabama ranks 12th in the country for gas stations with convenience stores, with 2,869 establishments, or 3.0% of the U.S. total, against 1.5% of the U.S. population. Below are the fifteen largest categories in Alabama.
| Industry | Establishments | Per 100k residents | Index vs U.S. | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gas stations with convenience stores | 2,869 | 57.1 | 1.96 | 12th |
| Insurance agencies and brokerages | 1,663 | 33.1 | 0.82 | 31st |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 1,569 | 31.2 | 0.95 | 24th |
| Accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms | 1,560 | 31.0 | 0.76 | 28th |
| Dental practices | 1,380 | 27.4 | 0.67 | 29th |
| Landscaping and tree services | 1,361 | 27.1 | 0.77 | 27th |
| Electrical contractors | 950 | 18.9 | 0.77 | 29th |
| Childcare centers | 940 | 18.7 | 0.78 | 26th |
| General auto repair shops | 932 | 18.5 | 0.73 | 26th |
| Pharmacies and drug stores | 873 | 17.4 | 1.39 | 13th |
| Commercial cleaning and janitorial services | 709 | 14.1 | 0.71 | 27th |
| Physical therapy clinics | 700 | 13.9 | 0.93 | 23rd |
| Site preparation and excavation contractors | 555 | 11.0 | 0.94 | 28th |
| Veterinary practices | 533 | 10.6 | 1.07 | 24th |
| IT services and computer systems design | 522 | 10.4 | 0.62 | 24th |
Where Alabama is over and under the national average
Per resident, Alabama runs heaviest in plate work and fabricated metal shops (27 establishments, index 2.01, 9th nationally by count); gas stations with convenience stores (2,869 establishments, index 1.96, 12th nationally by count); pharmacies and drug stores (873 establishments, index 1.39, 13th nationally by count). That top index of 2.01 means 101% more plate work and fabricated metal shops per Alabama resident than the U.S. average. Dense categories tend to have more local buyers at exit.
At the other end, Alabama is thinnest in laundromats and drycleaners (index 0.30) and durable goods wholesalers and distributors (index 0.40). A low index can mean an underserved market for a buyer building a platform, or simply that demand in Alabama is met from neighboring states.
Alabama counties with the most owner-operated businesses
| County or area | Establishments | Median household income | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County | 3,505 | $63,595 | $208,900 |
| Madison County | 1,967 | $78,058 | $242,900 |
| Mobile County | 1,846 | $55,352 | $164,600 |
| Shelby County | 1,293 | $90,618 | $276,500 |
| Baldwin County | 1,244 | $71,039 | $266,000 |
| Montgomery County | 1,125 | $56,707 | $151,300 |
| Tuscaloosa County | 856 | $61,645 | $218,800 |
| Lee County | 718 | $59,288 | $224,400 |
| Morgan County | 643 | $61,588 | $174,800 |
| Houston County | 548 | $55,064 | $164,900 |
Jefferson County, Madison County, Mobile County hold 34% of the 21,827 tracked establishments across 67 Alabama counties or areas. Median household income runs from $31,726 in Sumter County to $90,618 in Shelby County (2.9x), so the county you serve moves the valuation inputs.
Alabama metro markets
Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile and Huntsville are the 4 Alabama metros with dedicated WETYR city pages, linked below for gas stations with convenience stores and insurance agencies and brokerages.
- Birmingham, about 212,113 residents (Shelby County); nearest markets Bessemer (11 mi), Jasper (35 mi)
- Montgomery, about 201,332 residents (Montgomery County); nearest markets Opelika (58 mi), Columbus (77 mi)
- Mobile, about 194,899 residents (Mobile County); nearest markets Pascagoula (31 mi), Ocean Springs (47 mi)
- Huntsville, about 186,254 residents (Madison County); nearest markets Athens (22 mi), Decatur (24 mi)
Working with WETYR in Alabama
WETYR buys Alabama businesses directly, with no listing and no broker commission, and, with your OK, introduces Alabama owners to registry buyers who fit.
Get a confidential valuation
Tell us a little about your business in Alabama. We reply with an indicative value range and whether we are a direct fit, within one business day. No obligation, no listing, nothing public.
Alabama business sale FAQ
How many small businesses are in the industries WETYR buys in Alabama?
U.S. Census County Business Patterns counts about 21,827 establishments in Alabama across the 37 owner-operated industries WETYR tracks, 25th among the 50 states. With roughly 5,028,092 residents, that works out to 43.4 establishments per 10,000 people versus 50.1 nationally. Alabama holds 1.32% of the U.S. total in these industries and 1.52% of the population.
Which industries are most common in Alabama?
By establishment count the largest are gas stations with convenience stores (2,869), insurance agencies and brokerages (1,663), and plumbing and HVAC contractors (1,569). Gas stations with convenience stores alone is 13.1% of the state's tracked total. Relative to population, Alabama is most concentrated in plate work and fabricated metal shops, gas stations with convenience stores and pharmacies and drug stores.
Does Alabama tax the gain when I sell my business?
Yes. Alabama taxes personal income, so the gain on a sale is generally subject to state tax in addition to federal tax. How much depends on structure: asset versus stock sale, how the purchase price is allocated, and whether part is paid over time. Model the after-tax number with a Alabama CPA before you accept a headline price.
Where in Alabama are most of these businesses located?
Jefferson County leads with about 3,505 tracked establishments, followed by Madison County (1,967) and Mobile County (1,846). Together the top three hold 34% of the state total. Median household income in Jefferson County is $63,595 and the median home value is $208,900. The smallest tracked area is Coosa County with 7.
Sell by industry in Alabama
Other Southeast states
Sources
Census County Business Patterns (employer establishments, NAICS 2017); American Community Survey 5-year. Ranks and indexes: WETYR calculations, 50 states.