The three largest of those industries in Connecticut are landscaping and tree services (2,258 establishments), dental practices (1,628), and accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms (1,286). WETYR buys qualifying Connecticut businesses directly and confidentially, and, with an owner's OK, introduces Connecticut owners to registry buyers whose buy box fits. Owners and buyers then deal directly with their own advisors.
The largest owner-operated industries in Connecticut
Connecticut ranks 19th in the country for landscaping and tree services, with 2,258 establishments, or 1.9% of the U.S. total, against 1.1% of the U.S. population. The fifteen largest Connecticut categories follow.
| Industry | Establishments | Per 100k residents | Index vs U.S. | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscaping and tree services | 2,258 | 62.5 | 1.78 | 19th |
| Dental practices | 1,628 | 45.1 | 1.10 | 26th |
| Accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms | 1,286 | 35.6 | 0.87 | 31st |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 1,282 | 35.5 | 1.08 | 30th |
| Insurance agencies and brokerages | 1,231 | 34.1 | 0.84 | 35th |
| Electrical contractors | 1,193 | 33.0 | 1.35 | 22nd |
| Childcare centers | 934 | 25.9 | 1.08 | 27th |
| General auto repair shops | 920 | 25.5 | 1.01 | 27th |
| Gas stations with convenience stores | 897 | 24.8 | 0.85 | 31st |
| Commercial cleaning and janitorial services | 675 | 18.7 | 0.94 | 28th |
| Fitness centers and gyms | 617 | 17.1 | 1.43 | 23rd |
| IT services and computer systems design | 540 | 15.0 | 0.89 | 23rd |
| Physical therapy clinics | 531 | 14.7 | 0.98 | 30th |
| Site preparation and excavation contractors | 511 | 14.1 | 1.21 | 30th |
| Pharmacies and drug stores | 466 | 12.9 | 1.03 | 27th |
Where Connecticut is over and under the national average
Per resident, Connecticut runs heaviest in septic and drainage services (70 establishments, index 2.37, 11th nationally by count); landscaping and tree services (2,258 establishments, index 1.78, 19th nationally by count); machine shops (309 establishments, index 1.75, 15th nationally by count). That top index of 2.37 means 137% more septic and drainage services per Connecticut resident than the U.S. average. A buyer pricing a Connecticut deal in that category has real comparables to work from.
At the other end, Connecticut is thinnest in local general freight trucking (index 0.46) and pest control companies (index 0.64). A low index can mean an underserved market for a buyer building a platform, or simply that demand in Connecticut is met from neighboring states.
Connecticut counties with the most owner-operated businesses
| County or area | Establishments | Median household income | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capitol Planning Region | 5,169 | $88,190 | $283,800 |
| Western Connecticut Planning Region | 4,042 | $118,930 | $595,600 |
| South Central Connecticut Planning Region | 2,905 | $83,617 | $309,600 |
| Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | 2,146 | $82,939 | $273,500 |
| Greater Bridgeport Planning Region | 1,575 | $83,147 | $372,000 |
| Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region | 1,193 | $80,330 | $275,900 |
| Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region | 976 | $99,742 | $341,300 |
| Northwest Hills Planning Region | 748 | $87,971 | $296,800 |
| Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region | 405 | $83,119 | $268,500 |
Capitol Planning Region, Western Connecticut Planning Region, South Central Connecticut Planning Region hold 63% of the 19,159 tracked establishments across 9 Connecticut counties or areas. Median household income runs from $80,330 in Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region to $118,930 in Western Connecticut Planning Region (1.5x), so the county you serve moves the valuation inputs.
Connecticut metro markets
Bridgeport, New Haven, Stamford, Hartford and Waterbury are the 5 Connecticut metros with dedicated WETYR city pages, linked below for landscaping and tree services and dental practices.
- Bridgeport, about 147,216 residents (Fairfield County); nearest markets Westport (9 mi), Norwalk (12 mi)
- New Haven, about 130,660 residents (New haven County); nearest markets Wallingford (12 mi), Bridgeport (16 mi)
- Stamford, about 126,456 residents (Fairfield County); nearest markets Greenwich (5 mi), Norwalk (8 mi)
- Hartford, about 125,017 residents (Hartford County); nearest markets East Hartford (4 mi), Farmington (6 mi)
- Waterbury, about 109,676 residents (New haven County); nearest markets Wallingford (14 mi), New Britain (16 mi)
Working with WETYR in Connecticut
WETYR buys Connecticut businesses directly, with no listing and no broker commission, and, with your OK, introduces Connecticut owners to registry buyers who fit.
Get a confidential valuation
Tell us a little about your business in Connecticut. We reply with an indicative value range and whether we are a direct fit, within one business day. No obligation, no listing, nothing public.
Connecticut business sale FAQ
How many small businesses are in the industries WETYR buys in Connecticut?
U.S. Census County Business Patterns counts about 19,159 establishments in Connecticut across the 37 owner-operated industries WETYR tracks, 28th among the 50 states. With roughly 3,611,317 residents, that works out to 53.1 establishments per 10,000 people versus 50.1 nationally. Connecticut holds 1.16% of the U.S. total in these industries and 1.09% of the population.
Which industries are most common in Connecticut?
By establishment count the largest are landscaping and tree services (2,258), dental practices (1,628), and accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms (1,286). Landscaping and tree services alone is 11.8% of the state's tracked total. Relative to population, Connecticut is most concentrated in septic and drainage services, landscaping and tree services and machine shops.
Does Connecticut tax the gain when I sell my business?
Yes. Connecticut 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 Connecticut CPA before you accept a headline price.
Where in Connecticut are most of these businesses located?
Capitol Planning Region leads with about 5,169 tracked establishments, followed by Western Connecticut Planning Region (4,042) and South Central Connecticut Planning Region (2,905). Together the top three hold 63% of the state total. Median household income in Capitol Planning Region is $88,190 and the median home value is $283,800. The smallest tracked area is Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region with 405.
Sell by industry in Connecticut
Other Northeast states
Sources
Census County Business Patterns (employer establishments, NAICS 2017); American Community Survey 5-year. Ranks and indexes: WETYR calculations, 50 states.