The three largest of those industries in Idaho are landscaping and tree services (1,100 establishments), accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms (1,055), and insurance agencies and brokerages (924). WETYR buys qualifying Idaho businesses directly and confidentially, and, with an owner's OK, introduces Idaho owners to registry buyers whose buy box fits. Owners and buyers then deal directly with their own advisors.
The largest owner-operated industries in Idaho
Idaho ranks 29th in the country for landscaping and tree services, with 1,100 establishments, or 0.9% of the U.S. total, against 0.6% of the U.S. population. The fifteen largest Idaho categories follow.
| Industry | Establishments | Per 100k residents | Index vs U.S. | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscaping and tree services | 1,100 | 59.3 | 1.69 | 29th |
| Accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms | 1,055 | 56.9 | 1.40 | 35th |
| Insurance agencies and brokerages | 924 | 49.8 | 1.23 | 37th |
| Dental practices | 918 | 49.5 | 1.21 | 34th |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 855 | 46.1 | 1.40 | 35th |
| Electrical contractors | 721 | 38.9 | 1.59 | 32nd |
| Commercial cleaning and janitorial services | 618 | 33.3 | 1.67 | 30th |
| Site preparation and excavation contractors | 591 | 31.9 | 2.72 | 27th |
| Gas stations with convenience stores | 575 | 31.0 | 1.07 | 40th |
| General auto repair shops | 524 | 28.3 | 1.12 | 38th |
| Physical therapy clinics | 483 | 26.1 | 1.74 | 31st |
| Childcare centers | 462 | 24.9 | 1.04 | 37th |
| Roofing contractors | 277 | 14.9 | 2.11 | 26th |
| Local general freight trucking | 259 | 14.0 | 1.04 | 30th |
| Veterinary practices | 247 | 13.3 | 1.35 | 33rd |
Where Idaho is over and under the national average
Per resident, Idaho runs heaviest in site preparation and excavation contractors (591 establishments, index 2.72, 27th nationally by count); flooring contractors (240 establishments, index 2.51, 24th nationally by count); roofing contractors (277 establishments, index 2.11, 26th nationally by count). That top index of 2.72 means 172% more site preparation and excavation contractors per Idaho resident than the U.S. average. Dense categories tend to have more local buyers at exit.
At the other end, Idaho is thinnest in laundromats and drycleaners (index 0.28) and funeral homes (index 0.46). A low index can mean an underserved market for a buyer building a platform, or simply that demand in Idaho is met from neighboring states.
Idaho counties with the most owner-operated businesses
| County or area | Establishments | Median household income | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ada County | 3,425 | $83,881 | $423,500 |
| Canyon County | 1,451 | $68,473 | $306,200 |
| Kootenai County | 1,358 | $71,949 | $407,000 |
| Bonneville County | 868 | $73,103 | $288,300 |
| Twin Falls County | 675 | $61,183 | $262,200 |
| Bannock County | 526 | $60,998 | $233,500 |
| Bonner County | 379 | $61,816 | $378,200 |
| Blaine County | 328 | $81,794 | $558,600 |
| Nez Perce County | 253 | $65,023 | $259,600 |
| Bingham County | 237 | $69,433 | $230,500 |
Ada County, Canyon County, Kootenai County hold 53% of the 11,788 tracked establishments across 43 Idaho counties or areas. Median household income runs from $44,807 in Shoshone County to $88,906 in Teton County (2.0x), and that gap shows up in what customers pay.
Idaho metro markets
Idaho has no metro large enough for a dedicated WETYR city page, so this page and the statewide industry pages below cover the whole state, from the largest towns to rural operators.
Working with WETYR in Idaho
WETYR buys Idaho businesses directly, with no listing and no broker commission, and, with your OK, introduces Idaho owners to registry buyers who fit.
Get a confidential valuation
Tell us a little about your business in Idaho. We reply with an indicative value range and whether we are a direct fit, within one business day. No obligation, no listing, nothing public.
Idaho business sale FAQ
How many small businesses are in the industries WETYR buys in Idaho?
U.S. Census County Business Patterns counts about 11,788 establishments in Idaho across the 37 owner-operated industries WETYR tracks, 35th among the 50 states. With roughly 1,854,109 residents, that works out to 63.6 establishments per 10,000 people versus 50.1 nationally. Idaho holds 0.71% of the U.S. total in these industries and 0.56% of the population.
Which industries are most common in Idaho?
By establishment count the largest are landscaping and tree services (1,100), accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms (1,055), and insurance agencies and brokerages (924). Landscaping and tree services alone makes up 9.3% of the state's tracked total. Relative to population, Idaho is most concentrated in site preparation and excavation contractors, flooring contractors and roofing contractors.
Does Idaho tax the gain when I sell my business?
Yes. Idaho 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 Idaho CPA before you accept a headline price.
Where in Idaho are most of these businesses located?
Ada County leads with about 3,425 tracked establishments, followed by Canyon County (1,451) and Kootenai County (1,358). Together the top three hold 53% of the state total. Median household income in Ada County is $83,881 and the median home value is $423,500. The smallest tracked area is Lewis County with 3.
Sell by industry in Idaho
Other Mountain West states
Sources
Census County Business Patterns (employer establishments, NAICS 2017); American Community Survey 5-year. Ranks and indexes: WETYR calculations, 50 states.