The three largest of those industries in Iowa are insurance agencies and brokerages (2,018 establishments), gas stations with convenience stores (1,485), and landscaping and tree services (1,200). WETYR buys qualifying Iowa businesses directly and confidentially, and, with an owner's OK, introduces Iowa owners to registry buyers whose buy box fits. Owners and buyers then deal directly with their own advisors.
The largest owner-operated industries in Iowa
Iowa ranks 24th in the country for insurance agencies and brokerages, with 2,018 establishments, or $7,500 per $500K of the U.S. total, against 1.0% of the U.S. population. Here is how the top fifteen stack up in Iowa.
| Industry | Establishments | Per 100k residents | Index vs U.S. | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insurance agencies and brokerages | 2,018 | 63.3 | 1.56 | 24th |
| Gas stations with convenience stores | 1,485 | 46.6 | 1.60 | 25th |
| Landscaping and tree services | 1,200 | 37.6 | 1.07 | 28th |
| Accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms | 1,095 | 34.3 | 0.84 | 34th |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 1,089 | 34.2 | 1.04 | 31st |
| General auto repair shops | 1,075 | 33.7 | 1.34 | 24th |
| Dental practices | 997 | 31.3 | 0.77 | 32nd |
| Childcare centers | 874 | 27.4 | 1.15 | 29th |
| Electrical contractors | 862 | 27.0 | 1.10 | 30th |
| Site preparation and excavation contractors | 685 | 21.5 | 1.83 | 22nd |
| Commercial cleaning and janitorial services | 590 | 18.5 | 0.93 | 33rd |
| Local general freight trucking | 507 | 15.9 | 1.19 | 23rd |
| Physical therapy clinics | 429 | 13.5 | 0.90 | 34th |
| Veterinary practices | 402 | 12.6 | 1.28 | 30th |
| Fitness centers and gyms | 334 | 10.5 | 0.88 | 30th |
Where Iowa is over and under the national average
Per resident, Iowa runs heaviest in funeral homes (280 establishments, index 2.14, 18th nationally by count); site preparation and excavation contractors (685 establishments, index 1.83, 22nd nationally by count); gas stations with convenience stores (1,485 establishments, index 1.60, 25th nationally by count). That top index of 2.14 means 114% more funeral homes per Iowa resident than the U.S. average. More local operators usually means more comparable sales to price against.
At the other end, Iowa is thinnest in durable goods wholesalers and distributors (index 0.13) and laundromats and drycleaners (index 0.18). For an acquirer, an underweight category is worth a second look: scarcity can support pricing, but it also narrows the local buyer pool at exit.
Iowa counties with the most owner-operated businesses
| County or area | Establishments | Median household income | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polk County | 2,765 | $78,827 | $232,000 |
| Linn County | 1,288 | $75,457 | $188,800 |
| Scott County | 903 | $72,792 | $198,000 |
| Johnson County | 667 | $72,977 | $277,800 |
| Black Hawk County | 611 | $62,329 | $172,500 |
| Dubuque County | 590 | $73,495 | $210,300 |
| Dallas County | 546 | $99,533 | $314,900 |
| Woodbury County | 541 | $68,399 | $158,000 |
| Story County | 437 | $66,197 | $229,100 |
| Pottawattamie County | 435 | $68,718 | $169,400 |
Polk County, Linn County, Scott County hold 30% of the 16,592 tracked establishments across 99 Iowa counties or areas. Median household income runs from $50,684 in Appanoose County to $99,533 in Dallas County (2.0x), so the county you serve moves the valuation inputs.
Iowa metro markets
Des Moines and Cedar Rapids are the 2 Iowa metros with dedicated WETYR city pages, linked below for insurance agencies and brokerages and gas stations with convenience stores.
- Des Moines, about 207,510 residents (Polk County); nearest markets West Des Moines (6 mi), Ankeny (9 mi)
- Cedar Rapids, about 128,429 residents (Linn County); nearest markets Iowa City (23 mi), Waterloo (50 mi)
Working with WETYR in Iowa
WETYR buys Iowa businesses directly, with no listing and no broker commission, and, with your OK, introduces Iowa owners to registry buyers who fit.
Get a confidential valuation
Tell us a little about your business in Iowa. We reply with an indicative value range and whether we are a direct fit, within one business day. No obligation, no listing, nothing public.
Iowa business sale FAQ
How many small businesses are in the industries WETYR buys in Iowa?
U.S. Census County Business Patterns counts about 16,592 establishments in Iowa across the 37 owner-operated industries WETYR tracks, 31st among the 50 states. With roughly 3,188,836 residents, that works out to 52.0 establishments per 10,000 people versus 50.1 nationally. Iowa holds 1.00% of the U.S. total in these industries and 0.97% of the population.
Which industries are most common in Iowa?
By establishment count the largest are insurance agencies and brokerages (2,018), gas stations with convenience stores (1,485), and landscaping and tree services (1,200). Insurance agencies and brokerages alone is $61,000 per $500K of the state's tracked total. Relative to population, Iowa is most concentrated in funeral homes, site preparation and excavation contractors and gas stations with convenience stores.
Does Iowa tax the gain when I sell my business?
Yes. Iowa 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 Iowa CPA before you accept a headline price.
Where in Iowa are most of these businesses located?
Polk County leads with about 2,765 tracked establishments, followed by Linn County (1,288) and Scott County (903). Together the top three hold 30% of the state total. Median household income in Polk County is $78,827 and the median home value is $232,000. The smallest tracked area is Adams County with 9.
Sell by industry in Iowa
Other Midwest states
Sources
Census County Business Patterns (employer establishments, NAICS 2017); American Community Survey 5-year. Ranks and indexes: WETYR calculations, 50 states.