The three largest of those industries in Kentucky are gas stations with convenience stores (1,815 establishments), insurance agencies and brokerages (1,723), and dental practices (1,404). WETYR buys qualifying Kentucky businesses directly and confidentially, and, with an owner's OK, introduces Kentucky owners to registry buyers whose buy box fits. Owners and buyers then deal directly with their own advisors.
The largest owner-operated industries in Kentucky
Kentucky ranks 20th in the country for gas stations with convenience stores, with 1,815 establishments, or 1.9% of the U.S. total, against 1.4% of the U.S. population. The fifteen largest Kentucky categories follow.
| Industry | Establishments | Per 100k residents | Index vs U.S. | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gas stations with convenience stores | 1,815 | 40.3 | 1.39 | 20th |
| Insurance agencies and brokerages | 1,723 | 38.3 | 0.94 | 28th |
| Dental practices | 1,404 | 31.2 | 0.76 | 28th |
| Accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms | 1,350 | 30.0 | 0.74 | 30th |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 1,319 | 29.3 | 0.89 | 29th |
| Landscaping and tree services | 1,096 | 24.3 | 0.69 | 30th |
| Electrical contractors | 862 | 19.1 | 0.78 | 31st |
| Childcare centers | 845 | 18.8 | 0.79 | 30th |
| General auto repair shops | 823 | 18.3 | 0.72 | 29th |
| Pharmacies and drug stores | 784 | 17.4 | 1.40 | 17th |
| Physical therapy clinics | 612 | 13.6 | 0.91 | 27th |
| Commercial cleaning and janitorial services | 591 | 13.1 | 0.66 | 32nd |
| Veterinary practices | 479 | 10.6 | 1.08 | 27th |
| Site preparation and excavation contractors | 465 | 10.3 | 0.88 | 32nd |
| Staffing agencies | 445 | 9.9 | 0.97 | 26th |
Where Kentucky is over and under the national average
Per resident, Kentucky runs heaviest in funeral homes (272 establishments, index 1.47, 19th nationally by count); pharmacies and drug stores (784 establishments, index 1.40, 17th nationally by count); gas stations with convenience stores (1,815 establishments, index 1.39, 20th nationally by count). That top index of 1.47 means 47% more funeral homes per Kentucky resident than the U.S. average. Concentration like that usually points to an established local operator base.
At the other end, Kentucky is thinnest in septic and drainage services (index 0.33) and pool, building and dwelling services (index 0.33). Thin categories cut both ways: fewer local competitors for an operator, but fewer comparable transactions when a buyer prices a deal.
Kentucky counties with the most owner-operated businesses
| County or area | Establishments | Median household income | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County | 4,031 | $66,296 | $222,200 |
| Fayette County | 1,751 | $66,087 | $247,900 |
| Kenton County | 695 | $76,016 | $207,700 |
| Boone County | 648 | $91,697 | $237,600 |
| Warren County | 625 | $63,074 | $227,300 |
| Daviess County | 540 | $64,021 | $171,100 |
| Hardin County | 448 | $64,136 | $186,500 |
| Madison County | 396 | $59,797 | $200,600 |
| Mccracken County | 395 | $58,490 | $172,300 |
| Campbell County | 390 | $71,979 | $214,400 |
Jefferson County, Fayette County, Kenton County hold 36% of the 17,982 tracked establishments across 118 Kentucky counties or areas. Median household income runs from $33,658 in Bell County to $117,334 in Oldham County (3.5x), so the county you serve moves the valuation inputs.
Kentucky metro markets
Louisville is the Kentucky metro with dedicated WETYR city pages, linked below for gas stations with convenience stores and insurance agencies and brokerages.
- Louisville, about 609,893 residents (Jefferson County); nearest markets Jeffersonville (2 mi), La Grange (22 mi)
Working with WETYR in Kentucky
WETYR buys Kentucky businesses directly, with no listing and no broker commission, and, with your OK, introduces Kentucky owners to registry buyers who fit.
Get a confidential valuation
Tell us a little about your business in Kentucky. We reply with an indicative value range and whether we are a direct fit, within one business day. No obligation, no listing, nothing public.
Kentucky business sale FAQ
How many small businesses are in the industries WETYR buys in Kentucky?
U.S. Census County Business Patterns counts about 17,982 establishments in Kentucky across the 37 owner-operated industries WETYR tracks, 30th among the 50 states. With roughly 4,502,935 residents, that works out to 39.9 establishments per 10,000 people versus 50.1 nationally. Kentucky holds 1.09% of the U.S. total in these industries and 1.36% of the population.
Which industries are most common in Kentucky?
By establishment count the largest are gas stations with convenience stores (1,815), insurance agencies and brokerages (1,723), and dental practices (1,404). Gas stations with convenience stores alone is 10.1% of the state's tracked total. Relative to population, Kentucky is most concentrated in funeral homes, pharmacies and drug stores and gas stations with convenience stores.
Does Kentucky tax the gain when I sell my business?
Yes. Kentucky 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 Kentucky CPA before you accept a headline price.
Where in Kentucky are most of these businesses located?
Jefferson County leads with about 4,031 tracked establishments, followed by Fayette County (1,751) and Kenton County (695). Together the top three hold 36% of the state total. Median household income in Jefferson County is $66,296 and the median home value is $222,200. The smallest tracked area is Owsley County with 3.
Sell by industry in Kentucky
Other Southeast states
Sources
Census County Business Patterns (employer establishments, NAICS 2017); American Community Survey 5-year. Ranks and indexes: WETYR calculations, 50 states.