The three largest of those industries in Louisiana are insurance agencies and brokerages (2,151 establishments), gas stations with convenience stores (1,997), and accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms (1,901). WETYR buys qualifying Louisiana businesses directly and confidentially, and, with an owner's OK, introduces Louisiana owners to registry buyers whose buy box fits. Owners and buyers then deal directly with their own advisors.
The largest owner-operated industries in Louisiana
Louisiana ranks 22nd in the country for insurance agencies and brokerages, with 2,151 establishments, or $8,000 per $500K of the U.S. total, against 1.4% of the U.S. population. Below are the fifteen largest categories in Louisiana.
| Industry | Establishments | Per 100k residents | Index vs U.S. | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insurance agencies and brokerages | 2,151 | 46.4 | 1.14 | 22nd |
| Gas stations with convenience stores | 1,997 | 43.0 | 1.48 | 18th |
| Accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms | 1,901 | 41.0 | 1.01 | 22nd |
| Dental practices | 1,577 | 34.0 | 0.83 | 27th |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 1,561 | 33.6 | 1.02 | 25th |
| Electrical contractors | 1,008 | 21.7 | 0.89 | 27th |
| Childcare centers | 980 | 21.1 | 0.89 | 24th |
| Landscaping and tree services | 923 | 19.9 | 0.57 | 34th |
| Pharmacies and drug stores | 806 | 17.4 | 1.39 | 16th |
| General auto repair shops | 760 | 16.4 | 0.65 | 32nd |
| Physical therapy clinics | 710 | 15.3 | 1.02 | 21st |
| Commercial cleaning and janitorial services | 626 | 13.5 | 0.68 | 29th |
| Fitness centers and gyms | 472 | 10.2 | 0.85 | 26th |
| Veterinary practices | 461 | 9.9 | 1.01 | 28th |
| Site preparation and excavation contractors | 459 | 9.9 | 0.84 | 33rd |
Where Louisiana is over and under the national average
Per resident, Louisiana runs heaviest in gas stations with convenience stores (1,997 establishments, index 1.48, 18th nationally by count); pharmacies and drug stores (806 establishments, index 1.39, 16th nationally by count); self-storage facilities (296 establishments, index 1.22, 20th nationally by count). That top index of 1.48 means 48% more gas stations with convenience stores per Louisiana resident than the U.S. average. A buyer pricing a Louisiana deal in that category has real comparables to work from.
At the other end, Louisiana is thinnest in IT services and computer systems design (index 0.39) and laundromats and drycleaners (index 0.42). 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.
Louisiana counties with the most owner-operated businesses
| County or area | Establishments | Median household income | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Parish | 2,552 | $63,257 | $231,700 |
| East Baton Rouge Parish | 2,439 | $62,083 | $232,800 |
| Lafayette Parish | 1,677 | $66,617 | $222,400 |
| St Tammany Parish | 1,499 | $76,914 | $262,400 |
| Orleans Parish | 1,264 | $51,116 | $281,500 |
| Caddo Parish | 1,176 | $47,572 | $166,700 |
| Calcasieu Parish | 977 | $64,370 | $196,900 |
| Ouachita Parish | 888 | $49,261 | $172,800 |
| Rapides Parish | 595 | $55,407 | $171,400 |
| Ascension Parish | 574 | $93,800 | $255,600 |
Jefferson Parish, East Baton Rouge Parish, Lafayette Parish hold 32% of the 20,646 tracked establishments across 64 Louisiana counties or areas. Median household income runs from $32,034 in Claiborne Parish to $93,800 in Ascension Parish (2.9x), so the county you serve moves the valuation inputs.
Louisiana metro markets
New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport and Lafayette are the 4 Louisiana metros with dedicated WETYR city pages, linked below for insurance agencies and brokerages and gas stations with convenience stores.
- New Orleans, about 378,715 residents (Orleans County); nearest markets Gretna (3 mi), Metairie (6 mi)
- Baton Rouge, about 229,426 residents (East baton rouge County); nearest markets Hammond (39 mi), Thibodaux (50 mi)
- Shreveport, about 200,327 residents (Caddo County); nearest markets Bossier City (1 mi), Tyler (91 mi)
- Lafayette, about 124,276 residents (Lafayette County); nearest markets Baton Rouge (55 mi), Lake Charles (71 mi)
Working with WETYR in Louisiana
WETYR buys Louisiana businesses directly, with no listing and no broker commission, and, with your OK, introduces Louisiana owners to registry buyers who fit.
Get a confidential valuation
Tell us a little about your business in Louisiana. We reply with an indicative value range and whether we are a direct fit, within one business day. No obligation, no listing, nothing public.
Louisiana business sale FAQ
How many small businesses are in the industries WETYR buys in Louisiana?
U.S. Census County Business Patterns counts about 20,646 establishments in Louisiana across the 36 owner-operated industries WETYR tracks, 26th among the 50 states. With roughly 4,640,546 residents, that works out to 44.5 establishments per 10,000 people versus 50.1 nationally. Louisiana holds 1.25% of the U.S. total in these industries and 1.40% of the population.
Which industries are most common in Louisiana?
By establishment count the largest are insurance agencies and brokerages (2,151), gas stations with convenience stores (1,997), and accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms (1,901). Insurance agencies and brokerages alone is $52,000 per $500K of the state's tracked total. Relative to population, Louisiana is most concentrated in gas stations with convenience stores, pharmacies and drug stores and self-storage facilities.
Does Louisiana tax the gain when I sell my business?
Yes. Louisiana 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 Louisiana CPA before you accept a headline price.
Where in Louisiana are most of these businesses located?
Jefferson Parish leads with about 2,552 tracked establishments, followed by East Baton Rouge Parish (2,439) and Lafayette Parish (1,677). Together the top three hold 32% of the state total. Median household income in Jefferson Parish is $63,257 and the median home value is $231,700. The smallest tracked area is Tensas Parish with 3.
Sell by industry in Louisiana
Other Gulf South states
Sources
Census County Business Patterns (employer establishments, NAICS 2017); American Community Survey 5-year. Ranks and indexes: WETYR calculations, 50 states.