The three largest of those industries in Mississippi are gas stations with convenience stores (1,748 establishments), insurance agencies and brokerages (1,201), and dental practices (833). WETYR buys qualifying Mississippi businesses directly and confidentially, and, with an owner's OK, introduces Mississippi owners to registry buyers whose buy box fits. Owners and buyers then deal directly with their own advisors.
The largest owner-operated industries in Mississippi
Mississippi ranks 21st in the country for gas stations with convenience stores, with 1,748 establishments, or 1.8% of the U.S. total, against 0.9% of the U.S. population. Below are the fifteen largest categories in Mississippi.
| Industry | Establishments | Per 100k residents | Index vs U.S. | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gas stations with convenience stores | 1,748 | 59.1 | 2.03 | 21st |
| Insurance agencies and brokerages | 1,201 | 40.6 | 1.00 | 36th |
| Dental practices | 833 | 28.2 | 0.69 | 36th |
| Childcare centers | 810 | 27.4 | 1.15 | 31st |
| Accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms | 781 | 26.4 | 0.65 | 36th |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 678 | 22.9 | 0.70 | 40th |
| Landscaping and tree services | 550 | 18.6 | 0.53 | 41st |
| General auto repair shops | 475 | 16.1 | 0.64 | 39th |
| Pharmacies and drug stores | 468 | 15.8 | 1.27 | 26th |
| Electrical contractors | 424 | 14.3 | 0.58 | 41st |
| Physical therapy clinics | 353 | 11.9 | 0.80 | 36th |
| Site preparation and excavation contractors | 350 | 11.8 | 1.01 | 39th |
| Commercial cleaning and janitorial services | 311 | 10.5 | 0.53 | 42nd |
| Home health care agencies | 310 | 10.5 | 0.91 | 28th |
| Veterinary practices | 246 | 8.3 | 0.84 | 34th |
Where Mississippi is over and under the national average
Per resident, Mississippi runs heaviest in gas stations with convenience stores (1,748 establishments, index 2.03, 21st nationally by count); pharmacies and drug stores (468 establishments, index 1.27, 26th nationally by count); childcare centers (810 establishments, index 1.15, 31st nationally by count). That top index of 2.03 means 103% more gas stations with convenience stores per Mississippi resident than the U.S. average. Concentration like that usually points to an established local operator base.
At the other end, Mississippi is thinnest in laundromats and drycleaners (index 0.20) and advertising and marketing agencies (index 0.25). 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.
Mississippi counties with the most owner-operated businesses
| County or area | Establishments | Median household income | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hinds County | 1,037 | $48,596 | $141,600 |
| Rankin County | 942 | $76,460 | $203,300 |
| Harrison County | 849 | $55,211 | $185,000 |
| Desoto County | 717 | $79,666 | $227,600 |
| Madison County | 681 | $79,105 | $264,700 |
| Jackson County | 534 | $60,045 | $161,700 |
| Lee County | 499 | $64,479 | $172,900 |
| Lauderdale County | 335 | $45,649 | $121,900 |
| Forrest County | 330 | $49,340 | $144,000 |
| Lamar County | 308 | $67,972 | $209,700 |
Hinds County, Rankin County, Harrison County hold 25% of the 11,499 tracked establishments across 81 Mississippi counties or areas. Median household income runs from $28,818 in Holmes County to $79,666 in Desoto County (2.8x), so the county you serve moves the valuation inputs.
Mississippi metro markets
Jackson is the Mississippi metro with dedicated WETYR city pages, linked below for gas stations with convenience stores and insurance agencies and brokerages.
- Jackson, about 172,638 residents (Rankin County); nearest markets Clinton (9 mi), Brandon (13 mi)
Working with WETYR in Mississippi
WETYR buys Mississippi businesses directly, with no listing and no broker commission, and, with your OK, introduces Mississippi owners to registry buyers who fit.
Get a confidential valuation
Tell us a little about your business in Mississippi. We reply with an indicative value range and whether we are a direct fit, within one business day. No obligation, no listing, nothing public.
Mississippi business sale FAQ
How many small businesses are in the industries WETYR buys in Mississippi?
U.S. Census County Business Patterns counts about 11,499 establishments in Mississippi across the 36 owner-operated industries WETYR tracks, 36th among the 50 states. With roughly 2,958,846 residents, that works out to 38.9 establishments per 10,000 people versus 50.1 nationally. Mississippi holds 0.69% of the U.S. total in these industries and 0.90% of the population.
Which industries are most common in Mississippi?
By establishment count the largest are gas stations with convenience stores (1,748), insurance agencies and brokerages (1,201), and dental practices (833). Gas stations with convenience stores alone is 15.2% of the state's tracked total. Relative to population, Mississippi is most concentrated in gas stations with convenience stores, pharmacies and drug stores and childcare centers.
Does Mississippi tax the gain when I sell my business?
Yes. Mississippi 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 Mississippi CPA before you accept a headline price.
Where in Mississippi are most of these businesses located?
Hinds County leads with about 1,037 tracked establishments, followed by Rankin County (942) and Harrison County (849). Together the top three hold 25% of the state total. Median household income in Hinds County is $48,596 and the median home value is $141,600. The smallest tracked area is Franklin County with 3.
Sell by industry in Mississippi
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.