The three largest of those industries in New Hampshire are landscaping and tree services (1,019 establishments), plumbing and HVAC contractors (759), and electrical contractors (660). WETYR buys qualifying New Hampshire businesses directly and confidentially, and, with an owner's OK, introduces New Hampshire owners to registry buyers whose buy box fits. Owners and buyers then deal directly with their own advisors.
The largest owner-operated industries in New Hampshire
New Hampshire ranks 31st in the country for landscaping and tree services, with 1,019 establishments, or 0.9% of the U.S. total, against 0.4% of the U.S. population. Below are the fifteen largest categories in New Hampshire.
| Industry | Establishments | Per 100k residents | Index vs U.S. | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscaping and tree services | 1,019 | 73.9 | 2.10 | 31st |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 759 | 55.0 | 1.67 | 37th |
| Electrical contractors | 660 | 47.8 | 1.95 | 35th |
| General auto repair shops | 630 | 45.7 | 1.81 | 35th |
| Dental practices | 595 | 43.1 | 1.06 | 39th |
| Accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms | 525 | 38.1 | 0.93 | 42nd |
| Gas stations with convenience stores | 515 | 37.3 | 1.28 | 41st |
| Childcare centers | 453 | 32.8 | 1.38 | 38th |
| Insurance agencies and brokerages | 425 | 30.8 | 0.76 | 44th |
| Site preparation and excavation contractors | 418 | 30.3 | 2.58 | 36th |
| Commercial cleaning and janitorial services | 402 | 29.1 | 1.46 | 38th |
| Fitness centers and gyms | 276 | 20.0 | 1.68 | 33rd |
| IT services and computer systems design | 226 | 16.4 | 0.97 | 35th |
| Physical therapy clinics | 212 | 15.4 | 1.03 | 43rd |
| Veterinary practices | 200 | 14.5 | 1.47 | 39th |
Where New Hampshire is over and under the national average
Per resident, New Hampshire runs heaviest in septic and drainage services (49 establishments, index 4.35, 21st nationally by count); site preparation and excavation contractors (418 establishments, index 2.58, 36th nationally by count); waste collection and dumpster haulers (99 establishments, index 2.56, 28th nationally by count). That top index of 4.35 means 335% more septic and drainage services per New Hampshire resident than the U.S. average. More local operators usually means more comparable sales to price against.
At the other end, New Hampshire is thinnest in security guard and patrol companies (index 0.42) and durable goods wholesalers and distributors (index 0.63). A low index can mean an underserved market for a buyer building a platform, or simply that demand in New Hampshire is met from neighboring states.
New Hampshire counties with the most owner-operated businesses
| County or area | Establishments | Median household income | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsborough | 2,567 | $95,112 | $356,200 |
| Rockingham County | 2,389 | $110,225 | $424,100 |
| Merrimack County | 1,056 | $88,806 | $297,600 |
| Strafford County | 680 | $83,212 | $300,200 |
| Grafton County | 637 | $79,949 | $273,100 |
| Cheshire County | 465 | $76,551 | $238,800 |
| Belknap County | 450 | $80,719 | $295,900 |
| Carroll County | 426 | $77,049 | $315,800 |
| Sullivan County | 240 | $70,788 | $211,400 |
| Coos County | 166 | $55,247 | $157,900 |
Hillsborough, Rockingham County, Merrimack County hold 66% of the 9,076 tracked establishments across 10 New Hampshire counties or areas. Median household income runs from $55,247 in Coos County to $110,225 in Rockingham County (2.0x), and that gap shows up in what customers pay.
New Hampshire metro markets
Manchester is the New Hampshire metro with dedicated WETYR city pages, linked below for landscaping and tree services and plumbing and HVAC contractors.
- Manchester, about 110,378 residents (Hillsborough County); nearest markets Auburn (6 mi), Amherst (12 mi)
Working with WETYR in New Hampshire
WETYR buys New Hampshire businesses directly, with no listing and no broker commission, and, with your OK, introduces New Hampshire owners to registry buyers who fit.
Get a confidential valuation
Tell us a little about your business in New Hampshire. We reply with an indicative value range and whether we are a direct fit, within one business day. No obligation, no listing, nothing public.
New Hampshire business sale FAQ
How many small businesses are in the industries WETYR buys in New Hampshire?
U.S. Census County Business Patterns counts about 9,076 establishments in New Hampshire across the 36 owner-operated industries WETYR tracks, 39th among the 50 states. With roughly 1,379,610 residents, that works out to 65.8 establishments per 10,000 people versus 50.1 nationally. New Hampshire holds 0.55% of the U.S. total in these industries and 0.42% of the population.
Which industries are most common in New Hampshire?
By establishment count the largest are landscaping and tree services (1,019), plumbing and HVAC contractors (759), and electrical contractors (660). Landscaping and tree services alone is 11.2% of the state's tracked total. Relative to population, New Hampshire is most concentrated in septic and drainage services, site preparation and excavation contractors and waste collection and dumpster haulers.
Does New Hampshire tax the gain when I sell my business?
New Hampshire does not tax wages, and its tax on interest and dividends was repealed starting in 2025. It does levy the Business Profits Tax and Business Enterprise Tax on businesses, and those can reach a gain the business itself recognizes on an asset sale. Federal tax applies as usual. Structure decides which of these touch your deal, so model it with a New Hampshire CPA before signing a letter of intent.
Where in New Hampshire are most of these businesses located?
Hillsborough leads with about 2,567 tracked establishments, followed by Rockingham County (2,389) and Merrimack County (1,056). Together the top three hold 66% of the state total. Median household income in Hillsborough is $95,112 and the median home value is $356,200. The smallest tracked area is Coos County with 166.
Sell by industry in New Hampshire
Other New England states
Sources
Census County Business Patterns (employer establishments, NAICS 2017); American Community Survey 5-year. Ranks and indexes: WETYR calculations, 50 states.