The three largest of those industries in New Jersey are landscaping and tree services (4,718 establishments), dental practices (4,582), and accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms (3,703). WETYR buys qualifying New Jersey businesses directly and confidentially, and, with an owner's OK, introduces New Jersey 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 Jersey
New Jersey ranks 7th in the country for landscaping and tree services, with 4,718 establishments, or 4.1% of the U.S. total, against 2.8% of the U.S. population. The fifteen largest New Jersey categories follow.
| Industry | Establishments | Per 100k residents | Index vs U.S. | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscaping and tree services | 4,718 | 51.0 | 1.45 | 7th |
| Dental practices | 4,582 | 49.5 | 1.21 | 7th |
| Accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms | 3,703 | 40.0 | 0.98 | 11th |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 3,500 | 37.8 | 1.15 | 8th |
| Electrical contractors | 2,668 | 28.8 | 1.18 | 8th |
| IT services and computer systems design | 2,528 | 27.3 | 1.62 | 6th |
| Insurance agencies and brokerages | 2,518 | 27.2 | 0.67 | 20th |
| General auto repair shops | 2,470 | 26.7 | 1.06 | 10th |
| Childcare centers | 2,421 | 26.2 | 1.10 | 9th |
| Physical therapy clinics | 2,084 | 22.5 | 1.51 | 7th |
| Commercial cleaning and janitorial services | 2,038 | 22.0 | 1.10 | 11th |
| Pharmacies and drug stores | 1,658 | 17.9 | 1.44 | 6th |
| Local general freight trucking | 1,615 | 17.5 | 1.30 | 7th |
| Fitness centers and gyms | 1,466 | 15.9 | 1.33 | 7th |
| Gas stations with convenience stores | 1,065 | 11.5 | 0.40 | 30th |
Where New Jersey is over and under the national average
Per resident, New Jersey runs heaviest in laundromats and drycleaners (581 establishments, index 2.14, 5th nationally by count); durable goods wholesalers and distributors (429 establishments, index 1.76, 5th nationally by count); IT services and computer systems design (2,528 establishments, index 1.62, 6th nationally by count). That top index of 2.14 means 114% more laundromats and drycleaners per New Jersey resident than the U.S. average. Concentration like that usually points to an established local operator base.
At the other end, New Jersey is thinnest in gas stations with convenience stores (index 0.40) and roofing contractors (index 0.60). 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.
New Jersey counties with the most owner-operated businesses
| County or area | Establishments | Median household income | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bergen County | 6,499 | $118,714 | $561,500 |
| Middlesex County | 4,940 | $105,206 | $411,900 |
| Monmouth County | 4,277 | $118,527 | $519,300 |
| Morris County | 3,881 | $130,808 | $531,800 |
| Essex County | 3,630 | $73,785 | $466,500 |
| Union County | 3,166 | $95,000 | $458,000 |
| Ocean County | 3,154 | $82,379 | $343,500 |
| Passaic County | 2,729 | $84,465 | $413,500 |
| Hudson County | 2,655 | $86,854 | $486,900 |
| Camden County | 2,436 | $82,005 | $241,300 |
Bergen County, Middlesex County, Monmouth County hold 31% of the 50,107 tracked establishments across 21 New Jersey counties or areas. Median household income runs from $62,310 in Cumberland County to $133,534 in Hunterdon County (2.1x), so the county you serve moves the valuation inputs.
New Jersey metro markets
Newark, Jersey City, Paterson and Elizabeth are the 4 New Jersey metros with dedicated WETYR city pages, linked below for landscaping and tree services and dental practices.
- Newark, about 278,427 residents (Essex County); nearest markets East Orange (3 mi), Jersey City (5 mi)
- Jersey City, about 257,342 residents (Hudson County); nearest markets New York (4 mi), Brooklyn (5 mi)
- Paterson, about 145,948 residents (Passaic County); nearest markets Clifton (4 mi), East Orange (10 mi)
- Elizabeth, about 127,558 residents (Union County); nearest markets Newark (5 mi), Staten Island (7 mi)
Working with WETYR in New Jersey
WETYR buys New Jersey businesses directly, with no listing and no broker commission, and, with your OK, introduces New Jersey owners to registry buyers who fit.
Get a confidential valuation
Tell us a little about your business in New Jersey. 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 Jersey business sale FAQ
How many small businesses are in the industries WETYR buys in New Jersey?
U.S. Census County Business Patterns counts about 50,107 establishments in New Jersey across the 37 owner-operated industries WETYR tracks, 10th among the 50 states. With roughly 9,249,063 residents, that works out to 54.2 establishments per 10,000 people versus 50.1 nationally. New Jersey holds 3.03% of the U.S. total in these industries and 2.80% of the population.
Which industries are most common in New Jersey?
By establishment count the largest are landscaping and tree services (4,718), dental practices (4,582), and accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms (3,703). Landscaping and tree services alone makes up 9.4% of the state's tracked total. Relative to population, New Jersey is most concentrated in laundromats and drycleaners, durable goods wholesalers and distributors and IT services and computer systems design.
Does New Jersey tax the gain when I sell my business?
Yes. New Jersey 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 New Jersey CPA before you accept a headline price.
Where in New Jersey are most of these businesses located?
Bergen County leads with about 6,499 tracked establishments, followed by Middlesex County (4,940) and Monmouth County (4,277). Together the top three hold 31% of the state total. Median household income in Bergen County is $118,714 and the median home value is $561,500. The smallest tracked area is Salem County with 245.
Sell by industry in New Jersey
Other Mid-Atlantic states
Sources
Census County Business Patterns (employer establishments, NAICS 2017); American Community Survey 5-year. Ranks and indexes: WETYR calculations, 50 states.