The three largest of those industries in North Carolina are landscaping and tree services (4,296 establishments), gas stations with convenience stores (3,938), and insurance agencies and brokerages (3,936). WETYR buys qualifying North Carolina businesses directly and confidentially, and, with an owner's OK, introduces North Carolina owners to registry buyers whose buy box fits. Owners and buyers then deal directly with their own advisors.
The largest owner-operated industries in North Carolina
North Carolina ranks 9th in the country for landscaping and tree services, with 4,296 establishments, or 3.7% of the U.S. total, against 3.2% of the U.S. population. Below are the fifteen largest categories in North Carolina.
| Industry | Establishments | Per 100k residents | Index vs U.S. | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscaping and tree services | 4,296 | 41.0 | 1.17 | 9th |
| Gas stations with convenience stores | 3,938 | 37.6 | 1.29 | 5th |
| Insurance agencies and brokerages | 3,936 | 37.6 | 0.93 | 9th |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 3,846 | 36.7 | 1.11 | 7th |
| Accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms | 3,722 | 35.5 | 0.87 | 9th |
| Dental practices | 3,561 | 34.0 | 0.83 | 11th |
| Electrical contractors | 2,934 | 28.0 | 1.14 | 5th |
| General auto repair shops | 2,756 | 26.3 | 1.04 | 8th |
| Childcare centers | 2,588 | 24.7 | 1.04 | 8th |
| Commercial cleaning and janitorial services | 2,231 | 21.3 | 1.07 | 7th |
| IT services and computer systems design | 1,722 | 16.4 | 0.98 | 10th |
| Site preparation and excavation contractors | 1,495 | 14.3 | 1.22 | 6th |
| Pharmacies and drug stores | 1,482 | 14.2 | 1.14 | 9th |
| Fitness centers and gyms | 1,395 | 13.3 | 1.12 | 8th |
| Physical therapy clinics | 1,390 | 13.3 | 0.89 | 9th |
Where North Carolina is over and under the national average
Per resident, North Carolina runs heaviest in gas stations with convenience stores (3,938 establishments, index 1.29, 5th nationally by count); site preparation and excavation contractors (1,495 establishments, index 1.22, 6th nationally by count); staffing agencies (1,250 establishments, index 1.17, 9th nationally by count). That top index of 1.29 means 29% more gas stations with convenience stores per North Carolina resident than the U.S. average. A buyer pricing a North Carolina deal in that category has real comparables to work from.
At the other end, North Carolina is thinnest in security guard and patrol companies (index 0.55) and plate work and fabricated metal shops (index 0.68). 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.
North Carolina counties with the most owner-operated businesses
| County or area | Establishments | Median household income | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wake County | 6,970 | $96,734 | $385,700 |
| Mecklenburg County | 6,940 | $79,265 | $334,700 |
| Guilford County | 3,057 | $62,880 | $215,700 |
| Forsyth County | 1,944 | $61,229 | $205,700 |
| Buncombe County | 1,674 | $66,531 | $328,900 |
| New Hanover County | 1,645 | $67,515 | $320,000 |
| Durham County | 1,577 | $74,927 | $311,300 |
| Union County | 1,388 | $95,533 | $336,600 |
| Cumberland County | 1,317 | $55,551 | $166,600 |
| Cabarrus County | 1,217 | $83,828 | $281,600 |
Wake County, Mecklenburg County, Guilford County hold 32% of the 53,666 tracked establishments across 100 North Carolina counties or areas. Median household income runs from $38,927 in Washington County to $96,734 in Wake County (2.5x), so the county you serve moves the valuation inputs.
North Carolina metro markets
Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, Winston Salem, Fayetteville, Cary and Wilmington are the 8 North Carolina metros with dedicated WETYR city pages, linked below for landscaping and tree services and gas stations with convenience stores.
- Charlotte, about 792,862 residents (Mecklenburg County); nearest markets Gastonia (20 mi), Rock Hill (23 mi)
- Raleigh, about 431,746 residents (Wake County); nearest markets Cary (8 mi), Durham (21 mi)
- Greensboro, about 279,639 residents (Guilford County); nearest markets High Point (14 mi), Winston Salem (25 mi)
- Durham, about 245,475 residents (Durham County); nearest markets Chapel Hill (10 mi), Cary (15 mi)
- Winston Salem, about 236,441 residents (Forsyth County); nearest markets High Point (17 mi), Greensboro (25 mi)
- Fayetteville, about 204,408 residents (Cumberland County); nearest markets Cary (51 mi), Raleigh (52 mi)
- Cary, about 151,088 residents (Wake County); nearest markets Raleigh (8 mi), Durham (15 mi)
- Wilmington, about 112,067 residents (New hanover County); nearest markets Myrtle Beach (59 mi), Fayetteville (78 mi)
Working with WETYR in North Carolina
WETYR buys North Carolina businesses directly, with no listing and no broker commission, and, with your OK, introduces North Carolina owners to registry buyers who fit.
Get a confidential valuation
Tell us a little about your business in North Carolina. We reply with an indicative value range and whether we are a direct fit, within one business day. No obligation, no listing, nothing public.
North Carolina business sale FAQ
How many small businesses are in the industries WETYR buys in North Carolina?
U.S. Census County Business Patterns counts about 53,666 establishments in North Carolina across the 37 owner-operated industries WETYR tracks, 7th among the 50 states. With roughly 10,470,214 residents, that works out to 51.3 establishments per 10,000 people versus 50.1 nationally. North Carolina holds 3.24% of the U.S. total in these industries and 3.17% of the population.
Which industries are most common in North Carolina?
By establishment count the largest are landscaping and tree services (4,296), gas stations with convenience stores (3,938), and insurance agencies and brokerages (3,936). Landscaping and tree services alone makes up 8.0% of the state's tracked total. Relative to population, North Carolina is most concentrated in gas stations with convenience stores, site preparation and excavation contractors and staffing agencies.
Does North Carolina tax the gain when I sell my business?
Yes. North Carolina 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 North Carolina CPA before you accept a headline price.
Where in North Carolina are most of these businesses located?
Wake County leads with about 6,970 tracked establishments, followed by Mecklenburg County (6,940) and Guilford County (3,057). Together the top three hold 32% of the state total. Median household income in Wake County is $96,734 and the median home value is $385,700. The smallest tracked area is Tyrrell County with 7.
Sell by industry in North Carolina
Other Southeast states
Sources
Census County Business Patterns (employer establishments, NAICS 2017); American Community Survey 5-year. Ranks and indexes: WETYR calculations, 50 states.