The three largest of those industries in North Dakota are insurance agencies and brokerages (622 establishments), childcare centers (336), and electrical contractors (335). WETYR buys qualifying North Dakota businesses directly and confidentially, and, with an owner's OK, introduces North Dakota 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 Dakota
North Dakota ranks 41st in the country for insurance agencies and brokerages, with 622 establishments, or $2,500 per $500K of the U.S. total, against 0.2% of the U.S. population. The fifteen largest North Dakota categories follow.
| Industry | Establishments | Per 100k residents | Index vs U.S. | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insurance agencies and brokerages | 622 | 80.1 | 1.98 | 41st |
| Childcare centers | 336 | 43.3 | 1.81 | 44th |
| Electrical contractors | 335 | 43.1 | 1.76 | 44th |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 306 | 39.4 | 1.20 | 48th |
| Gas stations with convenience stores | 284 | 36.6 | 1.26 | 45th |
| Accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms | 264 | 34.0 | 0.83 | 50th |
| Landscaping and tree services | 264 | 34.0 | 0.97 | 49th |
| Dental practices | 264 | 34.0 | 0.83 | 48th |
| General auto repair shops | 256 | 33.0 | 1.31 | 46th |
| Commercial cleaning and janitorial services | 235 | 30.2 | 1.51 | 46th |
| Site preparation and excavation contractors | 201 | 25.9 | 2.21 | 45th |
| Pharmacies and drug stores | 135 | 17.4 | 1.39 | 44th |
| Local general freight trucking | 109 | 14.0 | 1.05 | 44th |
| Physical therapy clinics | 108 | 13.9 | 0.93 | 49th |
| Fitness centers and gyms | 102 | 13.1 | 1.10 | 45th |
Where North Dakota is over and under the national average
Per resident, North Dakota runs heaviest in building equipment contractors (fire protection, garage doors) (36 establishments, index 2.27, 38th nationally by count); site preparation and excavation contractors (201 establishments, index 2.21, 45th nationally by count); insurance agencies and brokerages (622 establishments, index 1.98, 41st nationally by count). That top index of 2.27 means 127% more building equipment contractors (fire protection, garage doors) per North Dakota resident than the U.S. average. More local operators usually means more comparable sales to price against.
At the other end, North Dakota is thinnest in home health care agencies (index 0.26) and funeral homes (index 0.31). 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 Dakota counties with the most owner-operated businesses
| County or area | Establishments | Median household income | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cass County | 1,291 | $73,249 | $270,300 |
| Burleigh County | 635 | $82,141 | $302,300 |
| Ward County | 409 | $78,143 | $249,800 |
| Grand Forks County | 380 | $64,698 | $235,400 |
| Williams County | 260 | $86,139 | $255,000 |
| Stark County | 242 | $78,734 | $255,200 |
| Morton County | 200 | $79,555 | $247,200 |
| Richland County | 117 | $67,089 | $164,500 |
| Stutsman County | 111 | $59,167 | $191,000 |
| Mckenzie County | 78 | $83,813 | $330,200 |
Cass County, Burleigh County, Ward County hold 52% of the 4,513 tracked establishments across 44 North Dakota counties or areas. Median household income runs from $53,806 in Rolette County to $91,758 in Dunn County (1.7x), which changes what a buyer underwrites.
North Dakota metro markets
Fargo is the North Dakota metro with dedicated WETYR city pages, linked below for insurance agencies and brokerages and childcare centers.
- Fargo, about 113,658 residents (Cass County); nearest markets Moorhead (1 mi), Argusville (17 mi)
Working with WETYR in North Dakota
WETYR buys North Dakota businesses directly, with no listing and no broker commission, and, with your OK, introduces North Dakota owners to registry buyers who fit.
Get a confidential valuation
Tell us a little about your business in North Dakota. 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 Dakota business sale FAQ
How many small businesses are in the industries WETYR buys in North Dakota?
U.S. Census County Business Patterns counts about 4,513 establishments in North Dakota across the 37 owner-operated industries WETYR tracks, 47th among the 50 states. With roughly 776,874 residents, that works out to 58.1 establishments per 10,000 people versus 50.1 nationally. North Dakota holds 0.27% of the U.S. total in these industries and 0.24% of the population.
Which industries are most common in North Dakota?
By establishment count the largest are insurance agencies and brokerages (622), childcare centers (336), and electrical contractors (335). Insurance agencies and brokerages alone is $69,000 per $500K of the state's tracked total. Relative to population, North Dakota is most concentrated in building equipment contractors (fire protection, garage doors), site preparation and excavation contractors and insurance agencies and brokerages.
Does North Dakota tax the gain when I sell my business?
Yes. North Dakota 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 Dakota CPA before you accept a headline price.
Where in North Dakota are most of these businesses located?
Cass County leads with about 1,291 tracked establishments, followed by Burleigh County (635) and Ward County (409). Together the top three hold 52% of the state total. Median household income in Cass County is $73,249 and the median home value is $270,300. The smallest tracked area is Griggs County with 3.
Sell by industry in North Dakota
Other Great Plains states
Sources
Census County Business Patterns (employer establishments, NAICS 2017); American Community Survey 5-year. Ranks and indexes: WETYR calculations, 50 states.