The three largest of those industries in Oklahoma are insurance agencies and brokerages (2,239 establishments), accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms (1,779), and gas stations with convenience stores (1,581). WETYR buys qualifying Oklahoma businesses directly and confidentially, and, with an owner's OK, introduces Oklahoma owners to registry buyers whose buy box fits. Owners and buyers then deal directly with their own advisors.
The largest owner-operated industries in Oklahoma
Oklahoma ranks 21st in the country for insurance agencies and brokerages, with 2,239 establishments, or $8,500 per $500K of the U.S. total, against 1.2% of the U.S. population. Below are the fifteen largest categories in Oklahoma.
| Industry | Establishments | Per 100k residents | Index vs U.S. | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insurance agencies and brokerages | 2,239 | 56.4 | 1.39 | 21st |
| Accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms | 1,779 | 44.8 | 1.10 | 25th |
| Gas stations with convenience stores | 1,581 | 39.8 | 1.37 | 23rd |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 1,536 | 38.7 | 1.17 | 26th |
| Dental practices | 1,318 | 33.2 | 0.81 | 30th |
| Electrical contractors | 1,081 | 27.2 | 1.11 | 24th |
| Landscaping and tree services | 996 | 25.1 | 0.71 | 32nd |
| Childcare centers | 965 | 24.3 | 1.02 | 25th |
| General auto repair shops | 841 | 21.2 | 0.84 | 28th |
| Commercial cleaning and janitorial services | 571 | 14.4 | 0.72 | 34th |
| Physical therapy clinics | 557 | 14.0 | 0.94 | 29th |
| Home health care agencies | 532 | 13.4 | 1.17 | 22nd |
| Pharmacies and drug stores | 530 | 13.3 | 1.07 | 25th |
| Veterinary practices | 506 | 12.7 | 1.29 | 25th |
| Site preparation and excavation contractors | 442 | 11.1 | 0.95 | 34th |
Where Oklahoma is over and under the national average
Per resident, Oklahoma runs heaviest in insurance agencies and brokerages (2,239 establishments, index 1.39, 21st nationally by count); gas stations with convenience stores (1,581 establishments, index 1.37, 23rd nationally by count); optometry practices (345 establishments, index 1.35, 20th nationally by count). That top index of 1.39 means 39% more insurance agencies and brokerages per Oklahoma resident than the U.S. average. More local operators usually means more comparable sales to price against.
At the other end, Oklahoma is thinnest in septic and drainage services (index 0.34) and durable goods wholesalers and distributors (index 0.35). A low index can mean an underserved market for a buyer building a platform, or simply that demand in Oklahoma is met from neighboring states.
Oklahoma counties with the most owner-operated businesses
| County or area | Establishments | Median household income | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma County | 4,872 | $62,505 | $190,500 |
| Tulsa County | 3,969 | $65,229 | $196,300 |
| Cleveland County | 1,447 | $71,757 | $203,900 |
| Canadian County | 750 | $82,364 | $212,700 |
| Rogers County | 466 | $75,312 | $206,300 |
| Comanche County | 465 | $57,150 | $145,800 |
| Payne County | 360 | $46,658 | $196,100 |
| Creek County | 349 | $61,657 | $158,900 |
| Garfield County | 315 | $64,165 | $142,000 |
| Carter County | 309 | $56,390 | $144,400 |
Oklahoma County, Tulsa County, Cleveland County hold 53% of the 19,404 tracked establishments across 76 Oklahoma counties or areas. Median household income runs from $42,274 in Pushmataha County to $82,364 in Canadian County (1.9x), and that gap shows up in what customers pay.
Oklahoma metro markets
Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Norman are the 3 Oklahoma metros with dedicated WETYR city pages, linked below for insurance agencies and brokerages and accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms.
- Oklahoma City, about 610,613 residents (Oklahoma County); nearest markets Edmond (13 mi), Norman (17 mi)
- Tulsa, about 398,121 residents (Tulsa County); nearest markets Broken Arrow (13 mi), Bartlesville (41 mi)
- Norman, about 118,197 residents (Cleveland County); nearest markets Oklahoma City (17 mi), Edmond (30 mi)
Working with WETYR in Oklahoma
WETYR buys Oklahoma businesses directly, with no listing and no broker commission, and, with your OK, introduces Oklahoma owners to registry buyers who fit.
Get a confidential valuation
Tell us a little about your business in Oklahoma. We reply with an indicative value range and whether we are a direct fit, within one business day. No obligation, no listing, nothing public.
Oklahoma business sale FAQ
How many small businesses are in the industries WETYR buys in Oklahoma?
U.S. Census County Business Patterns counts about 19,404 establishments in Oklahoma across the 37 owner-operated industries WETYR tracks, 27th among the 50 states. With roughly 3,970,497 residents, that works out to 48.9 establishments per 10,000 people versus 50.1 nationally. Oklahoma holds 1.17% of the U.S. total in these industries and 1.20% of the population.
Which industries are most common in Oklahoma?
By establishment count the largest are insurance agencies and brokerages (2,239), accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms (1,779), and gas stations with convenience stores (1,581). Insurance agencies and brokerages alone is $57,500 per $500K of the state's tracked total. Relative to population, Oklahoma is most concentrated in insurance agencies and brokerages, gas stations with convenience stores and optometry practices.
Does Oklahoma tax the gain when I sell my business?
Yes. Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma CPA before you accept a headline price.
Where in Oklahoma are most of these businesses located?
Oklahoma County leads with about 4,872 tracked establishments, followed by Tulsa County (3,969) and Cleveland County (1,447). Together the top three hold 53% of the state total. Median household income in Oklahoma County is $62,505 and the median home value is $190,500. The smallest tracked area is Roger Mills County with 3.
Sell by industry in Oklahoma
Other South Central states
Sources
Census County Business Patterns (employer establishments, NAICS 2017); American Community Survey 5-year. Ranks and indexes: WETYR calculations, 50 states.