The three largest of those industries in Rhode Island are landscaping and tree services (786 establishments), plumbing and HVAC contractors (496), and accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms (445). WETYR buys qualifying Rhode Island businesses directly and confidentially, and, with an owner's OK, introduces Rhode Island owners to registry buyers whose buy box fits. Owners and buyers then deal directly with their own advisors.
The largest owner-operated industries in Rhode Island
Rhode Island ranks 38th in the country for landscaping and tree services, with 786 establishments, or 0.7% of the U.S. total, against 0.3% of the U.S. population. Below are the fifteen largest categories in Rhode Island.
| Industry | Establishments | Per 100k residents | Index vs U.S. | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscaping and tree services | 786 | 71.8 | 2.04 | 38th |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 496 | 45.3 | 1.38 | 42nd |
| Accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms | 445 | 40.7 | 1.00 | 44th |
| Electrical contractors | 375 | 34.3 | 1.40 | 42nd |
| Dental practices | 344 | 31.4 | 0.77 | 44th |
| General auto repair shops | 334 | 30.5 | 1.21 | 44th |
| Insurance agencies and brokerages | 320 | 29.2 | 0.72 | 47th |
| Commercial cleaning and janitorial services | 283 | 25.9 | 1.29 | 43rd |
| Childcare centers | 279 | 25.5 | 1.07 | 45th |
| Gas stations with convenience stores | 255 | 23.3 | 0.80 | 46th |
| Site preparation and excavation contractors | 185 | 16.9 | 1.44 | 48th |
| Physical therapy clinics | 180 | 16.4 | 1.10 | 45th |
| Fitness centers and gyms | 170 | 15.5 | 1.30 | 41st |
| Local general freight trucking | 154 | 14.1 | 1.05 | 39th |
| Pharmacies and drug stores | 148 | 13.5 | 1.08 | 42nd |
Where Rhode Island is over and under the national average
Per resident, Rhode Island runs heaviest in laundromats and drycleaners (78 establishments, index 2.43, 23rd nationally by count); waste collection and dumpster haulers (66 establishments, index 2.15, 38th nationally by count); landscaping and tree services (786 establishments, index 2.04, 38th nationally by count). That top index of 2.43 means 143% more laundromats and drycleaners per Rhode Island resident than the U.S. average. Dense categories tend to have more local buyers at exit.
At the other end, Rhode Island is thinnest in advertising and marketing agencies (index 0.68) and insurance agencies and brokerages (index 0.72). A low index can mean an underserved market for a buyer building a platform, or simply that demand in Rhode Island is met from neighboring states.
Rhode Island counties with the most owner-operated businesses
| County or area | Establishments | Median household income | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence County | 3,512 | $72,579 | $310,500 |
| Kent County | 1,101 | $85,732 | $306,000 |
| Washington County | 815 | $99,510 | $436,000 |
| Newport County | 511 | $96,319 | $503,700 |
| Bristol County | 237 | $105,875 | $443,700 |
Providence County, Kent County, Washington County hold 88% of the 6,176 tracked establishments across 5 Rhode Island counties or areas. Median household income runs from $72,579 in Providence County to $105,875 in Bristol County (1.5x), which changes what a buyer underwrites.
Rhode Island metro markets
Providence is the Rhode Island metro with dedicated WETYR city pages, linked below for landscaping and tree services and plumbing and HVAC contractors.
- Providence, about 177,994 residents (Providence County); nearest markets Cranston (3 mi), Pawtucket (4 mi)
Working with WETYR in Rhode Island
WETYR buys Rhode Island businesses directly, with no listing and no broker commission, and, with your OK, introduces Rhode Island owners to registry buyers who fit.
Get a confidential valuation
Tell us a little about your business in Rhode Island. We reply with an indicative value range and whether we are a direct fit, within one business day. No obligation, no listing, nothing public.
Rhode Island business sale FAQ
How many small businesses are in the industries WETYR buys in Rhode Island?
U.S. Census County Business Patterns counts about 6,176 establishments in Rhode Island across the 36 owner-operated industries WETYR tracks, 43rd among the 50 states. With roughly 1,094,250 residents, that works out to 56.4 establishments per 10,000 people versus 50.1 nationally. Rhode Island holds 0.37% of the U.S. total in these industries and 0.33% of the population.
Which industries are most common in Rhode Island?
By establishment count the largest are landscaping and tree services (786), plumbing and HVAC contractors (496), and accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms (445). Landscaping and tree services alone is 12.7% of the state's tracked total. Relative to population, Rhode Island is most concentrated in laundromats and drycleaners, waste collection and dumpster haulers and landscaping and tree services.
Does Rhode Island tax the gain when I sell my business?
Yes. Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island CPA before you accept a headline price.
Where in Rhode Island are most of these businesses located?
Providence County leads with about 3,512 tracked establishments, followed by Kent County (1,101) and Washington County (815). Together the top three hold 88% of the state total. Median household income in Providence County is $72,579 and the median home value is $310,500. The smallest tracked area is Bristol County with 237.
Sell by industry in Rhode Island
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.