The three largest of those industries in South Carolina are gas stations with convenience stores (2,350 establishments), insurance agencies and brokerages (2,002), and landscaping and tree services (1,895). WETYR buys qualifying South Carolina businesses directly and confidentially, and, with an owner's OK, introduces South 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 South Carolina
South Carolina ranks 15th in the country for gas stations with convenience stores, with 2,350 establishments, or 2.4% of the U.S. total, against 1.6% of the U.S. population. Here is how the top fifteen stack up in South Carolina.
| Industry | Establishments | Per 100k residents | Index vs U.S. | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gas stations with convenience stores | 2,350 | 45.7 | 1.57 | 15th |
| Insurance agencies and brokerages | 2,002 | 38.9 | 0.96 | 25th |
| Landscaping and tree services | 1,895 | 36.8 | 1.05 | 23rd |
| Accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms | 1,760 | 34.2 | 0.84 | 26th |
| Dental practices | 1,738 | 33.8 | 0.83 | 25th |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 1,689 | 32.8 | 1.00 | 23rd |
| Commercial cleaning and janitorial services | 1,088 | 21.2 | 1.06 | 24th |
| General auto repair shops | 1,052 | 20.5 | 0.81 | 25th |
| Electrical contractors | 1,012 | 19.7 | 0.80 | 26th |
| Childcare centers | 998 | 19.4 | 0.81 | 23rd |
| Physical therapy clinics | 686 | 13.3 | 0.89 | 24th |
| Pharmacies and drug stores | 656 | 12.8 | 1.02 | 21st |
| Site preparation and excavation contractors | 637 | 12.4 | 1.06 | 24th |
| Home health care agencies | 601 | 11.7 | 1.02 | 19th |
| Local general freight trucking | 589 | 11.5 | 0.86 | 21st |
Where South Carolina is over and under the national average
Per resident, South Carolina runs heaviest in pest control companies (387 establishments, index 1.69, 9th nationally by count); gas stations with convenience stores (2,350 establishments, index 1.57, 15th nationally by count); funeral homes (257 establishments, index 1.22, 20th nationally by count). That top index of 1.69 means 69% more pest control companies per South Carolina resident than the U.S. average. More local operators usually means more comparable sales to price against.
At the other end, South Carolina is thinnest in laundromats and drycleaners (index 0.51) and IT services and computer systems design (index 0.53). Thin categories cut both ways: fewer local competitors for an operator, but fewer comparable transactions when a buyer prices a deal.
South Carolina counties with the most owner-operated businesses
| County or area | Establishments | Median household income | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville County | 3,075 | $71,328 | $248,900 |
| Charleston County | 2,621 | $78,795 | $415,000 |
| Horry County | 1,915 | $59,880 | $235,000 |
| Richland County | 1,893 | $59,850 | $201,200 |
| Lexington County | 1,681 | $71,280 | $197,600 |
| Spartanburg County | 1,501 | $61,955 | $195,800 |
| York County | 1,370 | $80,158 | $287,600 |
| Beaufort County | 1,174 | $81,260 | $377,900 |
| Berkeley County | 924 | $77,874 | $253,100 |
| Anderson County | 909 | $62,347 | $189,400 |
Greenville County, Charleston County, Horry County hold 31% of the 24,439 tracked establishments across 46 South Carolina counties or areas. Median household income runs from $34,275 in Marlboro County to $81,260 in Beaufort County (2.4x), so the county you serve moves the valuation inputs.
South Carolina metro markets
Columbia and Charleston are the 2 South Carolina metros with dedicated WETYR city pages, linked below for gas stations with convenience stores and insurance agencies and brokerages.
- Columbia, about 133,358 residents (Richland County); nearest markets West Columbia (3 mi), Orangeburg (36 mi)
- Charleston, about 127,999 residents (Charleston County); nearest markets North Charleston (6 mi), Beaufort (49 mi)
Working with WETYR in South Carolina
WETYR buys South Carolina businesses directly, with no listing and no broker commission, and, with your OK, introduces South Carolina owners to registry buyers who fit.
Get a confidential valuation
Tell us a little about your business in South 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.
South Carolina business sale FAQ
How many small businesses are in the industries WETYR buys in South Carolina?
U.S. Census County Business Patterns counts about 24,439 establishments in South Carolina across the 37 owner-operated industries WETYR tracks, 23rd among the 50 states. With roughly 5,142,750 residents, that works out to 47.5 establishments per 10,000 people versus 50.1 nationally. South Carolina holds 1.48% of the U.S. total in these industries and 1.56% of the population.
Which industries are most common in South Carolina?
By establishment count the largest are gas stations with convenience stores (2,350), insurance agencies and brokerages (2,002), and landscaping and tree services (1,895). Gas stations with convenience stores alone makes up 9.6% of the state's tracked total. Relative to population, South Carolina is most concentrated in pest control companies, gas stations with convenience stores and funeral homes.
Does South Carolina tax the gain when I sell my business?
Yes. South 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 South Carolina CPA before you accept a headline price.
Where in South Carolina are most of these businesses located?
Greenville County leads with about 3,075 tracked establishments, followed by Charleston County (2,621) and Horry County (1,915). Together the top three hold 31% of the state total. Median household income in Greenville County is $71,328 and the median home value is $248,900. The smallest tracked area is Mccormick County with 10.
Sell by industry in South 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.