The three largest of those industries in Vermont are landscaping and tree services (521 establishments), gas stations with convenience stores (359), and general auto repair shops (331). WETYR buys qualifying Vermont businesses directly and confidentially, and, with an owner's OK, introduces Vermont owners to registry buyers whose buy box fits. Owners and buyers then deal directly with their own advisors.
The largest owner-operated industries in Vermont
Vermont ranks 42nd in the country for landscaping and tree services, with 521 establishments, or 0.4% of the U.S. total, against 0.2% of the U.S. population. Below are the fifteen largest categories in Vermont.
| Industry | Establishments | Per 100k residents | Index vs U.S. | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscaping and tree services | 521 | 80.9 | 2.30 | 42nd |
| Gas stations with convenience stores | 359 | 55.8 | 1.92 | 44th |
| General auto repair shops | 331 | 51.4 | 2.04 | 45th |
| Electrical contractors | 314 | 48.8 | 1.99 | 45th |
| Site preparation and excavation contractors | 307 | 47.7 | 4.06 | 40th |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 297 | 46.1 | 1.40 | 49th |
| Accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms | 273 | 42.4 | 1.04 | 49th |
| Childcare centers | 267 | 41.5 | 1.74 | 46th |
| Dental practices | 252 | 39.1 | 0.96 | 49th |
| Insurance agencies and brokerages | 213 | 33.1 | 0.82 | 49th |
| Commercial cleaning and janitorial services | 202 | 31.4 | 1.57 | 49th |
| Physical therapy clinics | 129 | 20.0 | 1.34 | 48th |
| Veterinary practices | 122 | 18.9 | 1.92 | 43rd |
| Pharmacies and drug stores | 99 | 15.4 | 1.23 | 46th |
| Fitness centers and gyms | 84 | 13.0 | 1.09 | 48th |
Where Vermont is over and under the national average
Per resident, Vermont runs heaviest in site preparation and excavation contractors (307 establishments, index 4.06, 40th nationally by count); landscaping and tree services (521 establishments, index 2.30, 42nd nationally by count); general auto repair shops (331 establishments, index 2.04, 45th nationally by count). That top index of 4.06 means 306% more site preparation and excavation contractors per Vermont resident than the U.S. average. More local operators usually means more comparable sales to price against.
At the other end, Vermont is thinnest in local general freight trucking (index 0.29) and home health care agencies (index 0.45). Thin categories cut both ways: fewer local competitors for an operator, but fewer comparable transactions when a buyer prices a deal.
Vermont counties with the most owner-operated businesses
| County or area | Establishments | Median household income | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chittenden County | 1,225 | $89,494 | $378,300 |
| Rutland County | 441 | $62,641 | $203,500 |
| Washington County | 421 | $77,278 | $278,000 |
| Windsor County | 415 | $69,492 | $249,700 |
| Windham County | 320 | $65,473 | $250,000 |
| Franklin County | 272 | $73,633 | $263,200 |
| Bennington County | 268 | $68,558 | $243,000 |
| Addison County | 257 | $85,870 | $311,200 |
| Caledonia County | 205 | $62,964 | $197,700 |
| Orange County | 185 | $74,534 | $231,000 |
Chittenden County, Rutland County, Washington County hold 47% of the 4,404 tracked establishments across 14 Vermont counties or areas. Median household income runs from $62,641 in Rutland County to $89,494 in Chittenden County (1.4x), and that gap shows up in what customers pay.
Vermont metro markets
Vermont has no metro large enough for a dedicated WETYR city page, so this page and the statewide industry pages below cover the whole state, from the largest towns to rural operators.
Working with WETYR in Vermont
WETYR buys Vermont businesses directly, with no listing and no broker commission, and, with your OK, introduces Vermont owners to registry buyers who fit.
Get a confidential valuation
Tell us a little about your business in Vermont. We reply with an indicative value range and whether we are a direct fit, within one business day. No obligation, no listing, nothing public.
Vermont business sale FAQ
How many small businesses are in the industries WETYR buys in Vermont?
U.S. Census County Business Patterns counts about 4,404 establishments in Vermont across the 36 owner-operated industries WETYR tracks, 48th among the 50 states. With roughly 643,816 residents, that works out to 68.4 establishments per 10,000 people versus 50.1 nationally. Vermont holds 0.27% of the U.S. total in these industries and 0.19% of the population.
Which industries are most common in Vermont?
By establishment count the largest are landscaping and tree services (521), gas stations with convenience stores (359), and general auto repair shops (331). Landscaping and tree services alone is 11.8% of the state's tracked total. Relative to population, Vermont is most concentrated in site preparation and excavation contractors, landscaping and tree services and general auto repair shops.
Does Vermont tax the gain when I sell my business?
Yes. Vermont 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 Vermont CPA before you accept a headline price.
Where in Vermont are most of these businesses located?
Chittenden County leads with about 1,225 tracked establishments, followed by Rutland County (441) and Washington County (421). Together the top three hold 47% of the state total. Median household income in Chittenden County is $89,494 and the median home value is $378,300. The smallest tracked area is Essex County with 6.
Sell by industry in Vermont
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.