The three largest of those industries in Virginia are IT services and computer systems design (3,877 establishments), dental practices (3,402), and landscaping and tree services (3,058). WETYR buys qualifying Virginia businesses directly and confidentially, and, with an owner's OK, introduces Virginia owners to registry buyers whose buy box fits. Owners and buyers then deal directly with their own advisors.
The largest owner-operated industries in Virginia
Virginia ranks 4th in the country for IT services and computer systems design, with 3,877 establishments, or 7.0% of the U.S. total, against 2.6% of the U.S. population. The fifteen largest Virginia categories follow.
| Industry | Establishments | Per 100k residents | Index vs U.S. | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IT services and computer systems design | 3,877 | 45.0 | 2.67 | 4th |
| Dental practices | 3,402 | 39.4 | 0.97 | 13th |
| Landscaping and tree services | 3,058 | 35.5 | 1.01 | 14th |
| Accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms | 3,017 | 35.0 | 0.86 | 15th |
| Insurance agencies and brokerages | 2,776 | 32.2 | 0.79 | 16th |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 2,733 | 31.7 | 0.96 | 12th |
| Gas stations with convenience stores | 2,457 | 28.5 | 0.98 | 14th |
| General auto repair shops | 2,236 | 25.9 | 1.03 | 11th |
| Commercial cleaning and janitorial services | 2,129 | 24.7 | 1.24 | 8th |
| Childcare centers | 1,913 | 22.2 | 0.93 | 14th |
| Electrical contractors | 1,759 | 20.4 | 0.83 | 15th |
| Home health care agencies | 1,311 | 15.2 | 1.33 | 10th |
| Physical therapy clinics | 1,236 | 14.3 | 0.96 | 12th |
| Fitness centers and gyms | 1,111 | 12.9 | 1.08 | 11th |
| Veterinary practices | 917 | 10.6 | 1.08 | 11th |
Where Virginia is over and under the national average
Per resident, Virginia runs heaviest in IT services and computer systems design (3,877 establishments, index 2.67, 4th nationally by count); home health care agencies (1,311 establishments, index 1.33, 10th nationally by count); security guard and patrol companies (314 establishments, index 1.24, 6th nationally by count). That top index of 2.67 means 167% more IT services and computer systems design per Virginia resident than the U.S. average. Dense categories tend to have more local buyers at exit.
At the other end, Virginia is thinnest in machine shops (index 0.44) and septic and drainage services (index 0.57). Thin categories cut both ways: fewer local competitors for an operator, but fewer comparable transactions when a buyer prices a deal.
Virginia counties with the most owner-operated businesses
| County or area | Establishments | Median household income | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfax County | 7,061 | $145,165 | $666,900 |
| Loudoun County | 2,886 | $170,463 | $657,000 |
| Virginia Beach City | 2,491 | $87,544 | $343,700 |
| Prince William County | 2,281 | $123,193 | $472,000 |
| Henrico County | 1,983 | $82,424 | $309,700 |
| Chesterfield County | 1,844 | $95,757 | $306,500 |
| Chesapeake City | 1,390 | $92,703 | $339,500 |
| Norfolk City | 989 | $60,998 | $254,200 |
| Arlington County | 932 | $137,387 | $833,300 |
| Richmond City | 921 | $59,606 | $308,300 |
Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Virginia Beach City hold 29% of the 42,777 tracked establishments across 131 Virginia counties or areas. Median household income runs from $39,127 in Martinsville City to $170,463 in Loudoun County (4.4x), which changes what a buyer underwrites.
Virginia metro markets
Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Richmond, Newport News, Alexandria and Hampton are the 7 Virginia metros with dedicated WETYR city pages, linked below for IT services and computer systems design and dental practices.
- Virginia Beach, about 448,479 residents (Virginia beach city County); nearest markets Norfolk (17 mi), Chesapeake (18 mi)
- Norfolk, about 246,139 residents (Norfolk city County); nearest markets Chesapeake (6 mi), Hampton (13 mi)
- Chesapeake, about 230,571 residents (Chesapeake city County); nearest markets Norfolk (6 mi), Suffolk (17 mi)
- Richmond, about 214,114 residents (Richmond city County); nearest markets Fredericksburg (52 mi), Newport News (62 mi)
- Newport News, about 182,020 residents (Newport news city County); nearest markets Hampton (8 mi), Norfolk (19 mi)
- Alexandria, about 148,892 residents (Fairfax County); nearest markets Arlington (6 mi), Washington (7 mi)
- Hampton, about 136,699 residents (York County); nearest markets Newport News (8 mi), Norfolk (13 mi)
Working with WETYR in Virginia
WETYR buys Virginia businesses directly, with no listing and no broker commission, and, with your OK, introduces Virginia owners to registry buyers who fit.
Get a confidential valuation
Tell us a little about your business in Virginia. We reply with an indicative value range and whether we are a direct fit, within one business day. No obligation, no listing, nothing public.
Virginia business sale FAQ
How many small businesses are in the industries WETYR buys in Virginia?
U.S. Census County Business Patterns counts about 42,777 establishments in Virginia across the 36 owner-operated industries WETYR tracks, 12th among the 50 states. With roughly 8,624,511 residents, that works out to 49.6 establishments per 10,000 people versus 50.1 nationally. Virginia holds 2.58% of the U.S. total in these industries and 2.61% of the population.
Which industries are most common in Virginia?
By establishment count the largest are IT services and computer systems design (3,877), dental practices (3,402), and landscaping and tree services (3,058). IT services and computer systems design alone makes up 9.1% of the state's tracked total. Relative to population, Virginia is most concentrated in IT services and computer systems design, home health care agencies and security guard and patrol companies.
Does Virginia tax the gain when I sell my business?
Yes. Virginia 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 Virginia CPA before you accept a headline price.
Where in Virginia are most of these businesses located?
Fairfax County leads with about 7,061 tracked establishments, followed by Loudoun County (2,886) and Virginia Beach City (2,491). Together the top three hold 29% of the state total. Median household income in Fairfax County is $145,165 and the median home value is $666,900. The smallest tracked area is Buena Vista City with 3.
Sell by industry in Virginia
Other Mid-Atlantic states
Sources
Census County Business Patterns (employer establishments, NAICS 2017); American Community Survey 5-year. Ranks and indexes: WETYR calculations, 50 states.