The three largest of those industries in West Virginia are gas stations with convenience stores (853 establishments), insurance agencies and brokerages (606), and accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms (469). WETYR buys qualifying West Virginia businesses directly and confidentially, and, with an owner's OK, introduces West 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 West Virginia
West Virginia ranks 32nd in the country for gas stations with convenience stores, with 853 establishments, or 0.9% of the U.S. total, against 0.5% of the U.S. population. The fifteen largest West Virginia categories follow.
| Industry | Establishments | Per 100k residents | Index vs U.S. | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gas stations with convenience stores | 853 | 47.6 | 1.64 | 32nd |
| Insurance agencies and brokerages | 606 | 33.8 | 0.83 | 42nd |
| Accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms | 469 | 26.2 | 0.64 | 43rd |
| Dental practices | 460 | 25.7 | 0.63 | 42nd |
| General auto repair shops | 437 | 24.4 | 0.97 | 42nd |
| Pharmacies and drug stores | 377 | 21.0 | 1.69 | 30th |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 374 | 20.9 | 0.63 | 44th |
| Site preparation and excavation contractors | 366 | 20.4 | 1.74 | 38th |
| Childcare centers | 365 | 20.4 | 0.85 | 42nd |
| Landscaping and tree services | 359 | 20.0 | 0.57 | 46th |
| Electrical contractors | 251 | 14.0 | 0.57 | 49th |
| Physical therapy clinics | 247 | 13.8 | 0.92 | 40th |
| Funeral homes | 164 | 9.1 | 2.23 | 27th |
| Commercial cleaning and janitorial services | 161 | 9.0 | 0.45 | 50th |
| Veterinary practices | 129 | 7.2 | 0.73 | 42nd |
Where West Virginia is over and under the national average
Per resident, West Virginia runs heaviest in funeral homes (164 establishments, index 2.23, 27th nationally by count); site preparation and excavation contractors (366 establishments, index 1.74, 38th nationally by count); pharmacies and drug stores (377 establishments, index 1.69, 30th nationally by count). That top index of 2.23 means 123% more funeral homes per West Virginia resident than the U.S. average. Dense categories tend to have more local buyers at exit.
At the other end, West Virginia is thinnest in flooring contractors (index 0.19) and durable goods wholesalers and distributors (index 0.21). Thin categories cut both ways: fewer local competitors for an operator, but fewer comparable transactions when a buyer prices a deal.
West Virginia counties with the most owner-operated businesses
| County or area | Establishments | Median household income | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kanawha County | 860 | $55,226 | $131,200 |
| Monongalia County | 463 | $60,893 | $242,100 |
| Cabell County | 413 | $48,944 | $144,200 |
| Berkeley County | 404 | $73,619 | $231,600 |
| Wood County | 367 | $54,350 | $140,700 |
| Harrison County | 350 | $56,184 | $146,900 |
| Raleigh County | 334 | $47,975 | $132,300 |
| Putnam County | 251 | $75,725 | $202,300 |
| Marion County | 246 | $59,974 | $147,600 |
| Ohio County | 216 | $55,521 | $153,000 |
Kanawha County, Monongalia County, Cabell County hold 26% of the 6,634 tracked establishments across 54 West Virginia counties or areas. Median household income runs from $28,235 in Mcdowell County to $93,744 in Jefferson County (3.3x), and that gap shows up in what customers pay.
West Virginia metro markets
West Virginia 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 West Virginia
WETYR buys West Virginia businesses directly, with no listing and no broker commission, and, with your OK, introduces West Virginia owners to registry buyers who fit.
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Tell us a little about your business in West 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.
West Virginia business sale FAQ
How many small businesses are in the industries WETYR buys in West Virginia?
U.S. Census County Business Patterns counts about 6,634 establishments in West Virginia across the 37 owner-operated industries WETYR tracks, 42nd among the 50 states. With roughly 1,792,967 residents, that works out to 37.0 establishments per 10,000 people versus 50.1 nationally. West Virginia holds 0.40% of the U.S. total in these industries and 0.54% of the population.
Which industries are most common in West Virginia?
By establishment count the largest are gas stations with convenience stores (853), insurance agencies and brokerages (606), and accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms (469). Gas stations with convenience stores alone is 12.9% of the state's tracked total. Relative to population, West Virginia is most concentrated in funeral homes, site preparation and excavation contractors and pharmacies and drug stores.
Does West Virginia tax the gain when I sell my business?
Yes. West 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 West Virginia CPA before you accept a headline price.
Where in West Virginia are most of these businesses located?
Kanawha County leads with about 860 tracked establishments, followed by Monongalia County (463) and Cabell County (413). Together the top three hold 26% of the state total. Median household income in Kanawha County is $55,226 and the median home value is $131,200. The smallest tracked area is Doddridge County with 3.
Sell by industry in West Virginia
Sources
Census County Business Patterns (employer establishments, NAICS 2017); American Community Survey 5-year. Ranks and indexes: WETYR calculations, 50 states.