Business Buyer School Research · Dataset · Version 2026.1
Owner Age and Succession Dataset 2026
265 ACS industry groups: 76 ranked, 37 unranked low confidence, 27 with owner age only and 125 excluded by structural rules.
Business Buyer School calculation and score. These are shares of working people, not counts of businesses, and they include owners with no employees. Age does not show that an owner intends to sell: an owner aged 65 or older might sell, hand the business on or close it.
- Version 2026.1 published
- October 6, 2026
- Analysis prepared
- October 6, 2026
- Data window
- American Community Survey 2019 to 2023 5 year PUMS (self employed in own incorporated business) and Census SUSB 2022 firm sizes
- Unit
- People, not firms: ACS industry groups, with standard errors from the survey replicate weights
This is the data behind the full study and the short version. How it was built is on the methodology page. Excluded groups are listed with the rule that removed them. Shares are of people, not of firms.
Downloads
- Owner Age and Succession Dataset 2026, 265 rows (CSV) text/csv
- Owner Age and Succession Dataset 2026 (JSON) application/json
Checksums: SHA256SUMS.txt. A data license has not been published; short quotations with attribution and a link are welcome. The underlying Census Bureau statistics are published by that agency.
All 265 rows
| Rank or status | ACS code | Industry group | Confidence | Owners 65+ (95% interval) | Owners 55+ | All workers 65+ | Sample records | Index (Model A) | Stability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4251 | Wholesale trade agents and brokers | Medium | 25.2% (±3.8) | 60.8% | 16.9% | 662 | 90.0 | stable highest quartile |
| 2 | 5412 | Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services | High | 23.1% (±1.4) | 52.1% | 11.9% | 5,851 | 88.3 | stable highest quartile |
| 3 | 5313 | Activities related to real estate | High | 22.6% (±1.8) | 51.6% | 11.8% | 2,309 | 81.9 | stable highest quartile |
| 4 | 5411 | Legal services | High | 21.2% (±1.1) | 47.0% | 12.9% | 9,955 | 81.1 | stable highest quartile |
| 5 | 8123 | Drycleaning and laundry services | Medium | 19.4% (±4.0) | 53.0% | 9.6% | 697 | 80.2 | stable highest quartile |
| 6 | 8122 | Death care services | Medium | 29.2% (±4.2) | 60.2% | 21.8% | 660 | 79.1 | moderate |
| 7 | 5416 | Management, scientific, and technical consulting services | High | 18.7% (±0.8) | 46.0% | 9.1% | 13,179 | 77.8 | moderate |
| 8 | 4239Z | Miscellaneous durable goods, except recyclable material, merchant wholesalers | Medium | 22.1% (±4.8) | 54.6% | 9.7% | 533 | 77.4 | stable highest quartile |
| 9 | 5413 | Architectural, engineering, and related services | High | 20.5% (±1.2) | 50.8% | 8.1% | 5,622 | 76.8 | stable highest quartile |
| 10 | 531M | Lessors of real estate, and offices of real estate agents and brokers | High | 17.5% (±0.7) | 42.7% | 13.2% | 13,581 | 75.7 | method-sensitive |
| 11 | 5242 | Agencies, brokerages, and other insurance related activities | High | 17.6% (±1.4) | 43.9% | 8.8% | 3,720 | 75.0 | method-sensitive |
| 12 | 4238 | Machinery, equipment, and supplies merchant wholesalers | High | 24.5% (±3.1) | 58.8% | 8.5% | 1,103 | 74.1 | moderate |
| 13 | 6211 | Offices of physicians | High | 19.8% (±1.3) | 48.5% | 7.8% | 7,075 | 74.0 | stable highest quartile |
| 14 | 8114 | Personal and household goods repair and maintenance | High | 16.1% (±3.1) | 47.1% | 15.9% | 1,053 | 73.3 | method-sensitive |
| 15 | 3327 | Machine shops; turned product; screw, nut, and bolt manufacturing | Medium | 22.8% (±3.3) | 62.6% | 8.2% | 965 | 69.4 | method-sensitive |
| 16 | 4249Z | Miscellaneous nondurable goods merchant, except farm supplies, wholesalers | Medium | 20.6% (±3.8) | 49.4% | 8.5% | 812 | 68.2 | moderate |
| 17 | 3231 | Printing and related support activities | High | 18.7% (±3.3) | 52.5% | 7.8% | 1,269 | 66.7 | moderate |
| 18 | 4442 | Lawn and garden equipment and supplies retailers | Medium | 21.1% (±3.7) | 49.2% | 10.7% | 912 | 65.6 | method-sensitive |
| 19 | 8111Z | Automotive repair and maintenance, except car washes | High | 11.2% (±1.1) | 40.3% | 5.8% | 5,563 | 64.1 | method-sensitive |
| 20 | 4412 | Other motor vehicle dealers | Medium | 19.9% (±4.4) | 51.9% | 7.6% | 588 | 63.5 | method-sensitive |
| 21 | 5615 | Travel arrangements and reservation services | Medium | 18.2% (±3.3) | 44.6% | 8.8% | 955 | 63.1 | moderate |
| 22 | 4452 | Specialty food retailers | Medium | 18.9% (±3.9) | 44.4% | 8.3% | 754 | 62.7 | moderate |
| 23 | 4243 | Apparel, piece goods, and notions merchant wholesalers | Medium | 16.6% (±4.0) | 48.2% | 7.5% | 433 | 60.7 | method-sensitive |
| 24 | 4236 | Household appliances and electrical and electronic goods merchant wholesalers | Medium | 18.8% (±4.0) | 48.7% | 6.5% | 487 | 59.8 | method-sensitive |
| 25 | 6213ZM | Offices of other health practitioners | High | 17.2% (±1.5) | 37.0% | 14.6% | 3,164 | 58.4 | method-sensitive |
| 26 | 4453 | Beer, wine, and liquor retailers | Medium | 13.3% (±3.4) | 37.1% | 8.3% | 641 | 57.6 | method-sensitive |
| 27 | 4234 | Professional and commercial equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers | Medium | 19.5% (±4.2) | 44.4% | 5.5% | 661 | 57.4 | method-sensitive |
| 28 | 4413 | Automotive parts, accessories, and tire retailers | High | 16.5% (±2.9) | 40.3% | 10.1% | 1,007 | 57.0 | moderate |
| 29 | 5414 | Specialized design services | High | 13.4% (±1.9) | 34.9% | 7.9% | 2,975 | 56.4 | method-sensitive |
| 30 | 4231 | Motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and supplies merchant wholesalers | Medium | 17.3% (±4.1) | 46.4% | 10.2% | 588 | 53.8 | method-sensitive |
| 31 | 8113 | Commercial and industrial machinery and equipment repair and maintenance | High | 14.5% (±2.6) | 40.8% | 7.0% | 1,119 | 53.1 | moderate |
| 32 | 6212 | Offices of dentists | High | 12.2% (±1.1) | 35.0% | 6.4% | 4,804 | 51.9 | method-sensitive |
| 33 | 23 | Construction | High | 9.9% (±0.4) | 36.4% | 4.9% | 42,594 | 51.7 | method-sensitive |
| 34 | 7224 | Drinking places (alcoholic beverages) | Medium | 15.6% (±4.4) | 39.9% | 4.1% | 515 | 50.2 | moderate |
| 35 | 3391 | Medical equipment and supplies manufacturing | Medium | 16.6% (±3.5) | 43.9% | 5.1% | 659 | 49.7 | method-sensitive |
| 36 | 332MZ | Miscellaneous fabricated metal product manufacturing | Medium | 19.1% (±4.2) | 46.0% | 6.2% | 545 | 48.6 | method-sensitive |
| 37 | 561M | Other administrative and other support services | High | 14.8% (±2.3) | 39.4% | 6.8% | 1,164 | 48.3 | moderate |
| 38 | 5616 | Investigation and security services | High | 15.8% (±2.5) | 42.2% | 8.9% | 1,325 | 47.3 | method-sensitive |
| 39 | 332M | Architectural and structural metals, and boiler, tank, and shipping container manufacturing | Medium | 15.2% (±4.2) | 47.7% | 5.8% | 539 | 46.0 | method-sensitive |
| 40 | 5614 | Business support services | High | 12.1% (±2.1) | 39.4% | 5.4% | 1,186 | 46.0 | moderate |
| 41 | 7211 | Traveler accommodation | High | 16.6% (±3.1) | 39.7% | 6.2% | 1,209 | 45.6 | moderate |
| 42 | 3399ZM | Miscellaneous manufacturing, n.e.c. | High | 12.8% (±2.1) | 41.5% | 6.5% | 1,071 | 44.7 | method-sensitive |
| 43 | 4411 | Automobile dealers | High | 16.2% (±2.0) | 41.1% | 8.1% | 2,203 | 44.4 | moderate |
| 44 | 5418 | Advertising, public relations, and related services | High | 11.6% (±1.5) | 34.9% | 5.1% | 2,276 | 44.2 | moderate |
| 45 | 62131 | Offices of chiropractors | High | 8.9% (±1.9) | 29.1% | 8.4% | 1,538 | 43.5 | method-sensitive |
| 46 | 54194 | Veterinary services | High | 13.2% (±2.0) | 38.0% | 4.3% | 1,487 | 42.9 | moderate |
| 47 | 3219ZM | Miscellaneous wood product manufacturing | Medium | 15.9% (±4.4) | 44.0% | 5.7% | 538 | 42.5 | method-sensitive |
| 48 | 5419Z | Other professional, scientific, and technical, except veterinary, services | High | 9.6% (±1.3) | 28.6% | 7.1% | 2,539 | 41.4 | method-sensitive |
| 49 | 5417 | Scientific research and development services | Medium | 13.8% (±2.6) | 40.2% | 4.9% | 678 | 40.8 | method-sensitive |
| 50 | 562 | Waste management and remediation services | Medium | 13.3% (±2.6) | 36.2% | 5.8% | 955 | 39.5 | moderate |
| 51 | 5617Z | Services to buildings and dwellings, except landscaping services | High | 8.3% (±1.0) | 31.9% | 7.1% | 4,882 | 39.1 | method-sensitive |
| 52 | 4244 | Grocery and related product merchant wholesalers | High | 12.2% (±2.2) | 36.7% | 5.0% | 1,400 | 39.0 | moderate |
| 53 | 6216 | Home health care services | High | 13.3% (±2.1) | 39.7% | 10.3% | 1,197 | 38.3 | method-sensitive |
| 54 | 611M3 | Other schools and instruction, and educational support services | High | 10.8% (±1.3) | 31.2% | 9.3% | 2,833 | 37.4 | method-sensitive |
| 55 | 484 | Truck transportation | High | 7.3% (±0.7) | 29.8% | 6.7% | 8,024 | 36.3 | method-sensitive |
| 56 | 711M | Promoters of performing arts, sports, and similar events, agents and managers for artists, athletes, entertainers, and other public figures | Medium | 12.3% (±3.4) | 31.4% | 6.8% | 420 | 36.0 | moderate |
| 57 | 56173 | Landscaping services | High | 5.8% (±0.7) | 27.6% | 4.8% | 4,813 | 34.9 | method-sensitive |
| 58 | 62132 | Offices of optometrists | Medium | 10.6% (±2.5) | 30.0% | 6.2% | 834 | 34.8 | moderate |
| 59 | 5415 | Computer systems design and related services | High | 7.5% (±0.9) | 30.3% | 2.8% | 6,699 | 34.7 | method-sensitive |
| 60 | 337 | Furniture and related product manufacturing | Medium | 8.3% (±1.7) | 39.8% | 5.5% | 993 | 34.4 | method-sensitive |
| 61 | 8129 | Other personal services | High | 8.2% (±1.5) | 26.7% | 6.2% | 1,912 | 33.3 | method-sensitive |
| 62 | 488 | Support activities for transportation | High | 9.3% (±1.3) | 31.8% | 6.6% | 1,854 | 33.0 | moderate |
| 63 | 812112 | Beauty salons | High | 6.4% (±0.7) | 23.1% | 6.8% | 4,428 | 32.9 | method-sensitive |
| 64 | 4853 | Taxi and limousine service | High | 9.4% (±1.4) | 30.5% | 9.3% | 1,763 | 31.4 | stable lowest quartile |
| 65 | 8121M | Nail salons and other personal care services | High | 4.8% (±1.0) | 17.8% | 4.3% | 2,286 | 30.3 | method-sensitive |
| 66 | 812111 | Barber shops | Medium | 8.8% (±2.7) | 20.2% | 9.5% | 480 | 29.7 | stable lowest quartile |
| 67 | 44511 | Supermarkets and other grocery (except convenience) retailers | High | 11.8% (±1.7) | 32.7% | 6.0% | 2,108 | 29.6 | moderate |
| 68 | 311811 | Retail bakeries | Medium | 11.2% (±3.8) | 33.3% | 4.7% | 505 | 28.5 | method-sensitive |
| 69 | 621M | Other health care services | High | 11.3% (±2.3) | 33.9% | 4.9% | 1,167 | 28.4 | method-sensitive |
| 70 | 5121 | Motion pictures and video industries | High | 6.1% (±1.5) | 22.2% | 3.5% | 2,038 | 26.6 | method-sensitive |
| 71 | 6244 | Child care services | High | 9.5% (±1.9) | 29.9% | 6.0% | 1,822 | 26.3 | stable lowest quartile |
| 72 | 6214 | Outpatient care centers | High | 11.7% (±1.3) | 31.9% | 5.4% | 3,644 | 24.8 | moderate |
| 73 | 811192 | Car washes | Medium | 8.2% (±3.0) | 25.4% | 3.6% | 429 | 21.6 | stable lowest quartile |
| 74 | 713Z | Other amusement, gambling, and recreation industries | High | 8.1% (±1.2) | 24.7% | 7.0% | 3,299 | 20.4 | stable lowest quartile |
| 75 | 722Z | Food services and drinking places, except alcoholic beverages | High | 7.6% (±0.5) | 26.3% | 2.3% | 12,875 | 19.8 | stable lowest quartile |
| 76 | 3121 | Beverage manufacturing | Medium | 5.9% (±2.6) | 22.7% | 3.0% | 467 | 6.7 | stable lowest quartile |
| unranked | 3118Z | Bakeries and tortilla manufacturing, except retail bakeries | Low | 11.5% (±4.5) | 33.4% | 4.5% | 256 | n/a | not scored |
| unranked | 311M1 | Animal food, grain and oilseed milling | Low | 15.9% (±8.7) | 37.4% | 4.0% | 163 | n/a | not scored |
| unranked | 311M2 | Seafood and other miscellaneous foods, n.e.c. | Low | 15.4% (±5.5) | 35.3% | 4.3% | 268 | n/a | not scored |
| unranked | 3132Z | Fabric mills, except knit fabric mills | Low | 25.4% (±8.7) | 56.1% | 7.0% | 110 | n/a | not scored |
| unranked | 314Z | Textile product mills, except carpet and rug | Low | 19.3% (±5.7) | 42.5% | 11.3% | 219 | n/a | not scored |
| unranked | 315M | Cut and sew, and apparel accessories and other apparel manufacturing | Low | 16.7% (±4.5) | 36.5% | 7.8% | 348 | n/a | not scored |
| unranked | 3211 | Sawmills and wood preservation | Low | 14.8% (±5.8) | 41.8% | 5.7% | 219 | n/a | not scored |
| unranked | 3256 | Soap, cleaning compound, and toilet preparation manufacturing | Low | 6.1% (±3.8) | 29.6% | 3.9% | 144 | n/a | not scored |
| unranked | 3272 | Glass and glass product manufacturing | Low | 15.8% (±6.2) | 50.4% | 5.0% | 191 | n/a | not scored |
| unranked | 3279 | Other nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing | Low | 12.9% (±6.1) | 35.6% | 4.7% | 157 | n/a | not scored |
| unranked | 327M | Cement, concrete, lime, and gypsum product manufacturing | Low | 9.7% (±4.5) | 37.8% | 5.9% | 205 | n/a | not scored |
| unranked | 3328 | Coating, engraving, heat treating, and allied activities | Low | 18.6% (±5.7) | 41.0% | 6.4% | 171 | n/a | not scored |
| unranked | 33311 | Agricultural implement manufacturing | Low | 14.1% (±7.1) | 35.2% | 4.9% | 134 | n/a | not scored |
| unranked | 3335 | Metalworking machinery manufacturing | Low | 25.7% (±5.7) | 59.4% | 7.5% | 268 | n/a | not scored |
| unranked | 334M1 | Communications, audio, and video equipment manufacturing | Low | 19.6% (±8.6) | 46.8% | 5.7% | 114 | n/a | not scored |
| unranked | 335M | Electric lighting and electrical equipment manufacturing, and other electrical component manufacturing, n.e.c. | Low | 16.4% (±4.4) | 40.8% | 5.8% | 304 | n/a | not scored |
| unranked | 3399M | Sporting and athletic goods, and doll, toy and game manufacturing | Low | 9.3% (±4.2) | 26.9% | 5.8% | 216 | n/a | not scored |
| unranked | 4232 | Furniture and home furnishing merchant wholesalers | Low | 23.9% (±7.4) | 61.7% | 9.4% | 301 | n/a | not scored |
| unranked | 4233 | Lumber and other construction materials merchant wholesalers | Low | 19.1% (±4.9) | 53.8% | 7.5% | 397 | n/a | not scored |
| unranked | 4235 | Metal and mineral, except petroleum, merchant wholesalers | Low | 31.8% (±8.0) | 61.4% | 9.6% | 158 | n/a | not scored |
| unranked | 4237 | Hardware, and plumbing and heating equipment, and supplies merchant wholesalers | Low | 20.9% (±5.1) | 60.2% | 7.9% | 396 | n/a | not scored |
| unranked | 42393 | Recyclable material merchant wholesalers | Low | 12.3% (±5.3) | 44.5% | 6.5% | 218 | n/a | not scored |
| unranked | 4241 | Paper and paper product merchant wholesalers | Low | 17.8% (±8.1) | 51.4% | 8.5% | 128 | n/a | not scored |
| unranked | 4245 | Farm product raw material merchant wholesalers | Low | 19.6% (±8.3) | 44.7% | 8.5% | 170 | n/a | not scored |
| unranked | 4247 | Petroleum and petroleum products merchant wholesalers | Low | 17.6% (±6.2) | 46.2% | 7.0% | 205 | n/a | not scored |
| unranked | 4248 | Beer, wine, and distilled alcoholic beverage merchant wholesalers | Low | 18.7% (±9.0) | 43.1% | 4.1% | 194 | n/a | not scored |
| unranked | 42491 | Farm supplies merchant wholesalers | Low | 30.9% (±18.1) | 56.3% | 10.8% | 117 | n/a | not scored |
| unranked | 424M | Drugs, druggists' sundries, and chemical and allied products merchant wholesalers | Low | 15.6% (±4.8) | 41.5% | 4.3% | 339 | n/a | not scored |
| unranked | 487 | Scenic and sightseeing transportation | Low | 16.3% (±7.1) | 47.9% | 10.3% | 175 | n/a | not scored |
| unranked | 5122 | Sound recording industries | Low | 9.7% (±3.9) | 20.7% | 5.3% | 377 | n/a | not scored |
| unranked | 5182 | Computing infrastructure providers, data processing, web hosting, and related services | Low | 5.7% (±4.6) | 19.2% | 3.0% | 209 | n/a | not scored |
| unranked | 5321 | Automotive equipment rental and leasing | Low | 14.0% (±6.4) | 45.8% | 12.0% | 221 | n/a | not scored |
| unranked | 532M2 | Consumer goods rental, and general rental centers | Low | 10.1% (±3.5) | 32.3% | 4.5% | 328 | n/a | not scored |
| unranked | 53M | Commercial and industrial machinery and equipment, and nonfinancial intangible assets rental and leasing | Low | 15.4% (±5.0) | 47.0% | 4.7% | 281 | n/a | not scored |
| unranked | 611M2 | Business, trade and technical schools, and computer and management training | Low | 21.3% (±6.3) | 45.7% | 10.3% | 268 | n/a | not scored |
| unranked | 721M | Recreational vehicle parks and camps, and rooming and boarding houses, dormitories, and workers' camps | Low | 23.7% (±7.2) | 53.4% | 10.8% | 263 | n/a | not scored |
| unranked | 8112 | Electronic and precision equipment repair and maintenance | Low | 12.1% (±4.3) | 41.9% | 7.9% | 355 | n/a | not scored |
| age only | 44414 | Hardware retailers | Medium | 17.3% (±4.2) | 50.2% | 12.1% | 657 | n/a | not scored |
| age only | 4441Z | Building material and supplies dealers, except hardware retailers | High | 17.1% (±2.5) | 43.9% | 9.7% | 1,571 | n/a | not scored |
| age only | 44513 | Convenience retailers and vending machine operators | Medium | 11.3% (±2.1) | 41.7% | 6.0% | 922 | n/a | not scored |
| age only | 4491 | Furniture and home furnishings retailers | High | 16.9% (±2.2) | 49.2% | 9.1% | 1,617 | n/a | not scored |
| age only | 4492 | Electronics and appliance retailers | Medium | 14.8% (±3.0) | 40.6% | 3.7% | 952 | n/a | not scored |
| age only | 4551 | Department stores | Low | 8.4% (±3.5) | 23.9% | 8.9% | 186 | n/a | not scored |
| age only | 4552 | Warehouse clubs, supercenters, and other general merchandise retailers | High | 6.3% (±1.3) | 22.2% | 5.4% | 2,035 | n/a | not scored |
| age only | 45611 | Pharmacies and drug retailers | Medium | 8.7% (±2.0) | 26.6% | 5.1% | 993 | n/a | not scored |
| age only | 4561Z | Health and personal care, except pharmacies and drug, retailers | High | 13.1% (±2.1) | 38.2% | 5.9% | 1,311 | n/a | not scored |
| age only | 4571 | Gasoline stations | High | 11.5% (±2.2) | 35.0% | 4.8% | 1,042 | n/a | not scored |
| age only | 4572 | Fuel dealers | Low | 18.4% (±6.3) | 56.9% | 9.8% | 238 | n/a | not scored |
| age only | 4581 | Clothing and clothing accessories retailers | High | 9.4% (±1.7) | 29.4% | 5.2% | 1,516 | n/a | not scored |
| age only | 4582 | Shoe retailers | Low | 10.3% (±5.1) | 29.1% | 2.8% | 181 | n/a | not scored |
| age only | 4583 | Jewelry, luggage, and leather goods retailers | Medium | 19.6% (±4.2) | 44.6% | 11.9% | 788 | n/a | not scored |
| age only | 45913 | Sewing, needlework, and piece goods retailers | Low | 23.2% (±7.2) | 58.1% | 18.0% | 219 | n/a | not scored |
| age only | 45914 | Musical instrument and supplies retailers | Low | 18.9% (±8.6) | 46.7% | 9.2% | 132 | n/a | not scored |
| age only | 4591M | Sporting goods, and hobby, toy, and game retailers | High | 13.1% (±2.3) | 36.9% | 6.7% | 1,081 | n/a | not scored |
| age only | 45921 | Book retailers and news dealers | Low | 20.3% (±6.8) | 38.9% | 9.3% | 248 | n/a | not scored |
| age only | 4593 | Florists | Medium | 15.4% (±4.3) | 43.5% | 15.5% | 478 | n/a | not scored |
| age only | 45941 | Office supplies and stationery retailers | Low | 22.8% (±10.2) | 55.1% | 7.3% | 184 | n/a | not scored |
| age only | 45942 | Gift, novelty, and souvenir retailers | Medium | 14.9% (±4.3) | 42.4% | 13.1% | 470 | n/a | not scored |
| age only | 4595 | Used merchandise retailers | Medium | 15.4% (±4.1) | 37.9% | 12.3% | 495 | n/a | not scored |
| age only | 4599 | Other miscellaneous retailers | High | 13.6% (±2.1) | 35.8% | 6.3% | 2,159 | n/a | not scored |
| age only | 51311 | Newspaper publishers | Low | 27.1% (±9.9) | 67.7% | 13.9% | 195 | n/a | not scored |
| age only | 5131Z | Periodical, book, and directory and mailing list, and other publishers | Medium | 21.9% (±5.3) | 54.0% | 8.3% | 532 | n/a | not scored |
| age only | 5132 | Software publishers | Low | 8.8% (±5.6) | 24.3% | 1.9% | 122 | n/a | not scored |
| age only | 51929 | Web search portals and all other information services | Low | 5.0% (±4.0) | 14.9% | 1.7% | 104 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U1 | 111 | Crop production | Excluded | 20.5% (±1.3) | 44.5% | 11.0% | 6,314 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U1 | 112 | Animal production and aquaculture | Excluded | 20.2% (±1.8) | 45.9% | 12.1% | 3,584 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U1 | 1133 | Logging | Excluded | 15.6% (±4.0) | 40.2% | 9.2% | 511 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U1 | 113M | Forestry except logging | Excluded | 11.6% (±11.0) | 63.5% | 5.3% | 44 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U1 | 114 | Fishing, hunting and trapping | Excluded | 13.8% (±4.8) | 42.5% | 9.3% | 323 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U1 | 115 | Support activities for agriculture and forestry | Excluded | 12.9% (±3.3) | 33.4% | 6.7% | 701 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U1 | 211 | Oil and gas extraction | Excluded | 23.0% (±9.5) | 38.5% | 4.7% | 136 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U1 | 2121 | Coal mining | Excluded | 6.3% (±7.4) | 53.5% | 4.0% | 51 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U1 | 2122 | Metal ore mining | Excluded | 7.7% (±14.9) | 37.1% | 2.7% | 14 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U1 | 2123 | Nonmetallic mineral mining and quarrying | Excluded | 10.4% (±5.7) | 45.5% | 5.9% | 123 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U1 | 213 | Support activities for mining | Excluded | 15.3% (±4.0) | 41.9% | 4.5% | 597 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U1 | 2211P | Electric power generation, transmission and distribution | Excluded | 8.5% (±3.7) | 30.0% | 3.7% | 317 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U1 | 2212P | Natural gas distribution | Excluded | 14.1% (±8.1) | 38.9% | 3.3% | 93 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U1 | 22132 | Sewage treatment facilities | Excluded | 15.5% (±10.8) | 45.2% | 6.6% | 53 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U1 | 2213M | Water supply and irrigation systems, and steam and air-conditioning supply | Excluded | 13.6% (±5.2) | 41.7% | 5.8% | 252 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U6 | 221MP | Electric and gas, and other combinations | Excluded | 7.5% (±9.8) | 20.4% | 3.6% | 28 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U6 | 22S | Not specified utilities | Excluded | 0.0% (±0.0) | 33.7% | 4.5% | 6 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U7 | 3113 | Sugar and confectionery products | Excluded | 12.9% (±11.3) | 40.8% | 6.4% | 79 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U4 | 3114 | Fruit and vegetable preserving and specialty food manufacturing | Excluded | 11.3% (±6.6) | 37.5% | 4.5% | 120 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U4 | 3115 | Dairy product manufacturing | Excluded | 21.8% (±12.1) | 44.6% | 3.7% | 110 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U4 | 3116 | Animal slaughtering and processing | Excluded | 10.0% (±6.4) | 32.9% | 3.8% | 359 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U6 | 311S | Not specified food industries | Excluded | 13.5% (±11.7) | 22.6% | 4.4% | 49 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U4 | 3122 | Tobacco manufacturing | Excluded | 0.0% (±0.0) | 34.6% | 4.4% | 7 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U4 | 3131 | Fiber, yarn, and thread mills | Excluded | 2.9% (±6.4) | 20.5% | 4.5% | 10 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U7 | 3133 | Textile and fabric finishing and fabric coating mills | Excluded | 11.7% (±14.6) | 34.0% | 5.4% | 45 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U4 | 31411 | Carpet and rug mills | Excluded | 31.4% (±21.4) | 52.8% | 5.4% | 38 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U7 | 3162 | Footwear manufacturing | Excluded | 25.5% (±23.6) | 41.6% | 4.2% | 26 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U7 | 316M | Leather and hide tanning and finishing, and other leather and allied product manufacturing | Excluded | 25.1% (±13.1) | 47.4% | 9.6% | 61 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U7 | 31M | Knit fabric mills, and apparel knitting mills | Excluded | 12.2% (±16.1) | 27.2% | 6.8% | 22 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U4 | 3212 | Veneer, plywood, and engineered wood product manufacturing | Excluded | 10.6% (±10.1) | 44.2% | 4.3% | 44 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U7 | 32199M | Manufactured home (mobile home) and prefabricated wood building manufacturing | Excluded | 6.6% (±8.0) | 59.7% | 6.3% | 60 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U4 | 3221 | Pulp, paper, and paperboard mills | Excluded | 10.7% (±8.4) | 34.1% | 3.8% | 101 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U4 | 32221 | Paperboard container manufacturing | Excluded | 7.6% (±5.6) | 23.6% | 4.3% | 87 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U4 | 3222M | Miscellaneous paper and pulp products manufacturing | Excluded | 11.2% (±8.3) | 26.2% | 4.2% | 60 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U4 | 32411 | Petroleum refineries | Excluded | 7.4% (±5.3) | 29.0% | 3.3% | 84 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U7 | 3241M | Petroleum and coal products manufacturing, except petroleum refineries | Excluded | 17.3% (±21.2) | 43.9% | 4.9% | 21 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U4 | 3252 | Resin, synthetic rubber, and artificial and synthetic fibers and filaments manufacturing | Excluded | 10.7% (±6.2) | 42.4% | 5.0% | 143 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U7 | 3253 | Pesticide, fertilizer, and other agricultural chemical manufacturing | Excluded | 25.2% (±16.8) | 49.0% | 6.2% | 41 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U4 | 3254 | Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing | Excluded | 10.7% (±5.0) | 35.0% | 3.2% | 256 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U7 | 3255 | Paint, coating, and adhesive manufacturing | Excluded | 26.7% (±12.7) | 48.7% | 5.2% | 59 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U4 | 325M | Basic chemical manufacturing, and other chemical product and preparation manufacturing | Excluded | 14.1% (±4.2) | 38.7% | 4.9% | 272 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U4 | 3261 | Plastics product manufacturing | Excluded | 15.8% (±3.9) | 44.4% | 5.3% | 460 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U4 | 32621 | Tire manufacturing | Excluded | 4.3% (±6.6) | 44.8% | 2.2% | 38 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U4 | 3262M | Rubber products, except tires, manufacturing | Excluded | 28.0% (±15.6) | 62.6% | 4.7% | 64 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U7 | 32711 | Pottery, ceramics, and plumbing fixture manufacturing | Excluded | 10.2% (±7.5) | 65.0% | 9.8% | 67 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U7 | 32712 | Clay building material and refractories manufacturing | Excluded | 21.7% (±25.1) | 50.8% | 5.2% | 21 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U4 | 3313 | Alumina and aluminum production and processing | Excluded | 10.3% (±7.6) | 51.0% | 4.1% | 65 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U4 | 3314 | Nonferrous metal (except aluminum) production and processing | Excluded | 23.2% (±14.4) | 60.4% | 6.4% | 52 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U4 | 3315 | Foundries | Excluded | 16.9% (±8.6) | 45.3% | 5.3% | 75 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U4 | 331M | Iron and steel mills and steel product manufacturing | Excluded | 17.2% (±8.3) | 43.0% | 4.7% | 243 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U7 | 3321 | Forging and stamping | Excluded | 22.4% (±11.0) | 59.4% | 7.0% | 77 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U7 | 3322 | Cutlery and handtool manufacturing | Excluded | 17.8% (±10.3) | 34.9% | 6.8% | 72 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U4 | 33299M | Ordnance | Excluded | 1.1% (±1.5) | 29.4% | 4.3% | 58 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U4 | 3331M | Construction, and mining and oil and gas field machinery manufacturing | Excluded | 15.7% (±7.1) | 41.6% | 4.7% | 123 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U7 | 3333 | Commercial and service industry machinery manufacturing | Excluded | 15.8% (±7.6) | 42.1% | 6.1% | 88 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U4 | 3336 | Engine, turbine, and power transmission equipment manufacturing | Excluded | 15.4% (±10.6) | 41.9% | 3.9% | 35 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U6 | 333MS | Machinery manufacturing, n.e.c. or not specified | Excluded | 16.1% (±3.2) | 48.2% | 5.5% | 928 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U7 | 3341 | Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing | Excluded | 9.4% (±7.7) | 34.7% | 4.7% | 58 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U4 | 3345 | Navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing | Excluded | 29.3% (±10.6) | 63.0% | 7.5% | 180 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U4 | 334M2 | Semiconductor, magnetic and optical media, and other electronic component manufacturing | Excluded | 16.8% (±3.9) | 45.6% | 5.7% | 514 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U4 | 3352 | Household appliance manufacturing | Excluded | 9.8% (±10.0) | 50.8% | 3.1% | 41 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U4 | 33641M1 | Aircraft, aircraft engine, and aircraft parts manufacturing | Excluded | 8.2% (±3.1) | 37.8% | 5.5% | 289 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U4 | 33641M2 | Guided missile and space vehicle and parts manufacturing | Excluded | 3.4% (±6.9) | 51.4% | 4.5% | 19 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U4 | 3365 | Railroad rolling stock manufacturing | Excluded | 8.1% (±9.9) | 20.0% | 4.9% | 15 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U4 | 3366 | Ship and boat building | Excluded | 15.7% (±7.0) | 39.1% | 5.0% | 142 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U7 | 3369 | Other transportation equipment manufacturing | Excluded | 6.2% (±8.8) | 33.6% | 2.7% | 39 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U4 | 336M | Motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment manufacturing | Excluded | 11.5% (±3.3) | 38.3% | 3.4% | 782 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U6 | 33MS | Not specified metal industries | Excluded | 34.0% (±39.4) | 46.1% | 5.8% | 17 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U6 | 3MS | Not specified manufacturing industries | Excluded | 11.1% (±2.8) | 38.0% | 5.2% | 438 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U6 | 42S | Not specified wholesale trade | Excluded | 12.5% (±4.6) | 38.8% | 8.5% | 329 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U3 | 481 | Air transportation | Excluded | 18.0% (±5.6) | 51.5% | 5.3% | 336 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U3 | 482 | Rail transportation | Excluded | 3.5% (±3.4) | 15.6% | 2.8% | 69 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U3 | 483 | Water transportation | Excluded | 20.9% (±12.4) | 41.1% | 6.9% | 101 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U3 | 485M | Transit and ground passenger transportation, except taxi and limousine service | Excluded | 21.3% (±5.6) | 50.2% | 15.2% | 398 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U3 | 486 | Pipeline transportation | Excluded | 11.4% (±10.1) | 31.2% | 3.9% | 43 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U1 | 491 | Postal Service | Excluded | 22.5% (±10.2) | 45.0% | 6.4% | 123 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U4 | 492 | Couriers and messengers | Excluded | 6.4% (±1.9) | 19.6% | 3.2% | 1,676 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U4 | 493 | Warehousing and storage | Excluded | 8.3% (±2.7) | 26.6% | 2.8% | 595 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U6 | 4MS | Not specified retail trade | Excluded | 8.6% (±1.7) | 30.1% | 7.0% | 1,103 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U3 | 516 | Broadcasting and content providers | Excluded | 10.2% (±2.8) | 25.3% | 3.9% | 654 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U3 | 517111 | Wired telecommunications carriers | Excluded | 8.7% (±2.9) | 35.6% | 3.3% | 403 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U3 | 517Z | Telecommunications, except wired telecommunications carriers | Excluded | 11.6% (±3.3) | 39.2% | 3.2% | 433 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U7 | 51921 | Libraries and archives | Excluded | 16.1% (±13.2) | 21.4% | 12.5% | 36 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U1 | 5221M | Credit unions, and savings institutions and other depository credit intermediation | Excluded | 5.3% (±5.0) | 25.5% | 4.0% | 83 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U1 | 522M | Nondepository credit intermediation and related activities | Excluded | 13.0% (±2.2) | 35.4% | 3.6% | 1,658 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U1 | 5241 | Insurance carriers | Excluded | 15.3% (±2.0) | 38.7% | 5.2% | 2,050 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U1 | 52M2 | Securities, commodities, funds, trusts, and other financial investments | Excluded | 17.3% (±1.4) | 44.1% | 7.0% | 4,043 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U1 | 52M3 | Monetary authorities-central bank, and commercial banking | Excluded | 7.1% (±2.3) | 29.2% | 4.1% | 535 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U1 | 55 | Management of companies and enterprises | Excluded | 9.1% (±4.2) | 36.7% | 4.3% | 201 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U4 | 5613 | Employment services | Excluded | 14.5% (±2.7) | 36.5% | 5.4% | 1,250 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U2 | 6111 | Elementary and secondary schools | Excluded | 13.5% (±2.3) | 30.7% | 6.2% | 1,042 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U2 | 611M1 | Junior colleges, colleges, universities, and professional schools | Excluded | 12.3% (±3.2) | 24.1% | 7.2% | 464 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U2 | 6222 | Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals | Excluded | 30.7% (±31.5) | 37.9% | 6.9% | 26 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U2 | 622M | General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals | Excluded | 7.4% (±1.4) | 28.9% | 4.9% | 1,530 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U2 | 6231 | Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities) | Excluded | 7.5% (±2.1) | 26.9% | 7.0% | 789 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U2 | 623M | Residential care facilities, except skilled nursing facilities | Excluded | 15.7% (±3.0) | 36.8% | 8.0% | 728 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U2 | 6241 | Individual and family services | Excluded | 16.0% (±1.7) | 40.1% | 10.6% | 2,086 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U2 | 6242 | Community food and housing, and emergency and other relief services | Excluded | 12.5% (±11.9) | 49.7% | 9.9% | 34 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U2 | 6243 | Vocational rehabilitation services | Excluded | 23.7% (±14.9) | 67.5% | 8.6% | 46 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U2 | 7111 | Performing arts companies | Excluded | 8.2% (±2.5) | 23.4% | 9.5% | 473 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U2 | 7112 | Spectator sports | Excluded | 8.1% (±3.4) | 24.2% | 8.1% | 237 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U5 | 7115 | Independent artists, writers, and performers | Excluded | 11.1% (±1.6) | 27.4% | 13.5% | 2,111 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U2 | 712 | Museums, historical sites, and similar institutions | Excluded | 26.7% (±13.7) | 45.2% | 9.2% | 118 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U7 | 71395 | Bowling centers | Excluded | 28.5% (±14.7) | 42.8% | 8.4% | 67 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U2 | 8131 | Religious organizations | Excluded | 32.6% (±7.1) | 60.2% | 22.1% | 329 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U2 | 81393 | Labor unions and similar labor organizations | Excluded | 4.1% (±9.0) | 59.4% | 8.8% | 21 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U2 | 8139Z | Business, professional, political, and similar organizations | Excluded | 14.0% (±5.9) | 40.3% | 10.0% | 93 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U2 | 813M | Civic, social, advocacy organizations, and grantmaking and giving services | Excluded | 12.4% (±4.8) | 38.0% | 8.4% | 226 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U2 | 814 | Private households | Excluded | 9.3% (±2.0) | 31.3% | 8.8% | 1,101 | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U2 | 92113 | Public finance activities | Excluded | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U2 | 92119 | Other general government and support | Excluded | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U6 | 9211MP | Executive offices and legislative bodies | Excluded | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U2 | 923 | Administration of human resource programs | Excluded | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U6 | 92811P1 | U. S. Army | Excluded | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U6 | 92811P2 | U. S. Air Force | Excluded | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U6 | 92811P3 | U. S. Navy | Excluded | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U6 | 92811P4 | U. S. Marines | Excluded | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U6 | 92811P5 | U. S. Coast Guard | Excluded | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U6 | 92811P6 | Armed Forces, Branch not specified | Excluded | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U6 | 92811P7 | Military Reserves or National Guard | Excluded | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U6 | 9281P | National security and international affairs | Excluded | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U2 | 92M1 | Administration of environmental quality, and housing programs, urban planning and community development | Excluded | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U2 | 92M2 | Administration of economic programs and space research and technology | Excluded | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U6 | 92MP | Justice, public order, and safety activities | Excluded | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | not scored |
| excluded U2 | 999920 | Unemployed, With No Work Experience In The Last 5 Years Or Earlier Or Never Worked | Excluded | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | not scored |
Field notes
265 industry groups (all statuses). Shares are of WORKERS (people), not firms.
| Column | Description |
|---|---|
rank | Rank by Model A index among ranked groups (blank otherwise). |
status | ranked / unranked low confidence / age only (no firm-size match) / excluded. |
acs_industry_group_code | ACS PUMS NAICSP industry group code. |
industry_group | Group name. |
naics_2022_composition | NAICS 2022 codes the group contains. |
confidence | High/Medium/Low tier by ACS sample size and precision; Excluded if out of universe. |
exclusion_criterion | U1-U7. |
exclusion_reason | Why excluded. |
succession_pressure_index_model_A | Business Buyer School index 0-100; higher = older owners and more small firms. |
score_B_age_heavy | Model B. |
score_C_supply_heavy | Model C. |
score_D_equal | Model D. |
score_E_age_only | Model E. |
score_F_age_gap_adjusted | Model F. |
rank_B_age_heavy | Rank B. |
rank_C_supply_heavy | Rank C. |
rank_D_equal | Rank D. |
rank_E_age_only | Rank E. |
rank_F_age_gap_adjusted | Rank F. |
rank_range_across_models | Max minus min rank. |
stability_class | stable highest/lowest quartile, moderate, method-sensitive. |
share_weight_draws_top_quartile | Share of 3,000 weight draws in top quartile. |
share_sampling_draws_top_quartile | Share of 300 sampling draws (shares perturbed by standard errors) in top quartile. |
comp_share_65p_pctile | Component percentile. |
comp_share_55_64_pctile | Component percentile. |
comp_small_firm_share_pctile | Component percentile. |
comp_small_firm_count_pctile | Component percentile. |
incorporated_self_employed_workers_est | ACS estimated people (not firms) self-employed in own incorporated business in the group. |
incorporated_self_employed_sample_records | Unweighted PUMS records behind the estimate. |
share_65plus_pct | Share of those workers aged 65+, percent. |
share_65plus_se_pp | Standard error, percentage points (80 replicate weights). |
share_55_64_pct | Share aged 55-64. |
share_55_64_se_pp | Standard error. |
share_55plus_pct | Share aged 55+. |
share_55plus_se_pp | Standard error. |
share_under_45_pct | Share under 45. |
workers_55plus_est | Estimated people aged 55+ (not firms). |
workers_55plus_se | Standard error of that estimate. |
unincorporated_self_employed_share_65plus_pct | Same measure for self-employed in own unincorporated business (sensitivity). |
unincorporated_sample_records | Records behind it. |
all_workers_share_65plus_pct | Share of all employed workers in the group aged 65+ (comparison). |
all_workers_share_55plus_pct | Share aged 55+ among all employed workers. |
owner_minus_all_worker_65plus_gap_pp | Owner 65+ share minus all-worker 65+ share. |
firms_2022_susb | SUSB 2022 firms (matched groups only). |
firms_under_20_employees_2022_susb | SUSB firms with under 20 employees. |
small_firm_share_under_20_pct | Percent of firms under 20 employees. |
small_firm_share_under_5_pct | Percent under 5 employees. |
employees_per_firm_2022_susb | SUSB employment / firms. |
source_version | Source releases. |
naics_version | NAICS versions and matching rule. |
calculation_version | Scoring version. |
package_version | Package version. |
run_date | Run date. |
How to cite
Cite as: Business Buyer School, Owner Age and Succession Dataset 2026, https://businessbuyerschool.com/research/business-owner-age/data/. Version 2026.1. Published October 6, 2026.
A data license has not been published; short quotations with attribution and a link are welcome.
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