There are about 26,500 used car dealerships in America—here’s how many are in your state

Published May 5, 2022

Source: Canva

The auto industry’s COVID-19 pandemic woes—chief among them supply chain delays that shut down factories and left showrooms looking stripped—were a boon to used car dealerships. Low inventory meant a rise in the price of cars, both new and used. Meanwhile, would-be customers with a car to trade in were getting top dollar.

CoPilot analyzed data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to see how many car dealers per capita there were in 2021, and how the number of establishments and number of people employed changed since 2020.

At the start of the pandemic, people largely avoided mass transit—so much so ridership decreased by 79% between September 2019 and September 2020. Many people were afraid of COVID-19 transmission on public transportation, and many public transit options ran on limited schedules, leaving them with scant options aside from driving.

As the pandemic intensified, automakers and chip buyers cut off purchases amid anxieties around a global recession. A shortage of semiconductors for new cars came next as demand for automobiles rose, sending sales of used cars soaring across the country. Some experts predict similar supply chain problems to continue in 2022.

Amid the height of the pandemic, the price of used cars rose faster than those of new cars. The average cost of all new vehicles, among them cars and SUVs, was more than $47,000 at the end of 2021, representing an increase of more than 25% in two years. Compare that to the average cost of used cars, whose prices were up to $28,000 or a more than 42% spike in 2021.

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Nationwide, there are 26,528 used car dealers. That works out to about eight used car dealers per 10,000 residents, an increase of 2.35% since 2020. Used car dealers employed 173,860 people, a 10.6% increase over 2020.

Find out which states led the way in used cars dealers.

Pre-owned entrance at a dealership.

LMPark Photos // Shutterstock

#50. California

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 3.69 (5.6% increase since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 1,457

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 12,767 (8.8% increase since last year)

Aerial view of Cumberland, Maryland.

JAIRTELLO // Shutterstock

#49. Maryland

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 3.98 (2.4% decrease since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 246

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 2,837 (1.2% increase since last year)

Cars for sale in Hawaii.

Tada Images // Shutterstock

#48. Hawaii

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 4.33 (5% increase since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 63

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 310 (31.9% increase since last year)

Hyundai dealership of Las Vegas.

RYO Alexandre // Shutterstock

#47. Nevada

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 4.38 (2.9% decrease since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 136

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 1,740 (21.7% increase since last year)

Aerial view of Manhattan.

Gagliardi Photography // Shutterstock

#46. New York

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 4.65 (0.8% decrease since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 939

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 4,857 (5.2% increase since last year)

Skyline of Juneau, Alaska.

Sam DCruz // Shutterstock

#45. Alaska

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 5.02 (4.8% decrease since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 20

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 149 (26.3% increase since last year)

Cityscape view of Seattle, Washington.

Michael Gordon // Shutterstock

#44. Washington

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 5.4 (3.3% decrease since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 416

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 3,223 (0.4% increase since last year)

Used cars for sale in Cicero, Illinois.

PICTOR PICTURE COMPANY // Shutterstock

#43. Illinois

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 5.71 (3.5% increase since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 731

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 4,706 (4.2% increase since last year)

Oregon City, Oregon used car dealership.

Tada Images // Shutterstock

#42. Oregon

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 5.97 (5.2% decrease since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 253

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 1,626 (12.8% increase since last year)

A used car dealership in Motor City, Louisiana, with low inventory.

ccpixx photography // Shutterstock

#41. Louisiana

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 5.99 (6.1% increase since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 279

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 1,264 (8.6% increase since last year)

Carvana car vending machine in Tempe, Arizona.

Around the World Photos // Shutterstock

#40. Arizona

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 6.1 (7.7% increase since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 436

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 11,014 (56.5% increase since last year)

NEARLY-NEW CARS AT SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS

A new car loses value the second you drive it off the lot. Luckily, many used models sport the same great features as their new counterparts. Here’s where you can find nearly-new cars at significant discounts off MSRP.

A Toyota dealership with its parking lot almost empty in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey.

Alan Budman // Shutterstock

#39. New Jersey

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 6.31 (5.4% increase since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 586

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 3,831 (18.1% increase since last year)

Panorama of Denver, Colorado.

f11photo // Shutterstock

#38. Colorado

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 6.86 (2.6% increase since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 396

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 3,121 (5.3% increase since last year)

Price sticker on a used car.

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#37. Michigan

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 7.23 (2.8% decrease since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 729

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 3,292 (7% increase since last year)

Used Car lot.

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#36. Minnesota

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 7.38 (1.2% increase since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 421

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 2,042 (9.3% increase since last year)

Aerial view of Madison, Wisconsin.

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#35. Wisconsin

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 7.65 (1.3% decrease since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 451

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 2,664 (3% decrease since last year)

Middletown, Connecticut.

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#34. Connecticut

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 8.26 (1.3% decrease since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 298

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 1,668 (7.3% increase since last year)

Cityscape of Boston, Massachusetts.

Canva

#33. Massachusetts

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 8.32 (3.9% increase since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 585

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 2,796 (3.6% increase since last year)

Red, white and blue used cars sign.

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#32. New Mexico

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 8.36 (6.6% increase since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 177

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 939 (7.6% increase since last year)

Used vehicles at a dealership in Monroeville, Pennsylvania.

woodsnorthphoto // Shutterstock

#31. Pennsylvania

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 8.51 (2.9% decrease since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 1,107

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 6,659 (4.1% increase since last year)

Pre-owned Lexus dealership in Columbus, Ohio.

Eric Glenn // Shutterstock

#30. Ohio

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 8.69 (1% increase since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 1,025

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 6,166 (14% increase since last year)

8 QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN BUYING A USED CAR

So you’re in the market for a used vehicle? We’ve gone ahead and prepped some essential questions to ask when buying a used car.

Luxury used cars inside dealership in Plano, Texas.

Vincent Doyle // Shutterstock

#29. Texas

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 8.85 (1.9% increase since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 2,579

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 19,948 (12.4% increase since last year)

Casper, Wyoming with mountains in the background.

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#28. Wyoming

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 9.01 (0% change since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 52

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 241 (7.1% increase since last year)

Aerial view of Manhattan, Kansas.

Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

#27. Kansas

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 9.09 (2.3% increase since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 267

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 2,079 (6.1% increase since last year)

Used car dealership.

Brad Remy // Shutterstock

#26. Oklahoma

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 9.24 (2.5% increase since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 366

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 2,356 (0.8% decrease since last year)

Used cars in front of glass dealership building.

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#25. Georgia

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 9.26 (3.9% increase since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 992

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 6,625 (10.5% increase since last year)

Skyline of Charleston, West Virginia at sunset.

Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

#24. West Virginia

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 9.42 (3.7% increase since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 169

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 697 (4% increase since last year)

Close-up of wheels at used car dealership.

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#23. North Dakota

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 9.88 (4.1% increase since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 77

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 385 (7.2% increase since last year)

Wilmington, Delaware skyline.

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#22. Delaware

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 9.9 (2.1% increase since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 98

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 689 (2% decrease since last year)

Salt Lake City, Utah urban skyline.

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#21. Utah

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 9.9 (8.7% increase since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 324

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 2,325 (2.6% increase since last year)

Providence, Rhode Island aerial view.

Big Joe // Shutterstock

#20. Rhode Island

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 10.3 (2.6% decrease since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 113

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 370 (3.1% decrease since last year)

HOW TO FIND A GOOD CAR DEALERSHIP

Most car dealerships are independently owned and operated, so you might pay thousands more in fees at one dealership than at another. Here’s how to find a good car dealership.

Aerial view of downtown Greenville, South Carolina skyline.

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#19. South Carolina

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 10.37 (2.9% decrease since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 531

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 2,841 (9.6% increase since last year)

Auto park in Virginia.

Kristi Blokhin // Shutterstock

#18. Virginia

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 10.66 (8% increase since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 920

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 6,044 (14.8% increase since last year)

Des Moines, Iowa skyline.

f11photo // Shutterstock

#17. Iowa

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 10.69 (2.8% decrease since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 341

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 1,843 (1.4% decrease since last year)

Used vehicles through showroom window.

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#16. Missouri

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 10.77 (0.3% increase since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 663

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 3,363 (5.6% increase since last year)

Brentwood, Tennessee car dealership at night.

Felix Mizioznikov // Shutterstock

#15. Tennessee

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 10.91 (0.8% increase since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 754

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 5,976 (7.8% increase since last year)

Downtown Billings, Montana.

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#14. Montana

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 11.16 (1.7% increase since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 121

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 595 (13.1% increase since last year)

Louisville, Kentucky.

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#13. Kentucky

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 11.16 (2% increase since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 503

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 2,391 (1.4% increase since last year)

A man shops for used cars with his daughters.

Simone Hogan // Shutterstock

#12. Florida

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 11.48 (8.4% increase since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 2,472

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 12,815 (19.4% increase since last year)

Close-up of car grill in used cars showroom.

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#11. Indiana

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 11.64 (1% increase since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 790

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 5,192 (6% increase since last year)

Aerial view of Honda dealership in Lumberton, North Carolina.

Felix Mizioznikov // Shutterstock

#10. North Carolina

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 11.76 (5.1% increase since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 1,228

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 7,033 (9.8% increase since last year)

Aerial view of downtown Mobile, Alabama.

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#9. Alabama

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 11.92 (1.7% increase since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 599

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 3,382 (7% increase since last year)

THE 10 MOST RELIABLE USED SEDANS

If you’re ready to start shopping for a used car and reliability is a priority for you, take a look at our list of the top 10 most reliable used sedans on the market today.

Close-up of a row of truck grills.

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#8. South Dakota

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 11.95 (0.9% decrease since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 106

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 612 (1.9% decrease since last year)

Jackson, Mississippi skyline.

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#7. Mississippi

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 12.06 (0.8% decrease since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 357

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 1,589 (0.7% decrease since last year)

Downtown Omaha, Nebraska.

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#6. Nebraska

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 12.39 (3.8% increase since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 243

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 1,247 (9.7% increase since last year)

Used car dealership.

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#5. Vermont

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 12.44 (1.2% decrease since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 80

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 420 (1.2% increase since last year)

Used cars at a Ford dealership in Nampa, Idaho.

txking // Shutterstock

#4. Idaho

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 12.78 (6.3% increase since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 235

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 1,271 (0.4% decrease since last year)

Little Rock, Arkansas skyline.

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#3. Arkansas

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 12.95 (1% decrease since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 390

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 2,018 (1.3% increase since last year)

Vintage cars at a used dealership in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

EQRoy // Shutterstock

#2. New Hampshire

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 13.5 (0% change since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 186

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 911 (8.6% increase since last year)

Aerial view of Bar Harbor, Maine.

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#1. Maine

- Used car dealers per 100k residents: 14.9 (1.9% decrease since last year)

- Statewide used car dealers: 203

- Currently employed at used car dealers: 853 (7.7% decrease since last year)

Get a curated list of the best used cars near you

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Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars five years or newer with low mileage — CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.

The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.

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