Selling a Business in Adams County

Adams County has 1,787 employer businesses, and 85% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows the local mix of industries and how a sale is handled here. The largest industries here are retail and repair, personal care and other services.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Adams County by the numbers

1,787

1,787

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

85%

85%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

4,218

4,218

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

31,699

31,699

EMPLOYMENT

$1.8 billion

$1.8 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

780

780

BUSINESSES WITH 5 TO 49 EMPLOYEES

U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023 and Nonemployer Statistics 2024. Counts are employer establishments, meaning business locations with paid employees.

How Adams County compares

  • Adams County ranks 21st of 102 Illinois counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 0.4% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Construction makes up 12% of employer businesses in Adams County, compared with 9% in Illinois.

  • 780 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Adams County ranks 21st of 102 Illinois counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 0.4% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Construction makes up 12% of employer businesses in Adams County, compared with 9% in Illinois.

  • 780 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 255 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 225 employer businesses

  • Construction: 210 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 158 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 157 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 255 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 225 employer businesses

  • Construction: 210 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 158 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 157 employer businesses

INDUSTRIES

What sells in Adams County

Retail, repair, personal care and other services, construction, accommodation and food service

Every kind of business we sell in Adams County

These are the industries in Adams County and the number of employer businesses in each. Counts are employer businesses in the closest Census industry codes. Industries without a clean Census match are listed without a count, and a few industries share one Census category, so their counts match. A sale multiple is the price a business typically sells for as a multiple of its earnings. SDE means seller's discretionary earnings, which is the owner's pay plus the profit of the business. EBITDA means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

Construction & Engineering

211 related employer businesses in Adams County.

  • General Contracting: 61 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Financial & Professional Services

125 related employer businesses in Adams County.

Restaurants & Food

120 related employer businesses in Adams County.

Retail Stores

112 related employer businesses in Adams County.

Automotive & Boat

90 related employer businesses in Adams County.

  • Auto Repair: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Medical Practices

81 related employer businesses in Adams County.

Manufacturing

60 related employer businesses in Adams County.

Logistics & Transportation

47 related employer businesses in Adams County.

Entertainment & Recreation

43 related employer businesses in Adams County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

Wholesale & Distribution

37 related employer businesses in Adams County.

Home Services

29 related employer businesses in Adams County.

  • Residential Cleaning: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Pest Control: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

  • Property Management: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

Gas Stations & Convenience

24 related employer businesses in Adams County.

  • Gas Stations: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Beauty & Personal Care

19 related employer businesses in Adams County.

  • Hair Salons: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

Health & Fitness

17 related employer businesses in Adams County.

Senior Care & Living

17 related employer businesses in Adams County.

Hospitality & Travel

14 related employer businesses in Adams County.

  • Hotels: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Technology & Media

13 related employer businesses in Adams County.

Energy & Utilities

12 related employer businesses in Adams County.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

8 related employer businesses in Adams County.

Education & Childcare

7 related employer businesses in Adams County.

  • Daycare Centers: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Pet Services

3 related employer businesses in Adams County.

These are the industries in Adams County and the number of employer businesses in each. Counts are employer businesses in the closest Census industry codes. Industries without a clean Census match are listed without a count, and a few industries share one Census category, so their counts match. A sale multiple is the price a business typically sells for as a multiple of its earnings. SDE means seller's discretionary earnings, which is the owner's pay plus the profit of the business. EBITDA means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

Construction & Engineering

211 related employer businesses in Adams County.

  • General Contracting: 61 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Financial & Professional Services

125 related employer businesses in Adams County.

Restaurants & Food

120 related employer businesses in Adams County.

Retail Stores

112 related employer businesses in Adams County.

Automotive & Boat

90 related employer businesses in Adams County.

  • Auto Repair: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Medical Practices

81 related employer businesses in Adams County.

Manufacturing

60 related employer businesses in Adams County.

Logistics & Transportation

47 related employer businesses in Adams County.

Entertainment & Recreation

43 related employer businesses in Adams County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

Wholesale & Distribution

37 related employer businesses in Adams County.

Home Services

29 related employer businesses in Adams County.

  • Residential Cleaning: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Pest Control: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

  • Property Management: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

Gas Stations & Convenience

24 related employer businesses in Adams County.

  • Gas Stations: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Beauty & Personal Care

19 related employer businesses in Adams County.

  • Hair Salons: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

Health & Fitness

17 related employer businesses in Adams County.

Senior Care & Living

17 related employer businesses in Adams County.

Hospitality & Travel

14 related employer businesses in Adams County.

  • Hotels: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Technology & Media

13 related employer businesses in Adams County.

Energy & Utilities

12 related employer businesses in Adams County.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

8 related employer businesses in Adams County.

Education & Childcare

7 related employer businesses in Adams County.

  • Daycare Centers: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Pet Services

3 related employer businesses in Adams County.

Working with owners in Adams County

Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Adams County. Contact us to talk about a sale.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Adams County ask

How long does it take to sell a business in Adams County?

The time depends on the price, the quality of the records and the number of qualified buyers.

How is a business valued in Adams County?

Valuation starts with the earnings the business produces for an owner, then adjusts for assets, size, industry and the terms a buyer is likely to accept. The result is a range, and the asking price is set inside it.

Is the sale confidential?

Buyers are asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement before they see the name of the business or its financial statements.

FROM OUR BLOG

Guides for owners in Adams County

October 3, 2025

Business Owners

Add-Backs: What Counts, What Does Not, and What Buyers Push Back On

Every add-back you can prove raises your sale price by two to three times its amount. Every add-back you cannot prove costs you credibility on all the others.

Read article

October 3, 2025

Business Owners

Add-Backs: What Counts, What Does Not, and What Buyers Push Back On

Every add-back you can prove raises your sale price by two to three times its amount. Every add-back you cannot prove costs you credibility on all the others.

Read article

March 5, 2026

Business Owners

Buyer Qualification: How We Screen Out the Buyers Who Cannot Close

Most inquiries on a business listing come from people who cannot close. Here is how they get screened out before they see your name or your financials.

Read article

March 5, 2026

Business Owners

Buyer Qualification: How We Screen Out the Buyers Who Cannot Close

Most inquiries on a business listing come from people who cannot close. Here is how they get screened out before they see your name or your financials.

Read article

February 9, 2026

Business Owners

The Confidential Information Memorandum: What Goes In It and Why

The CIM is the document a buyer reads before they decide to spend time on your business. Here is what it has to contain and the mistakes that cost sellers offers.

Read article

February 9, 2026

Business Owners

The Confidential Information Memorandum: What Goes In It and Why

The CIM is the document a buyer reads before they decide to spend time on your business. Here is what it has to contain and the mistakes that cost sellers offers.

Read article