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Clay County

Selling a Business in Clay County

Clay County has 570 employer businesses, and 86% 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 construction.

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LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Clay County by the numbers

570

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

86%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

1,352

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

7,012

EMPLOYMENT

$335 million

ANNUAL PAYROLL

263

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 Clay County compares

Clay County ranks 31st of 99 Iowa counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 5.3% between 2018 and 2023.
Wholesale makes up 9% of employer businesses in Clay County, compared with 6% in Iowa.
263 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Clay County ranks 31st of 99 Iowa counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 5.3% between 2018 and 2023.
Wholesale makes up 9% of employer businesses in Clay County, compared with 6% in Iowa.
263 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

Retail: 94 employer businesses
Construction: 65 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 57 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 51 employer businesses
Wholesale: 49 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

Retail: 94 employer businesses
Construction: 65 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 57 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 51 employer businesses
Wholesale: 49 employer businesses

INDUSTRIES

What sells in Clay County

Retail, construction, health care and social assistance, repair, personal care and other services

Electronics & Repair

Retail Stores

Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry

Retail Stores

Carpentry & Framing

Construction & Engineering

Civil Engineering

Construction & Engineering

Audio Visual (AV)

Home Services

Commercial Cleaning

Home Services

Every kind of business we sell in Clay County

These are the industries in Clay 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

63 related employer businesses in Clay County.

General Contracting: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Interior Finishing: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Landscaping: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Electrical: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Plumbing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Retail Stores

42 related employer businesses in Clay County.

Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Sporting Goods & Firearms: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.4x SDE.
Hobby, Toys & Gift Shops: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE + Inventory.

Restaurants & Food

40 related employer businesses in Clay County.

Quick-Service & Fast Food: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Full-Service Restaurants: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.

Medical Practices

30 related employer businesses in Clay County.

Primary & Family Care: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Dental Practices: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Home Health & Hospice: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

26 related employer businesses in Clay County.

General Freight Trucking: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Heavy Haul Transport: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Freight Brokerage & 3PL: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

Financial & Professional Services

24 related employer businesses in Clay County.

Insurance Agencies: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Real Estate Brokerages: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.

Automotive & Boat

14 related employer businesses in Clay County.

Auto Parts: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Car Washes: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Car Dealerships: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

Manufacturing

13 related employer businesses in Clay County.

Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Metal Fabrication: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Printing & Plastics: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.

Gas Stations & Convenience

8 related employer businesses in Clay County.

Gas Stations: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Health & Fitness

7 related employer businesses in Clay County.

Wellness & Recovery Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.5x - 9.7x EBITDA.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.

Hospitality & Travel

6 related employer businesses in Clay County.

Hotels: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

Wholesale & Distribution

6 related employer businesses in Clay County.

Industrial & Construction Supply: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Home Services

3 related employer businesses in Clay County.

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

Pet Services

3 related employer businesses in Clay County.

Pet Grooming & Spas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

3 related employer businesses in Clay County.

Home Infusion: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.

Senior Care & Living

3 related employer businesses in Clay County.

Non-Medical Home Care: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

Construction & Engineering

63 related employer businesses in Clay County.

General Contracting: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Interior Finishing: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Landscaping: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Electrical: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Plumbing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Retail Stores

42 related employer businesses in Clay County.

Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Sporting Goods & Firearms: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.4x SDE.
Hobby, Toys & Gift Shops: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE + Inventory.

Restaurants & Food

40 related employer businesses in Clay County.

Quick-Service & Fast Food: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Full-Service Restaurants: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.

Medical Practices

30 related employer businesses in Clay County.

Primary & Family Care: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Dental Practices: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Home Health & Hospice: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

26 related employer businesses in Clay County.

General Freight Trucking: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Heavy Haul Transport: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Freight Brokerage & 3PL: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

Financial & Professional Services

24 related employer businesses in Clay County.

Insurance Agencies: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Real Estate Brokerages: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.

Automotive & Boat

14 related employer businesses in Clay County.

Auto Parts: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Car Washes: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Car Dealerships: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

Manufacturing

13 related employer businesses in Clay County.

Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Metal Fabrication: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Printing & Plastics: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.

Gas Stations & Convenience

8 related employer businesses in Clay County.

Gas Stations: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Health & Fitness

7 related employer businesses in Clay County.

Wellness & Recovery Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.5x - 9.7x EBITDA.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.

Hospitality & Travel

6 related employer businesses in Clay County.

Hotels: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

Wholesale & Distribution

6 related employer businesses in Clay County.

Industrial & Construction Supply: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Home Services

3 related employer businesses in Clay County.

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

Pet Services

3 related employer businesses in Clay County.

Pet Grooming & Spas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

3 related employer businesses in Clay County.

Home Infusion: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.

Senior Care & Living

3 related employer businesses in Clay County.

Non-Medical Home Care: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

Working with owners in Clay County

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

Get a Free Valuation

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Clay County ask

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

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

How is a business valued in Clay 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 Clay 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