Selling a Business in Delaware County
Delaware County has 1,114 employer businesses, and 91% 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 accommodation and food service.
Areas in New York
LOCAL SNAPSHOT
Delaware County by the numbers
1,114
1,114
EMPLOYER BUSINESSES
91%
91%
SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE
3,939
3,939
BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES
12,025
12,025
EMPLOYMENT
$787 million
$787 million
ANNUAL PAYROLL
417
417
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 Delaware County compares
Delaware County ranks 47th of 62 New York counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 5.0% between 2018 and 2023.
Information and media makes up 7% of employer businesses in Delaware County, compared with 2% in New York.
417 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Delaware County ranks 47th of 62 New York counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 5.0% between 2018 and 2023.
Information and media makes up 7% of employer businesses in Delaware County, compared with 2% in New York.
417 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Industry mix
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Retail: 189 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 135 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 126 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 114 employer businesses
Construction: 103 employer businesses
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Retail: 189 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 135 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 126 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 114 employer businesses
Construction: 103 employer businesses
INDUSTRIES
What sells in Delaware County
Retail, accommodation and food service, repair, personal care and other services, health care and social assistance
Every kind of business we sell in Delaware County
These are the industries in Delaware 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
115 related employer businesses in Delaware County.
General Contracting: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Landscaping: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Interior Finishing: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Electrical: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Plumbing: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Roofing & Siding: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Masonry: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.
Restaurants & Food
115 related employer businesses in Delaware County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Technology & Media
57 related employer businesses in Delaware County.
Media, Film & Studio Production: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.5x SDE.
Creative Agencies: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 3.0x SDE.
Digital Marketing Agencies: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Retail Stores
52 related employer businesses in Delaware County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Home Decor & Furniture: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Sporting Goods & Firearms: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.4x SDE.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Automotive & Boat
50 related employer businesses in Delaware County.
Auto Repair: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Auto Parts: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Collision Repair: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Car Dealerships: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Manufacturing
43 related employer businesses in Delaware County.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
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.
Electronics & Tech Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.5x EBITDA.
Gas Stations & Convenience
34 related employer businesses in Delaware County.
Gas Stations: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Energy & Utilities
28 related employer businesses in Delaware County.
Propane & Fuel Distribution: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Water & Wastewater Services: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Medical Practices
25 related employer businesses in Delaware County.
Primary & Family Care: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Veterinary Medicine: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Dental Practices: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Financial & Professional Services
23 related employer businesses in Delaware County.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Insurance Agencies: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Real Estate Brokerages: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Entertainment & Recreation
19 related employer businesses in Delaware County.
Bars & Pubs: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Golf Courses: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Wholesale & Distribution
17 related employer businesses in Delaware County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Food & Beverage Distribution: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Electronics, IT & Office Equipment Distribution: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Education & Childcare
16 related employer businesses in Delaware County.
Daycare Centers: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Logistics & Transportation
16 related employer businesses in Delaware County.
General Freight Trucking: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Home Services
11 related employer businesses in Delaware County.
Property Management: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Hospitality & Travel
11 related employer businesses in Delaware County.
Hotels: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
9 related employer businesses in Delaware County.
Compounding Pharmacies: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Senior Care & Living
8 related employer businesses in Delaware County.
Non-Medical Home Care: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
These are the industries in Delaware 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
115 related employer businesses in Delaware County.
General Contracting: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Landscaping: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Interior Finishing: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Electrical: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Plumbing: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Roofing & Siding: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Masonry: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.
Restaurants & Food
115 related employer businesses in Delaware County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Technology & Media
57 related employer businesses in Delaware County.
Media, Film & Studio Production: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.5x SDE.
Creative Agencies: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 3.0x SDE.
Digital Marketing Agencies: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Retail Stores
52 related employer businesses in Delaware County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Home Decor & Furniture: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Sporting Goods & Firearms: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.4x SDE.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Automotive & Boat
50 related employer businesses in Delaware County.
Auto Repair: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Auto Parts: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Collision Repair: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Car Dealerships: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Manufacturing
43 related employer businesses in Delaware County.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
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.
Electronics & Tech Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.5x EBITDA.
Gas Stations & Convenience
34 related employer businesses in Delaware County.
Gas Stations: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Energy & Utilities
28 related employer businesses in Delaware County.
Propane & Fuel Distribution: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Water & Wastewater Services: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Medical Practices
25 related employer businesses in Delaware County.
Primary & Family Care: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Veterinary Medicine: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Dental Practices: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Financial & Professional Services
23 related employer businesses in Delaware County.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Insurance Agencies: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Real Estate Brokerages: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Entertainment & Recreation
19 related employer businesses in Delaware County.
Bars & Pubs: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Golf Courses: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Wholesale & Distribution
17 related employer businesses in Delaware County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Food & Beverage Distribution: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Electronics, IT & Office Equipment Distribution: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Education & Childcare
16 related employer businesses in Delaware County.
Daycare Centers: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Logistics & Transportation
16 related employer businesses in Delaware County.
General Freight Trucking: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Home Services
11 related employer businesses in Delaware County.
Property Management: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Hospitality & Travel
11 related employer businesses in Delaware County.
Hotels: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
9 related employer businesses in Delaware County.
Compounding Pharmacies: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Senior Care & Living
8 related employer businesses in Delaware County.
Non-Medical Home Care: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Working with owners in Delaware County
Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Delaware County. Contact us to talk about a sale.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions owners in Delaware County ask
How long does it take to sell a business in Delaware County?
The time depends on the price, the quality of the records and the number of qualified buyers.
How is a business valued in Delaware 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 Delaware 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