Selling a Business in Dickinson County
Dickinson County has 784 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 accommodation and food service and retail.
Areas in Iowa
LOCAL SNAPSHOT
Dickinson County by the numbers
784
784
EMPLOYER BUSINESSES
91%
91%
SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE
1,882
1,882
BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES
7,749
7,749
EMPLOYMENT
$372 million
$372 million
ANNUAL PAYROLL
288
288
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 Dickinson County compares
Dickinson County ranks 22nd of 99 Iowa counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 1.9% between 2018 and 2023.
Administrative and support services makes up 8% of employer businesses in Dickinson County, compared with 5% in Iowa.
288 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Dickinson County ranks 22nd of 99 Iowa counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 1.9% between 2018 and 2023.
Administrative and support services makes up 8% of employer businesses in Dickinson County, compared with 5% in Iowa.
288 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Industry mix
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Accommodation and food service: 105 employer businesses
Retail: 105 employer businesses
Construction: 104 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 73 employer businesses
Administrative and support services: 62 employer businesses
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Accommodation and food service: 105 employer businesses
Retail: 105 employer businesses
Construction: 104 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 73 employer businesses
Administrative and support services: 62 employer businesses
INDUSTRIES
What sells in Dickinson County
Accommodation and food service, retail, construction, repair, personal care and other services
Every kind of business we sell in Dickinson County
These are the industries in Dickinson 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
114 related employer businesses in Dickinson County.
Landscaping: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
General Contracting: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Interior Finishing: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Electrical: 11 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
71 related employer businesses in Dickinson County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Financial & Professional Services
49 related employer businesses in Dickinson County.
Real Estate Brokerages: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Insurance Agencies: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Retail Stores
48 related employer businesses in Dickinson County.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 7 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.
Hobby, Toys & Gift Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE + Inventory.
Sporting Goods & Firearms: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.4x SDE.
Logistics & Transportation
32 related employer businesses in Dickinson County.
General Freight Trucking: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Heavy Haul Transport: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Last-Mile & Courier: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.76x - 3.32x SDE.
Automotive & Boat
27 related employer businesses in Dickinson County.
Auto Repair: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Collision Repair: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Car Washes: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Car Dealerships: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Boat Dealerships: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Marinas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Medical Practices
24 related employer businesses in Dickinson County.
Dental Practices: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Primary & Family Care: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Home Health & Hospice: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Veterinary Medicine: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Entertainment & Recreation
23 related employer businesses in Dickinson County.
Bars & Pubs: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Outdoor Recreation: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Golf Courses: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Manufacturing
22 related employer businesses in Dickinson County.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Metal Fabrication: 3 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
16 related employer businesses in Dickinson County.
Gas Stations: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Hospitality & Travel
16 related employer businesses in Dickinson County.
Hotels: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Health & Fitness
12 related employer businesses in Dickinson County.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.
Wellness & Recovery Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.5x - 9.7x EBITDA.
Home Services
9 related employer businesses in Dickinson County.
Residential Cleaning: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Technology & Media
6 related employer businesses in Dickinson County.
Creative Agencies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 3.0x SDE.
Media, Film & Studio Production: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.5x SDE.
Wholesale & Distribution
6 related employer businesses in Dickinson County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Beauty & Personal Care
5 related employer businesses in Dickinson County.
Hair Salons: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Pet Services
4 related employer businesses in Dickinson County.
Pet Grooming & Spas: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
4 related employer businesses in Dickinson County.
Home Infusion: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Education & Childcare
3 related employer businesses in Dickinson County.
Daycare Centers: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
These are the industries in Dickinson 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
114 related employer businesses in Dickinson County.
Landscaping: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
General Contracting: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Interior Finishing: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Electrical: 11 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
71 related employer businesses in Dickinson County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Financial & Professional Services
49 related employer businesses in Dickinson County.
Real Estate Brokerages: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Insurance Agencies: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Retail Stores
48 related employer businesses in Dickinson County.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 7 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.
Hobby, Toys & Gift Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE + Inventory.
Sporting Goods & Firearms: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.4x SDE.
Logistics & Transportation
32 related employer businesses in Dickinson County.
General Freight Trucking: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Heavy Haul Transport: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Last-Mile & Courier: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.76x - 3.32x SDE.
Automotive & Boat
27 related employer businesses in Dickinson County.
Auto Repair: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Collision Repair: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Car Washes: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Car Dealerships: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Boat Dealerships: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Marinas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Medical Practices
24 related employer businesses in Dickinson County.
Dental Practices: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Primary & Family Care: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Home Health & Hospice: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Veterinary Medicine: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Entertainment & Recreation
23 related employer businesses in Dickinson County.
Bars & Pubs: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Outdoor Recreation: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Golf Courses: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Manufacturing
22 related employer businesses in Dickinson County.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Metal Fabrication: 3 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
16 related employer businesses in Dickinson County.
Gas Stations: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Hospitality & Travel
16 related employer businesses in Dickinson County.
Hotels: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Health & Fitness
12 related employer businesses in Dickinson County.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.
Wellness & Recovery Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.5x - 9.7x EBITDA.
Home Services
9 related employer businesses in Dickinson County.
Residential Cleaning: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Technology & Media
6 related employer businesses in Dickinson County.
Creative Agencies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 3.0x SDE.
Media, Film & Studio Production: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.5x SDE.
Wholesale & Distribution
6 related employer businesses in Dickinson County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Beauty & Personal Care
5 related employer businesses in Dickinson County.
Hair Salons: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Pet Services
4 related employer businesses in Dickinson County.
Pet Grooming & Spas: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
4 related employer businesses in Dickinson County.
Home Infusion: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Education & Childcare
3 related employer businesses in Dickinson County.
Daycare Centers: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Working with owners in Dickinson County
Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Dickinson County. Contact us to talk about a sale.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions owners in Dickinson County ask
How long does it take to sell a business in Dickinson County?
The time depends on the price, the quality of the records and the number of qualified buyers.
How is a business valued in Dickinson 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 Dickinson 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