Selling a Business in Harrison County

Harrison County has 1,781 employer businesses, and 83% 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 health care and social assistance.

Areas in West Virginia

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Harrison County by the numbers

1,781

1,781

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

83%

83%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

4,143

4,143

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

29,386

29,386

EMPLOYMENT

$1.7 billion

$1.7 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

909

909

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 Harrison County compares

  • Harrison County ranks 6th of 55 West Virginia counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 1.8% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Wholesale makes up 5% of employer businesses in Harrison County, compared with 4% in West Virginia.

  • 909 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Harrison County ranks 6th of 55 West Virginia counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 1.8% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Wholesale makes up 5% of employer businesses in Harrison County, compared with 4% in West Virginia.

  • 909 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 274 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 227 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 218 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 175 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 149 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 274 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 227 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 218 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 175 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 149 employer businesses

INDUSTRIES

What sells in Harrison County

Retail, health care and social assistance, repair, personal care and other services, accommodation and food service

Every kind of business we sell in Harrison County

These are the industries in Harrison 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.

Restaurants & Food

159 related employer businesses in Harrison County.

Construction & Engineering

153 related employer businesses in Harrison County.

  • General Contracting: 50 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: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Plumbing: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Roofing & Siding: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

Medical Practices

107 related employer businesses in Harrison County.

Retail Stores

99 related employer businesses in Harrison County.

Automotive & Boat

76 related employer businesses in Harrison County.

  • Auto Repair: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Washes: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Collision Repair: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Financial & Professional Services

64 related employer businesses in Harrison County.

Wholesale & Distribution

51 related employer businesses in Harrison County.

Logistics & Transportation

45 related employer businesses in Harrison County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

43 related employer businesses in Harrison County.

  • Gas Stations: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Energy & Utilities

38 related employer businesses in Harrison County.

Manufacturing

27 related employer businesses in Harrison County.

Beauty & Personal Care

25 related employer businesses in Harrison County.

  • Hair Salons: 15 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.

  • Nail Salons: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x 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.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

25 related employer businesses in Harrison County.

Education & Childcare

21 related employer businesses in Harrison County.

  • Daycare Centers: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Health & Fitness

18 related employer businesses in Harrison County.

Entertainment & Recreation

17 related employer businesses in Harrison County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Home Services

15 related employer businesses in Harrison County.

  • Residential Cleaning: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Pest Control: 5 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.

Hospitality & Travel

11 related employer businesses in Harrison 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.

Senior Care & Living

9 related employer businesses in Harrison County.

Pet Services

4 related employer businesses in Harrison County.

These are the industries in Harrison 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.

Restaurants & Food

159 related employer businesses in Harrison County.

Construction & Engineering

153 related employer businesses in Harrison County.

  • General Contracting: 50 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: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Plumbing: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Roofing & Siding: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

Medical Practices

107 related employer businesses in Harrison County.

Retail Stores

99 related employer businesses in Harrison County.

Automotive & Boat

76 related employer businesses in Harrison County.

  • Auto Repair: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Washes: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Collision Repair: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Financial & Professional Services

64 related employer businesses in Harrison County.

Wholesale & Distribution

51 related employer businesses in Harrison County.

Logistics & Transportation

45 related employer businesses in Harrison County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

43 related employer businesses in Harrison County.

  • Gas Stations: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Energy & Utilities

38 related employer businesses in Harrison County.

Manufacturing

27 related employer businesses in Harrison County.

Beauty & Personal Care

25 related employer businesses in Harrison County.

  • Hair Salons: 15 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.

  • Nail Salons: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x 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.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

25 related employer businesses in Harrison County.

Education & Childcare

21 related employer businesses in Harrison County.

  • Daycare Centers: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Health & Fitness

18 related employer businesses in Harrison County.

Entertainment & Recreation

17 related employer businesses in Harrison County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Home Services

15 related employer businesses in Harrison County.

  • Residential Cleaning: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Pest Control: 5 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.

Hospitality & Travel

11 related employer businesses in Harrison 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.

Senior Care & Living

9 related employer businesses in Harrison County.

Pet Services

4 related employer businesses in Harrison County.

Working with owners in Harrison County

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Harrison County ask

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

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

How is a business valued in Harrison 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 Harrison 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