Selling a Business in Lawrence County

Lawrence County has 1,248 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 construction and accommodation and food service.

Areas in South Dakota

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LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Lawrence County by the numbers

1,248

1,248

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

91%

91%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

3,299

3,299

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

11,109

11,109

EMPLOYMENT

$494 million

$494 million

ANNUAL PAYROLL

425

425

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 Lawrence County compares

  • Lawrence County ranks 4th of 66 South Dakota counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 17.6% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Real estate and rental makes up 7% of employer businesses in Lawrence County, compared with 5% in South Dakota.

  • 425 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Lawrence County ranks 4th of 66 South Dakota counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 17.6% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Real estate and rental makes up 7% of employer businesses in Lawrence County, compared with 5% in South Dakota.

  • 425 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Construction: 194 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 163 employer businesses

  • Retail: 163 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 121 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 104 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Construction: 194 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 163 employer businesses

  • Retail: 163 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 121 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 104 employer businesses

Every kind of business we sell in Lawrence County

These are the industries in Lawrence 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

200 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

  • General Contracting: 81 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Interior Finishing: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Roofing & Siding: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Plumbing: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

83 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

Financial & Professional Services

73 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

Retail Stores

66 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

Hospitality & Travel

59 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

  • Hotels: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Transportation Services: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Automotive & Boat

52 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

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

  • Collision Repair: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Dealerships: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Car Washes: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Auto Parts: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

Logistics & Transportation

41 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

Medical Practices

38 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

Home Services

32 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

Manufacturing

28 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

Entertainment & Recreation

18 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

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

Beauty & Personal Care

14 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

  • Day Spas: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Hair Salons: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

Technology & Media

14 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

12 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

  • Gas Stations: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Senior Care & Living

10 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

Wholesale & Distribution

10 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

Education & Childcare

9 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

  • Daycare Centers: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

8 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

Pet Services

5 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

Health & Fitness

4 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

  • Gyms & Health Clubs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.

  • Yoga Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.

  • Pilates Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.

  • Personal Training Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.

These are the industries in Lawrence 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

200 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

  • General Contracting: 81 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Interior Finishing: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Roofing & Siding: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Plumbing: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

83 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

Financial & Professional Services

73 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

Retail Stores

66 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

Hospitality & Travel

59 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

  • Hotels: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Transportation Services: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Automotive & Boat

52 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

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

  • Collision Repair: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Dealerships: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Car Washes: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Auto Parts: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

Logistics & Transportation

41 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

Medical Practices

38 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

Home Services

32 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

Manufacturing

28 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

Entertainment & Recreation

18 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

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

Beauty & Personal Care

14 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

  • Day Spas: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Hair Salons: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

Technology & Media

14 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

12 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

  • Gas Stations: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Senior Care & Living

10 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

Wholesale & Distribution

10 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

Education & Childcare

9 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

  • Daycare Centers: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

8 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

Pet Services

5 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

Health & Fitness

4 related employer businesses in Lawrence County.

  • Gyms & Health Clubs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.

  • Yoga Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.

  • Pilates Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.

  • Personal Training Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.

Working with owners in Lawrence County

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Lawrence County ask

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

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

How is a business valued in Lawrence 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 Lawrence 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