Selling a Business in Marion County
Marion County has 859 employer businesses, and 87% 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 Iowa
LOCAL SNAPSHOT
Marion County by the numbers
859
859
EMPLOYER BUSINESSES
87%
87%
SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE
2,527
2,527
BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES
17,934
17,934
EMPLOYMENT
$1.2 billion
$1.2 billion
ANNUAL PAYROLL
367
367
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 Marion County compares
Marion County ranks 18th of 99 Iowa counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 2.0% between 2018 and 2023.
Manufacturing makes up 5% of employer businesses in Marion County, compared with 4% in Iowa.
367 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Marion County ranks 18th of 99 Iowa counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 2.0% between 2018 and 2023.
Manufacturing makes up 5% of employer businesses in Marion County, compared with 4% in Iowa.
367 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Industry mix
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Retail: 124 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 102 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 100 employer businesses
Construction: 95 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 83 employer businesses
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Retail: 124 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 102 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 100 employer businesses
Construction: 95 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 83 employer businesses
INDUSTRIES
What sells in Marion County
Retail, health care and social assistance, repair, personal care and other services, construction
Every kind of business we sell in Marion County
These are the industries in Marion 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
95 related employer businesses in Marion County.
General Contracting: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 16 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.
Landscaping: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
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.
Electrical: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Civil Engineering: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Roofing & Siding: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Restaurants & Food
70 related employer businesses in Marion County.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Full-Service Restaurants: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Financial & Professional Services
48 related employer businesses in Marion County.
Wealth Management: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Real Estate Brokerages: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Insurance Agencies: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Medical Practices
45 related employer businesses in Marion County.
Primary & Family Care: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Dental Practices: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Veterinary Medicine: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Home Health & Hospice: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Retail Stores
43 related employer businesses in Marion County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Home Decor & Furniture: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Hobby, Toys & Gift Shops: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE + Inventory.
Automotive & Boat
28 related employer businesses in Marion County.
Auto Repair: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Auto Parts: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Car Dealerships: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Collision Repair: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Manufacturing
27 related employer businesses in Marion County.
Metal Fabrication: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Printing & Plastics: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Logistics & Transportation
18 related employer businesses in Marion County.
General Freight Trucking: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Gas Stations & Convenience
17 related employer businesses in Marion County.
Gas Stations: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Entertainment & Recreation
15 related employer businesses in Marion County.
Bars & Pubs: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Outdoor Recreation: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Golf Courses: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Wholesale & Distribution
15 related employer businesses in Marion County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Electronics, IT & Office Equipment Distribution: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Technology & Media
13 related employer businesses in Marion County.
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.
Real Estate Media: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.8x SDE.
Home Services
12 related employer businesses in Marion County.
Residential Cleaning: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Property Management: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Beauty & Personal Care
11 related employer businesses in Marion County.
Hair Salons: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Nail Salons: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.
Hospitality & Travel
9 related employer businesses in Marion County.
Hotels: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Health & Fitness
7 related employer businesses in Marion 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.
Wellness & Recovery Centers: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.5x - 9.7x EBITDA.
Education & Childcare
6 related employer businesses in Marion County.
Daycare Centers: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
6 related employer businesses in Marion County.
Compounding Pharmacies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Home Infusion: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Energy & Utilities
5 related employer businesses in Marion County.
Waste Management & Recycling: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Pet Services
5 related employer businesses in Marion County.
Pet Grooming & Spas: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Senior Care & Living
3 related employer businesses in Marion County.
Non-Medical Home Care: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
These are the industries in Marion 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
95 related employer businesses in Marion County.
General Contracting: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 16 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.
Landscaping: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
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.
Electrical: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Civil Engineering: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Roofing & Siding: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Restaurants & Food
70 related employer businesses in Marion County.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Full-Service Restaurants: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Financial & Professional Services
48 related employer businesses in Marion County.
Wealth Management: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Real Estate Brokerages: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Insurance Agencies: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Medical Practices
45 related employer businesses in Marion County.
Primary & Family Care: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Dental Practices: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Veterinary Medicine: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Home Health & Hospice: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Retail Stores
43 related employer businesses in Marion County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Home Decor & Furniture: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Hobby, Toys & Gift Shops: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE + Inventory.
Automotive & Boat
28 related employer businesses in Marion County.
Auto Repair: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Auto Parts: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Car Dealerships: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Collision Repair: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Manufacturing
27 related employer businesses in Marion County.
Metal Fabrication: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Printing & Plastics: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Logistics & Transportation
18 related employer businesses in Marion County.
General Freight Trucking: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Gas Stations & Convenience
17 related employer businesses in Marion County.
Gas Stations: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Entertainment & Recreation
15 related employer businesses in Marion County.
Bars & Pubs: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Outdoor Recreation: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Golf Courses: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Wholesale & Distribution
15 related employer businesses in Marion County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Electronics, IT & Office Equipment Distribution: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Technology & Media
13 related employer businesses in Marion County.
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.
Real Estate Media: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.8x SDE.
Home Services
12 related employer businesses in Marion County.
Residential Cleaning: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Property Management: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Beauty & Personal Care
11 related employer businesses in Marion County.
Hair Salons: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Nail Salons: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.
Hospitality & Travel
9 related employer businesses in Marion County.
Hotels: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Health & Fitness
7 related employer businesses in Marion 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.
Wellness & Recovery Centers: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.5x - 9.7x EBITDA.
Education & Childcare
6 related employer businesses in Marion County.
Daycare Centers: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
6 related employer businesses in Marion County.
Compounding Pharmacies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Home Infusion: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Energy & Utilities
5 related employer businesses in Marion County.
Waste Management & Recycling: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Pet Services
5 related employer businesses in Marion County.
Pet Grooming & Spas: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Senior Care & Living
3 related employer businesses in Marion County.
Non-Medical Home Care: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Working with owners in Marion County
Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Marion County. Contact us to talk about a sale.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions owners in Marion County ask
How long does it take to sell a business in Marion County?
The time depends on the price, the quality of the records and the number of qualified buyers.
How is a business valued in Marion 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 Marion 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