Selling a Business in Polk County
Polk County has 13,890 employer businesses, and 82% 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 professional and technical services and retail.
Part of the Des Moines area.
Areas in Iowa
LOCAL SNAPSHOT
Polk County by the numbers
13,890
13,890
EMPLOYER BUSINESSES
82%
82%
SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE
39,571
39,571
BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES
295,413
295,413
EMPLOYMENT
$19.6 billion
$19.6 billion
ANNUAL PAYROLL
5,921
5,921
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 Polk County compares
Polk County ranks 1st of 99 Iowa counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 5.8% between 2018 and 2023.
Professional and technical services makes up 12% of employer businesses in Polk County, compared with 8% in Iowa.
5,921 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Polk County ranks 1st of 99 Iowa counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 5.8% between 2018 and 2023.
Professional and technical services makes up 12% of employer businesses in Polk County, compared with 8% in Iowa.
5,921 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Industry mix
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Professional and technical services: 1,602 employer businesses
Retail: 1,594 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 1,558 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 1,456 employer businesses
Construction: 1,326 employer businesses
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Professional and technical services: 1,602 employer businesses
Retail: 1,594 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 1,558 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 1,456 employer businesses
Construction: 1,326 employer businesses
INDUSTRIES
What sells in Polk County
Professional and technical services, retail, health care and social assistance, repair, personal care and other services
Every kind of business we sell in Polk County
These are the industries in Polk 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
1,446 related employer businesses in Polk County.
General Contracting: 365 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Interior Finishing: 251 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Landscaping: 182 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Plumbing: 141 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 141 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Foundation & Site Prep: 121 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Electrical: 114 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Civil Engineering: 106 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Roofing & Siding: 94 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Carpentry & Framing: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Masonry: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.
Remediation & Restoration: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Financial & Professional Services
1,097 related employer businesses in Polk County.
Real Estate Brokerages: 316 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Insurance Agencies: 295 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 234 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 193 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Private Lending: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Mortgage Brokerages: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Restaurants & Food
1,061 related employer businesses in Polk County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 404 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 397 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 131 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 90 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Bakeries: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Medical Practices
874 related employer businesses in Polk County.
Primary & Family Care: 216 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Dental Practices: 175 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 171 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 109 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Veterinary Medicine: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Home Health & Hospice: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Medical Labs & Imaging: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Medicine: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Urgent Care Clinics: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Retail Stores
624 related employer businesses in Polk County.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 174 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 149 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 98 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 73 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Hobby, Toys & Gift Shops: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE + Inventory.
Sporting Goods & Firearms: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.4x SDE.
Electronics & Repair: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Automotive & Boat
438 related employer businesses in Polk County.
Auto Repair: 145 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Car Dealerships: 97 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Auto Parts: 91 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Collision Repair: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Car Washes: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Towing & Repo: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Logistics & Transportation
401 related employer businesses in Polk County.
General Freight Trucking: 241 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Warehousing & Fulfillment: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Freight Brokerage & 3PL: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Last-Mile & Courier: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.76x - 3.32x SDE.
Commercial Moving: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 3.0x SDE.
Heavy Haul Transport: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x SDE.
NEMT & Passenger Transport: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.1x SDE.
Wholesale & Distribution
382 related employer businesses in Polk County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 188 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Electronics, IT & Office Equipment Distribution: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Food & Beverage Distribution: 53 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Chemicals, Plastics & Raw Materials Distribution: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Packaging, Paper & JanSan Distribution: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Medical, Dental & Pharmaceutical Distribution: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Consumer Goods & Apparel Distribution: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Beauty & Personal Care
332 related employer businesses in Polk County.
Hair Salons: 192 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Day Spas: 66 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.
Tattoo Shops: 66 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Massage Parlors: 66 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Nail Salons: 64 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.
Barber Shops: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.
Manufacturing
272 related employer businesses in Polk County.
Printing & Plastics: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 61 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Metal Fabrication: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Medical & Chemical Manufacturing: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Electronics & Tech Manufacturing: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.5x EBITDA.
Textile & Apparel Manufacturing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Home Services
266 related employer businesses in Polk County.
Residential Cleaning: 136 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 136 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Property Management: 90 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Pest Control: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.
Security Systems: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.9x EBITDA.
Technology & Media
234 related employer businesses in Polk County.
Digital Marketing Agencies: 79 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Creative Agencies: 68 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 3.0x SDE.
Real Estate Media: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.8x SDE.
Media, Film & Studio Production: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.5x SDE.
Software Companies (SaaS): 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x SDE.
Gas Stations & Convenience
216 related employer businesses in Polk County.
Gas Stations: 204 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Entertainment & Recreation
205 related employer businesses in Polk County.
Bars & Pubs: 138 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 138 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Outdoor Recreation: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Arcades & FECs: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.
Golf Courses: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Bowling Alleys: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Hospitality & Travel
147 related employer businesses in Polk County.
Hotels: 103 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 103 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Transportation Services: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.
Travel Agencies: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.
Campgrounds & RV Parks: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Education & Childcare
144 related employer businesses in Polk County.
Daycare Centers: 128 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Tutoring Centers: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
138 related employer businesses in Polk County.
Compounding Pharmacies: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Home Infusion: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Durable Medical Equipment (DME): 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Medical Supply Retail: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE + Inventory.
Health & Fitness
127 related employer businesses in Polk County.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 89 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 89 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 89 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 89 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.
Wellness & Recovery Centers: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.5x - 9.7x EBITDA.
Pet Services
83 related employer businesses in Polk County.
Pet Grooming & Spas: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Pet Retail & Specialty Supplies: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE + Inventory.
Senior Care & Living
80 related employer businesses in Polk County.
Non-Medical Home Care: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Senior Living Communities: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Assisted Living Facilities: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Energy & Utilities
56 related employer businesses in Polk County.
Waste Management & Recycling: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Propane & Fuel Distribution: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Water & Wastewater Services: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Solar & Renewable Energy: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 6.0x EBITDA.
These are the industries in Polk 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
1,446 related employer businesses in Polk County.
General Contracting: 365 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Interior Finishing: 251 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Landscaping: 182 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Plumbing: 141 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 141 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Foundation & Site Prep: 121 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Electrical: 114 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Civil Engineering: 106 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Roofing & Siding: 94 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Carpentry & Framing: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Masonry: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.
Remediation & Restoration: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Financial & Professional Services
1,097 related employer businesses in Polk County.
Real Estate Brokerages: 316 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Insurance Agencies: 295 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 234 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 193 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Private Lending: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Mortgage Brokerages: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Restaurants & Food
1,061 related employer businesses in Polk County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 404 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 397 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 131 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 90 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Bakeries: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Medical Practices
874 related employer businesses in Polk County.
Primary & Family Care: 216 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Dental Practices: 175 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 171 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 109 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Veterinary Medicine: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Home Health & Hospice: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Medical Labs & Imaging: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Medicine: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Urgent Care Clinics: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Retail Stores
624 related employer businesses in Polk County.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 174 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 149 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 98 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 73 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Hobby, Toys & Gift Shops: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE + Inventory.
Sporting Goods & Firearms: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.4x SDE.
Electronics & Repair: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Automotive & Boat
438 related employer businesses in Polk County.
Auto Repair: 145 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Car Dealerships: 97 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Auto Parts: 91 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Collision Repair: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Car Washes: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Towing & Repo: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Logistics & Transportation
401 related employer businesses in Polk County.
General Freight Trucking: 241 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Warehousing & Fulfillment: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Freight Brokerage & 3PL: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Last-Mile & Courier: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.76x - 3.32x SDE.
Commercial Moving: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 3.0x SDE.
Heavy Haul Transport: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x SDE.
NEMT & Passenger Transport: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.1x SDE.
Wholesale & Distribution
382 related employer businesses in Polk County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 188 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Electronics, IT & Office Equipment Distribution: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Food & Beverage Distribution: 53 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Chemicals, Plastics & Raw Materials Distribution: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Packaging, Paper & JanSan Distribution: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Medical, Dental & Pharmaceutical Distribution: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Consumer Goods & Apparel Distribution: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Beauty & Personal Care
332 related employer businesses in Polk County.
Hair Salons: 192 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Day Spas: 66 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.
Tattoo Shops: 66 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Massage Parlors: 66 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Nail Salons: 64 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.
Barber Shops: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.
Manufacturing
272 related employer businesses in Polk County.
Printing & Plastics: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 61 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Metal Fabrication: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Medical & Chemical Manufacturing: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Electronics & Tech Manufacturing: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.5x EBITDA.
Textile & Apparel Manufacturing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Home Services
266 related employer businesses in Polk County.
Residential Cleaning: 136 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 136 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Property Management: 90 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Pest Control: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.
Security Systems: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.9x EBITDA.
Technology & Media
234 related employer businesses in Polk County.
Digital Marketing Agencies: 79 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Creative Agencies: 68 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 3.0x SDE.
Real Estate Media: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.8x SDE.
Media, Film & Studio Production: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.5x SDE.
Software Companies (SaaS): 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x SDE.
Gas Stations & Convenience
216 related employer businesses in Polk County.
Gas Stations: 204 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Entertainment & Recreation
205 related employer businesses in Polk County.
Bars & Pubs: 138 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 138 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Outdoor Recreation: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Arcades & FECs: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.
Golf Courses: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Bowling Alleys: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Hospitality & Travel
147 related employer businesses in Polk County.
Hotels: 103 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 103 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Transportation Services: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.
Travel Agencies: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.
Campgrounds & RV Parks: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Education & Childcare
144 related employer businesses in Polk County.
Daycare Centers: 128 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Tutoring Centers: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
138 related employer businesses in Polk County.
Compounding Pharmacies: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Home Infusion: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Durable Medical Equipment (DME): 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Medical Supply Retail: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE + Inventory.
Health & Fitness
127 related employer businesses in Polk County.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 89 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 89 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 89 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 89 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.
Wellness & Recovery Centers: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.5x - 9.7x EBITDA.
Pet Services
83 related employer businesses in Polk County.
Pet Grooming & Spas: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Pet Retail & Specialty Supplies: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE + Inventory.
Senior Care & Living
80 related employer businesses in Polk County.
Non-Medical Home Care: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Senior Living Communities: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Assisted Living Facilities: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Energy & Utilities
56 related employer businesses in Polk County.
Waste Management & Recycling: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Propane & Fuel Distribution: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Water & Wastewater Services: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Solar & Renewable Energy: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Working with owners in Polk County
Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Polk County. Contact us to talk about a sale.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions owners in Polk County ask
How long does it take to sell a business in Polk County?
The time depends on the price, the quality of the records and the number of qualified buyers.
How is a business valued in Polk 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 Polk 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