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Shelby County

Selling a Business in Shelby County

Shelby County has 384 employer businesses, and 89% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows the local mix of industries and how a sale is handled here.

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LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Shelby County by the numbers

384

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

89%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

943

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

5,049

EMPLOYMENT

$273 million

ANNUAL PAYROLL

149

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 Shelby County compares

Shelby County ranks 53rd of 99 Iowa counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 1.3% between 2018 and 2023.
Transportation and warehousing makes up 10% of employer businesses in Shelby County, compared with 5% in Iowa.
149 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Shelby County ranks 53rd of 99 Iowa counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 1.3% between 2018 and 2023.
Transportation and warehousing makes up 10% of employer businesses in Shelby County, compared with 5% in Iowa.
149 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

Health care and social assistance: 41 employer businesses
Retail: 41 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 40 employer businesses
Finance and insurance: 40 employer businesses
Transportation and warehousing: 38 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

Health care and social assistance: 41 employer businesses
Retail: 41 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 40 employer businesses
Finance and insurance: 40 employer businesses
Transportation and warehousing: 38 employer businesses

INDUSTRIES

What sells in Shelby County

Health care and social assistance, retail, repair, personal care and other services, finance and insurance

Dental Practices

Medical Practices

Home Health & Hospice

Medical Practices

Gyms & Health Clubs

Health & Fitness

Personal Training Studios

Health & Fitness

Electronics & Repair

Retail Stores

Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry

Retail Stores

Every kind of business we sell in Shelby County

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Shelby County. 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.

Logistics & Transportation

39 related employer businesses in Shelby County.

General Freight Trucking: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Heavy Haul Transport: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Freight Brokerage & 3PL: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

Financial & Professional Services

25 related employer businesses in Shelby County.

Insurance Agencies: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Real Estate Brokerages: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.

Construction & Engineering

24 related employer businesses in Shelby County.

General Contracting: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Plumbing: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Landscaping: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Electrical: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

21 related employer businesses in Shelby County.

Full-Service Restaurants: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.

Retail Stores

14 related employer businesses in Shelby County.

Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Home Decor & Furniture: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.

Manufacturing

12 related employer businesses in Shelby County.

Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Printing & Plastics: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.
Metal Fabrication: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.

Medical Practices

10 related employer businesses in Shelby County.

Dental Practices: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.

Home Services

8 related employer businesses in Shelby County.

Property Management: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Residential Cleaning: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

Automotive & Boat

7 related employer businesses in Shelby County.

Collision Repair: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Auto Repair: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

7 related employer businesses in Shelby County.

Bars & Pubs: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

Gas Stations & Convenience

7 related employer businesses in Shelby County.

Gas Stations: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Education & Childcare

6 related employer businesses in Shelby County.

Daycare Centers: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Wholesale & Distribution

5 related employer businesses in Shelby County.

Industrial & Construction Supply: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

3 related employer businesses in Shelby 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.

Logistics & Transportation

39 related employer businesses in Shelby County.

General Freight Trucking: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Heavy Haul Transport: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Freight Brokerage & 3PL: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

Financial & Professional Services

25 related employer businesses in Shelby County.

Insurance Agencies: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Real Estate Brokerages: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.

Construction & Engineering

24 related employer businesses in Shelby County.

General Contracting: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Plumbing: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Landscaping: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Electrical: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

21 related employer businesses in Shelby County.

Full-Service Restaurants: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.

Retail Stores

14 related employer businesses in Shelby County.

Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Home Decor & Furniture: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.

Manufacturing

12 related employer businesses in Shelby County.

Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Printing & Plastics: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.
Metal Fabrication: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.

Medical Practices

10 related employer businesses in Shelby County.

Dental Practices: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.

Home Services

8 related employer businesses in Shelby County.

Property Management: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Residential Cleaning: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

Automotive & Boat

7 related employer businesses in Shelby County.

Collision Repair: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Auto Repair: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

7 related employer businesses in Shelby County.

Bars & Pubs: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

Gas Stations & Convenience

7 related employer businesses in Shelby County.

Gas Stations: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Education & Childcare

6 related employer businesses in Shelby County.

Daycare Centers: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Wholesale & Distribution

5 related employer businesses in Shelby County.

Industrial & Construction Supply: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

3 related employer businesses in Shelby 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.

Working with owners in Shelby County

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

Get a Free Valuation

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Shelby County ask

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

The time depends on the price, the quality of the records and the number of qualified buyers. Many sales take six months or longer from the start of the process to closing.

How is a business valued in Shelby 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 Shelby 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