Selling a Business in Steuben County

Steuben County has 1,749 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. The largest industries here are retail and repair, personal care and other services.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Steuben County by the numbers

1,749

1,749

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

89%

89%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

5,653

5,653

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

26,364

26,364

EMPLOYMENT

$1.9 billion

$1.9 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

765

765

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 Steuben County compares

  • Steuben County ranks 33rd of 62 New York counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 2.2% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 4% of employer businesses in Steuben County, compared with 3% in New York.

  • 765 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Steuben County ranks 33rd of 62 New York counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 2.2% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 4% of employer businesses in Steuben County, compared with 3% in New York.

  • 765 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 293 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 230 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 215 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 215 employer businesses

  • Construction: 163 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 293 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 230 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 215 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 215 employer businesses

  • Construction: 163 employer businesses

INDUSTRIES

What sells in Steuben County

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

Every kind of business we sell in Steuben County

These are the industries in Steuben 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

185 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

Construction & Engineering

168 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

  • General Contracting: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Plumbing: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 3 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.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Automotive & Boat

103 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

  • Auto Repair: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Retail Stores

82 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

Financial & Professional Services

74 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

Medical Practices

72 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

59 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

  • Gas Stations: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Logistics & Transportation

57 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

Manufacturing

50 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

Hospitality & Travel

45 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

  • Hotels: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Beauty & Personal Care

27 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

  • Hair Salons: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

Education & Childcare

27 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

  • Daycare Centers: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

23 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

Entertainment & Recreation

21 related employer businesses in Steuben 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: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

Senior Care & Living

20 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

Wholesale & Distribution

19 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

Home Services

14 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

Energy & Utilities

13 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

Health & Fitness

11 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

Technology & Media

7 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

Pet Services

6 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

These are the industries in Steuben 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

185 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

Construction & Engineering

168 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

  • General Contracting: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Plumbing: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 3 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.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Automotive & Boat

103 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

  • Auto Repair: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Retail Stores

82 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

Financial & Professional Services

74 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

Medical Practices

72 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

59 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

  • Gas Stations: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Logistics & Transportation

57 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

Manufacturing

50 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

Hospitality & Travel

45 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

  • Hotels: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Beauty & Personal Care

27 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

  • Hair Salons: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

Education & Childcare

27 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

  • Daycare Centers: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

23 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

Entertainment & Recreation

21 related employer businesses in Steuben 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: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

Senior Care & Living

20 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

Wholesale & Distribution

19 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

Home Services

14 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

Energy & Utilities

13 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

Health & Fitness

11 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

Technology & Media

7 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

Pet Services

6 related employer businesses in Steuben County.

Working with owners in Steuben County

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Steuben County ask

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

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

How is a business valued in Steuben 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 Steuben 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