Selling a Business in Washington County
Washington County has 1,011 employer businesses, and 86% 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 Mississippi
LOCAL SNAPSHOT
Washington County by the numbers
1,011
1,011
EMPLOYER BUSINESSES
86%
86%
SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE
3,865
3,865
BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES
12,297
12,297
EMPLOYMENT
$491 million
$491 million
ANNUAL PAYROLL
460
460
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 Washington County compares
Washington County ranks 14th of 82 Mississippi counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 7.7% between 2018 and 2023.
Wholesale makes up 6% of employer businesses in Washington County, compared with 4% in Mississippi.
460 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Washington County ranks 14th of 82 Mississippi counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 7.7% between 2018 and 2023.
Wholesale makes up 6% of employer businesses in Washington County, compared with 4% in Mississippi.
460 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Industry mix
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Retail: 180 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 148 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 131 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 79 employer businesses
Professional and technical services: 70 employer businesses
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Retail: 180 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 148 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 131 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 79 employer businesses
Professional and technical services: 70 employer businesses
INDUSTRIES
What sells in Washington County
Retail, health care and social assistance, repair, personal care and other services, accommodation and food service
Every kind of business we sell in Washington County
These are the industries in Washington 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
70 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Full-Service Restaurants: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Coffee Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Retail Stores
60 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Electronics & Repair: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Construction & Engineering
56 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Electrical: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Foundation & Site Prep: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
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.
General Contracting: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Landscaping: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Civil Engineering: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Interior Finishing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Medical Practices
49 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Primary & Family Care: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Dental Practices: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x 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.
Logistics & Transportation
41 related employer businesses in Washington County.
General Freight Trucking: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Warehousing & Fulfillment: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Last-Mile & Courier: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.76x - 3.32x SDE.
NEMT & Passenger Transport: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.1x SDE.
Gas Stations & Convenience
39 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Gas Stations: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Financial & Professional Services
38 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Insurance Agencies: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Real Estate Brokerages: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Private Lending: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Automotive & Boat
32 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Auto Parts: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Auto Repair: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Collision Repair: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Car Dealerships: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Education & Childcare
27 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Daycare Centers: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Wholesale & Distribution
21 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Food & Beverage Distribution: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Senior Care & Living
18 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Non-Medical Home Care: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Hospitality & Travel
15 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Hotels: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Transportation Services: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.
Manufacturing
15 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Metal Fabrication: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Medical & Chemical Manufacturing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Home Services
14 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Residential Cleaning: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Property Management: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Pest Control: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
14 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Compounding Pharmacies: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Medical Supply Retail: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE + Inventory.
Home Infusion: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Beauty & Personal Care
12 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Nail Salons: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.
Hair Salons: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Day Spas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.
Tattoo Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Massage Parlors: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Energy & Utilities
6 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Water & Wastewater Services: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Waste Management & Recycling: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Pet Services
3 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Pet Grooming & Spas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
These are the industries in Washington 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
70 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Full-Service Restaurants: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Coffee Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Retail Stores
60 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Electronics & Repair: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Construction & Engineering
56 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Electrical: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Foundation & Site Prep: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
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.
General Contracting: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Landscaping: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Civil Engineering: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Interior Finishing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Medical Practices
49 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Primary & Family Care: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Dental Practices: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x 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.
Logistics & Transportation
41 related employer businesses in Washington County.
General Freight Trucking: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Warehousing & Fulfillment: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Last-Mile & Courier: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.76x - 3.32x SDE.
NEMT & Passenger Transport: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.1x SDE.
Gas Stations & Convenience
39 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Gas Stations: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Financial & Professional Services
38 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Insurance Agencies: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Real Estate Brokerages: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Private Lending: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Automotive & Boat
32 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Auto Parts: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Auto Repair: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Collision Repair: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Car Dealerships: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Education & Childcare
27 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Daycare Centers: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Wholesale & Distribution
21 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Food & Beverage Distribution: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Senior Care & Living
18 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Non-Medical Home Care: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Hospitality & Travel
15 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Hotels: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Transportation Services: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.
Manufacturing
15 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Metal Fabrication: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Medical & Chemical Manufacturing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Home Services
14 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Residential Cleaning: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Property Management: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Pest Control: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
14 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Compounding Pharmacies: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Medical Supply Retail: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE + Inventory.
Home Infusion: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Beauty & Personal Care
12 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Nail Salons: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.
Hair Salons: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Day Spas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.
Tattoo Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Massage Parlors: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Energy & Utilities
6 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Water & Wastewater Services: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Waste Management & Recycling: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Pet Services
3 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Pet Grooming & Spas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Working with owners in Washington County
Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Washington County. Contact us to talk about a sale.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions owners in Washington County ask
How long does it take to sell a business in Washington County?
The time depends on the price, the quality of the records and the number of qualified buyers.
How is a business valued in Washington 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 Washington 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