Selling a Business in Hillsdale County
Hillsdale County has 776 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
Hillsdale County by the numbers
776
776
EMPLOYER BUSINESSES
89%
89%
SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE
3,093
3,093
BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES
10,861
10,861
EMPLOYMENT
$532 million
$532 million
ANNUAL PAYROLL
326
326
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 Hillsdale County compares
Hillsdale County ranks 50th of 83 Michigan counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 2.6% between 2018 and 2023.
Manufacturing makes up 9% of employer businesses in Hillsdale County, compared with 5% in Michigan.
326 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Hillsdale County ranks 50th of 83 Michigan counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 2.6% between 2018 and 2023.
Manufacturing makes up 9% of employer businesses in Hillsdale County, compared with 5% in Michigan.
326 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Industry mix
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Retail: 124 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 90 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 87 employer businesses
Construction: 86 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 71 employer businesses
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Retail: 124 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 90 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 87 employer businesses
Construction: 86 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 71 employer businesses
INDUSTRIES
What sells in Hillsdale County
Retail, repair, personal care and other services, health care and social assistance, construction
Every kind of business we sell in Hillsdale County
We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Hillsdale 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.
Construction & Engineering
77 related employer businesses in Hillsdale County.
General Contracting: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Plumbing: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Landscaping: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Electrical: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Interior Finishing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Restaurants & Food
54 related employer businesses in Hillsdale County.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Full-Service Restaurants: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Financial & Professional Services
44 related employer businesses in Hillsdale County.
Insurance Agencies: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Real Estate Brokerages: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Medical Practices
44 related employer businesses in Hillsdale County.
Primary & Family Care: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Veterinary Medicine: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Dental Practices: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 6 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.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Home Health & Hospice: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Retail Stores
33 related employer businesses in Hillsdale County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Manufacturing
31 related employer businesses in Hillsdale County.
Metal Fabrication: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 4 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.
Automotive & Boat
26 related employer businesses in Hillsdale County.
Auto Repair: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Car Dealerships: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Auto Parts: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Collision Repair: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Towing & Repo: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Logistics & Transportation
23 related employer businesses in Hillsdale County.
General Freight Trucking: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Gas Stations & Convenience
17 related employer businesses in Hillsdale County.
Gas Stations: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Energy & Utilities
14 related employer businesses in Hillsdale County.
Propane & Fuel Distribution: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Water & Wastewater Services: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Wholesale & Distribution
14 related employer businesses in Hillsdale County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Food & Beverage Distribution: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Beauty & Personal Care
9 related employer businesses in Hillsdale County.
Hair Salons: 6 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.
Entertainment & Recreation
9 related employer businesses in Hillsdale County.
Bars & Pubs: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Golf Courses: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Hospitality & Travel
9 related employer businesses in Hillsdale County.
Campgrounds & RV Parks: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Hotels: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Senior Care & Living
9 related employer businesses in Hillsdale County.
Assisted Living Facilities: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Non-Medical Home Care: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Education & Childcare
7 related employer businesses in Hillsdale County.
Daycare Centers: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Home Services
6 related employer businesses in Hillsdale 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.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
6 related employer businesses in Hillsdale County.
Medical Supply Retail: 3 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.
Health & Fitness
3 related employer businesses in Hillsdale County.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.
We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Hillsdale 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.
Construction & Engineering
77 related employer businesses in Hillsdale County.
General Contracting: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Plumbing: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Landscaping: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Electrical: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Interior Finishing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Restaurants & Food
54 related employer businesses in Hillsdale County.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Full-Service Restaurants: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Financial & Professional Services
44 related employer businesses in Hillsdale County.
Insurance Agencies: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Real Estate Brokerages: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Medical Practices
44 related employer businesses in Hillsdale County.
Primary & Family Care: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Veterinary Medicine: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Dental Practices: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 6 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.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Home Health & Hospice: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Retail Stores
33 related employer businesses in Hillsdale County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Manufacturing
31 related employer businesses in Hillsdale County.
Metal Fabrication: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 4 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.
Automotive & Boat
26 related employer businesses in Hillsdale County.
Auto Repair: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Car Dealerships: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Auto Parts: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Collision Repair: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Towing & Repo: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Logistics & Transportation
23 related employer businesses in Hillsdale County.
General Freight Trucking: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Gas Stations & Convenience
17 related employer businesses in Hillsdale County.
Gas Stations: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Energy & Utilities
14 related employer businesses in Hillsdale County.
Propane & Fuel Distribution: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Water & Wastewater Services: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Wholesale & Distribution
14 related employer businesses in Hillsdale County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Food & Beverage Distribution: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Beauty & Personal Care
9 related employer businesses in Hillsdale County.
Hair Salons: 6 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.
Entertainment & Recreation
9 related employer businesses in Hillsdale County.
Bars & Pubs: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Golf Courses: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Hospitality & Travel
9 related employer businesses in Hillsdale County.
Campgrounds & RV Parks: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Hotels: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Senior Care & Living
9 related employer businesses in Hillsdale County.
Assisted Living Facilities: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Non-Medical Home Care: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Education & Childcare
7 related employer businesses in Hillsdale County.
Daycare Centers: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Home Services
6 related employer businesses in Hillsdale 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.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
6 related employer businesses in Hillsdale County.
Medical Supply Retail: 3 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.
Health & Fitness
3 related employer businesses in Hillsdale County.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.
Working with owners in Hillsdale County
Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Hillsdale County. Contact us to talk about a sale.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions owners in Hillsdale County ask
How long does it take to sell a business in Hillsdale 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 Hillsdale 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 Hillsdale 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