Selling a Business in Hughes County
Hughes County has 632 employer businesses, and 88% 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
Hughes County by the numbers
632
632
EMPLOYER BUSINESSES
88%
88%
SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE
1,563
1,563
BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES
6,453
6,453
EMPLOYMENT
$315 million
$315 million
ANNUAL PAYROLL
245
245
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 Hughes County compares
Hughes County ranks 11th of 66 South Dakota counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 6.1% between 2018 and 2023.
Repair, personal care and other services makes up 13% of employer businesses in Hughes County, compared with 10% in South Dakota.
245 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Hughes County ranks 11th of 66 South Dakota counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 6.1% between 2018 and 2023.
Repair, personal care and other services makes up 13% of employer businesses in Hughes County, compared with 10% in South Dakota.
245 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Industry mix
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Repair, personal care and other services: 80 employer businesses
Construction: 76 employer businesses
Retail: 73 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 70 employer businesses
Professional and technical services: 59 employer businesses
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Repair, personal care and other services: 80 employer businesses
Construction: 76 employer businesses
Retail: 73 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 70 employer businesses
Professional and technical services: 59 employer businesses
INDUSTRIES
What sells in Hughes County
Repair, personal care and other services, construction, retail, health care and social assistance
Every kind of business we sell in Hughes County
We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Hughes 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
74 related employer businesses in Hughes County.
General Contracting: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
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.
Electrical: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Interior Finishing: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Civil Engineering: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Landscaping: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Roofing & Siding: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Financial & Professional Services
34 related employer businesses in Hughes County.
Insurance Agencies: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Real Estate Brokerages: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Medical Practices
32 related employer businesses in Hughes County.
Dental Practices: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Primary & Family Care: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Veterinary Medicine: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Home Health & Hospice: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Restaurants & Food
27 related employer businesses in Hughes County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Retail Stores
18 related employer businesses in Hughes County.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 6 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.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Logistics & Transportation
15 related employer businesses in Hughes County.
Last-Mile & Courier: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.76x - 3.32x SDE.
General Freight Trucking: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Warehousing & Fulfillment: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Automotive & Boat
13 related employer businesses in Hughes County.
Auto Repair: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Car Dealerships: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Auto Parts: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Hospitality & Travel
13 related employer businesses in Hughes County.
Hotels: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Travel Agencies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.
Gas Stations & Convenience
11 related employer businesses in Hughes County.
Gas Stations: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Education & Childcare
8 related employer businesses in Hughes County.
Daycare Centers: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Tutoring Centers: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Home Services
7 related employer businesses in Hughes County.
Residential Cleaning: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Entertainment & Recreation
6 related employer businesses in Hughes County.
Bars & Pubs: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Beauty & Personal Care
5 related employer businesses in Hughes County.
Hair Salons: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Health & Fitness
4 related employer businesses in Hughes County.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.
Wholesale & Distribution
4 related employer businesses in Hughes County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Pet Services
3 related employer businesses in Hughes 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.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
3 related employer businesses in Hughes County.
Home Infusion: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Hughes 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
74 related employer businesses in Hughes County.
General Contracting: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
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.
Electrical: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Interior Finishing: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Civil Engineering: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Landscaping: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Roofing & Siding: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Financial & Professional Services
34 related employer businesses in Hughes County.
Insurance Agencies: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Real Estate Brokerages: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Medical Practices
32 related employer businesses in Hughes County.
Dental Practices: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Primary & Family Care: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Veterinary Medicine: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Home Health & Hospice: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Restaurants & Food
27 related employer businesses in Hughes County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Retail Stores
18 related employer businesses in Hughes County.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 6 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.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Logistics & Transportation
15 related employer businesses in Hughes County.
Last-Mile & Courier: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.76x - 3.32x SDE.
General Freight Trucking: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Warehousing & Fulfillment: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Automotive & Boat
13 related employer businesses in Hughes County.
Auto Repair: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Car Dealerships: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Auto Parts: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Hospitality & Travel
13 related employer businesses in Hughes County.
Hotels: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Travel Agencies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.
Gas Stations & Convenience
11 related employer businesses in Hughes County.
Gas Stations: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Education & Childcare
8 related employer businesses in Hughes County.
Daycare Centers: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Tutoring Centers: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Home Services
7 related employer businesses in Hughes County.
Residential Cleaning: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Entertainment & Recreation
6 related employer businesses in Hughes County.
Bars & Pubs: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Beauty & Personal Care
5 related employer businesses in Hughes County.
Hair Salons: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Health & Fitness
4 related employer businesses in Hughes County.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.
Wholesale & Distribution
4 related employer businesses in Hughes County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Pet Services
3 related employer businesses in Hughes 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.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
3 related employer businesses in Hughes County.
Home Infusion: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Working with owners in Hughes County
Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Hughes County. Contact us to talk about a sale.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions owners in Hughes County ask
How long does it take to sell a business in Hughes 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 Hughes 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 Hughes 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