Selling a Business in Jackson County

Jackson County has 1,196 employer businesses, and 85% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows the local mix of industries and how a sale is handled here.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Jackson County by the numbers

1,196

1,196

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

85%

85%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

3,311

3,311

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

16,485

16,485

EMPLOYMENT

$707 million

$707 million

ANNUAL PAYROLL

581

581

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 Jackson County compares

  • Jackson County ranks 26th of 102 Illinois counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 5.7% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Retail makes up 15% of employer businesses in Jackson County, compared with 11% in Illinois.

  • 581 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Jackson County ranks 26th of 102 Illinois counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 5.7% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Retail makes up 15% of employer businesses in Jackson County, compared with 11% in Illinois.

  • 581 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 181 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 179 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 151 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 146 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 94 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 181 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 179 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 151 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 146 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 94 employer businesses

INDUSTRIES

What sells in Jackson County

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

Every kind of business we sell in Jackson County

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Jackson 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.

Restaurants & Food

130 related employer businesses in Jackson County.

Construction & Engineering

91 related employer businesses in Jackson County.

  • Landscaping: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • General Contracting: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

Medical Practices

79 related employer businesses in Jackson County.

Retail Stores

68 related employer businesses in Jackson County.

Financial & Professional Services

52 related employer businesses in Jackson County.

Automotive & Boat

39 related employer businesses in Jackson County.

  • Auto Repair: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Washes: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • 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.

  • Car Dealerships: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

Manufacturing

31 related employer businesses in Jackson County.

Entertainment & Recreation

26 related employer businesses in Jackson County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Gas Stations & Convenience

20 related employer businesses in Jackson County.

  • Gas Stations: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Beauty & Personal Care

13 related employer businesses in Jackson County.

  • Hair Salons: 7 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.

  • Nail Salons: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x 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.

Home Services

13 related employer businesses in Jackson County.

  • Property Management: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Residential Cleaning: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Pest Control: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

Hospitality & Travel

11 related employer businesses in Jackson 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.

Logistics & Transportation

11 related employer businesses in Jackson County.

Senior Care & Living

9 related employer businesses in Jackson County.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

8 related employer businesses in Jackson County.

Health & Fitness

7 related employer businesses in Jackson County.

Pet Services

6 related employer businesses in Jackson County.

Education & Childcare

4 related employer businesses in Jackson County.

  • Daycare Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

3 related employer businesses in Jackson County.

Wholesale & Distribution

3 related employer businesses in Jackson County.

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Jackson 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.

Restaurants & Food

130 related employer businesses in Jackson County.

Construction & Engineering

91 related employer businesses in Jackson County.

  • Landscaping: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • General Contracting: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

Medical Practices

79 related employer businesses in Jackson County.

Retail Stores

68 related employer businesses in Jackson County.

Financial & Professional Services

52 related employer businesses in Jackson County.

Automotive & Boat

39 related employer businesses in Jackson County.

  • Auto Repair: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Washes: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • 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.

  • Car Dealerships: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

Manufacturing

31 related employer businesses in Jackson County.

Entertainment & Recreation

26 related employer businesses in Jackson County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Gas Stations & Convenience

20 related employer businesses in Jackson County.

  • Gas Stations: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Beauty & Personal Care

13 related employer businesses in Jackson County.

  • Hair Salons: 7 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.

  • Nail Salons: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x 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.

Home Services

13 related employer businesses in Jackson County.

  • Property Management: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Residential Cleaning: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Pest Control: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

Hospitality & Travel

11 related employer businesses in Jackson 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.

Logistics & Transportation

11 related employer businesses in Jackson County.

Senior Care & Living

9 related employer businesses in Jackson County.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

8 related employer businesses in Jackson County.

Health & Fitness

7 related employer businesses in Jackson County.

Pet Services

6 related employer businesses in Jackson County.

Education & Childcare

4 related employer businesses in Jackson County.

  • Daycare Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

3 related employer businesses in Jackson County.

Wholesale & Distribution

3 related employer businesses in Jackson County.

Working with owners in Jackson County

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Jackson County ask

How long does it take to sell a business in Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson 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