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Jefferson County

Selling a Business in Jefferson County

Jefferson County has 608 employer businesses, and 91% 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

Jefferson County by the numbers

608

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

91%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

1,704

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

6,922

EMPLOYMENT

$358 million

ANNUAL PAYROLL

200

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 Jefferson County compares

Jefferson County ranks 27th of 99 Iowa counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 10.6% between 2018 and 2023.
Professional and technical services makes up 20% of employer businesses in Jefferson County, compared with 8% in Iowa.
200 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Jefferson County ranks 27th of 99 Iowa counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 10.6% between 2018 and 2023.
Professional and technical services makes up 20% of employer businesses in Jefferson County, compared with 8% in Iowa.
200 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

Professional and technical services: 119 employer businesses
Retail: 86 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 60 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 48 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 44 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

Professional and technical services: 119 employer businesses
Retail: 86 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 60 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 48 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 44 employer businesses

INDUSTRIES

What sells in Jefferson County

Professional and technical services, retail, repair, personal care and other services, accommodation and food service

Accounting & Tax Practices

Financial & Professional Services

Insurance Agencies

Financial & Professional Services

Electronics & Repair

Retail Stores

Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry

Retail Stores

Barber Shops

Beauty & Personal Care

Day Spas

Beauty & Personal Care

Every kind of business we sell in Jefferson County

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

Financial & Professional Services

47 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Accounting & Tax Practices: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Insurance Agencies: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Real Estate Brokerages: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.

Construction & Engineering

45 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

General Contracting: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Landscaping: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Plumbing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Electrical: 6 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.
Carpentry & Framing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

36 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Full-Service Restaurants: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 4 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.

Retail Stores

17 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Hardware, Garden & Building: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

14 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

General Freight Trucking: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.

Automotive & Boat

13 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Auto Repair: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Auto Parts: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

Manufacturing

12 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Metal Fabrication: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Printing & Plastics: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Technology & Media

12 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Digital Marketing Agencies: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Creative Agencies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 3.0x SDE.

Gas Stations & Convenience

11 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Gas Stations: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Medical Practices

6 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Dental Practices: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.

Entertainment & Recreation

5 related employer businesses in Jefferson 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.

Hospitality & Travel

5 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Hotels: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

Beauty & Personal Care

3 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

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.

Education & Childcare

3 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Daycare Centers: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Home Services

3 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Property Management: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

Pet Services

3 related employer businesses in Jefferson 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.

Senior Care & Living

3 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Non-Medical Home Care: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

Wholesale & Distribution

3 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Industrial & Construction Supply: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Financial & Professional Services

47 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Accounting & Tax Practices: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Insurance Agencies: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Real Estate Brokerages: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.

Construction & Engineering

45 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

General Contracting: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Landscaping: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Plumbing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Electrical: 6 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.
Carpentry & Framing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

36 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Full-Service Restaurants: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 4 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.

Retail Stores

17 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Hardware, Garden & Building: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

14 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

General Freight Trucking: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.

Automotive & Boat

13 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Auto Repair: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Auto Parts: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

Manufacturing

12 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Metal Fabrication: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Printing & Plastics: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Technology & Media

12 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Digital Marketing Agencies: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Creative Agencies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 3.0x SDE.

Gas Stations & Convenience

11 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Gas Stations: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Medical Practices

6 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Dental Practices: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.

Entertainment & Recreation

5 related employer businesses in Jefferson 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.

Hospitality & Travel

5 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Hotels: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

Beauty & Personal Care

3 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

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.

Education & Childcare

3 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Daycare Centers: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Home Services

3 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Property Management: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

Pet Services

3 related employer businesses in Jefferson 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.

Senior Care & Living

3 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Non-Medical Home Care: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

Wholesale & Distribution

3 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Industrial & Construction Supply: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Working with owners in Jefferson County

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

Get a Free Valuation

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Jefferson County ask

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