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McDowell County

Selling a Business in McDowell County

McDowell County has 822 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.

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LOCAL SNAPSHOT

McDowell County by the numbers

822

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

86%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

3,079

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

13,495

EMPLOYMENT

$631 million

ANNUAL PAYROLL

350

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 McDowell County compares

McDowell County ranks 61st of 100 North Carolina counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 8.6% between 2018 and 2023.
Manufacturing makes up 6% of employer businesses in McDowell County, compared with 3% in North Carolina.
350 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

McDowell County ranks 61st of 100 North Carolina counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 8.6% between 2018 and 2023.
Manufacturing makes up 6% of employer businesses in McDowell County, compared with 3% in North Carolina.
350 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

Retail: 131 employer businesses
Construction: 106 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 102 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 91 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 89 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

Retail: 131 employer businesses
Construction: 106 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 102 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 91 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 89 employer businesses

INDUSTRIES

What sells in McDowell County

Retail, construction, health care and social assistance, repair, personal care and other services

Electronics & Repair

Retail Stores

Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry

Retail Stores

Carpentry & Framing

Construction & Engineering

Civil Engineering

Construction & Engineering

Audio Visual (AV)

Home Services

Commercial Cleaning

Home Services

Every kind of business we sell in McDowell County

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in McDowell 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

101 related employer businesses in McDowell County.

General Contracting: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Landscaping: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Plumbing: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Electrical: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Foundation & Site Prep: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Interior Finishing: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Roofing & Siding: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

78 related employer businesses in McDowell County.

Quick-Service & Fast Food: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Full-Service Restaurants: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.

Medical Practices

48 related employer businesses in McDowell County.

Primary & Family Care: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Dental Practices: 7 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.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Veterinary Medicine: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Home Health & Hospice: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Financial & Professional Services

41 related employer businesses in McDowell County.

Accounting & Tax Practices: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Real Estate Brokerages: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Insurance Agencies: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Private Lending: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

Manufacturing

31 related employer businesses in McDowell County.

Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Metal Fabrication: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.

Retail Stores

31 related employer businesses in McDowell County.

Hardware, Garden & Building: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

Gas Stations & Convenience

26 related employer businesses in McDowell County.

Gas Stations: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Automotive & Boat

23 related employer businesses in McDowell County.

Auto Parts: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Auto Repair: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Car Dealerships: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

Home Services

19 related employer businesses in McDowell County.

Residential Cleaning: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Property Management: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

Logistics & Transportation

14 related employer businesses in McDowell County.

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

Senior Care & Living

13 related employer businesses in McDowell County.

Assisted Living Facilities: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Non-Medical Home Care: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

Health & Fitness

9 related employer businesses in McDowell County.

Gyms & Health Clubs: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.
Wellness & Recovery Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.5x - 9.7x EBITDA.

Hospitality & Travel

9 related employer businesses in McDowell County.

Hotels: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Campgrounds & RV Parks: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Energy & Utilities

8 related employer businesses in McDowell County.

Propane & Fuel Distribution: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Waste Management & Recycling: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

8 related employer businesses in McDowell County.

Compounding Pharmacies: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Home Infusion: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.

Entertainment & Recreation

7 related employer businesses in McDowell County.

Bars & Pubs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Outdoor Recreation: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Education & Childcare

4 related employer businesses in McDowell County.

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

Wholesale & Distribution

3 related employer businesses in McDowell County.

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

Construction & Engineering

101 related employer businesses in McDowell County.

General Contracting: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Landscaping: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Plumbing: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Electrical: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Foundation & Site Prep: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Interior Finishing: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Roofing & Siding: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

78 related employer businesses in McDowell County.

Quick-Service & Fast Food: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Full-Service Restaurants: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.

Medical Practices

48 related employer businesses in McDowell County.

Primary & Family Care: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Dental Practices: 7 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.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Veterinary Medicine: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Home Health & Hospice: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Financial & Professional Services

41 related employer businesses in McDowell County.

Accounting & Tax Practices: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Real Estate Brokerages: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Insurance Agencies: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Private Lending: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

Manufacturing

31 related employer businesses in McDowell County.

Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Metal Fabrication: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.

Retail Stores

31 related employer businesses in McDowell County.

Hardware, Garden & Building: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

Gas Stations & Convenience

26 related employer businesses in McDowell County.

Gas Stations: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Automotive & Boat

23 related employer businesses in McDowell County.

Auto Parts: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Auto Repair: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Car Dealerships: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

Home Services

19 related employer businesses in McDowell County.

Residential Cleaning: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Property Management: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

Logistics & Transportation

14 related employer businesses in McDowell County.

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

Senior Care & Living

13 related employer businesses in McDowell County.

Assisted Living Facilities: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Non-Medical Home Care: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

Health & Fitness

9 related employer businesses in McDowell County.

Gyms & Health Clubs: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.
Wellness & Recovery Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.5x - 9.7x EBITDA.

Hospitality & Travel

9 related employer businesses in McDowell County.

Hotels: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Campgrounds & RV Parks: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Energy & Utilities

8 related employer businesses in McDowell County.

Propane & Fuel Distribution: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Waste Management & Recycling: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

8 related employer businesses in McDowell County.

Compounding Pharmacies: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Home Infusion: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.

Entertainment & Recreation

7 related employer businesses in McDowell County.

Bars & Pubs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Outdoor Recreation: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Education & Childcare

4 related employer businesses in McDowell County.

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

Wholesale & Distribution

3 related employer businesses in McDowell County.

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

Working with owners in McDowell County

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

Get a Free Valuation

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in McDowell County ask

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