Which local services is Alameda County, CA short of?

4 home-service categories, each counted per 10,000 residents and compared against the national rate. 3 have fewer businesses per resident than the country average; 1 has more. Counts include sole proprietors.

• Landscaping & Lawn Care300 with employees + 1594 without = 1894 · 11.6 per 10k vs 18.2 nationally
  1.6× fewerFewer than average
• Cleaning Services285 with employees + 3657 without = 3942 · 24.1 per 10k vs 32.7 nationally
  1.4× fewerFewer than average
• Exterior & Building Services38 with employees + 472 without = 510 · 3.1 per 10k vs 4.1 nationally
  1.3× fewerFewer than average
• Pet Care77 with employees + 834 without = 911 · 5.6 per 10k vs 4.7 nationally
  1.2× moreMore than average

What this doesn't tell you: These counts measure how many businesses exist, not how many customers want one. Fewer of something can mean an opening — or that there is less local demand for it. Treat a low number as a lead to check, not a verdict.

Sources: US Census County Business Patterns ↗ (businesses with employees) and Nonemployer Statistics ↗ (sole proprietors). Every figure here is the two added together.