Which local services is Alexandria city, VA short of?

4 home-service categories, each counted per 10,000 residents and compared against the national rate. 1 has fewer businesses per resident than the country average; 2 have more. Counts include sole proprietors.

• Landscaping & Lawn Care12 with employees + 72 without = 84 · 5.4 per 10k vs 18.2 nationally
  3.4× fewerFewer than average
• Cleaning Services44 with employees + 429 without = 473 · 30.3 per 10k vs 32.7 nationally
  1.1× fewerAbout average
• Exterior & Building Services3 with employees + 71 without = 74 · 4.7 per 10k vs 4.1 nationally
  1.2× moreMore than average
• Pet Care25 with employees + 253 without = 278 · 17.8 per 10k vs 4.7 nationally
  3.8× 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.