Which local services is Baltimore city, MD 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.

• Exterior & Building Services12 with employees + 74 without = 86 · 1.5 per 10k vs 4.1 nationally
  2.7× fewerFewer than average
• Landscaping & Lawn Care36 with employees + 355 without = 391 · 6.9 per 10k vs 18.2 nationally
  2.6× fewerFewer than average
• Cleaning Services102 with employees + 1179 without = 1281 · 22.6 per 10k vs 32.7 nationally
  1.4× fewerFewer than average
• Pet Care23 with employees + 332 without = 355 · 6.3 per 10k vs 4.7 nationally
  1.3× 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.