Which local services is Cole County, MO short of?

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

• Exterior & Building Services7 with employees + 18 without = 25 · 3.2 per 10k vs 4.1 nationally
  1.3× fewerFewer than average
• Cleaning Services17 with employees + 188 without = 205 · 26.5 per 10k vs 32.7 nationally
  1.2× fewerFewer than average
• Pet Care9 with employees + 23 without = 32 · 4.1 per 10k vs 4.7 nationally
  1.1× fewerAbout average
• Landscaping & Lawn Care41 with employees + 139 without = 180 · 23.3 per 10k vs 18.2 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.