Which local services is Cook County, IL 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; 2 have more. Counts include sole proprietors.

• Landscaping & Lawn Care1241 with employees + 4104 without = 5345 · 10.4 per 10k vs 18.2 nationally
  1.8× fewerFewer than average
• Exterior & Building Services140 with employees + 1608 without = 1748 · 3.4 per 10k vs 4.1 nationally
  1.2× fewerFewer than average
• Cleaning Services1044 with employees + 19076 without = 20120 · 39.1 per 10k vs 32.7 nationally
  1.2× moreMore than average
• Pet Care342 with employees + 2776 without = 3118 · 6.1 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.