Which local services is Craven County, NC short of?

4 home-service categories, each counted per 10,000 residents and compared against the national rate. 0 have fewer businesses per resident than the country average; 1 has more. Counts include sole proprietors.

• Cleaning Services17 with employees + 301 without = 318 · 30.8 per 10k vs 32.7 nationally
  1.1× fewerAbout average
• Exterior & Building Services5 with employees + 35 without = 40 · 3.9 per 10k vs 4.1 nationally
  1.1× fewerAbout average
• Pet Care7 with employees + 43 without = 50 · 4.8 per 10k vs 4.7 nationally
  ≈About average
• Landscaping & Lawn Care37 with employees + 228 without = 265 · 25.6 per 10k vs 18.2 nationally
  1.4× 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.