Which local services is Durham County, NC 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 + 78 without = 85 · 2.5 per 10k vs 4.1 nationally
  1.6× fewerFewer than average
• Landscaping & Lawn Care96 with employees + 412 without = 508 · 15.1 per 10k vs 18.2 nationally
  1.2× fewerFewer than average
• Cleaning Services89 with employees + 917 without = 1006 · 29.8 per 10k vs 32.7 nationally
  1.1× fewerAbout average
• Pet Care29 with employees + 327 without = 356 · 10.6 per 10k vs 4.7 nationally
  2.2× 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.