Which local services is Essex County, MA short of?

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

• Exterior & Building Services33 with employees + 240 without = 273 · 3.3 per 10k vs 4.1 nationally
  1.2× fewerFewer than average
• Cleaning Services228 with employees + 2377 without = 2605 · 31.9 per 10k vs 32.7 nationally
  ≈About average
• Landscaping & Lawn Care611 with employees + 914 without = 1525 · 18.7 per 10k vs 18.2 nationally
  ≈About average
• Pet Care101 with employees + 514 without = 615 · 7.5 per 10k vs 4.7 nationally
  1.6× 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.