Which local services is Forrest County, MS 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.

• Pet Care4 with employees + 3 without = 7 · 0.9 per 10k vs 4.7 nationally
  5.3× fewerFewer than average
• Exterior & Building Services3 with employees + 32 without = 35 · 4.5 per 10k vs 4.1 nationally
  1.1× moreAbout average
• Cleaning Services15 with employees + 265 without = 280 · 35.7 per 10k vs 32.7 nationally
  1.1× moreAbout average
• Landscaping & Lawn Care10 with employees + 177 without = 187 · 23.8 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.