Which local services is Frederick County, MD 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.

• Cleaning Services51 with employees + 712 without = 763 · 25.9 per 10k vs 32.7 nationally
  1.3× fewerFewer than average
• Exterior & Building Services27 with employees + 83 without = 110 · 3.7 per 10k vs 4.1 nationally
  1.1× fewerAbout average
• Landscaping & Lawn Care138 with employees + 382 without = 520 · 17.7 per 10k vs 18.2 nationally
  ≈About average
• Pet Care21 with employees + 278 without = 299 · 10.2 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.