Which local services is Gaston 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; 3 have more. Counts include sole proprietors.

• Exterior & Building Services10 with employees + 91 without = 101 · 4.2 per 10k vs 4.1 nationally
  ≈About average
• Pet Care17 with employees + 116 without = 133 · 5.6 per 10k vs 4.7 nationally
  1.2× moreMore than average
• Cleaning Services51 with employees + 912 without = 963 · 40.4 per 10k vs 32.7 nationally
  1.2× moreMore than average
• Landscaping & Lawn Care91 with employees + 503 without = 594 · 24.9 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.