Which local services is Harris County, TX 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; 2 have more. Counts include sole proprietors.

• Pet Care263 with employees + 1543 without = 1806 · 3.7 per 10k vs 4.7 nationally
  1.3× fewerFewer than average
• Landscaping & Lawn Care677 with employees + 9100 without = 9777 · 19.9 per 10k vs 18.2 nationally
  1.1× moreAbout average
• Exterior & Building Services246 with employees + 2890 without = 3136 · 6.4 per 10k vs 4.1 nationally
  1.6× moreMore than average
• Cleaning Services580 with employees + 25385 without = 25965 · 53.0 per 10k vs 32.7 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.