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

• Pet Care19 with employees + 144 without = 163 · 1.8 per 10k vs 4.7 nationally
  2.6× fewerFewer than average
• Landscaping & Lawn Care36 with employees + 2800 without = 2836 · 31.4 per 10k vs 18.2 nationally
  1.7× moreMore than average
• Cleaning Services38 with employees + 5382 without = 5420 · 60.1 per 10k vs 32.7 nationally
  1.8× moreMore than average
• Exterior & Building Services17 with employees + 776 without = 793 · 8.8 per 10k vs 4.1 nationally
  2.1× 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.