Which local services is Jefferson County, AL 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 Care41 with employees + 114 without = 155 · 2.3 per 10k vs 4.7 nationally
  2.0× fewerFewer than average
• Exterior & Building Services25 with employees + 221 without = 246 · 3.7 per 10k vs 4.1 nationally
  1.1× fewerAbout average
• Cleaning Services92 with employees + 2303 without = 2395 · 36.1 per 10k vs 32.7 nationally
  1.1× moreAbout average
• Landscaping & Lawn Care179 with employees + 1565 without = 1744 · 26.3 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.