Which local services is Mahaska County, IA short of?

3 home-service categories, each counted per 10,000 residents and compared against the national rate. 2 have fewer businesses per resident than the country average; 1 has more. Counts include sole proprietors.

• Pet Care4 with employees + 4 without = 8 · 3.6 per 10k vs 4.7 nationally
  1.3× fewerFewer than average
• Cleaning Services3 with employees + 58 without = 61 · 27.8 per 10k vs 32.7 nationally
  1.2× fewerFewer than average
• Landscaping & Lawn Care12 with employees + 35 without = 47 · 21.4 per 10k vs 18.2 nationally
  1.2× 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.