Which local services is Merced County, CA short of?

4 home-service categories, each counted per 10,000 residents and compared against the national rate. 4 have fewer businesses per resident than the country average; 0 have more. Counts include sole proprietors.

• Pet Care3 with employees + 43 without = 46 · 1.6 per 10k vs 4.7 nationally
  3.0× fewerFewer than average
• Cleaning Services29 with employees + 600 without = 629 · 21.4 per 10k vs 32.7 nationally
  1.5× fewerFewer than average
• Exterior & Building Services14 with employees + 85 without = 99 · 3.4 per 10k vs 4.1 nationally
  1.2× fewerFewer than average
• Landscaping & Lawn Care46 with employees + 417 without = 463 · 15.7 per 10k vs 18.2 nationally
  1.2× fewerFewer 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.