Which local services is Middlesex County, MA short of?

4 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.

• Exterior & Building Services59 with employees + 384 without = 443 · 2.7 per 10k vs 4.1 nationally
  1.5× fewerFewer than average
• Landscaping & Lawn Care984 with employees + 1236 without = 2220 · 13.5 per 10k vs 18.2 nationally
  1.4× fewerFewer than average
• Cleaning Services436 with employees + 4394 without = 4830 · 29.4 per 10k vs 32.7 nationally
  1.1× fewerAbout average
• Pet Care166 with employees + 1400 without = 1566 · 9.5 per 10k vs 4.7 nationally
  2.0× 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.