Which local services is Monterey County, CA short of?

4 home-service categories, each counted per 10,000 residents and compared against the national rate. 3 have fewer businesses per resident than the country average; 0 have more. Counts include sole proprietors.

• Pet Care16 with employees + 144 without = 160 · 3.7 per 10k vs 4.7 nationally
  1.3× fewerFewer than average
• Exterior & Building Services23 with employees + 118 without = 141 · 3.2 per 10k vs 4.1 nationally
  1.3× fewerFewer than average
• Cleaning Services101 with employees + 1060 without = 1161 · 26.7 per 10k vs 32.7 nationally
  1.2× fewerFewer than average
• Landscaping & Lawn Care165 with employees + 707 without = 872 · 20.0 per 10k vs 18.2 nationally
  1.1× moreAbout 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.