Which local services is Montgomery County, MD 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; 2 have more. Counts include sole proprietors.

• Landscaping & Lawn Care376 with employees + 1183 without = 1559 · 14.6 per 10k vs 18.2 nationally
  1.3× fewerFewer than average
• Exterior & Building Services56 with employees + 352 without = 408 · 3.8 per 10k vs 4.1 nationally
  1.1× fewerAbout average
• Cleaning Services322 with employees + 4372 without = 4694 · 43.9 per 10k vs 32.7 nationally
  1.3× moreMore than average
• Pet Care72 with employees + 883 without = 955 · 8.9 per 10k vs 4.7 nationally
  1.9× 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.