Which local services is New Hanover County, NC short of?

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

• Landscaping & Lawn Care135 with employees + 331 without = 466 · 19.4 per 10k vs 18.2 nationally
  1.1× moreAbout average
• Cleaning Services75 with employees + 946 without = 1021 · 42.5 per 10k vs 32.7 nationally
  1.3× moreMore than average
• Exterior & Building Services30 with employees + 124 without = 154 · 6.4 per 10k vs 4.1 nationally
  1.6× moreMore than average
• Pet Care32 with employees + 168 without = 200 · 8.3 per 10k vs 4.7 nationally
  1.8× 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.