Which local services is Portage County, WI 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.

• Cleaning Services10 with employees + 117 without = 127 · 17.8 per 10k vs 32.7 nationally
  1.8× fewerFewer than average
• Landscaping & Lawn Care24 with employees + 60 without = 84 · 11.8 per 10k vs 18.2 nationally
  1.6× fewerFewer than average
• Exterior & Building Services3 with employees + 23 without = 26 · 3.6 per 10k vs 4.1 nationally
  1.1× fewerAbout average
• Pet Care8 with employees + 33 without = 41 · 5.7 per 10k vs 4.7 nationally
  1.2× 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.