Which local services is Porter County, IN short of?

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

• Exterior & Building Services6 with employees + 35 without = 41 · 2.3 per 10k vs 4.1 nationally
  1.8× fewerFewer than average
• Cleaning Services35 with employees + 299 without = 334 · 19.1 per 10k vs 32.7 nationally
  1.7× fewerFewer than average
• Pet Care16 with employees + 49 without = 65 · 3.7 per 10k vs 4.7 nationally
  1.3× fewerFewer than average
• Landscaping & Lawn Care83 with employees + 184 without = 267 · 15.2 per 10k vs 18.2 nationally
  1.2× fewerFewer 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.