Which local services is Roanoke County, VA 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.

• Exterior & Building Services5 with employees + 21 without = 26 · 2.7 per 10k vs 4.1 nationally
  1.5× fewerFewer than average
• Cleaning Services20 with employees + 230 without = 250 · 25.7 per 10k vs 32.7 nationally
  1.3× fewerFewer than average
• Landscaping & Lawn Care39 with employees + 156 without = 195 · 20.0 per 10k vs 18.2 nationally
  1.1× moreAbout average
• Pet Care7 with employees + 47 without = 54 · 5.6 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.