Which local services is Salem city, 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; 0 have more. Counts include sole proprietors.

• Cleaning Services3 with employees + 58 without = 61 · 23.8 per 10k vs 32.7 nationally
  1.4× fewerFewer than average
• Exterior & Building Services3 with employees + 6 without = 9 · 3.5 per 10k vs 4.1 nationally
  1.2× fewerFewer than average
• Landscaping & Lawn Care7 with employees + 36 without = 43 · 16.8 per 10k vs 18.2 nationally
  1.1× fewerAbout average
• Pet Care4 with employees + 8 without = 12 · 4.7 per 10k vs 4.7 nationally
  ≈About 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.