Which local services is Spokane County, WA short of?

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

• Exterior & Building Services26 with employees + 87 without = 113 · 2.0 per 10k vs 4.1 nationally
  2.0× fewerFewer than average
• Landscaping & Lawn Care223 with employees + 378 without = 601 · 10.9 per 10k vs 18.2 nationally
  1.7× fewerFewer than average
• Cleaning Services179 with employees + 960 without = 1139 · 20.6 per 10k vs 32.7 nationally
  1.6× fewerFewer than average
• Pet Care57 with employees + 230 without = 287 · 5.2 per 10k vs 4.7 nationally
  1.1× moreAbout 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.