Which local services is St. Louis city, MO 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 Services3 with employees + 73 without = 76 · 2.7 per 10k vs 4.1 nationally
  1.5× fewerFewer than average
• Landscaping & Lawn Care57 with employees + 315 without = 372 · 13.2 per 10k vs 18.2 nationally
  1.4× fewerFewer than average
• Cleaning Services65 with employees + 664 without = 729 · 25.8 per 10k vs 32.7 nationally
  1.3× fewerFewer than average
• Pet Care22 with employees + 103 without = 125 · 4.4 per 10k vs 4.7 nationally
  1.1× fewerAbout 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.