Which local services is Story County, IA 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 Services4 with employees + 17 without = 21 · 2.1 per 10k vs 4.1 nationally
  2.0× fewerFewer than average
• Cleaning Services19 with employees + 169 without = 188 · 18.5 per 10k vs 32.7 nationally
  1.8× fewerFewer than average
• Landscaping & Lawn Care40 with employees + 87 without = 127 · 12.5 per 10k vs 18.2 nationally
  1.5× fewerFewer than average
• Pet Care7 with employees + 26 without = 33 · 3.3 per 10k vs 4.7 nationally
  1.5× 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.