Which local services is Suffolk County, MA 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; 1 has more. Counts include sole proprietors.

• Landscaping & Lawn Care109 with employees + 296 without = 405 · 5.2 per 10k vs 18.2 nationally
  3.5× fewerFewer than average
• Exterior & Building Services12 with employees + 144 without = 156 · 2.0 per 10k vs 4.1 nationally
  2.1× fewerFewer than average
• Cleaning Services207 with employees + 1879 without = 2086 · 26.7 per 10k vs 32.7 nationally
  1.2× fewerFewer than average
• Pet Care59 with employees + 655 without = 714 · 9.1 per 10k vs 4.7 nationally
  1.9× 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.