Which local services is Surry County, NC short of?

4 home-service categories, each counted per 10,000 residents and compared against the national rate. 1 has fewer businesses per resident than the country average; 1 has more. Counts include sole proprietors.

• Pet Care3 with employees + 26 without = 29 · 4.1 per 10k vs 4.7 nationally
  1.2× fewerFewer than average
• Cleaning Services10 with employees + 210 without = 220 · 30.8 per 10k vs 32.7 nationally
  1.1× fewerAbout average
• Exterior & Building Services4 with employees + 25 without = 29 · 4.1 per 10k vs 4.1 nationally
  ≈About average
• Landscaping & Lawn Care23 with employees + 202 without = 225 · 31.5 per 10k vs 18.2 nationally
  1.7× 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.