Which local services is Tuscaloosa County, AL short of?

4 home-service categories, each counted per 10,000 residents and compared against the national rate. 2 have fewer businesses per resident than the country average; 2 have more. Counts include sole proprietors.

• Pet Care12 with employees + 46 without = 58 · 2.4 per 10k vs 4.7 nationally
  1.9× fewerFewer than average
• Exterior & Building Services10 with employees + 66 without = 76 · 3.2 per 10k vs 4.1 nationally
  1.3× fewerFewer than average
• Cleaning Services31 with employees + 870 without = 901 · 37.7 per 10k vs 32.7 nationally
  1.2× moreMore than average
• Landscaping & Lawn Care61 with employees + 599 without = 660 · 27.6 per 10k vs 18.2 nationally
  1.5× 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.