Which local services is Virginia Beach city, VA 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; 1 has more. Counts include sole proprietors.

• Landscaping & Lawn Care164 with employees + 490 without = 654 · 14.4 per 10k vs 18.2 nationally
  1.3× fewerFewer than average
• Exterior & Building Services46 with employees + 111 without = 157 · 3.5 per 10k vs 4.1 nationally
  1.2× fewerFewer than average
• Cleaning Services135 with employees + 1157 without = 1292 · 28.5 per 10k vs 32.7 nationally
  1.1× fewerAbout average
• Pet Care57 with employees + 265 without = 322 · 7.1 per 10k vs 4.7 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.