Which local services is Whitman County, WA 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.

• Landscaping & Lawn Care10 with employees + 22 without = 32 · 6.7 per 10k vs 18.2 nationally
  2.7× fewerFewer than average
• Cleaning Services11 with employees + 53 without = 64 · 13.4 per 10k vs 32.7 nationally
  2.4× fewerFewer than average
• Exterior & Building Services3 with employees + 9 without = 12 · 2.5 per 10k vs 4.1 nationally
  1.6× fewerFewer than average
• Pet Care5 with employees + 10 without = 15 · 3.1 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.