Biggest gaps
Ranked by how far each county sits below its similar counties. Only counties where the Census publishes the full count are ranked. Counties with a hidden small count (under 3) are on their own pages as a range.
| County or parish | People | Has | Typical | Below by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron County, Texas | 423,192 | 3 | 10 | 71% |
| Ellis County, Texas | 203,927 | 3 | 8 | 60% |
| Hidalgo County, Texas | 880,921 | 10 | 24 | 59% |
| Webb County, Texas | 267,731 | 3 | 7 | 58% |
| Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana | 208,668 | 3 | 6 | 48% |
| Bell County, Texas | 379,811 | 6 | 12 | 48% |
| Smith County, Texas | 238,014 | 4 | 8 | 47% |
| Brazoria County, Texas | 381,650 | 8 | 15 | 46% |
| Guadalupe County, Texas | 178,368 | 4 | 7 | 44% |
| McLennan County, Texas | 263,608 | 4 | 7 | 42% |
| Johnson County, Texas | 188,820 | 4 | 6 | 38% |
| Galveston County, Texas | 354,721 | 9 | 14 | 34% |
A gap is a place to look, not a forecast. People shop across county lines, and a county can have fewer shops because it is small or because customers drive to the next county. Check demand on your own street before you sign a lease. Census data read October 25, 2026. How we check.
Other business types
Sit-down restaurantsFast food and takeoutCoffee shops and snack barsHardware and building supply storesChild careDentistsVeterinariansAuto repairBarber shopsHair and beauty salonsLaundromats and dry cleanersPet grooming and boardingHotels and motelsFurniture storesSporting goodsCaterers and food trucks
