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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hidalgo County, Texas | 880,921 | 19 | 76 | 75% |
| Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana | 107,362 | 3 | 11 | 74% |
| Webb County, Texas | 267,731 | 7 | 25 | 72% |
| Cameron County, Texas | 423,192 | 13 | 36 | 64% |
| Chambers County, Texas | 49,178 | 3 | 7 | 58% |
| Orange County, Texas | 84,993 | 4 | 9 | 54% |
| El Paso County, Texas | 866,275 | 36 | 77 | 53% |
| St. Charles Parish, Louisiana | 51,863 | 3 | 6 | 52% |
| Anderson County, Texas | 57,825 | 3 | 6 | 51% |
| Midland County, Texas | 171,496 | 11 | 21 | 48% |
| Livingston Parish, Louisiana | 145,583 | 8 | 15 | 48% |
| Atascosa County, Texas | 50,058 | 3 | 6 | 47% |
| Caldwell County, Texas | 47,184 | 3 | 5 | 43% |
| Wagoner County, Oklahoma | 84,339 | 6 | 10 | 41% |
| Creek County, Oklahoma | 72,353 | 5 | 8 | 40% |
| Crawford County, Arkansas | 60,792 | 4 | 7 | 40% |
| Wilson County, Texas | 51,501 | 4 | 7 | 39% |
| Guadalupe County, Texas | 178,368 | 14 | 22 | 37% |
| Ellis County, Texas | 203,927 | 16 | 25 | 37% |
| Kaufman County, Texas | 160,718 | 12 | 19 | 35% |
| Bastrop County, Texas | 102,370 | 8 | 12 | 35% |
| Jefferson County, Texas | 253,939 | 15 | 23 | 34% |
| Ector County, Texas | 163,206 | 11 | 17 | 34% |
| Liberty County, Texas | 97,993 | 7 | 11 | 34% |
| Bell County, Texas | 379,811 | 25 | 38 | 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 storesPet storesChild careDentistsAuto repairBarber shopsHair and beauty salonsLaundromats and dry cleanersPet grooming and boardingHotels and motelsFurniture storesSporting goodsCaterers and food trucks
