Fast Facts: U.S. Rural Hospitals Infographic

A new infographic provides a quick overview on the number of rural hospitals in the U.S.

Rural hospitals are those hospitals not located within a metropolitan area as defined by the U.S. Office and Management and Budget and the U.S. Census Bureau.

Fast Facts: U.S. Rural Hospitals infographic. IS MY HOSPITAL RURAL? Rural hospitals are those not located within a metropolitan area designated by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget and the Census Bureau. Community hospitals are nonfederal, acute care hospitals open to the general public. For alternate rural definitions, see https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/am-i-rural/help#classification. 71% of the decline in the number of U.S. community hospitals between 2017 and 2021 were rural hospitals. Total number of U.S. community hospitals declined by 75 from 2017 to 2021. Total number of U.S. rural hospitals declined by 105 from 2017 to 2021. U.S. rural community hospitals, by ownership type 2019: State and local government (612 total); Nonprofit (1,008 total); Investor-owned, for-profit (180 total). Data may not total 100% due to rounding. 47% of rural hospitals have 25 or fewer staffed beds. U.S. rural community hospitals, by bed size, 2019: Up to 25 beds (871 total); 26-50 beds (332 total); 51-100 beds (324 total); 101 beds or more (273 total).