This statistic is compiled from multiple reports from the same source.Â
Community hospitals are defined as all nonfederal, short-term general, and other special hospitals. Other special hospitals include obstetrics and gynecology; eye, ear, nose, and throat; long term acute-care; rehabilitation; orthopedic; and other individually described specialty services. Community hospitals include academic medical centers or other teaching hospitals if they are nonfederal short-term hospitals. Excluded are hospitals not accessible by the general public, such as prison hospitals or college infirmaries.
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Number of rural vs. urban community hospitals in the U.S. 2017-2024
In 2024, roughly ** percent of community hospitals across the United States were rural hospitals. The number of hospital closures has outweighed openings, leading to an overall decrease in the number of community hospitals in the U.S. in the past years. Rural hospitals are disproportionally affected. Over **** of the decline in the number of community hospitals to date were rural hospitals.
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American Hospital Association. (February 2, 2026). Number of rural vs. urban community hospitals in the United States from 2017 to 2024 [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved August 04, 2026, from /statistics/1614415/number-of-rural-vs-urban-community-hospitals-in-the-us/
American Hospital Association. "Number of rural vs. urban community hospitals in the United States from 2017 to 2024." Chart. February 2, 2026. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed August 04, 2026. /statistics/1614415/number-of-rural-vs-urban-community-hospitals-in-the-us/
American Hospital Association. (2026). Number of rural vs. urban community hospitals in the United States from 2017 to 2024. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: August 04, 2026. /statistics/1614415/number-of-rural-vs-urban-community-hospitals-in-the-us/
American Hospital Association. "Number of Rural Vs. Urban Community Hospitals in The United States from 2017 to 2024." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 2 Feb 2026, /statistics/1614415/number-of-rural-vs-urban-community-hospitals-in-the-us/
American Hospital Association, Number of rural vs. urban community hospitals in the United States from 2017 to 2024 ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1614415/number-of-rural-vs-urban-community-hospitals-in-the-us/ (last visited August 04, 2026)
Number of rural vs. urban community hospitals in the United States from 2017 to 2024 [Graph], American Hospital Association, February 2, 2026. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1614415/number-of-rural-vs-urban-community-hospitals-in-the-us/
