Tessa Quinn
North America is home to over 7,000 hospitals, making it the continent with the third-highest number of hospitals in the world, after Asia and Europe. The United States alone has over 6,000 hospitals, with sources citing different exact figures, ranging from 5,000 to 7,300.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of hospitals in North America | Over 7,000 |
| Number of hospitals in the United States | Between 5,000 and 7,300 |
| Number of hospitals in the United States in 1975 | 7,156 |
| Number of hospitals in the United States in 2021 | 6,090 |
| Number of hospitals in the United States in 2022 | 6,120 |
| Number of hospitals in the United States in 2025 | 6,093 |
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What You'll Learn
There are over 7,000 hospitals in North America
North America is home to over 7,000 hospitals, accounting for 4.2% of all hospitals globally. The number of hospitals in the United States alone ranges from 5,000 to 7,300, depending on the source and the methodology used to classify hospitals. The American Hospital Association (AHA) reported 6,093 hospitals in the US as of 2023. However, Definitive Healthcare's HospitalView product tracks over 7,300 active hospitals in the country, curated from nearly 40 different public, private, and proprietary sources.
The number of hospitals in the US has fluctuated over time. In 1975, there were 7,156 hospitals, while in 2022, the number decreased to 6,120. Several factors contribute to the ever-changing count, including growing populations, competition, industry consolidation, and service specialization.
The US hospital landscape includes various types of facilities. Most hospitals are non-profit, while others are for-profit or state/local government-run. Funding sources for hospitals are diverse and can include the public sector, health organizations, health insurance companies, and charities. Religious orders or charitable individual sponsors have historically played a role in establishing hospitals.
Hospitals in the US provide a range of specialized services and are a significant source of employment. They are categorized into different types, such as children's hospitals, critical access hospitals, Department of Defense hospitals, long-term acute care hospitals, and psychiatric hospitals. The healthcare industry is projected to add 2.4 million new jobs by 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Registered nurses are particularly in high demand, with an expected job growth rate of 7% between 2019 and 2029.
In conclusion, North America boasts a substantial number of hospitals, with the United States contributing a significant portion of these healthcare institutions. The dynamic nature of the healthcare sector, influenced by various factors, results in fluctuations in the number of hospitals over time. These medical facilities play a crucial role in providing specialized care and driving employment growth in the region.
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The US has over 6,000 hospitals
The United States has over 6,000 hospitals, with the exact number depending on the source and the date of data collection. According to the American Hospital Association, there were 6,093 hospitals in the United States as of 2023. Another source states that there were approximately 6,090 hospitals in the country as of 2021.
The number of hospitals in the US has been fluctuating over time due to various factors such as growing populations, competition, industry consolidation, and service specialization. Healthcare mergers and acquisitions have contributed to the decline in the number of hospitals over several decades. Changes in reimbursement structures, such as the transition to CMS value-based care reimbursements, have also impacted hospital finances.
The US hospital system includes a variety of hospital types, such as short-term acute care hospitals, critical access hospitals, children's hospitals, long-term acute care hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, and rehabilitation hospitals. Critical access hospitals are designated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) and play an essential role in improving healthcare access in rural areas. They have 25 or fewer inpatient beds and are located more than 35 miles from another hospital.
The US hospital landscape is dynamic, with over 7,300 active hospitals tracked by Definitive Healthcare's HospitalView product. This number includes various hospital types, such as children's hospitals, critical access hospitals, Department of Defense (DoD) hospitals, and long-term acute care hospitals. The US hospital system is the second-largest employer in the country, providing jobs to over 5.7 million people as of 2018.
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The number of hospitals in the US is ever-changing
The number of hospitals in the US is indeed ever-changing. Several factors contribute to the fluctuating total number of hospitals in the country. These include growing populations, competition, industry consolidation, and service specialization.
As of 2025, there are over 7,000 hospitals in North America, with more than 5,000 of those being in the United States. The US has the second-highest number of hospitals in the world, second only to Asia.
The number of hospitals in the US has changed over time. In 1975, there were 7,156 hospitals in the country. By 2021, this number had decreased to around 6,090. The number rose slightly to 6,120 in 2022, according to the American Hospital Association (AHA). The AHA's annual survey provides data on the number of government hospitals, hospitals in each state, and the number of hospital beds.
The Definitive Healthcare HospitalView product tracks more than 7,300 active hospitals in the US. However, this number may include a broader definition of hospitals, as it includes various hospital types such as children's hospitals, critical access hospitals, and psychiatric hospitals.
Hospitals in rural areas are more likely to close than those in urban areas. Over 100 rural hospitals have closed since 2010. Hospital costs have been rising faster than inflation, and the average cost of a hospital stay in the US was over $15,000 in 2018. Despite the rising costs, the healthcare sector continues to be a source of job growth, with registered nurses being among the most in-demand healthcare workers.
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There are 10 different types of hospitals
There are over 7,000 hospitals in North America, with a wide variety of types, features, locations, and services. Hospitals can be categorized in many ways, and these classifications often overlap. Here are ten of the most common types of hospitals:
- Children's hospitals: These hospitals specialize in the care and treatment of children and the conditions that affect younger patients. Staff in these hospitals have received additional training to aid in the treatment of children, and they are also known for the psychosocial support they offer to young patients and their families.
- Critical access hospitals: These hospitals are designated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) to improve access to healthcare in rural areas and reduce the financial vulnerability of rural hospitals. They have 25 or fewer inpatient beds and are located more than 35 miles from another hospital.
- Department of Defense (DoD) hospitals: DoD hospitals provide care for military service members (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard), their dependents, and retirees.
- Long-term acute care hospitals: These hospitals provide acute care services for patients with an average length of stay of 25 days or more. They offer services such as respiratory therapy, head trauma treatment, and pain management.
- Psychiatric hospitals: Psychiatric hospitals provide 24/7 inpatient services for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness under the supervision of a physician.
- For-profit hospitals: These hospitals are operated by a C-suite and are accountable to shareholders.
- Non-profit hospitals: Non-profit hospitals are run by charitable organizations or academic institutions.
- Government hospitals: Funded by taxpayers and overseen by local, state, or federal government, government hospitals are another type of public hospital.
- Rural hospitals: Rural hospitals are located in isolated areas and are often the only source of healthcare within a community.
- Urban hospitals: In contrast, urban hospitals are located in highly populated towns or cities, where there are many other healthcare facilities nearby.
Hospitals can also be distinguished by their functionality, size, ownership, and specialization. For example, some hospitals are general-purpose, while others are teaching hospitals, acute care facilities, long-term hospitals, community hospitals, or research hospitals. Hospitals may also specialize in treating specific patient populations, such as psychiatric or trauma patients, or certain age groups.
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US hospitals employ over 5.7 million people
North America is home to over 7,000 hospitals, with the United States accounting for the majority of these. The US has over 5,000 registered hospitals, with some sources citing a figure of around 6,000, and others tracking more than 7,000 active hospitals.
US hospitals are major employers, with over 5.7 million people working in hospitals as of 2022. This figure is even higher when considering the wider healthcare sector, which includes outpatient care centers, nursing care facilities, and individual and family services, employing over 10 million people. The healthcare industry is projected to add 2.4 million new jobs by 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The average number of employees per hospital in the US is 982, spanning various job roles, including physicians, nurses, technicians, cleaners, and catering staff. The largest hospitals, typically found in metropolitan areas, can employ more than 4,900 people.
Registered nurses (RNs) are among the most in-demand healthcare workers, with an expected job growth rate of 7% between 2019 and 2019. Nurse practitioners are projected to experience the highest growth rate over the next decade, at 52.2%. However, there are concerns about potential staff shortages, with an estimated shortage of 3.2 million low-wage health workers predicted by 2026.
The racial group that is least represented in the healthcare sector is Indigenous American and Alaska Native, making up just 0.5% of all employees. The most common level of education among healthcare workers is a bachelor's degree or higher, achieved by 44.6% of employees.
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