Hospital Statistics

Introduction to U.S. Hospital Statistics

The landscape of healthcare is complex and ever-evolving, with hospitals playing a pivotal role in providing inpatient and outpatient care. Understanding hospital statistics is vital for stakeholders ranging from policy makers to healthcare providers and researchers. These statistics encompass various data points such as the number of hospitals, bed capacity, and patient care metrics, which collectively inform strategic decisions and policy reform in the healthcare sector. This article dives deep into the crucial statistics defining the American hospital system, drawing on both domestic and global insights to paint a comprehensive picture.

Current State of Hospitals in the U.S.

What is the total number of hospitals in the U.S.?

The total number of hospitals in the United States stands at 6,093. This number reflects the ongoing changes in the healthcare landscape, which has seen a decline in the overall number of hospitals particularly since 1975.

How many community hospitals exist in the U.S.?

Among the 6,093 hospitals, there are approximately 5,112 community hospitals. This group constitutes about 85% of all hospitals in the nation. Interestingly, nearly 60% of these community hospitals are non-profit organizations, reflecting a significant portion of healthcare delivery that prioritizes community health needs over profit.

What types of hospitals are most common?

Community hospitals can be categorized into various types:

• Nongovernment not-for-profit hospitals: 2,978
• Investor-owned (for-profit) hospitals: 1,214
• State and local government community hospitals: 920
• Federal government hospitals: 207

This classification not only highlights the variety of ownership structures in U.S. healthcare but also indicates that the largest segment aligns with not-for-profit services aimed at providing access for all patients.

Where can I find hospital statistics in the U.S.?

You can find hospital statistics in the U.S. through various resources. A reputable source is the American Hospital Association (AHA), which provides comprehensive data, including the AHA Hospital Statistics report. In addition to general figures, such as the number of hospitals (6,093) and community hospitals (5,112), the AHA also offers specific data on hospital types, admissions, and financial statistics. For more detailed information, including historical data for trend analysis, you can order the AHA Hospital Statistics, 2025 Edition, from their online store or contact them directly. Additionally, you may explore government resources and databases such as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for further statistical insights.

In-depth Look at Hospital Utilization and Patient Care

Patient Admissions

In the United States, the total admissions in all hospitals reached approximately 34.4 million. This statistic underscores the crucial role hospitals play in the healthcare system, providing essential care to a vast number of patients annually.

Bed Capacity

The total number of staffed beds across U.S. hospitals is 913,136. With 5,112 community hospitals making up most of this capacity, it's clear that bed availability remains a significant metric for understanding hospital operations and patient care. Of these beds, non-profit community hospitals constitute a substantial proportion, accounting for 60% of all hospitals, indicating a major source of care in localized areas.

Emergency Department Visits

Emergency departments in the U.S. reported a staggering 139.8 million visits. Out of those visits, approximately 18.3 million resulted in hospital admissions. This highlights the reliance on emergency services and reflects urgent healthcare needs, while also emphasizing the pressure on hospital resources to cater to acute conditions. Notably, 41.8% of emergency department visits were attended to in under 15 minutes, demonstrating efforts to streamline patient care during critical times.

Aspect	Statistic	Details
Total Admissions	34,426,650	Annual admissions across all hospitals
Total Staffed Beds	913,136	Available beds in U.S. hospitals
Emergency Department Visits	139,800,000	Total visits to emergency departments
Admissions from ED Visits	18,300,000	Resulting in hospital stays

These metrics provide a detailed view into hospital utilization and underline key areas of focus for healthcare improvement and resource allocation.

Financial Metrics in the Healthcare Sector

Economic performance

The financial landscape of hospitals in the U.S. showcases a complex interplay of revenue and operational challenges. In 2023 alone, Cleveland Clinic, one of the largest healthcare providers, reported an operating revenue of approximately $14.48 billion with a slim operating margin of 0.4%. This reflects the ongoing struggle many hospitals face in balancing revenues against rising operational costs.

Operating revenue

Operating revenue is fundamental for hospitals to maintain services, pay staff, and invest in technology. The financial metrics extracted from the AHA Hospital Statistics® and similar resources help stakeholders analyze trends in hospital revenues across various regions and sizes. For instance, the average revenue per hospital provides a benchmark against which individual institutions can measure their performance.

Hospital financial statistics

Overall, the economic performance of U.S. hospitals is influenced by factors such as employment trends, average hospital stays, and the shifts in patient admissions. Notably, 34.4 million admissions were recorded across all hospitals, which is a critical driver of both revenue generation and resource allocation. As hospitals adapt to these metrics, understanding financial performance becomes essential for sustainable operations.

Exploring Workforce and Employment Trends

Employment statistics

As of 2025, hospital employment in the United States is expected to reach approximately 5.7 million employees, with a low unemployment rate of 1.6%. This indicates a robust job market within the healthcare sector, driven by ongoing patient care demands.

Staffing challenges

Despite overall growth in hospital employment, challenges arise from workforce shortages. Aging populations and the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated hiring difficulties, making it critical for hospitals to attract and retain skilled staff.

Wages and hours in hospitals

In January 2025, the average hourly wage for hospital employees was reported at $43.73, with production and nonsupervisory employees earning around $42.52. Employees typically worked an average of 36.4 hours per week, reflecting a dedicated workforce responding to patient needs.

Aspect	Details	Implications
Employment Projected by 2025	5.67 million employees	Strong job market, but staffing shortages persist
Average Wages	$43.73 per hour	Competitive pay can attract talent
Average Hours	36.4 hours per week	Indicates full-time employee dedication
Unemployment Rate	1.6%	Low, indicating healthy employment levels

Resources for Comprehensive Healthcare Data

Where can I find healthcare statistics?

You can explore a wealth of healthcare statistics through several accessible platforms. The primary hub for governmental health data is HealthData.gov, offering a variety of datasets for public use. Additionally, Data.CDC.gov provides comprehensive health information on numerous topics.

For a more user-friendly experience, CDC WONDER serves as an interactive query system ideal for public health research. Open FDA and Data.CMS.gov deliver specialized datasets from the FDA and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, respectively.

For targeted statistics, the National Center for Health Statistics provides a deep dive into specific health metrics, while resources such as portals dedicated to Tribal data can meet the needs of specific populations. These sources collectively foster a robust understanding of healthcare dynamics across the nation.

What are hospital statistics?

Hospital statistics serve as essential metrics in refining healthcare outcomes by illuminating various aspects of patient care. These data points highlight trends in patient safety, quality of care, and the allocation of hospital resources.

Typical hospital statistics include:

• Patient Discharges: The number of patients released from the hospital after treatment.
• Average Length of Stay: Average days a patient spends hospitalized.
• Admission Rates: Number of patients admitted compared to previous years.

Such insights help hospitals manage their operations more effectively, laying the foundation for improved healthcare delivery.

Resource	Type of Data	Description
HealthData.gov	General Health Data	Public access to a wide range of government health datasets
Data.CDC.gov	CDC Focused Health Data	Extensive datasets covering various health topics
CDC WONDER	Query System	Tool for public health research with query capabilities
Open FDA	FDA Reporting Data	Datasets related to FDA submissions and reports
Data.CMS.gov	Medicare and Medicaid Services Data	Datasets from CMS on healthcare services
National Center for Health Statistics	Population Health Metrics	In-depth data on specific health indicators for population analysis

Conclusion: The Importance of Hospital Statistics

Hospital statistics offer invaluable insights into the functioning and efficiency of healthcare systems. Having access to comprehensive data resources is crucial for stakeholders looking to improve healthcare outcomes. Whether it's examining patient care metrics, workforce dynamics, or financial trends, these statistics equip decision makers with the knowledge needed to formulate effective strategies and policies. As the healthcare landscape continues to shift, staying informed with accurate and current data becomes increasingly essential for ensuring high-quality patient care and operational efficiency across the American healthcare system.

References

• Fast Facts on U.S. Hospitals, 2025 | AHA
• American Hospital Directory - information about hospitals from ...
• FastStats - Hospital Utilization - CDC
• AHA Hospital Statistics
• Facts & Figures | Cleveland Clinic
• AHA Hospital Statistics, 2018 Edition
• FastStats - Emergency Department Visits - CDC
• AHA Data - Homepage | AHA Data