Healthcare Insights
How many hospitals are in each state?
Hospitals play an essential role in the U.S. healthcare system as they provide critical services that help keep patients healthy in their community.
For anyone looking to sell into the healthcare industry, understanding the hospital landscape in the United States is of paramount importance in making strategic decisions to bring your product or service to market. Knowing where hospitals are located can help you size the market, align sales territories, or make strategic investment decisions.
The map below includes the number of active hospitals across each state in the U.S. according to data from the Definitive Healthcare HospitalView product. Data is accurate as of October 2026.
The number of hospitals in the U.S. by state
Fig. 1 Data is from the Definitive Healthcare HospitalView product. Data accessed October 2026.
Total number of hospitals in each state in the U.S.
According to our data, there are more than 7,500 active hospitals across the U.S. Texas, California, and Florida rank among the top three with 773, 514, and 389 hospitals respectively. At the bottom of the list are Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington D.C., with only 19, 17, and 14 in their areas respectively.
By looking at U.S. census data, we can see that there may be a direct correlation between the number of people living in a certain state and the number of active hospitals serving those communities. According to the Census, the top three states with the most hospitals are also the most populous. Washington, D.C. and the two states with the least number of hospitals are also ranked among the least populated states in the country.
Which state has the most hospitals?
According to our data, Texas has the most hospitals among all states in the country, with 773 hospitals.
| Rank | Hospital type | Number of facilities | Explore dataset |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Short-Term Acute Care Hospital | 3,865 | Explore |
| 2 | Critical Access Hospital | 1,385 | Explore |
| 3 | Psychiatric Hospital | 865 | Explore |
| 4 | Rehabilitation Hospital | 523 | Explore |
| 5 | Long Term Acute Care Hospital | 350 | Explore |
| 6 | Childrens Hospital | 280 | Explore |
| 7 | VA Hospital | 164 | Explore |
| 8 | Rural Emergency Hospital | 50 | Explore |
| 9 | Department of Defense Hospital | 35 | Explore |
| 10 | Religious Non-Medical Health Care Institution | 12 | Explore |
Fig. 2 Data is from the Definitive Healthcare HospitalView product. Data accessed October 2026.
What type of hospital is most common in the U.S.?
When most people picture a hospital, they’re likely thinking of a short-term acute care hospital. Patients who require a short-term hospital stay for recovery following a surgical procedure or care following a sudden injury or sickness are treated here. These are by far the most common type of hospital in the U.S., with 3,865 facilities across the country.
In second place are Critical Access Hospitals (CAH). This is a special facility designation from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and is given to eligible hospitals located in rural areas. There are currently 1,385 of these facilities in the U.S., and they usually have fewer than 25 inpatient beds and maintain an average stay of 96 hours or less.
Rounding out the top three are psychiatric hospitals. This type of facility is a place for people in need of treatment for severe mental disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and others. Stays in psychiatric hospitals are intended to last only long enough to resolve the most urgent issues as recommended by a doctor or healthcare professional—generally a few days to a few weeks. There are currently 865 of these facilities in the U.S.
What are the other types of hospitals in this country?
There are several different types of hospitals, each designed to serve different patient needs, care settings, and ownership models.
Long-term acute care hospitals
Long-term acute care hospitals specialize in treating patients with serious medical conditions that require extended hospital-level care, typically 25 days or longer.
Children’s hospitals
Children’s hospitals deliver comprehensive healthcare exclusively for infants, children, and adolescents. They are staffed by pediatric specialists trained to handle developmental and physiological differences in children. These facilities also commonly serve as regional centers for research and preventive care.
Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals
VA hospitals provide medical care exclusively for U.S. military veterans. They are funded and run by the federal government, and offer a full range of medical, surgical, and rehabilitative services.
Department of Defense hospitals
These hospitals provide care for active-duty service members, their families, and sometimes retirees. They are operated by the U.S. Department of Defense and are typically located on or near military installations.
Religious non-medical healthcare institutions
These facilities provide nonmedical care and services to people in need but who choose to rely upon a religious method of healing because they feel that acceptance of medical services would be inconsistent with their religious beliefs. Patients receive nonmedical services such as assistance with daily living, nutrition, and comfort.
What is a teaching hospital?
A teaching hospital is a hospital or medical center that provides medical education and training to future and current health professionals.
These hospitals are typically affiliated with a medical school or university and offer hands-on experience for medical students, residents, and other healthcare professionals.
What is a specialty hospital?
A specialty hospital is a healthcare facility that focuses on a specific type of patient or medical condition. Unlike general hospitals, which offer a wide range of services, specialty hospitals concentrate their resources and expertise on a particular area of medicine. For example, a specialty hospital could focus on providing care specifically for women’s health needs or treating cancer patients.
Why does the total number of U.S. hospitals change?
The hospital market is constantly changing due to shifts in the broader healthcare market.
Healthcare mergers and acquisitions resulting in industry consolidation are one driving force behind the changing numbers. This consolidation has contributed to the decline in U.S. hospitals for several decades.
In addition, many hospitals close due to financial pressures. Facilities sometimes fail to break even and operate in the red, forcing them to shut down. Finally, patient care shifting to outpatient facilities like ambulatory surgery centers also has an ongoing impact on hospital counts.
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Healthcare Insights are developed with data from the Definitive Healthcare product portfolio and from CMS. Want even more insights? Start a free trial now and get access to the latest intelligence on hospitals, physicians, and other healthcare providers.
