The share of Americans without health insurance fell from 15.5% to 8.6% since the Affordable Care Act was signed into law in 2010. While broader insurance coverage has improved access to health care for nearly 20 million Americans, millions more face a less discussed but no less serious hurdle — distance to the nearest hospital.
In instances of head trauma, lacerations, cardiac arrest, and child birth, every minute counts, and transit time to the hospital can mean the difference between life and death. Currently, more than 2 million Americans live in towns and cities located more than 20 miles from the nearest hospital.
Remote rural towns are often those farthest from a hospital, and many hospitals that serve rural areas are struggling financially. Over the last eight years, 87 rural hospitals have shut down nationwide — and hundreds more could be closed in the near future due to budgetary concerns.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, travel distance to hospitals is one of many factors in rural communities that can increase the risk of premature death.
By reviewing 15,000 towns and cities nationwide, and measuring the distance from their geographic center to the nearest acute care facility, 24/7 Wall St. identified the city or town in every state located farthest from a hospital. We considered all areas, including boroughs, census designated places, cities, towns, and villages.
The distances to the nearest hospital in the cities and town on this list range from 471 miles for Unalaska, Alaska, residents to just 12 miles for Hope Valley, Rhode Island, residents. In some cases, the nearest hospital is in a different state.
It is important to note that distances represent a straight line from the center of the town to the nearest hospital. As such, actual travel distance by roadway will be even greater in every case.
Click here to see the towns in every state where you may not get to the hospital in time.
Click here to see our detailed findings and methodology.
Source: bionicteaching / Flickr
Alabama: Bridgeport
> Nearest hospital: Erlanger Medical Center (25.5 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 16.0%
> Residents 65 and older: 14.1%
> Total population: 2,525
[in-text-ad]
Source: RUBEN RAMOS / Getty Images
Alaska: Unalaska
> Nearest hospital: Kanakanak Hospital (470.5 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: N/A
> Residents 65 and older: 0.0%
> Total population: 4,710
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Lisay / Getty Images
Arizona: Ajo
> Nearest hospital: Sells hospital (67.3 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: N/A
> Residents 65 and older: N/A
> Total population: 3,696
Source: Brandonrush / Wikimedia Commons
Arkansas: Mount Ida
> Nearest hospital: CHI St. Vincent – Hot Springs (32.6 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 15.5%
> Residents 65 and older: 26.9%
> Total population: 1,218
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: craigdietrich / Flickr
California: Boron
> Nearest hospital: Antelope Valley Hospital (36.0 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 30.5%
> Residents 65 and older: 1.4%
> Total population: 2,314
Source: kenlund / Flickr
Colorado: Mountain Village
> Nearest hospital: Montrose Memorial Hospital (37.8 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 2.3%
> Residents 65 and older: 1.7%
> Total population: 1,546
[in-text-ad]
Source: Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States / Wikimedia Commons
Connecticut: Deep River Center
> Nearest hospital: Middlesex Hospital (16.1 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 6.8%
> Residents 65 and older: 17.6%
> Total population: 2,321
Source: Dough4872 / Wikimedia Commons
Delaware: Townsend
> Nearest hospital: Union Hospital of Cecil County (16.4 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 4.0%
> Residents 65 and older: 5.5%
> Total population: 2,320
Source: 46866823@N04 / Flickr
Florida: Cross City
> Nearest hospital: North Florida Regional Medical Center (42.8 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 7.6%
> Residents 65 and older: 59.3%
> Total population: 2,148
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Michael Rivera / Wikimedia Commons
Georgia: Homeland
> Nearest hospital: Southeast Georgia Health System Camden Campus (24.7 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 15.3%
> Residents 65 and older: 20.3%
> Total population: 1,082
Source: comosaydice / Getty Images
Hawaii: Hana
> Nearest hospital: Kula Hospital (22.9 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 14.4%
> Residents 65 and older: 16.3%
> Total population: 1,121
[in-text-ad]
Source: DaleBaxter / Getty Images
Idaho: Ashton
> Nearest hospital: Madison Memorial Hospital (23.5 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 13.3%
> Residents 65 and older: 34.8%
> Total population: 1,041
24/7 Wall St.
Source: hickoryhardscrabble / Flickr
Illinois: Cairo
> Nearest hospital: Missouri Delta Medical Center (23.6 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 12.8%
> Residents 65 and older: 18.4%
> Total population: 2,559
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Indiana: Fowler
> Nearest hospital: Hoopeston Community Memorial Hospital (21.0 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 11.6%
> Residents 65 and older: 29.0%
> Total population: 2,279
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: fayncbikerjaa / Flickr
Iowa: Tipton
> Nearest hospital: Mercy Hospital (21.9 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 8.5%
> Residents 65 and older: 15.4%
> Total population: 3,201
Source: BOB WESTON / Getty Images
Kansas: Burlington
> Nearest hospital: Allen County Regional Hospital (25.6 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 1.6%
> Residents 65 and older: 30.2%
> Total population: 2,611
[in-text-ad]
Source: Nyttend / Wikimedia Commons
Kentucky: Vanceburg
> Nearest hospital: King’s Daughters Medical Center Ohio (20.6 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 10.0%
> Residents 65 and older: 11.9%
> Total population: 1,442
Source: bdearth / Flickr
Louisiana: Buras
> Nearest hospital: Lady of the Sea General Hospital (47.9 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 32.2%
> Residents 65 and older: 18.7%
> Total population: 1,003
Source: dougtone / Flickr
Maine: Eastport
> Nearest hospital: Calais Regional Hospital (21.9 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 7.0%
> Residents 65 and older: 35.9%
> Total population: 1,390
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: dougtone / Flickr
Maryland: Greensboro
> Nearest hospital: Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus (19.5 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 13.3%
> Residents 65 and older: 67.3%
> Total population: 1,940
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
Massachusetts: Provincetown
> Nearest hospital: Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital – plymouth (24.7 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 5.7%
> Residents 65 and older: 30.0%
> Total population: 2,680
[in-text-ad]
Source: Andreas Faessler / Wikimedia Commons
Michigan: Rogers City
> Nearest hospital: Midmichigan Medical Center – alpena (29.4 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 10.3%
> Residents 65 and older: 46.2%
> Total population: 2,735
Source: Jacob Boomsma / Getty Images
Minnesota: Silver Bay
> Nearest hospital: Lake View Memorial Hospital (25.8 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 65.0%
> Residents 65 and older: 0.0%
> Total population: 1,708
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
Mississippi: Tunica
> Nearest hospital: North Oak Regional Medical Center (24.5 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 10.6%
> Residents 65 and older: 8.4%
> Total population: 1,249
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: TimothyMN / Wikimedia Commons
Missouri: Mansfield
> Nearest hospital: Texas County Memorial Hospital (36.6 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 15.4%
> Residents 65 and older: 17.6%
> Total population: 1,270
Source: Courtesy of the JVC Northwest
Montana: Ashland
> Nearest hospital: Rosebud Health Care Center (49.9 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 48.3%
> Residents 65 and older: 20.7%
> Total population: 1,009
[in-text-ad]
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Nebraska: Ravenna
> Nearest hospital: CHI Health Good Samaritan (24.2 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 8.3%
> Residents 65 and older: 45.4%
> Total population: 1,514
Source: jmoor17 / Getty Images
Nevada: West Wendover
> Nearest hospital: Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital (86.6 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 0.0%
> Residents 65 and older: 57.3%
> Total population: 4,390
Source: dougtone / Flickr
New Hampshire: Hillsborough
> Nearest hospital: Monadnock Community Hospital (15.5 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 12.3%
> Residents 65 and older: 15.5%
> Total population: 2,037
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Dan Jeffrey / Flickr
New Jersey: Elwood
> Nearest hospital: Shore Medical Center (19.0 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 17.3%
> Residents 65 and older: 14.9%
> Total population: 1,440
Source: railfan 44 / Wikimedia Commons
New Mexico: Mountainair
> Nearest hospital: UNM Hospital (44.6 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 3.3%
> Residents 65 and older: 24.8%
> Total population: 1,073
[in-text-ad]
Source: Meinzahn / Getty Images
New York: Montauk
> Nearest hospital: Lawrence & Memorial Hospital (21.7 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 8.4%
> Residents 65 and older: 37.3%
> Total population: 3,510
24/7 Wall St.
Source: kenlund / Flickr
North Carolina: Buxton
> Nearest hospital: The Outer Banks Hospital (47.1 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 25.4%
> Residents 65 and older: 15.6%
> Total population: 1,184
Source: afiler / Flickr
North Dakota: Parshall
> Nearest hospital: Mountrail County Medical Center (27.1 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 4.5%
> Residents 65 and older: 25.0%
> Total population: 1,125
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Tim Kiser / Wikimedia Commons
Ohio: McConnelsville
> Nearest hospital: Genesis Hospital (23.7 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 8.0%
> Residents 65 and older: 8.1%
> Total population: 1,899
Source: bobtheberto / Flickr
Oklahoma: Eufaula
> Nearest hospital: Haskell County Community Hospital (25.9 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 34.9%
> Residents 65 and older: 44.4%
> Total population: 2,929
[in-text-ad]
Source: discoveroregon / Flickr / Public Domain
Oregon: Oakridge
> Nearest hospital: Peacehealth Cottage Grove Community Medical Center (29.0 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 23.7%
> Residents 65 and older: 0.0%
> Total population: 3,202
24/7 Wall St.
Source: holytrinitysc / Flickr
Pennsylvania: Beavertown
> Nearest hospital: Evangelical Community Hospital (21.6 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 9.4%
> Residents 65 and older: 24.0%
> Total population: 1,039
Source: John Phelan / Wikimedia Commons
Rhode Island: Hope Valley
> Nearest hospital: Westerly Hospital (11.9 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 0.8%
> Residents 65 and older: 22.8%
> Total population: 1,788
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: joeshlabotnik / Flickr
South Carolina: Holly Hill
> Nearest hospital: Mcleod Health Clarendon (27.6 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 13.7%
> Residents 65 and older: 19.1%
> Total population: 1,725
Source: Courtesy of Red Cloud Indian School
South Dakota: Porcupine
> Nearest hospital: Bennett County Hospital and Nursing Home (31.4 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 10.3%
> Residents 65 and older: 16.1%
> Total population: 1,295
[in-text-ad]
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Tennessee: South Pittsburg
> Nearest hospital: Southern Tennessee Regional Health System Winchester (23.9 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 11.7%
> Residents 65 and older: 25.0%
> Total population: 3,092
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Loneburro / Getty Images
Texas: Presidio
> Nearest hospital: Big Bend Regional Medical Center (70.5 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 22.5%
> Residents 65 and older: 44.9%
> Total population: 4,051
Source: Boogich / Getty Images
Utah: Wendover
> Nearest hospital: Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital (89.5 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 32.1%
> Residents 65 and older: 4.8%
> Total population: 1,385
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: dougtone / Flickr
Vermont: Richford
> Nearest hospital: North Country Hospital and Health Center (22.8 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 0.0%
> Residents 65 and older: 45.1%
> Total population: 1,397
Source: EJ-J / Getty Images
Virginia: Chincoteague
> Nearest hospital: Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital (27.1 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 11.3%
> Residents 65 and older: 48.9%
> Total population: 2,919
[in-text-ad]
Source: Pierdelune / Getty Images
Washington: Point Roberts
> Nearest hospital: St. Joseph Medical Center (30.4 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 35.5%
> Residents 65 and older: 0.0%
> Total population: 1,203
24/7 Wall St.
Source: JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD / Wikimedia Commons
West Virginia: West Union
> Nearest hospital: Sistersville General Hospital (21.9 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 0.0%
> Residents 65 and older: 47.8%
> Total population: 1,018
Source: royal_broil / Flickr
Wisconsin: Crandon
> Nearest hospital: Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital (23.6 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: 18.3%
> Residents 65 and older: 23.1%
> Total population: 1,851
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: MR. Pockets / Wikimedia Commons
Wyoming: Pinedale
> Nearest hospital: Star Valley Medical center (54.7 miles from town center)
> Uninsured rate: N/A
> Residents 65 and older:N/A
> Total population: 2,044
Detailed Findings
Access to emergency medical facilities is remarkably better in some regions than in others. For example, there are no cities or towns of 1,000 people or more in the Midwest that are more than 37 miles from a hospital. In the Northeast, no towns are more than 25 miles from a hospital.
Meanwhile, in the South, several towns are more than 40 miles from a hospital and one is over 70 miles from the nearest hospital. Similarly, a number of western states have towns over 50 miles from a hospital. There are eight towns in Alaska where the nearest hospital is anywhere from 100 to 470 miles away.
Landmass and population density largely explain the regional disparity, as northeastern states, where distances to the nearest hospital are the shortest, tend to be smaller by landmass than those in the West, where distances can be much larger.
Not only are residents of the towns on this list at risk due to being far from a hospital, but often a larger share of their population is more likely to need urgent medical care. For example, older Americans are at increased risk of chronic and potentially deadly diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. The vast majority of cities and towns on this list are home to a larger share of residents 65 or older than the 15.2% national share.
Additionally, residents of the towns on this list are less likely to be able to afford necessary medical treatment than the typical American as most have a higher uninsured rate than the U.S. rate as a whole.
Methodology
To identify the town farthest from a hospital in every state, 24/7 Wall St. looked at the 15,000 cities, towns, boroughs, villages, and census designated places with more than 1,000 people from the U.S. Census Bureau. We measured the distance in a straight line from the latitudinal and longitudinal geographic center of each place to the coordinates of the nearest hospital, including those in other states.
Uninsured rates and the share of the population age 65 and older are five-year estimates from the Census Bureau’s 2016 American Community Survey.
Sponsored: Want to Retire Early? Here’s a Great First Step
Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?
Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.
Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Editors' Picks
