In a time of true crisis, like the coronavirus pandemic, we find out who are the real heroes and absolute essential workers among us. And no, they’re not CEOs, lawyers, or Wall Street brokers. Rather, they are drivers, food retail workers, and first and foremost, health care workers — many of whom nurses.
Registered nurses make up about 2% of all U.S. employment, and currently, that may not be enough. Hospitals scrounge for health care professionals, especially nurses, to come and help treat the mushrooming numbers of people with COVID-19. Many retired nurses have answered the call.
24/7 Tempo reviewed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment Statistics to identify the metropolitan areas with the fewest nurses per capita in the United States.
More nurses are needed as the number of COVID-19 patients is expected to grow and those who already take care of the sick face a much higher risk of contracting the virus and becoming quarantined. There is an unprecedented demand for “travel nurses,” or nurses from other states, according to Vivian Health, a temporary health care staffing platform. Positions in intensive care units and emergency rooms have opened all over the country.
The adequate nurse-to-patient ratio has always been a much debated topic – some states have a legally defined minimum nurse-to-patient ratios — and it is now clear more than ever why. Due to staffing shortage, nurses in some hospitals’ intensive care units are caring for more than twice the number of COVID-19 patients than the standard of care.
Nationwide, there are about nine registered nurses per 1,000 people. In the 50 cities with the fewest nurses per capita, there are no more than 6.4 nurses per 1,000 people. In cities at the bottom of the list, the ratio is just two or three nurses per 1,000 people.
Click here to see the cities with the fewest nurses
Click here for our methodology
Source: csfotoimages / Getty Images
50. Homosassa Springs, Florida
> Registered nurses: 6.4 per 1,000 people (total: 940)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $62,150
> All health care workers: 33.7 per 1,000 people (total: 4,990)
> Total population: 147,929
> 65 and older population: 36.3% (total: 53,705)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 43
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 2
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
49. Santa Fe, New Mexico
> Registered nurses: 6.3 per 1,000 people (total: 950)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $75,270
> All health care workers: 39.4 per 1,000 people (total: 5,910)
> Total population: 150,056
> 65 and older population: 24.3% (total: 36,485)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 62
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 0
Source: benedek / Getty Images
48. Farmington, New Mexico
> Registered nurses: 6.3 per 1,000 people (total: 790)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $70,830
> All health care workers: 42.2 per 1,000 people (total: 5,280)
> Total population: 125,043
> 65 and older population: 14.9% (total: 18,685)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 58
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 0
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
47. Decatur, Alabama
> Registered nurses: 6.3 per 1,000 people (total: 960)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $48,260
> All health care workers: 31.5 per 1,000 people (total: 4,790)
> Total population: 152,046
> 65 and older population: 17.7% (total: 26,954)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 33
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 0
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46. Salinas, California
> Registered nurses: 6.3 per 1,000 people (total: 2,740)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $137,950
> All health care workers: 34.6 per 1,000 people (total: 15,050)
> Total population: 435,594
> 65 and older population: 13.6% (total: 59,201)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 62
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 2
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
45. Lawrence, Kansas
> Registered nurses: 6.3 per 1,000 people (total: 760)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $60,290
> All health care workers: 32.6 per 1,000 people (total: 3,960)
> Total population: 121,436
> 65 and older population: 12.3% (total: 14,954)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 33
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 0
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Source: TriciaDaniel / Getty Images
44. College Station-Bryan, Texas
> Registered nurses: 6.0 per 1,000 people (total: 1,600)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $69,440
> All health care workers: 28.4 per 1,000 people (total: 7,530)
> Total population: 265,024
> 65 and older population: 10.6% (total: 27,853)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 79
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 5
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
43. Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, Alabama
> Registered nurses: 6.0 per 1,000 people (total: 1,310)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $59,110
> All health care workers: 31.7 per 1,000 people (total: 6,910)
> Total population: 218,022
> 65 and older population: 20.4% (total: 44,571)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 34
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 1
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
42. Sheboygan, Wisconsin
> Registered nurses: 6.0 per 1,000 people (total: 690)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $68,780
> All health care workers: 42.8 per 1,000 people (total: 4,940)
> Total population: 115,456
> 65 and older population: 18.0% (total: 20,789)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 21
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 1
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Source: Althom / Getty Images
41. Prescott, Arizona
> Registered nurses: 5.9 per 1,000 people (total: 1,380)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $78,230
> All health care workers: 35.5 per 1,000 people (total: 8,240)
> Total population: 231,993
> 65 and older population: 31.6% (total: 73,278)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 45
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 0
Source: tntemerson / Getty Images
40. Stockton-Lodi, California
> Registered nurses: 5.9 per 1,000 people (total: 4,470)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $114,770
> All health care workers: 35.5 per 1,000 people (total: 26,720)
> Total population: 752,660
> 65 and older population: 12.7% (total: 95,916)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 203
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 11
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
39. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, Texas
> Registered nurses: 5.9 per 1,000 people (total: 5,120)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $66,900
> All health care workers: 68.4 per 1,000 people (total: 59,210)
> Total population: 865,939
> 65 and older population: 11.1% (total: 96,025)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 86
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 0
Source: BOB WESTON / Getty Images
38. Dalton, Georgia
> Registered nurses: 5.9 per 1,000 people (total: 850)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $61,540
> All health care workers: 32.9 per 1,000 people (total: 4,740)
> Total population: 143,983
> 65 and older population: 14.3% (total: 20,551)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 25
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 1
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
37. Bakersfield, California
> Registered nurses: 5.9 per 1,000 people (total: 5,290)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $92,570
> All health care workers: 31.5 per 1,000 people (total: 28,220)
> Total population: 896,764
> 65 and older population: 11.0% (total: 98,347)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 225
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 2
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Source: wellesenterprises / Getty Images
36. Auburn-Opelika, Alabama
> Registered nurses: 5.9 per 1,000 people (total: 960)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $59,350
> All health care workers: 27.3 per 1,000 people (total: 4,470)
> Total population: 163,941
> 65 and older population: 11.9% (total: 19,481)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 110
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 3
Source: Thinkstock
35. Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, Florida
> Registered nurses: 5.8 per 1,000 people (total: 1,630)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $58,380
> All health care workers: 29.8 per 1,000 people (total: 8,300)
> Total population: 278,644
> 65 and older population: 17.2% (total: 47,866)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 84
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 1
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Source: SWInsider / Getty Images
34. Las Cruces, New Mexico
> Registered nurses: 5.8 per 1,000 people (total: 1,270)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $69,180
> All health care workers: 47.1 per 1,000 people (total: 10,240)
> Total population: 217,522
> 65 and older population: 15.8% (total: 34,338)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 29
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 0
Source: Smash the Iron Cage / Wikimedia Commons
33. Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, Virginia
> Registered nurses: 5.8 per 1,000 people (total: 1,060)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $60,980
> All health care workers: 30.3 per 1,000 people (total: 5,510)
> Total population: 181,926
> 65 and older population: 15.9% (total: 29,246)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 08
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 0
Source: Michael Warren / Getty Images
32. The Villages, Florida
> Registered nurses: 5.8 per 1,000 people (total: 750)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $64,680
> All health care workers: 28.0 per 1,000 people (total: 3,610)
> Total population: 128,754
> 65 and older population: 57.6% (total: 74,146)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 75
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 3
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31. Logan, Utah, Idaho
> Registered nurses: 5.7 per 1,000 people (total: 810)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $61,840
> All health care workers: 29.6 per 1,000 people (total: 4,190)
> Total population: 141,476
> 65 and older population: 9.9% (total: 13,952)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 19
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 0
Source: MichaelWarrenPix / Getty Images
30. Ocala, Florida
> Registered nurses: 5.6 per 1,000 people (total: 2,020)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $62,480
> All health care workers: 34.1 per 1,000 people (total: 12,280)
> Total population: 359,977
> 65 and older population: 28.9% (total: 104,178)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 50
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 2
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
29. Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, South Carolina
> Registered nurses: 5.6 per 1,000 people (total: 1,220)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $66,860
> All health care workers: 35.2 per 1,000 people (total: 7,670)
> Total population: 217,686
> 65 and older population: 26.2% (total: 57,052)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 165
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 4
Source: trekandshoot / Getty Images
28. Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, California
> Registered nurses: 5.6 per 1,000 people (total: 4,730)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $95,310
> All health care workers: 36.9 per 1,000 people (total: 31,400)
> Total population: 850,967
> 65 and older population: 15.6% (total: 132,387)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 221
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 6
Source: RobHainer / Getty Images
27. Lakeland-Winter Haven, Florida
> Registered nurses: 5.5 per 1,000 people (total: 3,860)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $60,760
> All health care workers: 27.4 per 1,000 people (total: 19,400)
> Total population: 708,009
> 65 and older population: 20.2% (total: 143,142)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 157
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 4
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
26. Provo-Orem, Utah
> Registered nurses: 5.4 per 1,000 people (total: 3,430)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $63,510
> All health care workers: 31.5 per 1,000 people (total: 19,960)
> Total population: 632,705
> 65 and older population: 7.8% (total: 49,447)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 217
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 0
Source: HuntImages / Getty Images
25. Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, North Carolina
> Registered nurses: 5.4 per 1,000 people (total: 2,600)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $63,140
> All health care workers: 29.1 per 1,000 people (total: 14,000)
> Total population: 480,891
> 65 and older population: 26.1% (total: 125,501)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 88
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 6
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24. Grants Pass, Oregon
> Registered nurses: 5.4 per 1,000 people (total: 470)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $87,100
> All health care workers: 44.4 per 1,000 people (total: 3,880)
> Total population: 87,393
> 65 and older population: 26.0% (total: 22,709)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 13
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 0
Source: jmoor17 / Getty Images
23. Bremerton-Silverdale, Washington
> Registered nurses: 5.4 per 1,000 people (total: 1,450)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $81,630
> All health care workers: 29.7 per 1,000 people (total: 8,020)
> Total population: 269,805
> 65 and older population: 17.8% (total: 48,094)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 102
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 0
Source: bjones27 / Getty Images
22. Warner Robins, Georgia
> Registered nurses: 5.4 per 1,000 people (total: 1,040)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $63,410
> All health care workers: 29.5 per 1,000 people (total: 5,720)
> Total population: 193,729
> 65 and older population: 13.7% (total: 26,632)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 81
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 7
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
21. Morristown, Tennessee
> Registered nurses: 5.3 per 1,000 people (total: 630)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $54,290
> All health care workers: 31.0 per 1,000 people (total: 3,680)
> Total population: 118,581
> 65 and older population: 19.2% (total: 22,741)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 10
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 0
20. Burlington, North Carolina
> Registered nurses: 5.3 per 1,000 people (total: 880)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $00
> All health care workers: 43.6 per 1,000 people (total: 7,260)
> Total population: 166,436
> 65 and older population: 16.9% (total: 28,127)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 18
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 0
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Source: peeterv / Getty Images
19. El Centro, California
> Registered nurses: 5.3 per 1,000 people (total: 960)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $88,200
> All health care workers: 42.1 per 1,000 people (total: 7,650)
> Total population: 181,827
> 65 and older population: 13.0% (total: 23,580)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 57
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 1
Source: jmoor17 / Getty Images
18. Yuba City, California
> Registered nurses: 5.3 per 1,000 people (total: 920)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $121,450
> All health care workers: 34.9 per 1,000 people (total: 6,100)
> Total population: 174,848
> 65 and older population: 14.2% (total: 24,857)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 26
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 2
Source: photoquest7 / Getty Images
17. Santa Cruz-Watsonville, California
> Registered nurses: 5.1 per 1,000 people (total: 1,410)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $142,930
> All health care workers: 39.2 per 1,000 people (total: 10,750)
> Total population: 274,255
> 65 and older population: 16.5% (total: 45,127)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 69
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 1
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
16. Yuma, Arizona
> Registered nurses: 5.1 per 1,000 people (total: 1,090)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $74,930
> All health care workers: 23.4 per 1,000 people (total: 4,970)
> Total population: 212,128
> 65 and older population: 18.8% (total: 39,828)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 13
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 0
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
15. Lake Havasu City-Kingman, Arizona
> Registered nurses: 5.1 per 1,000 people (total: 1,070)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $68,850
> All health care workers: 26.7 per 1,000 people (total: 5,600)
> Total population: 209,550
> 65 and older population: 30.3% (total: 63,526)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 16
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 1
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
14. Brownsville-Harlingen, Texas
> Registered nurses: 5.1 per 1,000 people (total: 2,160)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $69,730
> All health care workers: 69.8 per 1,000 people (total: 29,590)
> Total population: 423,908
> 65 and older population: 13.5% (total: 57,415)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 77
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 0
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13. Ogden-Clearfield, Utah
> Registered nurses: 5.0 per 1,000 people (total: 3,380)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $64,110
> All health care workers: 30.8 per 1,000 people (total: 20,830)
> Total population: 676,948
> 65 and older population: 10.9% (total: 73,705)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 210
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 3
12. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
> Registered nurses: 5.0 per 1,000 people (total: 510)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $69,300
> All health care workers: 29.4 per 1,000 people (total: 3,020)
> Total population: 102,811
> 65 and older population: 20.4% (total: 20,954)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 22
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 0
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Source: RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / Getty Images
11. Laredo, Texas
> Registered nurses: 4.7 per 1,000 people (total: 1,290)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $68,920
> All health care workers: 49.2 per 1,000 people (total: 13,580)
> Total population: 275,910
> 65 and older population: 9.5% (total: 26,087)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 102
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 6
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
10. Albany, Oregon
> Registered nurses: 4.6 per 1,000 people (total: 590)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $77,940
> All health care workers: 34.4 per 1,000 people (total: 4,380)
> Total population: 127,335
> 65 and older population: 18.6% (total: 23,671)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 43
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 2
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
9. Visalia-Porterville, California
> Registered nurses: 4.4 per 1,000 people (total: 2,050)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $90,540
> All health care workers: 31.0 per 1,000 people (total: 14,440)
> Total population: 465,861
> 65 and older population: 11.4% (total: 53,292)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 116
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 5
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Source: Brian Stansberry / Wikimedia Commons
8. Cleveland, Tennessee
> Registered nurses: 4.3 per 1,000 people (total: 540)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $53,690
> All health care workers: 25.9 per 1,000 people (total: 3,230)
> Total population: 124,748
> 65 and older population: 17.6% (total: 21,819)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 24
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 0
Source: razyph / Getty Images
7. Sierra Vista-Douglas, Arizona
> Registered nurses: 4.3 per 1,000 people (total: 540)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $67,790
> All health care workers: 20.0 per 1,000 people (total: 2,530)
> Total population: 126,770
> 65 and older population: 22.3% (total: 28,326)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 08
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 0
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
6. Clarksville, Tennessee, Kentucky
> Registered nurses: 4.0 per 1,000 people (total: 1,150)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $64,040
> All health care workers: 26.3 per 1,000 people (total: 7,640)
> Total population: 290,745
> 65 and older population: 10.6% (total: 31,055)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 74
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 1
Source: csfotoimages / Getty Images
5. Monroe, Michigan
> Registered nurses: 3.9 per 1,000 people (total: 590)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $69,120
> All health care workers: 24.0 per 1,000 people (total: 3,610)
> Total population: 150,439
> 65 and older population: 18.1% (total: 27,262)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 108
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 0
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Source: Bbean32 / Wikimedia Commons
4. Greeley, Colorado
> Registered nurses: 3.7 per 1,000 people (total: 1,170)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $68,960
> All health care workers: 20.8 per 1,000 people (total: 6,530)
> Total population: 314,305
> 65 and older population: 12.2% (total: 38,224)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 470
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 24
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Source: navycrackerjack74 / Flickr
3. Jacksonville, North Carolina
> Registered nurses: 3.7 per 1,000 people (total: 730)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $63,210
> All health care workers: 17.8 per 1,000 people (total: 3,510)
> Total population: 197,683
> 65 and older population: 9.2% (total: 18,266)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 16
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 1
Source: diegograndi / Getty Images
2. Merced, California
> Registered nurses: 3.1 per 1,000 people (total: 860)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $101,040
> All health care workers: 26.8 per 1,000 people (total: 7,370)
> Total population: 274,765
> 65 and older population: 11.2% (total: 30,845)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 29
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 1
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Source: Bubba73 (Jud McCranie) / Wikimedia Commons
1. Hinesville, Georgia
> Registered nurses: 2.1 per 1,000 people (total: 170)
> Registered nurse, annual median wage: $69,680
> All health care workers: 15.7 per 1,000 people (total: 1,260)
> Total population: 80,008
> 65 and older population: 9.3% (total: 7,520)
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4/5/2020: 14
> Confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of 4/5/2020: 0
To identify the cities with the fewest nurses per capita, 24/7 Tempo calculated the number of registered nurses per 1,000 people in U.S. metropolitan statistical areas using 2019 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) database and from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2018 American Community Survey (ACS). For reference, there are approximately 9.1 registered nurses for every 1,000 people in the United States.
Annual median wages for registered nurses and employment figures for respiratory therapists also came from the OES. We estimated the total number of health care workers in each MSA by adding employment totals for two broad occupations: health care practitioners and technical occupations, and health care support occupations. Registered nurses are classified under health care practitioners and technical occupations.
The percentage of each MSA’s population aged 65 and over came from The County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program, a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.
Each MSA’s number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and confirmed COVID-19 deaths came from The New York Times and are as of April 5, 2020.
Data from the BLS on the number of registered nurses for 2019 is not available for the following 25 metro areas: Albany, GA, Bellingham, WA, Billings, MT, California-Lexington Park, MD, Corvallis, OR, Flagstaff, AZ, Fond du Lac, WI, Gainesville, GA, Glens Falls, NY, Grand Forks, ND-MN, Grand, Island, NE, Great Falls, MT, Hanford-Corcoran, CA, Harrisonburg, VA, Hattiesburg, MS, Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI, Kalamazoo-Portage, MI, Longview, WA, Madera, CA, Midland, MI, Muskegon, MI, Rochester, MN, Sebring, FL, Texarkana, TX-AR, Walla Walla, WA.
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