60+ US Hospital Statistics for 2025

The landscape of U.S. hospitals in 2025 reflects significant shifts in structure, operations, and patient care. With over 6,000 hospitals nationwide, the sector continues to evolve in response to demographic trends, technological advancements, and policy changes.

Understanding these dynamics is crucial for stakeholders aiming to navigate the complexities of the healthcare system. This article presents more than 60 key statistics that provide insight into various aspects of U.S. hospitals.

From hospital types and ownership structures to workforce demographics and financial performance, these data points offer a comprehensive overview. Each statistic is sourced from reputable institutions such as the American Hospital Association (AHA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ensuring reliability and accuracy.

Below, you’ll find a detailed breakdown of these, organized into seven key categories.

1. Number and Types of Hospitals

2. Hospital Beds and Capacity

3. Hospital Workforce

4. Financial Performance

5. Patient Care and Quality Outcomes

6. Technology and Innovation in Hospitals

7. Public Health and Community Impact

Distribution of Hospitals by Number and Type

The U.S. hospital landscape is diverse, encompassing various types of facilities to meet the needs of different populations. Understanding the distribution and characteristics of these hospitals is essential for assessing healthcare access and delivery.

Here are the latest figures on hospital types and ownership:

• Total number of hospitals: 6,093 (AHA)

• Community hospitals: 5,112 (84%) (AHA)

• Non-federal psychiatric hospitals: 654 (11%) (AHA)

• Federal government hospitals: 207 (3%) (AHA)

• Other hospitals: 120 (2%) (AHA)

The breakdown for community hospitals is as follows:

• System-affiliated community hospitals: 69% (3,525) (AHA)

• Independent community hospitals: 31% (1,587) (AHA)

• Urban community hospitals: 65% (3,316) (AHA)

• Rural community hospitals: 35% (1,796) (AHA)

• Non-government not-for-profit community hospitals: 58% (2,978) (AHA)

• Investor-owned for-profit community hospitals: 24% (1,214) (AHA)

• State and local government community hospitals: 18% (920) (AHA)

These statistics underscore the diverse nature of the U.S. hospital system, highlighting the various types and affiliations that contribute to healthcare delivery across the country.

Hospital Beds and Capacity

Hospital bed capacity is a critical factor in determining a healthcare system's ability to respond to patient needs, especially during peak times like flu season or public health emergencies. Monitoring bed availability and utilization helps in planning and resource allocation.

Key figures about hospital capacity:

• Total hospital beds: 919,000 (AHA)

• Community hospital beds: approximately 850,000 (AHA)

• Average number of beds per hospital: approximately 150 (AHA)

• Beds per 1,000 population (2019): 2.4 (CDC)

• Average length of stay (2019): 4.6 days (CDC)

• Inpatient days per 1,000 population (2019): 1,600 (CDC)

• Hospital discharge rate (2019): 7.9% (CDC)

• Emergency department visits per 100 persons (2019): 44.4 (CDC)

• Hospital readmission rate (30 days, 2019): 15.9% (CDC)

• Average occupancy rate (2019): 65% (AHA)

These figures provide a snapshot of hospital capacity and utilization, reflecting the system's ability to accommodate patient needs and manage resources effectively.

Hospital Workforce Statistics

The healthcare workforce is the backbone of hospital operations, encompassing a wide range of professionals who deliver patient care and support services. Understanding workforce composition and trends is vital for addressing staffing needs and ensuring quality care.

Some workforce-related statistics:

• Total hospital employees: approximately 5.4 million (AHA)

• Registered nurses (RNs): approximately 3.1 million (AHA)

• Physicians: approximately 1 million (AHA)

• Nurse practitioners (NPs): approximately 325,000 (AHA)

• Physician assistants (PAs): approximately 150,000 (AHA)

• Hospital-employed physicians: approximately 45% (AHA)

• Physicians in group practices: approximately 30% (AHA)

• Physicians in solo practices: approximately 20% (AHA)

• Physicians employed by health systems: approximately 60% (AHA)

• Physicians with hospital privileges: approximately 85% (AHA)

These statistics highlight the diverse roles within the hospital workforce and the trends in employment patterns, which are crucial for planning and policy development.

Financial Performance Data

Financial health is a key indicator of a hospital's ability to invest in infrastructure, technology, and quality care initiatives. Monitoring financial performance helps stakeholders assess sustainability and areas for improvement.

Below are several financial performance highlights:

• Total hospital expenses: $1.2 trillion (AHA)

• Average operating margin: 2.5% (AHA)

• Median operating margin: 1.8% (AHA)

• Net patient revenue: $900 billion (AHA)

• Medicare revenue: $400 billion (AHA)

• Medicaid revenue: $300 billion (AHA)

• Private insurance revenue: $200 billion (AHA)

• Uncompensated care costs: $50 billion (AHA)

• Charity care expenses: $25 billion (AHA)

• Bad debt expenses: $25 billion (AHA)

These figures show both the magnitude of hospital finances and the delicate balance between revenue, expenses, and care obligations.

Patient Care and Quality Outcomes

Hospitals exist to deliver safe, effective, and high-quality care to millions of patients every year. Quality measures help track progress in safety, outcomes, and patient satisfaction.

Consider these facts highlighting care quality in U.S. hospitals:

• Hospital admissions in community hospitals (2023): 34.0 million (AHA)

• Total births in U.S. hospitals (2023): 3.5 million (CDC)

• Surgical procedures performed annually (2021): over 50 million (CDC)

• Healthcare-associated infections (2022): about 1 in 31 hospital patients on any given day (CDC)

• Percentage of hospitals with patient safety programs (2023): 97% (AHA)

• Hospital patient satisfaction rate (HCAHPS, 2023): 69% rated hospitals 9 or 10 out of 10 (CMS)

Taken together, these numbers reflect ongoing improvements but also point to areas where patient safety and care quality can still advance.

Technology and Innovation in Hospitals

Technology adoption in hospitals has accelerated, reshaping how care is delivered and coordinated. From electronic health records (EHRs) to telehealth, digital tools are now integral.

The following numbers provide insight into hospital technology use:

• Hospitals with certified EHR systems (2023): 96% (HealthIT.gov)

• Hospitals offering telehealth services (2023): 84% (AHA)

• Hospitals using remote patient monitoring (2023): 45% (AHA)

• Hospitals using AI or predictive models integrated with their EHR (2023): 65% (Health Affairs)

• Hospitals offering online patient access to health records (2023): 97% (HealthIT.gov)

• Hospitals using spam and phishing protection (2023): 99% (AHA)

• Hospitals with robotic surgery systems (2025): 35% (iData Research)

These statistics highlight how technology continues to drive efficiency and improve the patient experience in U.S. hospitals.

Public Health and Community Impact Metrics

Hospitals not only treat patients but also play an essential role in supporting community health initiatives. Their outreach and community benefits impact millions beyond the hospital walls.

Here are some statistics showing their broader impact:

• Total uncompensated care (2023): $41.4 billion (America's Essential Hospitals)

• Hospitals offering community health improvement services (2023): 85% (AHA)

• Hospitals providing behavioral health services (2023): 42% (AHA)

• Percentage of hospitals engaged in population health initiatives (2023): 74% (AHA)

• Hospitals providing charity care (2022): nearly all nonprofit hospitals (IRS)

• Number of hospital emergency visits (2022): 139 million (CDC)

For a clearer view, here are three major community benefit categories hospitals often focus on:

1. Charity care and financial assistance

2. Community health education and prevention programs

3. Partnerships with local organizations for public health initiatives

These contributions show that hospitals are not just care providers but also vital public health partners.

Hospitals at a Crossroads: The Outlook for 2025 and Beyond

The statistics in this article illustrate the strengths and challenges of U.S. hospitals in 2025. With growing demand, financial pressures, and the need to integrate new technologies, hospitals must continue adapting.

At the same time, hospitals remain cornerstones of both patient care and community well-being. Organizations like Aptarro support this transformation by helping healthcare providers optimize data use, improve compliance, and enhance performance across the system.

Contact Aptarro today to explore how we can support your hospital’s success in 2025 and beyond.