Special Report

Cities With the Fewest Nurses

sturti / Getty Images

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

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

[in-text-ad]

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

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

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

[in-text-ad-2]

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

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

[in-text-ad]

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

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

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

[in-text-ad-2]

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

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

[in-text-ad]

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

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

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

[in-text-ad-2]

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

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

[in-text-ad]

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

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

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

[in-text-ad-2]

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

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

[in-text-ad]

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

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

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

[in-text-ad-2]

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

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

[in-text-ad]

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

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

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

[in-text-ad-2]

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

[in-text-ad]

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

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

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

[in-text-ad-2]

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

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

[in-text-ad]

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

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

[in-text-ad-2]

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

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

[in-text-ad]

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

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

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

[in-text-ad-2]

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

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

[in-text-ad]

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

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

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

[in-text-ad-2]

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.

Travel Cards Are Getting Too Good To Ignore

Credit card companies are pulling out all the stops, with the issuers are offering insane travel rewards and perks.

We’re talking huge sign-up bonuses, points on every purchase, and benefits like lounge access, travel credits, and free hotel nights. For travelers, these rewards can add up to thousands of dollars in flights, upgrades, and luxury experiences every year.

It’s like getting paid to travel — and it’s available to qualified borrowers who know where to look.

We’ve rounded up some of the best travel credit cards on the market. Click here to see the list. Don’t miss these offers — they won’t be this good forever.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.