HRSA designation data Public-data reference Medically Underserved Area

MI · Healthcare shortage profile

Dickinson County, MI

Home to 25,947 residents, with 22 active HRSA shortage designations.

Active HPSAs
22
Population
25,947
Peak shortage score
16.0
MUA Index
55.0

The verdict

Dickinson County ranks among the most underserved counties in the country - 22 active HPSA designations, more than 96% of the 2,991 US counties with a designated shortage, with mental health the deepest gap.

22
Active HPSA designations
7
Primary-care shortages
16
Peak severity score (of 26)
Top 4%
US counties by volume

Healthcare shortage designations from HRSA. FIPS: 26043. Population: 25,947.

Dickinson County, MI (population 25,947) has 7 primary care, 8 mental health, and 7 dental Health Professional Shortage Area designations active according to HRSA. The county is also designated a Medically Underserved Area (MUA) with an MUA Index of 55.0. Shortage severity scores and individual HPSA designations are detailed below.

7
Primary Care HPSAs
8
Mental Health HPSAs
7
Dental HPSAs

HPSA Scores

Primary Care 16.0
Mental Health 16.0
Dental 16.0

Scores range 0–25 (primary/mental health), 0–26 (dental). Higher = greater need.

Medically Underserved Area

MUA Designated
MUA Index: 55.0

Dickinson County vs. every US county

Total active HPSA designations, how this county's shortage volume compares nationally

22 Top 4% higher than 96% of 2,991 US counties

0–20: 2,828 US counties (95%). Below this entry. 20–40: 124 US counties (4%). This entry sits in this band. 40–60: 27 US counties (1%). Above this entry. 60–80: 6 US counties (0%). Above this entry. 80–100: 1 US counties (0%). Above this entry. 100–120: 2 US counties (0%). Above this entry. 120–140: 1 US counties (0%). Above this entry. 140–160: 1 US counties (0%). Above this entry. 160–180: 0 US counties (0%). Above this entry. 180–200: 0 US counties (0%). Above this entry. 200–220: 0 US counties (0%). Above this entry. 220–240: 0 US counties (0%). Above this entry. 240–260: 0 US counties (0%). Above this entry. 260–280: 1 US counties (0%). Above this entry. This county 0 280 every US county with a designation, bucketed by value

Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more US counties. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source HRSA Data Warehouse, designated HPSAs · 2026

Highest-severity HPSA designations

All 22 active (designated) HPSAs in Dickinson County, ranked by HRSA shortage score.

Name Type Score
MI-WI FAMILY PRACTICE ASSOCIATES mental_health 16.0
MARSHFIELD MEDICAL CENTER-DICKINSON NORWAY CENTER mental_health 16.0
DICKINSON FAMILY AND GERIATRIC CLINIC mental_health 16.0
DICKINSON OB/GYN CLINIC mental_health 16.0
DICKINSON INTERNAL MEDICINE/NEPHROLOGY CLINIC mental_health 16.0
DICKINSON PRIMARY CARE CENTER mental_health 16.0
Dickinson/Iron Counties mental_health 16.0
DICKINSON FAMILY PRACTICE CENTER-IRON MOUNTAIN mental_health 16.0
MI-WI FAMILY PRACTICE ASSOCIATES primary_care 15.0
DICKINSON FAMILY PRACTICE CENTER-IRON MOUNTAIN primary_care 15.0
DICKINSON INTERNAL MEDICINE/NEPHROLOGY CLINIC primary_care 15.0
DICKINSON PRIMARY CARE CENTER primary_care 15.0
DICKINSON OB/GYN CLINIC primary_care 15.0
MARSHFIELD MEDICAL CENTER-DICKINSON NORWAY CENTER primary_care 15.0
DICKINSON FAMILY AND GERIATRIC CLINIC primary_care 15.0
DICKINSON PRIMARY CARE CENTER dental 15.0
MARSHFIELD MEDICAL CENTER-DICKINSON NORWAY CENTER dental 15.0
DICKINSON FAMILY PRACTICE CENTER-IRON MOUNTAIN dental 15.0
MI-WI FAMILY PRACTICE ASSOCIATES dental 15.0
DICKINSON FAMILY AND GERIATRIC CLINIC dental 15.0
DICKINSON INTERNAL MEDICINE/NEPHROLOGY CLINIC dental 15.0
DICKINSON OB/GYN CLINIC dental 15.0

What the HRSA Data Shows for Dickinson County

Dickinson County, MI - population 25,947 carries 22 active Health Professional Shortage Area designations in the HRSA Data Warehouse: 7 in primary care, 8 in mental health, and 7 in dental. The county is also flagged as a Medically Underserved Area, scoring 55.0 on the MUA Index (lower scores indicate greater need).

The county's highest shortage-severity score across the three categories is 16.0, below the 17-point priority threshold but still a formally designated shortage. Primary-care scoring reached 16.0 (0–25 scale). Mental-health scoring reached 16.0 (0–25 scale). Dental scoring reached 16.0 (0–26 scale).

HRSA lists 22 active (designated) HPSA records tied to Dickinson County, covering the specific facilities, geographies, and population groups that received the designation; the table above shows the most severe.

Dickinson County designations by care type

Active Health Professional Shortage Area designations in the county, by provider category.

designations
Source HRSA Data Warehouse, designated HPSAs As of 2026

Source: HRSA Data Warehouse, Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA) + Medically Underserved Areas/Populations (MUA/P) HPSA primary-care, mental-health, and dental designations for Dickinson County, MI · 2026 HRSA designation data updated quarterly; HPSA scores 0-25 (primary/mental) and 0-26 (dental); higher = greater shortage severity. Coverage tiers from U.S. Census ACS PUMS + KFF state tracker.

What to do with Dickinson County's data

Dickinson County's shortage designations unlock specific federal programs and comparisons, here is how to act on them.

  • Dickinson County's 22 active designations make providers here eligible for National Health Service Corps loan repayment, estimate the award and service terms. NHSC estimator
  • See how the county's mental health burden compares with the rest of MI before you draw conclusions from a single score. MI overview
  • Check whether an area clears HRSA's 3,500:1 population-to-provider threshold with the provider-to-population ratio behind an HPSA score. HPSA score estimator

HPSA scores describe structural access to care, not the availability of any individual provider. For a specific appointment, contact a provider or your insurer; designations are reviewed by HRSA each quarter.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many healthcare shortage areas does Dickinson County have?

Dickinson County, MI has 22 Health Professional Shortage Area designations: 7 in primary care, 8 in mental health, and 7 in dental care, according to HRSA data.

Is Dickinson County a Medically Underserved Area?

Yes, Dickinson County is designated as a Medically Underserved Area (MUA) by HRSA. The MUA Index for this county is 55.0. MUA designation qualifies the area for enhanced federal funding and provider incentive programs.

What does an HPSA score mean?

HPSA scores range from 0 to 25 for primary care and mental health (0 to 26 for dental). Higher scores indicate greater shortage severity. Areas with scores of 17 or above are considered high-priority shortage areas eligible for National Health Service Corps placement and enhanced Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement.

What healthcare providers are needed in Dickinson County?

Based on HRSA shortage designations, Dickinson County needs additional providers in primary care (family physicians, internists, pediatricians), mental health (psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers), and dental care (dentists, dental hygienists). The National Health Service Corps offers loan repayment and scholarship programs for providers who serve in designated shortage areas.

How are HPSA designations used by federal programs?

HPSA designations determine eligibility for over 30 federal programs, including National Health Service Corps placements, Community Health Center grants, Medicare bonus payments (10% for physicians in HPSAs), J-1 visa waiver programs for international medical graduates, and Rural Health Clinic certification. These programs channel billions of dollars annually to underserved communities.

How does Dickinson County compare to other counties in MI?

Dickinson County has 22 total HPSA designations with a peak shortage score of 16.0. You can compare shortage levels across all counties in MI on the state overview page, or view national county rankings to see where Dickinson County stands relative to the rest of the country.

Source: HRSA Data Warehouse. FIPS: 26043. PlainHealthAccess is not affiliated with HRSA or any government agency.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the HRSA Data Warehouse. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Every figure on PlainHealthAccess is rendered directly from HRSA source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page lists every HPSA and MUA designation on record for the county. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026.