MI · Healthcare shortage profile
Iron County, MI
Home to 11,631 residents, with 6 active HRSA shortage designations.
- Active HPSAs
- 6
- Population
- 11,631
- Peak shortage score
- 18.0
- MUA Index
- 45.1
Mid-burden verdict
According to current HRSA Data Warehouse records, Iron County holds a moderate federal shortage burden - 6 active HPSA designations, more than 54% of the 3,289 real US counties, with primary care the deepest gap.
- 6
- Active HPSA designations
- 2
- Primary-care shortages
- 18
- Peak severity score (of 26)
- Top 46%
- US counties by volume
Iron County vs. every real US county
Total active HPSA designations, including counties with none
6 Top 46% higher than 54% of 3,289 real US counties
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more real 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
State peer position. Iron County falls in the lower half of MI counties by active-designation volume, at rank 44 of 83. Ties share a rank; the comparison uses the same current designated records as the national chart.
Healthcare shortage designations from HRSA. FIPS: 26071. Population: 11,631.
Medically Underserved Area
Active HPSA scores
Current designated records only. Scores range 0–25 (primary/mental health), 0–26 (dental). Higher = greater need.
Highest-severity HPSA designations
All 6 active (designated) HPSAs in Iron County, ranked by HRSA shortage score.
| Name | Type | Score |
|---|---|---|
| LI - Iron County | primary_care | 18.0 |
| LI-Iron County | dental | 18.0 |
| Aspirus Iron River Clinic | primary_care | 17.0 |
| Dickinson/Iron Counties | mental_health | 16.0 |
| Aspirus Iron River Clinic | mental_health | 15.0 |
| Aspirus Iron River Clinic | dental | 15.0 |
Moderate-burden reading for Iron County
Iron County's shortage runs equally deep in primary care and dental care: both scored 18.0 by HRSA, past the 17-point line HRSA uses to open National Health Service Corps placement and enhanced Medicare reimbursement. Mental health reads 16.0 of 25. The county also sits inside a Medically Underserved Area, indexed at 45.1, and the lower the index, the greater the measured need.
Iron County sits in the middle of the national designation-volume distribution (above 54% of counties) with 6 active records. That is enough for a formal shortage footprint without landing in the heaviest US tier. Compare the three discipline counts (2/2/2) before assuming every care category is equally short.
Iron County falls in the lower half of MI counties by active-designation volume, at rank 44 of 83. For moderate counties, the useful move is usually a state peer check plus the score cards above, not a national superlative claim.
Iron County designations by care type
Active Health Professional Shortage Area designations in the county, by provider category (high-priority disciplines emphasized).
- Primary care
Primary care
2 designations
- Dental
Dental
2 designations
Source: HRSA Data Warehouse, Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA) + Medically Underserved Areas/Populations (MUA/P) HPSA primary-care, mental-health, and dental designations for Iron 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.
Acting on Iron County's designations
Iron County's shortage designations unlock specific federal programs and comparisons, here is how to act on them.
- Iron County's 6 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 primary care 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 ratio checker
HPSA scores describe shortage severity within HRSA's designation criteria, not the availability of any individual provider. For a specific appointment, contact a provider or your insurer; use HRSA's current tools to verify a designation.
Nearby primary-care score peers
Closest U.S. counties on active primary-care HPSA score to Iron County's 18.0.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Iron County a Medically Underserved Area?
Yes, Iron County is designated as a Medically Underserved Area (MUA) by HRSA. The MUA Index for this county is 45.1. MUA designation qualifies the area for enhanced federal funding and provider incentive programs.
How many healthcare shortage areas does Iron County have?
Iron County, MI has 6 Health Professional Shortage Area designations: 2 in primary care, 2 in mental health, and 2 in dental care, according to HRSA data.
What does Iron County's HPSA score of 18.0 mean?
18.0 in primary care and dental care clears 17, HRSA's high-priority line, which is what makes providers here eligible for NHSC placement and enhanced reimbursement.
What healthcare providers are needed in Iron County?
Based on HRSA shortage designations, Iron 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.
Next read: The Primary-Care Shortage · MI state overview · NHSC loan repayment
Source: HRSA Data Warehouse. FIPS: 26071. 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.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.