NJ · Healthcare shortage profile
Union County, NJ
Home to 575,345 residents, with 5 active HRSA shortage designations.
- Active HPSAs
- 5
- Population
- 575,345
- Peak shortage score
- 13.0
- MUA Index
- 57.3
Mid-burden verdict
According to current HRSA Data Warehouse records, Union County holds a moderate federal shortage burden - 5 active HPSA designations, more than 47% of the 3,289 real US counties, with primary care the deepest gap.
- 5
- Active HPSA designations
- 2
- Primary-care shortages
- 13
- Peak severity score (of 26)
- Top 53%
- US counties by volume
Corpus placement
Designated volume without a high-priority score
According to current HRSA Data Warehouse records, Union County carries 5 active designations, above 47% of real US counties. None of those scores clear HRSA's high-priority line of 17 on this release, so the page leads with severity reading rather than a national distribution chart.
State peer position. Union County falls in the upper half of NJ counties by active-designation volume, at rank 10 of 20. Ties share a rank.
Computed from current designated HPSA rows for every five-digit county FIPS. See the placement methodology.
Healthcare shortage designations from HRSA. FIPS: 34039. Population: 575,345.
Below high-priority line
Union County is designated, but no active score clears 17
5 active designations sit on this FIPS (2 primary care, 2 mental health, 1 dental), and the peak severity is 13.0. That is a formal shortage footprint without HRSA's high-priority (≥17) tier, so NHSC placement geography is usually weaker here than on counties whose lead score clears the line.
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 5 active (designated) HPSAs in Union County, ranked by HRSA shortage score.
| Name | Type | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth SA | primary_care | 13.0 |
| East Middlesex/Southern Union SA | mental_health | 13.0 |
| Ice - Elizabeth | dental | 12.0 |
| Ice - Elizabeth | primary_care | 6.0 |
| Ice - Elizabeth | mental_health | 6.0 |
Moderate-burden reading for Union County
Union County's shortage runs equally deep in primary care and mental health: both scored 13.0 by HRSA, still short of the 17-point priority line, though the designation itself is formal. Dental care reads 12.0 of 26. The county also sits inside a Medically Underserved Area, indexed at 57.3, and the lower the index, the greater the measured need.
Union County sits in the middle of the national designation-volume distribution (above 47% of counties) with 5 active records. That is enough for a formal shortage footprint without landing in the heaviest US tier. Compare the three discipline counts (2/2/1) before assuming every care category is equally short.
Union County falls in the upper half of NJ counties by active-designation volume, at rank 10 of 20. For moderate counties, the useful move is usually a state peer check plus the score cards above, not a national superlative claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Union County a Medically Underserved Area?
Yes, Union County is designated as a Medically Underserved Area (MUA) by HRSA. The MUA Index for this county is 57.3. MUA designation qualifies the area for enhanced federal funding and provider incentive programs.
How many healthcare shortage areas does Union County have?
Union County, NJ has 5 Health Professional Shortage Area designations: 2 in primary care, 2 in mental health, and 1 in dental care, according to HRSA data.
What does Union County's HPSA score of 13.0 mean?
13.0 in primary care and mental health falls under 17, so the shortage is formally designated but outside HRSA's high-priority tier.
What healthcare providers are needed in Union County?
Based on HRSA shortage designations, Union 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 · NJ state overview · NHSC loan repayment
Source: HRSA Data Warehouse. FIPS: 34039. 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.