WI · Healthcare shortage profile
Iowa County, WI
Home to 23,709 residents, with 12 active HRSA shortage designations.
- Active HPSAs
- 12
- Population
- 23,709
- Peak shortage score
- 16.0
- MUA Index
- 57.4
Heavy-burden verdict
According to current HRSA Data Warehouse records, Iowa County ranks among the most underserved counties in the country - 12 active HPSA designations, more than 85% of the 3,289 real US counties, with primary care the deepest gap.
- 12
- Active HPSA designations
- 4
- Mental-health shortages
- 16
- Peak severity score (of 26)
- Top 15%
- US counties by volume
Corpus placement
Designated volume without a high-priority score
According to current HRSA Data Warehouse records, Iowa County carries 12 active designations, above 85% 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. Iowa County falls in the upper quarter of WI counties by active-designation volume, at rank 9 of 71. 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: 55049. Population: 23,709.
Below high-priority line
Iowa County is designated, but no active score clears 17
12 active designations sit on this FIPS (4 primary care, 4 mental health, 4 dental), and the peak severity is 16.0. 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
Peak severity scores
Current designated records only. Scores range 0–25 (primary/mental health), 0–26 (dental). Higher = greater need.
Highest-severity HPSA designations
All 12 active (designated) HPSAs in Iowa County, ranked by HRSA shortage score.
| Name | Type | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral Point Medical Ctr OF Upland Hills Health | mental_health | 16.0 |
| Upland Hills Health Clinic Highland | mental_health | 16.0 |
| Upland Hills Health Clinic Highland | dental | 15.0 |
| Mineral Point Medical Ctr OF Upland Hills Health | dental | 15.0 |
| Upland Hills Health Clinic Barneveld | mental_health | 14.0 |
| Mineral Point Medical Ctr OF Upland Hills Health | primary_care | 13.0 |
| Upland Hills Health Clinic Barneveld | dental | 13.0 |
| Dodgeville Medical Ctr OF Upland Hills Health | mental_health | 12.0 |
| Upland Hills Health Clinic Highland | primary_care | 11.0 |
| Dodgeville Medical Ctr OF Upland Hills Health | primary_care | 11.0 |
| Dodgeville Medical Ctr OF Upland Hills Health | dental | 11.0 |
| Upland Hills Health Clinic Barneveld | primary_care | 7.0 |
Heavy-burden reading for Iowa County
Iowa County's severest measured gap is in mental health, scored 16.0 of 25, still short of the 17-point priority line, though the designation itself is formal. Primary care reads 13.0 of 25; Dental care reads 15.0 of 26. The county also sits inside a Medically Underserved Area, indexed at 57.4, and the lower the index, the greater the measured need.
Volume places Iowa County above 85% of real US counties (12 active designations: 4 primary care, 4 mental health, 4 dental). Peak severity on the current designated set is 16.0. The table on this page lists the highest-severity records first so a reader can see which named facilities, geographies, or population groups drive that burden without treating the county total as a personal appointment forecast.
Iowa County falls in the upper quarter of WI counties by active-designation volume, at rank 9 of 71. Heavy-burden counties are where NHSC placement, Community Health Center grant geography, and related federal instruments concentrate; eligibility still follows the designated area and provider type, not the county boundary alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Iowa County a Medically Underserved Area?
Yes, Iowa County is designated as a Medically Underserved Area (MUA) by HRSA. The MUA Index for this county is 57.4. MUA designation qualifies the area for enhanced federal funding and provider incentive programs.
How many healthcare shortage areas does Iowa County have?
Iowa County, WI has 12 Health Professional Shortage Area designations: 4 in primary care, 4 in mental health, and 4 in dental care, according to HRSA data.
What does Iowa County's HPSA score of 16.0 mean?
16.0 in mental health falls under 17, so the shortage is formally designated but outside HRSA's high-priority tier.
What healthcare providers are needed in Iowa County?
Based on HRSA shortage designations, Iowa 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.
Which federal programs do Iowa County's designations unlock?
Iowa County's 12 active designations open NHSC placement, Community Health Center grants, the Medicare bonus and J-1 waivers, but eligibility follows the designated area and provider type, not the county line.
How does Iowa County compare to other counties in WI?
Iowa County has 12 total HPSA designations with a peak shortage score of 16.0. You can compare shortage levels across all counties in WI on the state overview page, or view national county rankings to see where Iowa County stands relative to the rest of the country.
Next read: The Mental-Health Provider Shortage · WI state overview · NHSC loan repayment
Source: HRSA Data Warehouse. FIPS: 55049. 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.