UCA leads with data to effectively communicate the story of Urgent Care and its unparalleled impact, value, and contributions to the healthcare landscape.
Patients cared for in an Urgent Care setting each year
From 2016 to 2024, Urgent Care Centers have grown from 9,000 to 15,000.
The map represents open centers by state since January 2026.
This dynamic visual resource highlights 2024’s clinic openings, the top states for new centers, hospital affiliations, hours of operation and more!
The Essential Nature of Urgent Care in the Healthcare Ecosystem Post-Covid-19.
Classification based on USDA Rural–Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) Codes.
Rural (RUCA 10)
62.8% of visits are children, teens, and adults under 40
Source: JUCM.com
The vast majority of Americans have an urgent care center within a short drive, making urgent care one of the most geographically accessible points of care in the U.S. healthcare system.
Source: UCA Member Survey
Source: ER waits by state
150 minutes
Median ED Wait Time
Source: Experity Data
56 minutes
Average UC Visit Time
5,000,000+ UC Visits “After Hours”
Based on survey of 13,000,000 patient encounters after 5 p.m., Jan – March 2024
View and download data tables with rankings of the top 50 hospital-affiliated operators, the top 50 independent operators, and center counts by state.
33.27 avg. patients/day/center
In 2019, 34% of ED presentations were inappropriate. A significant share of emergency department visits involve conditions that could be safely and efficiently treated at an urgent care center, at a fraction of the cost and wait time.
Source: Advisory Board, 2023
34% of all ED presentations
1
2
Metropolitan high commuting — 30%+ primary commuting flow to a metro UA
3
Metropolitan low commuting — 10–30% primary commuting flow to a metro UA
4
Micropolitan core — primary commuting flow within a UA of 10,000–49,999
5
Micropolitan high commuting — 30%+ flow to a micro UA
6
Micropolitan low commuting — 10–30% flow to a micro UA
7
Small town core — primary commuting flow within a UA of 9,999 or fewer (small town UA)
8
Small town high commuting — 30%+ flow to a small town UA
9
Small town low commuting — 10–30% primary commuting flow to a small town UA
10
Rural areas — primary commuting flow to a tract outside
an UA
