Table 2.

Ratios of Direct Care Workers Relative to The Older Adult Population in Rural and Urban Areas by US Census Region.

		Home Health aides		Nursing assistants
New England	Rural	14.2	(n = 9)	10.2	(n = 9)
	Urban	26.6	(n = 21)	13.1	(n = 21)
Middle Atlantic	Rural	55.7	(n = 6)	18.3	(n = 6)
	Urban	60.9	(n = 34)	26.7	(n = 35)
East North Central	Rural	30.2	(n = 19)	22.2	(n = 19)
	Urban	47.2	(n = 58)	27.7	(n = 57)
West North Central	Rural	40.9	(n = 20)	33.5	(n = 20)
	Urban	61.1	(n = 33)	45.1	(n = 33)
South Atlantic	Rural	26.2	(n = 20)	19.5	(n = 20)
	Urban	27.4	(n = 83)	24.7	(n = 83)
East South Central	Rural	22.0	(n = 16)	21.0	(n = 16)
	Urban	31.9	(n = 29)	25.6	(n = 29)
West South Central	Rural	43.3	(n = 17)	22.8	(n = 17)
	Urban	77.4	(n = 43)	25.3	(n = 42)
Mountain	Rural	34.4	(n = 16)	17.3	(n = 16)
	Urban	53.0	(n = 37)	23.0	(n = 37)
Pacific	Rural	38.4	(n = 5)	11.4	(n = 10)
	Urban	80.4	(n = 49)	17.3	(n = 48)

Source: 2021 OEWS and AHRF

Note. The units of measurement (n) are metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.