Dorchester County

South CarolinaFIPS 45035

Pop. 161,5400 HospitalsSVI 0.63RUCC 2 (Metro)PC HPSADental HPSAMH HPSA
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Hospital Desert

Dorchester County has no hospital. Residents must travel to neighboring counties for hospital care.

Health Snapshot

MetricDorchester CountyState Avg 
Diabetes Prevalence10.9%12.4%
Adult Obesity36.4%39.0%
Uninsured Rate10.4%11.6%
PCPs per 10K3.24.9
Premature Death (YPLL)8,693.328

Source: County Health Rankings (2025)

Workforce Supply

47
Primary Care Physicians
27.7 per 100k
237
NPs & PAs
139.5 per 100k
141
Dentists
50
Hospital Beds
0.3 per 1,000
$12,228.15
Medicare Per Capita
1667.0%
Readmission Rate

Source: Area Health Resources File (AHRF) 2024-2025

CDC PLACES Health Indicators

IndicatorDorchester CountyState Avg 
Diabetes13.2%
Obesity35.6%
Depression22.1%
Frequent Mental Distress16.4%
COPD6.9%
Current Smoking13.6%
Heart Disease6.1%
Stroke3.6%
High Blood Pressure35.8%
Poor General Health19.0%
Disability28.6%
No Leisure Physical Activity24.9%
Binge Drinking16.6%
Uninsured11.1%

Source: CDC PLACES 2023-2024. Values are age-adjusted prevalence (%).

Dorchester County has no hospital. 10 of South Carolina's counties are hospital deserts.

See all hospital deserts in South Carolina

Social Vulnerability Index

Overall0.63
Socioeconomic Status0.61
Household Composition & Disability0.66
Minority Status & Language0.76
Housing Type & Transportation0.45

Source: CDC/ATSDR SVI 2022. Score 0-1; higher = more vulnerable.

Health Professional Shortage Areas

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Primary Care
Designated Shortage Area
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Dental Health
Designated Shortage Area
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Mental Health
Designated Shortage Area

Source: HRSA Bureau of Health Workforce

Nearest Hospitals

Since Dorchester County has no hospital, residents travel to nearby facilities.

HospitalCountyBedsDistance
Roper St Francis Hospital-berkely IncBerkeley5017.9 mi
Colleton Medical CenterColleton13519 mi
Trident Medical CenterCharleston49720.5 mi
Musc Healt Rehabilitation HospitalCharleston4920.7 mi
Bon Secours-st Francis Xavier HospitalCharleston20428.6 mi

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Data from CMS Provider of Services, County Health Rankings, CDC Social Vulnerability Index, HRSA Bureau of Health Workforce, AHRF 2024-2025, CDC PLACES 2023-2024, and UNC Sheps Center. Last updated: 2026-03-11.