Almost a quarter of all Veterans in the United States — 4.7 million — return from active military careers to reside in rural communities, and do so for a number of reasons.
For some, it’s a matter of being closer to family, friends, and the familiar. For others, it may be the greater sense of privacy, the lower cost of living, or the allure of open space and fewer people.
Whatever benefits Veterans enjoy from rural living, the health care providers who support them can also find happy homes in rural communities around the country.
A look at some rural locations
If you’re looking for hometown living, historic backdrops, and numerous recreational opportunities, a job at one of these rural VA facilities may be just what you need.
- Togus, Maine — Standing on the grounds of the first Veterans’ facility developed by the United States, Togus VA Medical Center was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012. The original grounds were developed as a resort hotel in 1858, and the original facility housed Union Veterans of the Civil War prior to being converted to a Veterans hospital.
- White River Junction, Vermont — Located on the Vermont-New Hampshire border within easy access to I-91 and I-89 and less than an hour from Montpelier, Vermont, White River Junction offers something for everyone: science centers, theaters, restaurants, a cartoon school, historic attractions, camping, hiking, biking, and White River Junction VA Medical Center.
- Bath, New York — Another location with historic ties to the Civil War, Bath VA Medical Center was originally established as a home for disabled New York Veterans before becoming a geriatric care facility. Today, it provides secondary care to Veterans in the region. Interestingly, the town of Bath is home to the longest continuously running county fair in the United States.
- Butler, Pennsylvania — Serving over 22,000 Veterans on its 90-acre campus, VA Butler Healthcare is located in the heart of Butler County, north of Pittsburgh. Alongside 5 community-based outpatient clinics, the facility provides primary care, behavioral health, specialized extended care, physical rehabilitation medicine, and residential substance abuse treatment.
- Clarksburg, West Virginia — The Louis A. Johnson Veterans’ Administration Medical Center, the heart of VA Clarksburg, is located on a 16-acre site adjacent to the Veterans Memorial Park and the West Virginia State Nursing Home in the city of Clarksburg. Clarksburg itself is a cultural center, and hosts many ethnic and artistic events and festivals.
- Dublin, Georgia — VA Dublin serves Veterans from the heart of Laurens County, Georgia, and its name is taken from the surrounding community. Interestingly, the town was named Dublin because the region reminded Irish settlers of terrain in their native country and has the distinction of being mentioned by James Joyce on the opening page of “Finnegan’s Wake.”
- Chillicothe, Ohio — VA Chillicothe Healthcare System encompasses 7 locations in southern Ohio, including Chillicothe VA Medical Center, and 6 community-based outpatient clinics. Chillicothe VAMC is renowned as a teaching hospital offering clinical rotations in medical, dental, and mental health specialties to over 200 health profession trainees at all levels per year.
- Marion, Indiana — Marion VA Medical Center is part of VA Northern Indiana Healthcare System, and its history dates back to 1888, when a National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers was founded in the region. In 2018, the city of Marion was named the most affordable suburb by Realtor.com and is home to many innovative businesses and non-profit organizations.
- Iron Mountain, Michigan — The Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center and clinics in VA Iron Mountain serve 20,000 Veterans across 25 counties in Michigan and Wisconsin. Iron Mountain is known for its pastries, Bocce ball tournaments, World Cup ski jumps, and Italian cuisine, and holds historical significance as the home of the largest steam-driven pumping engine in the United States.
Work at VA
Find a community that’s right for you, and help us promote the health and well-being of rural Veterans with a career at VA.
- LEARN more about our work with rural Veterans.
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