Seniors in these Arkansas counties have the highest Alzheimer's rates

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State and detailed county-level estimates show vast disparities in the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease based on racial and socioeconomic factors. Older Americans, women, Black and Hispanic Americans, and those with lower education levels are at higher risk for developing Alzheimer's dementia, according to data from the Chicago Health and Aging Project, on which these estimates were based.

The East and Southeast regions of the U.S. were estimated to have the highest prevalence of Alzheimer's, particularly Maryland, New York, Florida, Mississippi, and Louisiana. In Maryland, nearly 30% of residents are Black, and a slightly higher share of the population is 85 and older compared to national numbers—substantial risk factors that earn it the #1 spot.

In addition to a high prevalence of the disease, Mississippi has the highest Alzheimer's mortality rate, largely due to having the worst-quality health care system in the country, Time reported.

Some of the most afflicted counties are home to Black and Hispanic populations in the South, low-income populations in Appalachia, and older adults in Florida, according to Time. Other studies have found that people in rural areas tend to be underdiagnosed or diagnosed in later stages of dementia, delaying or preventing potential treatments.

Read on to see where in Arkansas has the highest prevalence of Alzheimer's, ranked by the share of the 65 and over population estimated to have the disease. Initial ties were broken by the number of people estimated to have Alzheimer's, but some ties may remain.

Alzheimer's rates by state
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.6%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 500 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points of the estimate.

#50. Van Buren County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.6%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 700 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#49. Hot Spring County
Roberto Galan // Shutterstock

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.7%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 300 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#48. Clay County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.7%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 400 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points of the estimate.

#47. Stone County
Melissa Tate // Shutterstock

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.7%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 700 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#46. Independence County
NicholasGeraldinePhotos // Shutterstock

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.7%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 900 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#45. Boone County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.7%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 2,300 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 100 people—of the estimate.

#44. Sebastian County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.8%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 1,700 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 100 people—of the estimate.

#43. Craighead County
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.8%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 2,700 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 150 people—of the estimate.

#42. Garland County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.9%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 400 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points of the estimate.

#41. Franklin County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.0%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 800 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#40. Cleburne County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.0%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 1,500 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#39. Baxter County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.1%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 300 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#38. Jackson County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.1%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 400 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points of the estimate.

#36. Izard County (tie)
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.1%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 400 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#36. Yell County (tie)
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.2%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 200 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points of the estimate.

#35. Cleveland County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.2%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 300 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points of the estimate.

#34. Sevier County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.3%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 400 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#32. Lawrence County (tie)
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.3%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 400 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points of the estimate.

#32. Randolph County (tie)
Roberto Galan // Shutterstock

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.7%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 300 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points of the estimate.

#31. Little River County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.8%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 500 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points of the estimate.

#30. Conway County
Roberto Galan // Shutterstock

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.0%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 900 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points of the estimate.

#29. Miller County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.1%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 200 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points of the estimate.

#28. Prairie County
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.1%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 400 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points of the estimate.

#27. Cross County
Sabrina Janelle Gordon // Shutterstock

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.2%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 500 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points of the estimate.

#26. Ashley County
A Woodrum // Shutterstock

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.3%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 400 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#25. Arkansas County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.3%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 8,000 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 400 people—of the estimate.

#24. Pulaski County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.4%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 800 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#23. Mississippi County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.5%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 900 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points of the estimate.

#22. Union County
Roberto Galan // Shutterstock

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.6%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 300 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points of the estimate.

#21. Howard County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.6%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 500 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points of the estimate.

#20. Clark County
Roberto Galan // Shutterstock

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.8%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 100 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#19. Calhoun County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 13.0%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 300 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points of the estimate.

#18. Lincoln County
Roberto Galan // Shutterstock

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 13.1%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 200 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points of the estimate.

#17. Woodruff County
Sue Smith // Shutterstock

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 13.1%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 300 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points of the estimate.

#16. Bradley County
Roberto Galan // Shutterstock

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 13.2%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 500 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#15. Hempstead County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 13.2%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 900 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#14. Crittenden County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 13.3%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 400 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#13. Drew County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 13.4%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 300 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points of the estimate.

#12. Desha County
Nicole Merillat // Shutterstock

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 13.5%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 600 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#11. St. Francis County
Roberto Galan // Shutterstock

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 13.6%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 200 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points of the estimate.

#10. Nevada County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 13.6%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 700 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points of the estimate.

#9. Ouachita County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 13.8%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 200 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points of the estimate.

#8. Lafayette County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 14.1%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 200 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#7. Dallas County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 14.1%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 600 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points of the estimate.

#6. Columbia County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 14.2%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 200 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points of the estimate.

#5. Monroe County
Tudoran Andrei // Shutterstock

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 14.2%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 1,700 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#4. Jefferson County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 15.0%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 500 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points of the estimate.

#3. Phillips County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 15.8%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 400 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#2. Chicot County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 16.1%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 300 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points of the estimate.

This story features data reporting by and writing by Paxtyn Merten and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.

#1. Lee County
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