Seniors in these Colorado 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 Colorado 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
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 8.9%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 200 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.8 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#50. Saguache County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 8.9%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 300 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.5 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#49. Pitkin County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 9.0%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: Not available
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points of the estimate.

#48. Hinsdale County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 9.0%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 1,000 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 100 people—of the estimate.

#47. La Plata County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 9.2%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: Not available
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.5 percentage points of the estimate.

#46. Mineral County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 9.2%
- 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.

#45. Garfield County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 9.4%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 100 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.8 percentage points of the estimate.

#44. Lake County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 9.5%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 4,500 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 250 people—of the estimate.

#43. Douglas County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 9.6%
- 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—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#42. Chaffee County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 9.7%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: Not available
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points of the estimate.

#41. Jackson County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 9.7%
- 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.

#40. Montezuma County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 9.8%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: Not available
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points of the estimate.

#39. San Juan County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 9.8%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 5,900 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 350 people—of the estimate.

#38. Larimer County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.0%
- 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—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#37. Delta County
Maciej Bledowski // Shutterstock

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.0%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 5,100 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 300 people—of the estimate.

#36. Boulder County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.1%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 1,100 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 100 people—of the estimate.

#35. Fremont County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.1%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 4,300 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.8 percentage points—or 300 people—of the estimate.

#34. Weld County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.1%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10,200 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 650 people—of the estimate.

#33. Jefferson County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.2%
- 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 of the estimate.

#32. Dolores County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.2%
- 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.

#31. Moffat County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.3%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 1,100 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 100 people—of the estimate.

#30. Broomfield County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.3%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10,200 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 600 people—of the estimate.

#29. El Paso County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.4%
- 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 of the estimate.

#28. Rio Blanco County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.4%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 3,300 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 200 people—of the estimate.

#27. Mesa County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.6%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 1,200 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#26. Montrose County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.6%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 9,800 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 600 people—of the estimate.

#25. Arapahoe County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.7%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 6,100 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.9 percentage points—or 500 people—of the estimate.

#24. Adams County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.8%
- 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 of the estimate.

#23. Washington County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.2%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 100 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.8 percentage points of the estimate.

#22. Crowley 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 1.0 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#21. Huerfano County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.4%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 300 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.9 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#19. Prowers County (tie)
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.4%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 300 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 1.1 percentage points of the estimate.

#19. Rio Grande County (tie)
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.5%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: Not available
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points of the estimate.

#18. Cheyenne County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.5%
- 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.

#17. Yuma County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.5%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 300 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 1.2 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#16. Alamosa County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.6%
- 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.

#15. Kit Carson County
Bob Pool // Shutterstock

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.6%
- 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.

#14. Logan County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.7%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 400 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 1.1 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#13. Las Animas County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.9%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 100 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points of the estimate.

#12. Lincoln County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.9%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 3,900 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 1.1 percentage points—or 350 people—of the estimate.

#11. Pueblo County
f11photo // Shutterstock

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.9%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10,700 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.9 percentage points—or 750 people—of the estimate.

#10. Denver County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.1%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 100 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points of the estimate.

#9. Sedgwick County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.1%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 600 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.9 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#8. Morgan County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.2%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 100 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 1.0 percentage points of the estimate.

#6. Bent County (tie)
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.2%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 100 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 1.5 percentage points of the estimate.

#6. Costilla County (tie)
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.3%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: Not available
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points of the estimate.

#5. Kiowa County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.4%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 200 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 1.5 percentage points of the estimate.

#4. Conejos County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.4%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 500 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 1.1 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#3. Otero County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.5%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 100 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points of the estimate.

#2. Baca County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 13.6%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 100 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.8 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. Phillips County
fizkes // Shutterstock