Seniors in these Florida 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 Florida 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: 10.7%
- 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.

#50. Union County
Canva

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

#49. Gilchrist County
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- 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—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#48. Holmes County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.9%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 3,500 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 200 people—of the estimate.

#47. Bay County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.9%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 6,200 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 350 people—of the estimate.

#46. Citrus County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.0%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 2,000 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 100 people—of the estimate.

#45. Putnam County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.2%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 4,200 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 250 people—of the estimate.

#44. Flagler County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.3%
- 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.

#43. Taylor County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.3%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 1,600 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 100 people—of the estimate.

#42. Columbia County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.3%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 14,600 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 900 people—of the estimate.

#41. Pasco County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.4%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 6,200 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 400 people—of the estimate.

#40. Hernando County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.4%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 9,200 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 500 people—of the estimate.

#39. Charlotte County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.4%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 16,300 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 950 people—of the estimate.

#38. Volusia County
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.4%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 26,700 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 1,550 people—of the estimate.

#37. Lee County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.5%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 1,000 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 100 people—of the estimate.

#36. Okeechobee County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.5%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11,800 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 700 people—of the estimate.

#35. Lake County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.5%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12,600 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 700 people—of the estimate.

#34. Marion County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.5%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 13,600 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 700 people—of the estimate.

#33. Manatee County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.6%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 1,100 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#32. Suwannee County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.6%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 4,800 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 250 people—of the estimate.

#31. Alachua County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.6%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 6,500 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 350 people—of the estimate.

#30. Escambia County
Canva

- 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.

#29. Calhoun County
Victoria1988 // Shutterstock

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.7%
- 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 of the estimate.

#28. Bradford County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.7%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 5,000 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 250 people—of the estimate.

#27. Leon County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.8%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 6,600 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 400 people—of the estimate.

#26. Indian River County
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.8%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 17,600 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 1,000 people—of the estimate.

#25. Brevard County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.8%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 17,900 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.8 percentage points—or 1,150 people—of the estimate.

#24. Polk County
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.9%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 9,300 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.9 percentage points—or 650 people—of the estimate.

#23. Seminole County
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.0%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 20,200 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 1,050 people—of the estimate.

#22. Sarasota County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.0%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 30,400 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 1,650 people—of the estimate.

#21. Pinellas County
Felix Mizioznikov // Shutterstock

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.1%
- 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.

#20. Glades County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.1%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 1,100 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#19. DeSoto County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.1%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 17,300 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 900 people—of the estimate.

#18. Duval County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.1%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 27,000 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.9 percentage points—or 2,000 people—of the estimate.

#17. Hillsborough County
Jen Wolf // Shutterstock

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.2%
- 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. Hamilton County
jenniferlee4828 // Shutterstock

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.2%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 600 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.8 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#15. Hardee County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.3%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 6,500 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 300 people—of the estimate.

#14. Martin County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.4%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10,500 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.8 percentage points—or 650 people—of the estimate.

#13. St. Lucie County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.4%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 16,300 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 1,000 people—of the estimate.

#12. Collier County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.5%
- 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.

#11. Madison County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.6%
- 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.

#10. Jefferson County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.6%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 1,200 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 100 people—of the estimate.

#9. Jackson County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.6%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 6,600 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 1.3 percentage points—or 700 people—of the estimate.

#8. Osceola County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.7%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 5,000 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.8 percentage points—or 250 people—of the estimate.

#7. Highlands County
Songquan Deng // Shutterstock

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.7%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 22,600 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 1.1 percentage points—or 1,800 people—of the estimate.

#6. Orange County
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 13.0%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 800 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 1.2 percentage points—or 100 people—of the estimate.

#5. Hendry County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 13.8%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 51,600 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.8 percentage points—or 3,000 people—of the estimate.

#4. Palm Beach County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 13.9%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 47,800 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 1.0 percentage points—or 3,450 people—of the estimate.

#3. Broward County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 14.5%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 1,300 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#2. Gadsden County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 16.6%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 76,600 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 2.1 percentage points—or 9,300 people—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. Miami-Dade County
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