Seniors in these Missouri 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 Missouri 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: 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.

#50. Clinton County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.9%
- 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.

#49. Phelps County
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.0%
- 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.

#48. Howard County
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.0%
- 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.

#44. Adair County (tie)
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.0%
- 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.

#44. Dent County (tie)
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.0%
- 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.

#44. Gasconade County (tie)
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.0%
- 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.

#44. Perry County (tie)
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.0%
- 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.

#42. Audrain County (tie)
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.0%
- 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. Vernon County (tie)
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.0%
- 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.

#40. Marion County (tie)
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.0%
- 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.

#40. Texas County (tie)
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.

#39. Lawrence County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.0%
- 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.

#38. Butler County
APN Photography // Shutterstock

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.0%
- 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.

#37. Buchanan County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.0%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 5,500 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 250 people—of the estimate.

#36. Greene County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.1%
- 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.

#35. Atchison County
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- 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 of the estimate.

#34. Barton County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.1%
- 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.

#33. Randolph County
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.1%
- 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 of the estimate.

#32. Scott County
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- 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 0.6 percentage points of the estimate.

#30. Linn County (tie)
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- 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 0.6 percentage points of the estimate.

#30. St. Clair County (tie)
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.2%
- 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.

#28. Cooper County (tie)
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.2%
- 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.

#28. Macon County (tie)
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.2%
- 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.

#27. Pettis County
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.2%
- 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 50 people—of the estimate.

#26. Cape Girardeau County
Canva

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

#25. Knox County
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.3%
- 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.

#24. Dunklin County
Canva

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

#22. Lafayette County (tie)
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.3%
- 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.

#22. Stoddard County (tie)
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.4%
- 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.

#21. Schuyler County
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.4%
- 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.

#19. Lewis County (tie)
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.4%
- 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.

#19. Shelby County (tie)
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 0.6 percentage points of the estimate.

#18. Montgomery County
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.5%
- 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.

#16. New Madrid County (tie)
Canva

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

#16. Nodaway County (tie)
btmagee93 // Shutterstock

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

#15. Scotland County
Canva

- 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. Saline 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.

#13. Mississippi County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.8%
- 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.

#12. Mercer County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.9%
- 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.

#11. Harrison County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.0%
- 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. Livingston County
Canva

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

#9. DeKalb 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 0.6 percentage points of the estimate.

#8. Holt County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.2%
- 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.

#7. Gentry County
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.3%
- 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.

#6. Grundy County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.4%
- 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.

#5. Worth 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 0.6 percentage points of the estimate.

#4. Chariton County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.4%
- 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.

#3. Pemiscot County
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.4%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 13,800 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 700 people—of the estimate.

#2. Jackson County
RellMade // Shutterstock

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.5%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 23,600 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 1,100 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. St. Louis County
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