Seniors in these Nebraska 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 Nebraska 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
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

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

#50. Platte County
Canva

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

#48. Thayer County (tie)
Canva

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

#48. Webster County (tie)
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 0.6 percentage points of the estimate.

#45. Antelope County (tie)
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.

#45. Colfax County (tie)
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 0.6 percentage points of the estimate.

#45. Jefferson County (tie)
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

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

#44. Madison County
Morgan Ritz // Shutterstock

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

#43. Wheeler County
Canva

- 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.

#39. Boyd County (tie)
Canva

- 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.

#39. Franklin County (tie)
Canva

- 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.

#39. Johnson County (tie)
Canva

- 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 0.7 percentage points of the estimate.

#39. Morrill County (tie)
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

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

#35. Garden County (tie)
Canva

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

#35. Nance County (tie)
Canva

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

#35. Perkins County (tie)
Canva

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

#35. Sherman County (tie)
Canva

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

#34. Pierce 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.

#33. Custer County
Canva

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

#32. Gage County
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

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

#30. Dodge County (tie)
Zack Frank // Shutterstock

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.7%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 800 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#30. Scotts Bluff County (tie)
SevenMaps // Shutterstock

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

#29. McPherson 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.

#28. Gosper County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.8%
- 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—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#26. Cherry County (tie)
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.8%
- 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—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#26. Fillmore County (tie)
melissamn // Shutterstock

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

#25. York County
Alexander Lukatskiy // Shutterstock

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

#24. Otoe 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 0.6 percentage points of the estimate.

#22. Frontier County (tie)
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.

#22. Kimball County (tie)
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.

#21. Sheridan County
Canva

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

#20. Hayes County
SevenMaps // Shutterstock

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

#19. Nuckolls County
Lesleyanne Ryan // Shutterstock

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.0%
- 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. Red Willow County
Danita Delimont // Shutterstock

- 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 0.6 percentage points of the estimate.

#17. Brown County
Andrew B Hall // Shutterstock

- 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.

#14. Burt County (tie)
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 0.7 percentage points of the estimate.

#14. Dawes County (tie)
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.

#14. Richardson County (tie)
Danita Delimont // Shutterstock

- 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.

#13. Garfield County
SevenMaps // Shutterstock

- 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.

#12. Wayne County
Canva

- 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.

#11. Knox County
Zack Frank // 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 0.6 percentage points of the estimate.

#10. Sioux County
SevenMaps // Shutterstock

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.3%
- 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.

#9. Cedar County
Danita Delimont // Shutterstock

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

#8. Keya Paha 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.

#7. Pawnee 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.

#6. Chase County
SevenMaps // Shutterstock

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

#4. Boone County (tie)
Canva

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

#4. Phelps County (tie)
James Taivalkoski // Shutterstock

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.7%
- 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.

#3. Cuming County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.9%
- 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.

#2. Greeley County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 13.9%
- 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.

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

#1. Hooker County
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