Seniors in these Oregon 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 Oregon 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: 9.0%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 1,400 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.5 percentage points—or 100 people—of the estimate.

#36. Lincoln County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 9.1%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 900 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.5 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#35. Clatsop County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 9.2%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 700 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.5 percentage points of the estimate.

#34. Tillamook County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 9.2%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 3,900 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.5 percentage points—or 250 people—of the estimate.

#33. Deschutes County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 9.3%
- 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—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#32. Jefferson County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 9.3%
- 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.

#31. Crook County
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 9.6%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 1,000 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.5 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#30. Columbia County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 9.6%
- 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.

#29. Klamath County
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 9.7%
- 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.

#28. Morrow County
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 9.7%
- 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.

#27. Curry County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 9.8%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 2,500 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.5 percentage points—or 100 people—of the estimate.

#26. Linn County
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 9.9%
- 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.

#25. Lake County
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 9.9%
- 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.

#24. Benton County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 9.9%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 1,800 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 100 people—of the estimate.

#23. Coos County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 9.9%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 7,800 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 450 people—of the estimate.

#22. Lane County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.0%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 200 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.5 percentage points of the estimate.

#21. Wallowa County
Canva

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

#20. Clackamas County
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.1%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11,700 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 600 people—of the estimate.

#19. Multnomah 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 0.6 percentage points of the estimate.

#18. Harney County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.2%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 5,200 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 300 people—of the estimate.

#17. Jackson County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.3%
- 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—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#16. Baker County
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.3%
- 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.

#15. Polk County
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.3%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 2,500 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 150 people—of the estimate.

#14. Josephine County
Yanqiang Dai // Shutterstock

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.3%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 8,900 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 500 people—of the estimate.

#13. Washington County
Canva

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

#12. Wasco County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.4%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 3,100 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 200 people—of the estimate.

#11. Douglas County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.4%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 6,000 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 350 people—of the estimate.

#10. Marion County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.5%
- 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 of the estimate.

#9. Hood River County
Bob Pool // Shutterstock

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.5%
- 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.

#8. Umatilla County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.5%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 2,100 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 100 people—of the estimate.

#7. Yamhill County
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.7%
- 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.

#6. Wheeler County
Arpad Jasko // Shutterstock

- 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.

#5. Gilliam County
Hugh K Telleria // Shutterstock

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.9%
- 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—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#4. Malheur County
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—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#3. Union 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—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#2. Grant County
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.

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

#1. Sherman County
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