Seniors in these Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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: 10.5%
- 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 50 people—of the estimate.

#50. Warren County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.5%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 1,400 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 100 people—of the estimate.

#49. Bradford County
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.6%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 100 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.5 percentage points of the estimate.

#48. Cameron County
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.6%
- 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.

#47. Armstrong County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.6%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 2,600 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.5 percentage points—or 150 people—of the estimate.

#46. Centre County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.6%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 3,300 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 250 people—of the estimate.

#45. Monroe County
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.6%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 4,000 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 200 people—of the estimate.

#44. Butler County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.7%
- 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.

#43. Potter County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.7%
- 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 of the estimate.

#42. Clinton County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.7%
- 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.

#41. McKean County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.7%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 1,400 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 100 people—of the estimate.

#40. Columbia County
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.7%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 3,200 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 200 people—of the estimate.

#39. Schuylkill County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.7%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 4,800 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.5 percentage points—or 250 people—of the estimate.

#38. Washington County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.7%
- 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 450 people—of the estimate.

#37. York County
Canva

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

#36. Jefferson County
Canva

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

#35. Fayette County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.8%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 5,600 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 300 people—of the estimate.

#34. Erie County
Canva

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

#33. Westmoreland County
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.8%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 9,900 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 500 people—of the estimate.

#32. Chester County
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- 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 0.6 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#31. Juniata County
Canva

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

#30. Elk County
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.9%
- 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.

#29. Clearfield County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.9%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 1,900 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 100 people—of the estimate.

#28. Somerset County
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.9%
- 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 100 people—of the estimate.

#27. Lycoming County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10.9%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 5,400 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 250 people—of the estimate.

#26. Cumberland County
Canva

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

#25. Bucks County
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- 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.

#24. Snyder County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.0%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 1,300 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.

#23. Bedford County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.0%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 2,200 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 100 people—of the estimate.

#22. Northumberland County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.0%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 2,900 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 150 people—of the estimate.

#21. Blair County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.0%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 3,400 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 150 people—of the estimate.

#20. Cambria County
Canva

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

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

#18. Mifflin County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.2%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 3,200 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 200 people—of the estimate.

#17. Lebanon County
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.2%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 4,100 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 200 people—of the estimate.

#16. Beaver County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.2%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 4,800 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 250 people—of the estimate.

#15. Lackawanna County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.2%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 7,200 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 350 people—of the estimate.

#14. Luzerne County
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.3%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 2,200 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 100 people—of the estimate.

#13. Lawrence County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.4%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 7,400 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 450 people—of the estimate.

#12. Lehigh County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.4%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 8,600 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 500 people—of the estimate.

#11. Berks County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.5%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 2,800 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 150 people—of the estimate.

#10. Mercer County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.5%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 7,000 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 350 people—of the estimate.

#9. Northampton County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.5%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11,900 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 600 people—of the estimate.

#8. Lancaster County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.6%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 5,800 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 300 people—of the estimate.

#7. Dauphin County
Canva

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

#6. Union County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.9%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 18,400 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 900 people—of the estimate.

#5. Montgomery County
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.9%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 28,500 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 1,350 people—of the estimate.

#4. Allegheny County
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- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.2%
- 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.

#3. Montour County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.3%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12,000 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 550 people—of the estimate.

#2. Delaware County
Canva

- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 15.0%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 34,000 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 1,650 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. Philadelphia County
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