Seniors in these North Carolina counties have the highest Alzheimer's rates
Seniors in these North Carolina counties have the highest Alzheimer's rates
An estimated 210,500 people in North Carolina over age 65 have Alzheimer's, according to estimates released by the Alzheimer's Association in 2023.
Alzheimer's disease afflicts an estimated 6.7 million Americans, and that number is only growing. Medical professionals believe the volume of diagnoses could double by 2060 if there isn't a breakthrough in prevention—or a cure.
For the first time, the Alzheimer's Association released estimates on Alzheimer's prevalence in each state and county. Researchers hope these figures will help regional public health officials better treat Alzheimer's patients, develop localized care plans, and budget for care—particularly as new treatments come at a cost.
Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia and is among the top 10 causes of death in the U.S. These deaths are increasing as fatality rates from other health-related causes, including heart disease and stroke, are on the decline. With Alzheimer's, the brain shrinks, brain cells die, and peoples' memory and language centers fail. As the disease advances, the loss of brain function leads to dehydration, malnutrition, infection, and ultimately death.
Developing a cure or effective treatment has been slow, as medical professionals still don't know what causes Alzheimer's. But earlier this year, the Food and Drug Administration fully greenlit the first drug proven to effectively treat the disease: lecanemab (sold under the brand name Leqembi), created by Eisai Inc. and Biogen. Earlier treatments only addressed symptoms of Alzheimer's, while lecanemab treats the early stages of the disease itself and slows its progression.
The drug costs $26,500 annually and is partially covered by Medicare if a patient's medical team participates in a registry to track the drug's outcomes. Those high costs could keep the treatment out of reach for low-income Americans, who already have higher odds of developing Alzheimer's, studies have shown.
Nearly all Alzheimer's patients are on government insurance, and estimates show that Medicare could spend $2 billion to $5 billion annually on lecanemab and related care. That pales in comparison to the $345 billion that Alzheimer's and other dementias cost in 2023, including nursing home stays, symptom management medications, and other care for those with the disease. Without medical advancements, the Alzheimer's Association expects those costs could rise to nearly $1 trillion by 2050.
If lecanemab and similar drugs can slow progression in even half of mild Alzheimer's patients, one study from the University of Chicago estimates Americans would save $212 billion to over $1 trillion in care-related costs over the next decade.
Having a treatment to slow the progression of Alzheimer's also creates more urgency to diagnose the disease sooner to retain more brain function. Warning signs for the disease include disruptive memory loss, difficulty with familiar tasks, worsening judgment, and changes in mood and personality.
The U.S. has a shortage of specialists in elder and memory-related medicine and nurses providing care at nursing homes and assisted-living facilities. In regions with high rates of Alzheimer's, these shortages could be catastrophic within the current models of care.
Stacker mapped states by the share of the population over age 65 that is estimated to have Alzheimer's disease, using data released by the Alzheimer's Association in July 2023. As a part of the national analysis, Stacker also took a closer look at North Carolina and ranked the counties within it by their estimated Alzheimer's prevalence.
Alzheimer's rates by state
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 North Carolina 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.
#50. Wake County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.3%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 16,000 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 800 people—of the estimate.
#49. Pamlico County
- 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 0.6 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.
#48. Polk County
- 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 of the estimate.
#47. Chatham County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.7%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 2,300 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 150 people—of the estimate.
#46. Robeson County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.7%
- 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.
#45. Beaufort County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.8%
- 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.
#44. Rockingham County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.8%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 2,300 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 100 people—of the estimate.
#43. Craven County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 11.8%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 2,400 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 100 people—of the estimate.
#42. Perquimans County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.0%
- 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.
#41. Lee County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.0%
- 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 100 people—of the estimate.
#40. Franklin County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.1%
- 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.
#39. Moore County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.1%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 3,000 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 150 people—of the estimate.
#38. Richmond County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.2%
- 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.
#37. Hoke County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.3%
- 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.
#36. Person County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.3%
- 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.
#35. Alamance County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.3%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 3,700 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 150 people—of the estimate.
#34. Forsyth County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.3%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 7,900 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 400 people—of the estimate.
#33. Hyde County
- 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.
#32. Mecklenburg County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.5%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 16,700 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 850 people—of the estimate.
#31. Guilford County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.6%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 10,800 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 550 people—of the estimate.
#30. Nash County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.8%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 2,300 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.6 percentage points—or 100 people—of the estimate.
#29. Greene County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.9%
- 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.
#28. Pasquotank County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.9%
- 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.
#27. Columbus County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.9%
- 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 100 people—of the estimate.
#26. Pitt County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.9%
- 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 150 people—of the estimate.
#25. Durham County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 12.9%
- 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 250 people—of the estimate.
#24. Bladen County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 13.0%
- 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.
#23. Chowan County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 13.1%
- 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 of the estimate.
#22. Granville County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 13.1%
- 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 50 people—of the estimate.
#21. Sampson County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 13.1%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 1,600 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.
#20. Wayne County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 13.1%
- 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 100 people—of the estimate.
#19. Jones County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 13.2%
- 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.
#18. Scotland County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 13.3%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 900 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.
#17. Wilson County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 13.3%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 2,100 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 100 people—of the estimate.
#16. Duplin County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 13.4%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 1,600 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.
#15. Caswell County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 13.6%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 700 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points of the estimate.
#14. Anson County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 13.7%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 700 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.
#13. Cumberland County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 13.7%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 5,800 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 300 people—of the estimate.
#12. Gates County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 13.9%
- 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.
#11. Washington County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 14.0%
- 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.
#10. Martin County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 14.0%
- 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.
#9. Lenoir County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 14.0%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 1,600 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.
#8. Vance County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 14.1%
- 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 50 people—of the estimate.
#7. Warren County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 14.9%
- 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 of the estimate.
#5. Edgecombe County (tie)
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 15.0%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 1,600 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 100 people—of the estimate.
#5. Halifax County (tie)
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 15.0%
- Number of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 1,600 people
*These are estimates; actual values have a 95% likelihood of being within 0.7 percentage points—or 50 people—of the estimate.
#4. Tyrrell County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 15.1%
- 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.
#3. Northampton County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 15.8%
- 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.
#2. Hertford County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 15.9%
- 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 of the estimate.
#1. Bertie County
- Share of 65+ population with Alzheimer's: 16.6%
- 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.
This story features data reporting by and writing by Paxtyn Merten and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.
