Alzheimer’s — the sixth leading cause of death in the United States — is a degenerative and progressive neurological disease with no known cure.
The disease causes changes in the brain that, over time, impair memory and diminish judgment and reasoning ability. These symptoms typically worsen to the point where those afflicted may no longer recognize family members and lose the ability to carry out basic functions like walking or swallowing.
While the cause of Alzheimer’s is unknown, risk factors include family history and genetic predisposition. The greatest risk factor, however, is age, as the vast majority of people with the disease are 65 or older. Today, 5.8 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s dementia — and as the baby boom generation grows older, that number is forecast to increase considerably in the coming years.
Every state is projected to report an uptick of at least 12% in the number of people with the disease. 24/7 Tempo reviewed “2019 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures,” a report released by the Alzheimer’s Association, a nonprofit that focuses on care and research of the disease, to identify the estimated increases in every state, from lowest to higher.
The states ranking highest on this list tend to be those that are aging fastest and are not necessarily the states where Alzheimer’s causes the most deaths.
Researchers believe regular physical activity, frequent social and cognitive engagement, and a healthy diet — specifically regular consumption of this one common vegetable — can help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s.
Click Here to read about States where Alzheimer’s is Soaring.
To determine the states where Alzheimer’s is soaring, 24/7 Tempo reviewed the projected increase in the number of Americans 65 and older with Alzheimer’s between 2019-2025 in every state from the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2019 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report. The share of the population that is 65 years or older in each state came from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2017 American Community Survey (ACS). The average retirement income by state comes from the ACS. The share of 65 and over residents in good health came from the CDC’s Healthy Aging data set, and is for 2017.
50. Iowa
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 12.3% (from 65,000 to 73,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 1,597 (50.8 per 100,000 — 7th highest)
> Population 65+: 16.7% (15th highest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 77.7% (19th highest)
> Avg. retirement income: $21,226 (6th lowest)
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49. Illinois
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 13.0% (from 230,000 to 260,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 4,021 (31.4 per 100,000 — 12th lowest)
> Population 65+: 15.2% (12th lowest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 76.3% (25th lowest)
> Avg. retirement income: $29,682 (10th highest)
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48. Ohio
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 13.6% (from 220,000 to 250,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 5,117 (43.9 per 100,000 — 17th highest)
> Population 65+: 16.6% (18th highest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 74.6% (18th lowest)
> Avg. retirement income: $25,212 (23rd highest)
See all stories featuring: Ohio
47. Pennsylvania
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 14.3% (from 280,000 to 320,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 4,213 (32.9 per 100,000 — 17th lowest)
> Population 65+: 17.8% (7th highest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 75.6% (24th lowest)
> Avg. retirement income: $22,939 (14th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Pennsylvania
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46. North Dakota
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 14.3% (from 14,000 to 16,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 387 (51.2 per 100,000 — 5th highest)
> Population 65+: 14.9% (9th lowest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 76.4% (25th highest)
> Avg. retirement income: $20,532 (3rd lowest)
See all stories featuring: North Dakota
45. Kansas
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 14.8% (from 54,000 to 62,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 894 (30.7 per 100,000 — 10th lowest)
> Population 65+: 15.4% (19th lowest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 76.9% (23rd highest)
> Avg. retirement income: $21,318 (7th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Kansas
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44. New York
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 15.0% (from 400,000 to 460,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 3,521 (17.7 per 100,000 — 2nd lowest)
> Population 65+: 15.9% (25th highest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 75.0% (20th lowest)
> Avg. retirement income: $28,782 (13th highest)
See all stories featuring: New York
43. Massachusetts
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 15.4% (from 130,000 to 150,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 1,841 (26.8 per 100,000 — 5th lowest)
> Population 65+: 16.1% (24th highest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 77.4% (22nd highest)
> Avg. retirement income: $30,400 (6th highest)
See all stories featuring: Massachusetts
42. West Virginia
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 15.8% (from 38,000 to 44,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 770 (42.4 per 100,000 — 19th highest)
> Population 65+: 19.3% (3rd highest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 67.5% (6th lowest)
> Avg. retirement income: $18,950 (the lowest)
See all stories featuring: West Virginia
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41. Michigan
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 15.8% (from 190,000 to 220,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 4,428 (44.4 per 100,000 — 15th highest)
> Population 65+: 16.7% (15th highest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 75.3% (22nd lowest)
> Avg. retirement income: $22,883 (12th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Michigan
40. Tennessee
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 16.7% (from 120,000 to 140,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 3,522 (52.4 per 100,000 — 4th highest)
> Population 65+: 15.9% (25th highest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 67.9% (7th lowest)
> Avg. retirement income: $22,941 (15th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Tennessee
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39. New Jersey
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 16.7% (from 180,000 to 210,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 2,829 (31.4 per 100,000 — 12th lowest)
> Population 65+: 15.7% (22nd lowest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 74.6% (18th lowest)
> Avg. retirement income: $28,307 (15th highest)
See all stories featuring: New Jersey
38. Connecticut
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 16.7% (from 78,000 to 91,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 1,077 (30.0 per 100,000 — 8th lowest)
> Population 65+: 16.8% (13th highest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 77.9% (17th highest)
> Avg. retirement income: $30,293 (7th highest)
See all stories featuring: Connecticut
37. Oklahoma
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 16.9% (from 65,000 to 76,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 1,752 (44.6 per 100,000 — 14th highest)
> Population 65+: 15.3% (15th lowest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 71.4% (9th lowest)
> Avg. retirement income: $21,555 (8th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Oklahoma
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36. Alabama
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 17.0% (from 94,000 to 110,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 2,563 (52.6 per 100,000 — 3rd highest)
> Population 65+: 16.5% (19th highest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 65.6% (3rd lowest)
> Avg. retirement income: $23,430 (17th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Alabama
35. Rhode Island
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 17.4% (from 23,000 to 27,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 435 (41.1 per 100,000 — 24th highest)
> Population 65+: 16.7% (15th highest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 77.6% (20th highest)
> Avg. retirement income: $23,805 (22nd lowest)
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34. Arkansas
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 17.5% (from 57,000 to 67,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 1,436 (47.8 per 100,000 — 10th highest)
> Population 65+: 16.5% (19th highest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 66.4% (5th lowest)
> Avg. retirement income: $20,792 (4th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Arkansas
33. South Dakota
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 17.6% (from 17,000 to 20,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 444 (51.1 per 100,000 — 6th highest)
> Population 65+: 16.3% (23rd highest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 78.2% (15th highest)
> Avg. retirement income: $23,500 (18th lowest)
See all stories featuring: South Dakota
32. Nebraska
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 17.6% (from 34,000 to 40,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 698 (36.4 per 100,000 — 20th lowest)
> Population 65+: 15.4% (19th lowest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 78.4% (14th highest)
> Avg. retirement income: $22,182 (10th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Nebraska
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31. Kentucky
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 17.8% (from 73,000 to 86,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 1,765 (39.6 per 100,000 — 24th lowest)
> Population 65+: 15.9% (25th highest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 64.5% (2nd lowest)
> Avg. retirement income: $23,095 (16th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Kentucky
30. Wisconsin
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 18.2% (from 110,000 to 130,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 2,428 (41.9 per 100,000 — 20th highest)
> Population 65+: 16.5% (19th highest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 79.6% (7th highest)
> Avg. retirement income: $23,533 (19th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Wisconsin
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29. Missouri
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 18.2% (from 110,000 to 130,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 2,545 (41.6 per 100,000 — 22nd highest)
> Population 65+: 16.5% (19th highest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 73.0% (12th lowest)
> Avg. retirement income: $22,403 (11th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Missouri
28. Mississippi
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 18.2% (from 55,000 to 65,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 1,626 (54.5 per 100,000 — 2nd highest)
> Population 65+: 15.6% (21st lowest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 63.4% (the lowest)
> Avg. retirement income: $21,709 (9th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Mississippi
27. Maryland
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 18.2% (from 110,000 to 130,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 1,191 (19.7 per 100,000 — 3rd lowest)
> Population 65+: 14.9% (9th lowest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 78.8% (11th highest)
> Avg. retirement income: $33,526 (the highest)
See all stories featuring: Maryland
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26. Indiana
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 18.2% (from 110,000 to 130,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 2,771 (41.6 per 100,000 — 22nd highest)
> Population 65+: 15.4% (19th lowest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 74.1% (15th lowest)
> Avg. retirement income: $19,465 (2nd lowest)
See all stories featuring: Indiana
25. Hawaii
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 20.7% (from 29,000 to 35,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 465 (32.6 per 100,000 — 16th lowest)
> Population 65+: 17.8% (7th highest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 79.3% (9th highest)
> Avg. retirement income: $30,005 (8th highest)
See all stories featuring: Hawaii
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24. Delaware
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 21.1% (from 19,000 to 23,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 377 (39.2 per 100,000 — 23rd lowest)
> Population 65+: 18.0% (6th highest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 75.3% (22nd lowest)
> Avg. retirement income: $32,383 (4th highest)
See all stories featuring: Delaware
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23. North Carolina
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 23.5% (from 170,000 to 210,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 4,289 (41.7 per 100,000 — 21st highest)
> Population 65+: 15.9% (25th highest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 74.0% (14th lowest)
> Avg. retirement income: $23,746 (21st lowest)
See all stories featuring: North Carolina
22. Louisiana
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 23.6% (from 89,000 to 110,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 2,188 (46.7 per 100,000 — 11th highest)
> Population 65+: 14.9% (9th lowest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 66.3% (4th lowest)
> Avg. retirement income: $22,912 (13th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Louisiana
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21. Minnesota
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 23.7% (from 97,000 to 120,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 2,474 (44.4 per 100,000 — 15th highest)
> Population 65+: 15.4% (19th lowest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 81.8% (2nd highest)
> Avg. retirement income: $24,509 (25th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Minnesota
20. Maine
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 25.0% (from 28,000 to 35,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 601 (45.0 per 100,000 — 12th highest)
> Population 65+: 20.0% (2nd highest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 80.2% (5th highest)
> Avg. retirement income: $23,706 (20th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Maine
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19. Oregon
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 25.4% (from 67,000 to 84,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 1,850 (44.7 per 100,000 — 13th highest)
> Population 65+: 17.1% (11th highest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 78.2% (15th highest)
> Avg. retirement income: $28,230 (16th highest)
See all stories featuring: Oregon
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18. California
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 25.4% (from 670,000 to 840,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 16,238 (41.1 per 100,000 — 24th highest)
> Population 65+: 13.9% (6th lowest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 76.5% (24th highest)
> Avg. retirement income: $32,909 (2nd highest)
See all stories featuring: California
17. Texas
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 25.6% (from 390,000 to 490,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 9,545 (33.7 per 100,000 — 19th lowest)
> Population 65+: 12.2% (3rd lowest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 70.2% (8th lowest)
> Avg. retirement income: $25,599 (21st highest)
See all stories featuring: Texas
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16. Colorado
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 26.0% (from 73,000 to 92,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 1,830 (32.6 per 100,000 — 16th lowest)
> Population 65+: 13.8% (5th lowest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 81.1% (3rd highest)
> Avg. retirement income: $29,926 (9th highest)
See all stories featuring: Colorado
15. Virginia
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 26.7% (from 150,000 to 190,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 2,549 (30.1 per 100,000 — 9th lowest)
> Population 65+: 15.0% (10th lowest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 75.5% (23rd lowest)
> Avg. retirement income: $32,780 (3rd highest)
See all stories featuring: Virginia
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14. Georgia
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 26.7% (from 150,000 to 190,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 4,298 (41.1 per 100,000 — 24th highest)
> Population 65+: 13.4% (4th lowest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 72.8% (11th lowest)
> Avg. retirement income: $26,299 (20th highest)
See all stories featuring: Georgia
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13. Idaho
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 26.9% (from 26,000 to 33,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 672 (39.1 per 100,000 — 22nd lowest)
> Population 65+: 15.3% (15th lowest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 80.0% (6th highest)
> Avg. retirement income: $25,119 (24th highest)
See all stories featuring: Idaho
12. Washington
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 27.3% (from 110,000 to 140,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 3,710 (50.1 per 100,000 — 9th highest)
> Population 65+: 15.1% (11th lowest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 79.5% (8th highest)
> Avg. retirement income: $27,156 (18th highest)
See all stories featuring: Washington
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11. Utah
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 27.3% (from 33,000 to 42,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 991 (31.9 per 100,000 — 13th lowest)
> Population 65+: 10.8% (the lowest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 79.1% (10th highest)
> Avg. retirement income: $28,447 (14th highest)
See all stories featuring: Utah
10. New Hampshire
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 28.0% (from 25,000 to 32,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 436 (32.5 per 100,000 — 14th lowest)
> Population 65+: 17.6% (9th highest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 83.6% (the highest)
> Avg. retirement income: $25,299 (22nd highest)
See all stories featuring: New Hampshire
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9. Montana
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 28.6% (from 21,000 to 27,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 285 (27.1 per 100,000 — 6th lowest)
> Population 65+: 18.1% (5th highest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 78.6% (12th highest)
> Avg. retirement income: $24,026 (23rd lowest)
See all stories featuring: Montana
8. Florida
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 28.6% (from 560,000 to 720,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 6,980 (33.3 per 100,000 — 18th lowest)
> Population 65+: 20.1% (the highest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 74.9% (19th lowest)
> Avg. retirement income: $27,707 (17th highest)
See all stories featuring: Florida
7. New Mexico
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 29.3% (from 41,000 to 53,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 572 (27.4 per 100,000 — 7th lowest)
> Population 65+: 16.8% (13th highest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 71.6% (10th lowest)
> Avg. retirement income: $29,475 (11th highest)
See all stories featuring: New Mexico
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6. Wyoming
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 30.0% (from 10,000 to 13,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 212 (36.6 per 100,000 — 21st lowest)
> Population 65+: 15.6% (21st lowest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 77.8% (18th highest)
> Avg. retirement income: $24,508 (24th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Wyoming
5. South Carolina
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 30.4% (from 92,000 to 120,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 2,549 (50.7 per 100,000 — 8th highest)
> Population 65+: 17.2% (10th highest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 73.3% (13th lowest)
> Avg. retirement income: $24,539 (25th highest)
See all stories featuring: South Carolina
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4. Vermont
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 30.8% (from 13,000 to 17,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 370 (59.3 per 100,000 — the highest)
> Population 65+: 18.8% (4th highest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 80.8% (4th highest)
> Avg. retirement income: $21,016 (5th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Vermont
3. Nevada
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 36.2% (from 47,000 to 64,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 779 (26.0 per 100,000 — 4th lowest)
> Population 65+: 15.3% (15th lowest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 74.3% (16th lowest)
> Avg. retirement income: $29,176 (12th highest)
See all stories featuring: Nevada
2. Alaska
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 37.5% (from 08,000 to 11,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 98 (13.2 per 100,000 — the lowest)
> Population 65+: 11.2% (2nd lowest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 78.5% (13th highest)
> Avg. retirement income: $31,567 (5th highest)
See all stories featuring: Alaska
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1. Arizona
> Increase in Alzheimer’s, 2019-2025: 42.9% (from 140,000 to 200,000)
> Deaths due to AD, 2017: 3,058 (43.6 per 100,000 — 18th highest)
> Population 65+: 17.1% (11th highest)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. in good health: 77.5% (21st highest)
> Avg. retirement income: $26,999 (19th highest)
See all stories featuring: Arizona
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