The number of people living with dementia worldwide is projected to triple over the next 30 years. Dementia refers to conditions that cause severe decline in mental ability. The physical changes in the brain that occur as the disease progresses significantly disrupt a person’s everyday life.
There are different types of Dementia, but the most common one is Alzheimer’s disease. A person suffering from Alzheimer’s disease has problems thinking and remembering and becomes more confused and incoherent with time. They mix words and forget people, and their personality may change and they may behave aggressively. Eventually, Alzheimer’s patients require help with basic personal care.
About 5.8 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, a number that is estimated to more than double to 14 million by 2050.
In 2017, 66.7 people per 100,000 people died from dementia-related causes in the United States, up from 30.5 dementia deaths per 100,000 people in 2000. The death rates from dementia-related causes were fairly steady between 2013 and 2016 but increased noticeably from 2016 to 2017 in all age groups at highest risk — 65 to 74, 75 to 84, and 85 and older — as well as all races. Some of the increase can be attributed to changes in the cause of death coding rules, which added more causes under dementia-related) deaths.
Dementia-related death rates vary across states. Several states with highest dementia-related death rates are in the South, while several states with the lowest dementia-related death rates are in the West. And dementia-related death rates are higher in non-metropolitan than in metropolitan areas, at 69.6 dementia-related deaths per 100,000 people versus 66.2 per 100,000, respectively.
Age is the biggest risk factor for developing dementia, and the risk increases as people get older. Death rates from dementia more than double among people aged 85 to 94, rising even more for people aged 95 and over. Other risk factors include family history, genetics, head injury, heart disease, and unhealthy behaviors such as excessive drinking and smoking (this is how the body reacts when you break the habit).
To determine how many people die from dementia in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the latest report by the National Vital Statistics System, maintained by the National Center for Health Statistics. The data is based on information from all death certificates filed in the 50 states and the District of Columbia in the period between 2000 and 2017. It includes the number of deaths caused by several types of dementia, including the most common — Alzhehimer’s disease. States are ranked based on number of deaths from dementia per 100,000 people. Age-adjusted death rates are per 100,000 people. Population figures came from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2017 American Community Survey. The share of the population 65 and older per state and the median age of people 65 and older also came from the ACS.
Click here to read about how many people die from dementia in every state.
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50. New York
> Dementia-linked death rate: 43.0 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 11,520 (6th highest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 30.6%
> Total population: 19,849,399
> Share of population 65 and older: 15.9% (25th lowest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 73.5 (5th highest)
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49. Hawaii
> Dementia-linked death rate: 49.3 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 1,151 (8th lowest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 40.4%
> Total population: 1,427,538
> Share of population 65 and older: 17.8% (8th highest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 73.3 (11th highest)
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48. Florida
> Dementia-linked death rate: 51.8 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 17,523 (3rd highest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 39.8%
> Total population: 20,984,400
> Share of population 65 and older: 20.1% (the highest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 73.9 (the highest)
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47. New Jersey
> Dementia-linked death rate: 53.5 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 6,422 (14th highest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 44.1%
> Total population: 9,005,644
> Share of population 65 and older: 15.7% (22nd lowest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 73.5 (5th highest)
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46. Wyoming
> Dementia-linked death rate: 53.7 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 349 (2nd lowest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 60.7%
> Total population: 579,315
> Share of population 65 and older: 15.6% (21st lowest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 72.6 (9th lowest)
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45. New Mexico
> Dementia-linked death rate: 55.2 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 1,394 (11th lowest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 41.0%
> Total population: 2,088,070
> Share of population 65 and older: 16.8% (13th highest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 72.7 (12th lowest)
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44. South Dakota
> Dementia-linked death rate: 55.5 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 667 (5th lowest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 66.6%
> Total population: 869,666
> Share of population 65 and older: 16.3% (23rd highest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 73.2 (17th highest)
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43. Alaska
> Dementia-linked death rate: 56.1 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 253 (the lowest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 38.7%
> Total population: 739,795
> Share of population 65 and older: 11.2% (2nd lowest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 71.0 (the lowest)
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42. California
> Dementia-linked death rate: 57.0 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 25,017 (the highest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 64.9%
> Total population: 39,536,653
> Share of population 65 and older: 13.9% (6th lowest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 73.2 (17th highest)
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41. Arizona
> Dementia-linked death rate: 57.8 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 5,045 (20th highest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 60.6%
> Total population: 7,016,270
> Share of population 65 and older: 17.1% (11th highest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 73.2 (17th highest)
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40. North Dakota
> Dementia-linked death rate: 61.1 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 641 (3rd lowest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 60.4%
> Total population: 755,393
> Share of population 65 and older: 14.9% (9th lowest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 73.8 (2nd highest)
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39. Nevada
> Dementia-linked death rate: 61.3 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 1,751 (14th lowest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 44.5%
> Total population: 2,998,039
> Share of population 65 and older: 15.3% (15th lowest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 72.6 (9th lowest)
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38. Maryland
> Dementia-linked death rate: 62.5 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 4,403 (24th highest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 27.0%
> Total population: 6,052,177
> Share of population 65 and older: 14.9% (8th lowest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 73.0 (24th highest)
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37. Connecticut
> Dementia-linked death rate: 62.9 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 3,351 (23rd lowest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 32.1%
> Total population: 3,588,184
> Share of population 65 and older: 16.8% (14th highest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 73.5 (5th highest)
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36. Pennsylvania
> Dementia-linked death rate: 64.1 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 12,538 (4th highest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 33.6%
> Total population: 12,805,537
> Share of population 65 and older: 17.8% (7th highest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 73.6 (3rd highest)
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35. Illinois
> Dementia-linked death rate: 64.5 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 10,147 (7th highest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 39.6%
> Total population: 12,802,023
> Share of population 65 and older: 15.2% (12th lowest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 73.3 (11th highest)
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34. Delaware
> Dementia-linked death rate: 65.6 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 811 (6th lowest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 46.5%
> Total population: 961,939
> Share of population 65 and older: 18.0% (6th highest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 72.9 (24th lowest)
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33. Michigan
> Dementia-linked death rate: 66.2 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 8,523 (9th highest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 52.0%
> Total population: 9,962,311
> Share of population 65 and older: 16.7% (15th highest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 73.1 (23rd highest)
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32. Missouri
> Dementia-linked death rate: 66.3 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 5,217 (19th highest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 48.8%
> Total population: 6,113,532
> Share of population 65 and older: 16.5% (20th highest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 73.4 (8th highest)
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31. Montana
> Dementia-linked death rate: 67.0 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 925 (7th lowest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 30.8%
> Total population: 1,050,493
> Share of population 65 and older: 18.1% (5th highest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 72.7 (12th lowest)
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30. Kansas
> Dementia-linked death rate: 69.3 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 2,590 (19th lowest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 34.5%
> Total population: 2,913,123
> Share of population 65 and older: 15.4% (18th lowest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 73.3 (11th highest)
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29. Colorado
> Dementia-linked death rate: 70.8 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 3,806 (25th lowest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 48.1%
> Total population: 5,607,154
> Share of population 65 and older: 13.8% (5th lowest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 72.4 (2nd lowest)
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28. Louisiana
> Dementia-linked death rate: 70.9 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 3,564 (24th lowest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 61.4%
> Total population: 4,684,333
> Share of population 65 and older: 14.9% (7th lowest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 72.7 (12th lowest)
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27. West Virginia
> Dementia-linked death rate: 71.6 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 1,805 (16th lowest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 42.7%
> Total population: 1,815,857
> Share of population 65 and older: 19.3% (3rd highest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 72.9 (24th lowest)
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26. Nebraska
> Dementia-linked death rate: 71.6 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 1,771 (15th lowest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 39.4%
> Total population: 1,920,076
> Share of population 65 and older: 15.4% (17th lowest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 73.4 (8th highest)
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25. Iowa
> Dementia-linked death rate: 72.1 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 3,270 (22nd lowest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 48.8%
> Total population: 3,145,711
> Share of population 65 and older: 16.7% (16th highest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 73.6 (3rd highest)
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24. Oklahoma
> Dementia-linked death rate: 72.2 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 3,222 (21st lowest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 54.4%
> Total population: 3,930,864
> Share of population 65 and older: 15.3% (13th lowest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 73.2 (17th highest)
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23. Wisconsin
> Dementia-linked death rate: 73.5 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 5,653 (18th highest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 43.0%
> Total population: 5,795,483
> Share of population 65 and older: 16.5% (21st highest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 73.2 (17th highest)
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22. Texas
> Dementia-linked death rate: 74.1 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 18,427 (2nd highest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 51.8%
> Total population: 28,304,596
> Share of population 65 and older: 12.2% (3rd lowest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 72.8 (17th lowest)
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21. Mississippi
> Dementia-linked death rate: 74.5 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 2,449 (18th lowest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 66.4%
> Total population: 2,984,100
> Share of population 65 and older: 15.6% (20th lowest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 72.9 (24th lowest)
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20. Washington
> Dementia-linked death rate: 74.7 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 6,040 (16th highest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 61.4%
> Total population: 7,405,743
> Share of population 65 and older: 15.1% (11th lowest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 72.6 (9th lowest)
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19. Arkansas
> Dementia-linked death rate: 74.8 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 2,735 (20th lowest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 52.5%
> Total population: 3,004,279
> Share of population 65 and older: 16.5% (19th highest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 73.3 (11th highest)
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18. Idaho
> Dementia-linked death rate: 74.9 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 1,371 (10th lowest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 49.0%
> Total population: 1,716,943
> Share of population 65 and older: 15.3% (14th lowest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 72.5 (4th lowest)
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17. Virginia
> Dementia-linked death rate: 75.4 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 6,985 (12th highest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 36.5%
> Total population: 8,470,020
> Share of population 65 and older: 15.0% (10th lowest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 72.8 (17th lowest)
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16. Ohio
> Dementia-linked death rate: 75.4 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 11,542 (5th highest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 44.3%
> Total population: 11,658,609
> Share of population 65 and older: 16.6% (18th highest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 73.2 (17th highest)
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15. Vermont
> Dementia-linked death rate: 77.0 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 666 (4th lowest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 55.6%
> Total population: 623,657
> Share of population 65 and older: 18.8% (4th highest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 72.9 (24th lowest)
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14. New Hampshire
> Dementia-linked death rate: 77.5 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 1,395 (12th lowest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 31.3%
> Total population: 1,342,795
> Share of population 65 and older: 17.6% (9th highest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 72.8 (17th lowest)
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13. Utah
> Dementia-linked death rate: 78.1 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 1,844 (17th lowest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 53.7%
> Total population: 3,101,833
> Share of population 65 and older: 10.8% (the lowest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 72.9 (24th lowest)
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12. Indiana
> Dementia-linked death rate: 78.6 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 6,190 (15th highest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 44.8%
> Total population: 6,666,818
> Share of population 65 and older: 15.4% (16th lowest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 73.0 (24th highest)
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11. Rhode Island
> Dementia-linked death rate: 79.4 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 1,270 (9th lowest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 34.3%
> Total population: 1,059,639
> Share of population 65 and older: 16.7% (17th highest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 73.3 (11th highest)
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10. Minnesota
> Dementia-linked death rate: 79.9 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 5,672 (17th highest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 43.6%
> Total population: 5,576,606
> Share of population 65 and older: 15.4% (19th lowest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 73.3 (11th highest)
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9. Massachusetts
> Dementia-linked death rate: 81.3 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 7,584 (11th highest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 24.3%
> Total population: 6,859,819
> Share of population 65 and older: 16.1% (24th highest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 73.4 (8th highest)
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8. Georgia
> Dementia-linked death rate: 81.8 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 7,659 (10th highest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 56.0%
> Total population: 10,429,379
> Share of population 65 and older: 13.4% (4th lowest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 72.5 (4th lowest)
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7. North Carolina
> Dementia-linked death rate: 82.3 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 9,503 (8th highest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 45.1%
> Total population: 10,273,419
> Share of population 65 and older: 15.9% (23rd lowest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 72.8 (17th lowest)
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6. Oregon
> Dementia-linked death rate: 83.0 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 4,274 (25th highest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 43.3%
> Total population: 4,142,776
> Share of population 65 and older: 17.1% (12th highest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 72.6 (9th lowest)
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5. Alabama
> Dementia-linked death rate: 84.8 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 4,815 (22nd highest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 53.2%
> Total population: 4,874,747
> Share of population 65 and older: 16.5% (22nd highest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 73.0 (24th highest)
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4. Maine
> Dementia-linked death rate: 85.5 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 1,705 (13th lowest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 35.2%
> Total population: 1,335,907
> Share of population 65 and older: 20.0% (2nd highest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 72.8 (17th lowest)
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3. South Carolina
> Dementia-linked death rate: 86.0 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 4,885 (21st highest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 52.2%
> Total population: 5,024,369
> Share of population 65 and older: 17.2% (10th highest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 72.6 (9th lowest)
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2. Kentucky
> Dementia-linked death rate: 87.1 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 4,404 (23rd highest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 40.1%
> Total population: 4,454,189
> Share of population 65 and older: 15.9% (24th lowest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 72.9 (24th lowest)
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1. Tennessee
> Dementia-linked death rate: 90.1 per 100,000 people
> Total dementia deaths: 6,812 (13th highest)
> Dementia deaths linked to Alzheimer’s: 51.7%
> Total population: 6,715,984
> Share of population 65 and older: 15.9% (25th highest)
> Median age of people 65 and over: 72.9 (24th lowest)
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