The Top U.S. States Where Alzheimer's Deaths are Surging

Dementia is a broad term for severe cognitive decline, including memory loss and reduced ability to think or function socially. More than 55 million people worldwide live with dementia, and up to 70% of cases are linked to Alzheimer’s disease. In the United States alone, about 6.9 million adults age 65 and older have Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s is a progressive, incurable disease that damages brain cells needed for everyday tasks such as thinking, speaking, and walking. It is also fatal. Now the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S., Alzheimer’s often leads to complications such as pneumonia, malnutrition, dehydration, falls, and failure of vital functions. Since 2015, more than 110,000 Americans with Alzheimer’s have died each year, and deaths have risen 22% over the past decade.

Using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Moms Who Think identified the states where Alzheimer’s deaths are rising fastest. States are ranked by the percentage increase in deaths between 2014 and 2023, and only those with at least a 10% increase were included. Among the 37 states that met this threshold, deaths climbed anywhere from 13.2% to 116.2%.

Age remains the strongest risk factor for Alzheimer’s, and many of the states on this list have aging populations. While some states saw sharp increases, they do not always have the highest overall death rates. For example, Hawaii reported a 68% increase over the past decade but still ranks among the states with the lowest Alzheimer’s mortality rates. At the same time, nine of the 10 states with the highest death rates also appear among those with the largest increases.

These are the states where Alzheimer's deaths are surging.

Why It Matters

Alzheimer's is a progressive disease impacting an estimated 6.9 million Americans. The disease is characterized by deterioration of the brain. While certain treatments can meaningfully slow its progression, a cure has not yet been discovered. As the U.S. population ages, more Americans are at elevated risk of developing Alzheimer's, and in certain states, the Alzheimer's death rate has surged in the last 10 years.

37. Pennsylvania

10-year change in number of Alzheimer's disease deaths: +13.2% (+459)
Alzheimer's disease deaths by year: 3,945 in 2023, 3,486 in 2014
Median age of state population by year: 41.1 years in 2023, 40.7 years in 2014
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2023: 21.0 per 100,000 people (7th lowest of the 50 states)
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2014: 18.3 per 100,000 people (7th lowest of the 50 states)
Total Alzheimer's disease deaths, 2014-2023: 40,719 (8th most of the 50 states)

36. New Jersey

10-year change in number of Alzheimer's disease deaths: +13.4% (+262)
Alzheimer's disease deaths by year: 2,224 in 2023, 1,962 in 2014
Median age of state population by year: 40.4 years in 2023, 39.4 years in 2014
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2023: 18.5 per 100,000 people (5th lowest of the 50 states)
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2014: 17.4 per 100,000 people (6th lowest of the 50 states)
Total Alzheimer's disease deaths, 2014-2023: 24,445 (17th most of the 50 states)

35. Vermont

10-year change in number of Alzheimer's disease deaths: +15.0% (+40)
Alzheimer's disease deaths by year: 306 in 2023, 266 in 2014
Median age of state population by year: 43.7 years in 2023, 42.8 years in 2014
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2023: 33.2 per 100,000 people (16th highest of the 50 states)
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2014: 31.9 per 100,000 people (11th highest of the 50 states)
Total Alzheimer's disease deaths, 2014-2023: 3,144 (4th fewest of the 50 states)

34. Louisiana

10-year change in number of Alzheimer's disease deaths: +15.7% (+262)
Alzheimer's disease deaths by year: 1,932 in 2023, 1,670 in 2014
Median age of state population by year: 38.7 years in 2023, 36.1 years in 2014
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2023: 37.2 per 100,000 people (7th highest of the 50 states)
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2014: 36.0 per 100,000 people (6th highest of the 50 states)
Total Alzheimer's disease deaths, 2014-2023: 20,999 (22nd most of the 50 states)

33. New York

10-year change in number of Alzheimer's disease deaths: +16.9% (+446)
Alzheimer's disease deaths by year: 3,085 in 2023, 2,639 in 2014
Median age of state population by year: 40.2 years in 2023, 38.2 years in 2014
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2023: 11.3 per 100,000 people (the lowest of the 50 states)
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2014: 10.7 per 100,000 people (the lowest of the 50 states)
Total Alzheimer's disease deaths, 2014-2023: 33,985 (11th most of the 50 states)

32. Illinois

10-year change in number of Alzheimer's disease deaths: +18.0% (+588)
Alzheimer's disease deaths by year: 3,854 in 2023, 3,266 in 2014
Median age of state population by year: 39.5 years in 2023, 37.5 years in 2014
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2023: 24.6 per 100,000 people (15th lowest of the 50 states)
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2014: 21.9 per 100,000 people (16th lowest of the 50 states)
Total Alzheimer's disease deaths, 2014-2023: 39,460 (9th most of the 50 states)

31. South Carolina

10-year change in number of Alzheimer's disease deaths: +18.3% (+354)
Alzheimer's disease deaths by year: 2,292 in 2023, 1,938 in 2014
Median age of state population by year: 40.5 years in 2023, 38.8 years in 2014
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2023: 35.1 per 100,000 people (12th highest of the 50 states)
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2014: 37.4 per 100,000 people (3rd highest of the 50 states)
Total Alzheimer's disease deaths, 2014-2023: 24,075 (19th most of the 50 states)

30. Rhode Island

10-year change in number of Alzheimer's disease deaths: +18.9% (+76)
Alzheimer's disease deaths by year: 479 in 2023, 403 in 2014
Median age of state population by year: 40.8 years in 2023, 39.8 years in 2014
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2023: 31.1 per 100,000 people (24th highest of the 50 states)
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2014: 25.9 per 100,000 people (24th lowest of the 50 states)
Total Alzheimer's disease deaths, 2014-2023: 4,539 (8th fewest of the 50 states)

29. Ohio

10-year change in number of Alzheimer's disease deaths: +19.0% (+775)
Alzheimer's disease deaths by year: 4,858 in 2023, 4,083 in 2014
Median age of state population by year: 39.9 years in 2023, 39.4 years in 2014
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2023: 32.3 per 100,000 people (18th highest of the 50 states)
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2014: 27.7 per 100,000 people (21st highest of the 50 states)
Total Alzheimer's disease deaths, 2014-2023: 50,212 (4th most of the 50 states)

28. Oklahoma

10-year change in number of Alzheimer's disease deaths: +20.8% (+255)
Alzheimer's disease deaths by year: 1,482 in 2023, 1,227 in 2014
Median age of state population by year: 37.1 years in 2023, 36.2 years in 2014
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2023: 32.3 per 100,000 people (18th highest of the 50 states)
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2014: 28.9 per 100,000 people (19th highest of the 50 states)
Total Alzheimer's disease deaths, 2014-2023: 16,073 (24th fewest of the 50 states)

27. Michigan

10-year change in number of Alzheimer's disease deaths: +21.3% (+713)
Alzheimer's disease deaths by year: 4,062 in 2023, 3,349 in 2014
Median age of state population by year: 40.5 years in 2023, 39.6 years in 2014
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2023: 32.1 per 100,000 people (20th highest of the 50 states)
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2014: 27.0 per 100,000 people (24th highest of the 50 states)
Total Alzheimer's disease deaths, 2014-2023: 42,062 (5th most of the 50 states)

26. Wyoming

10-year change in number of Alzheimer's disease deaths: +22.2% (+36)
Alzheimer's disease deaths by year: 198 in 2023, 162 in 2014
Median age of state population by year: 39.3 years in 2023, 36.6 years in 2014
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2023: 28.0 per 100,000 people (23rd lowest of the 50 states)
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2014: 26.6 per 100,000 people (25th lowest of the 50 states)
Total Alzheimer's disease deaths, 2014-2023: 2,051 (2nd fewest of the 50 states)

25. Missouri

10-year change in number of Alzheimer's disease deaths: +22.6% (+464)
Alzheimer's disease deaths by year: 2,517 in 2023, 2,053 in 2014
Median age of state population by year: 39.3 years in 2023, 38.5 years in 2014
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2023: 31.8 per 100,000 people (22nd highest of the 50 states)
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2014: 27.4 per 100,000 people (22nd highest of the 50 states)
Total Alzheimer's disease deaths, 2014-2023: 25,023 (15th most of the 50 states)

24. Alabama

10-year change in number of Alzheimer's disease deaths: +24.1% (+455)
Alzheimer's disease deaths by year: 2,340 in 2023, 1,885 in 2014
Median age of state population by year: 39.6 years in 2023, 38.6 years in 2014
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2023: 37.4 per 100,000 people (6th highest of the 50 states)
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2014: 35.3 per 100,000 people (7th highest of the 50 states)
Total Alzheimer's disease deaths, 2014-2023: 25,325 (14th most of the 50 states)

23. Maryland

10-year change in number of Alzheimer's disease deaths: +24.2% (+226)
Alzheimer's disease deaths by year: 1,160 in 2023, 934 in 2014
Median age of state population by year: 39.8 years in 2023, 38.3 years in 2014
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2023: 15.4 per 100,000 people (2nd lowest of the 50 states)
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2014: 14.5 per 100,000 people (2nd lowest of the 50 states)
Total Alzheimer's disease deaths, 2014-2023: 11,179 (20th fewest of the 50 states)

22. North Carolina

10-year change in number of Alzheimer's disease deaths: +24.5% (+796)
Alzheimer's disease deaths by year: 4,042 in 2023, 3,246 in 2014
Median age of state population by year: 39.4 years in 2023, 38.3 years in 2014
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2023: 32.4 per 100,000 people (17th highest of the 50 states)
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2014: 30.5 per 100,000 people (15th highest of the 50 states)
Total Alzheimer's disease deaths, 2014-2023: 41,781 (6th most of the 50 states)

21. Wisconsin

10-year change in number of Alzheimer's disease deaths: +25.2% (+473)
Alzheimer's disease deaths by year: 2,349 in 2023, 1,876 in 2014
Median age of state population by year: 40.5 years in 2023, 39.2 years in 2014
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2023: 31.2 per 100,000 people (23rd highest of the 50 states)
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2014: 25.0 per 100,000 people (22nd lowest of the 50 states)
Total Alzheimer's disease deaths, 2014-2023: 23,166 (20th most of the 50 states)

20. Maine

10-year change in number of Alzheimer's disease deaths: +25.8% (+112)
Alzheimer's disease deaths by year: 546 in 2023, 434 in 2014
Median age of state population by year: 44.9 years in 2023, 44.1 years in 2014
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2023: 25.4 per 100,000 people (17th lowest of the 50 states)
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2014: 22.7 per 100,000 people (18th lowest of the 50 states)
Total Alzheimer's disease deaths, 2014-2023: 5,495 (11th fewest of the 50 states)

19. New Hampshire

10-year change in number of Alzheimer's disease deaths: +26.0% (+103)
Alzheimer's disease deaths by year: 499 in 2023, 396 in 2014
Median age of state population by year: 43.4 years in 2023, 42.5 years in 2014
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2023: 25.7 per 100,000 people (18th lowest of the 50 states)
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2014: 24.0 per 100,000 people (20th lowest of the 50 states)
Total Alzheimer's disease deaths, 2014-2023: 4,566 (9th fewest of the 50 states)

18. Arkansas

10-year change in number of Alzheimer's disease deaths: +26.7% (+319)
Alzheimer's disease deaths by year: 1,512 in 2023, 1,193 in 2014
Median age of state population by year: 38.9 years in 2023, 37.8 years in 2014
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2023: 39.5 per 100,000 people (3rd highest of the 50 states)
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2014: 34.8 per 100,000 people (9th highest of the 50 states)
Total Alzheimer's disease deaths, 2014-2023: 14,955 (22nd fewest of the 50 states)

17. California

10-year change in number of Alzheimer's disease deaths: +26.8% (+3,391)
Alzheimer's disease deaths by year: 16,035 in 2023, 12,644 in 2014
Median age of state population by year: 38.2 years in 2023, 36.0 years in 2014
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2023: 35.3 per 100,000 people (11th highest of the 50 states)
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2014: 30.9 per 100,000 people (14th highest of the 50 states)
Total Alzheimer's disease deaths, 2014-2023: 162,087 (the most of the 50 states)

16. Virginia

10-year change in number of Alzheimer's disease deaths: +28.9% (+513)
Alzheimer's disease deaths by year: 2,288 in 2023, 1,775 in 2014
Median age of state population by year: 39.3 years in 2023, 37.7 years in 2014
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2023: 22.5 per 100,000 people (10th lowest of the 50 states)
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2014: 20.8 per 100,000 people (13th lowest of the 50 states)
Total Alzheimer's disease deaths, 2014-2023: 24,440 (18th most of the 50 states)

15. Montana

10-year change in number of Alzheimer's disease deaths: +30.8% (+78)
Alzheimer's disease deaths by year: 331 in 2023, 253 in 2014
Median age of state population by year: 40.6 years in 2023, 39.6 years in 2014
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2023: 22.1 per 100,000 people (9th lowest of the 50 states)
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2014: 19.2 per 100,000 people (12th lowest of the 50 states)
Total Alzheimer's disease deaths, 2014-2023: 3,121 (3rd fewest of the 50 states)

14. Nevada

10-year change in number of Alzheimer's disease deaths: +31.5% (+191)
Alzheimer's disease deaths by year: 797 in 2023, 606 in 2014
Median age of state population by year: 39.4 years in 2023, 37.4 years in 2014
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2023: 23.1 per 100,000 people (13th lowest of the 50 states)
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2014: 23.8 per 100,000 people (19th lowest of the 50 states)
Total Alzheimer's disease deaths, 2014-2023: 7,734 (16th fewest of the 50 states)

13. Colorado

10-year change in number of Alzheimer's disease deaths: +34.1% (+465)
Alzheimer's disease deaths by year: 1,829 in 2023, 1,364 in 2014
Median age of state population by year: 37.9 years in 2023, 36.3 years in 2014
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2023: 30.6 per 100,000 people (25th highest of the 50 states)
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2014: 27.4 per 100,000 people (22nd highest of the 50 states)
Total Alzheimer's disease deaths, 2014-2023: 17,841 (24th most of the 50 states)

12. Oregon

10-year change in number of Alzheimer's disease deaths: +38.1% (+538)
Alzheimer's disease deaths by year: 1,949 in 2023, 1,411 in 2014
Median age of state population by year: 40.7 years in 2023, 39.3 years in 2014
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2023: 36.2 per 100,000 people (9th highest of the 50 states)
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2014: 28.5 per 100,000 people (20th highest of the 50 states)
Total Alzheimer's disease deaths, 2014-2023: 18,593 (23rd most of the 50 states)

11. Nebraska

10-year change in number of Alzheimer's disease deaths: +40.2% (+207)
Alzheimer's disease deaths by year: 722 in 2023, 515 in 2014
Median age of state population by year: 37.4 years in 2023, 36.2 years in 2014
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2023: 29.8 per 100,000 people (24th lowest of the 50 states)
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2014: 21.9 per 100,000 people (16th lowest of the 50 states)
Total Alzheimer's disease deaths, 2014-2023: 6,859 (14th fewest of the 50 states)

10. New Mexico

10-year change in number of Alzheimer's disease deaths: +43.0% (+190)
Alzheimer's disease deaths by year: 632 in 2023, 442 in 2014
Median age of state population by year: 39.9 years in 2023, 37.2 years in 2014
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2023: 22.8 per 100,000 people (12th lowest of the 50 states)
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2014: 18.9 per 100,000 people (10th lowest of the 50 states)
Total Alzheimer's disease deaths, 2014-2023: 5,958 (12th fewest of the 50 states)

9. Minnesota

10-year change in number of Alzheimer's disease deaths: +44.7% (+728)
Alzheimer's disease deaths by year: 2,356 in 2023, 1,628 in 2014
Median age of state population by year: 39.1 years in 2023, 37.8 years in 2014
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2023: 32.0 per 100,000 people (21st highest of the 50 states)
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2014: 24.2 per 100,000 people (21st lowest of the 50 states)
Total Alzheimer's disease deaths, 2014-2023: 22,650 (21st most of the 50 states)

8. Texas

10-year change in number of Alzheimer's disease deaths: +47.2% (+3,197)
Alzheimer's disease deaths by year: 9,969 in 2023, 6,772 in 2014
Median age of state population by year: 35.9 years in 2023, 34.3 years in 2014
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2023: 36.8 per 100,000 people (8th highest of the 50 states)
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2014: 30.0 per 100,000 people (16th highest of the 50 states)
Total Alzheimer's disease deaths, 2014-2023: 96,970 (2nd most of the 50 states)

7. Mississippi

10-year change in number of Alzheimer's disease deaths: +56.6% (+622)
Alzheimer's disease deaths by year: 1,720 in 2023, 1,098 in 2014
Median age of state population by year: 39.3 years in 2023, 36.7 years in 2014
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2023: 49.8 per 100,000 people (the highest of the 50 states)
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2014: 35.2 per 100,000 people (8th highest of the 50 states)
Total Alzheimer's disease deaths, 2014-2023: 15,931 (23rd fewest of the 50 states)

6. Georgia

10-year change in number of Alzheimer's disease deaths: +57.3% (+1,529)
Alzheimer's disease deaths by year: 4,199 in 2023, 2,670 in 2014
Median age of state population by year: 37.9 years in 2023, 36.1 years in 2014
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2023: 38.9 per 100,000 people (4th highest of the 50 states)
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2014: 31.7 per 100,000 people (12th highest of the 50 states)
Total Alzheimer's disease deaths, 2014-2023: 41,007 (7th most of the 50 states)

5. Hawaii

10-year change in number of Alzheimer's disease deaths: +68.1% (+222)
Alzheimer's disease deaths by year: 548 in 2023, 326 in 2014
Median age of state population by year: 41.4 years in 2023, 38.1 years in 2014
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2023: 21.7 per 100,000 people (8th lowest of the 50 states)
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2014: 15.0 per 100,000 people (3rd lowest of the 50 states)
Total Alzheimer's disease deaths, 2014-2023: 4,866 (10th fewest of the 50 states)

4. Delaware

10-year change in number of Alzheimer's disease deaths: +77.7% (+146)
Alzheimer's disease deaths by year: 334 in 2023, 188 in 2014
Median age of state population by year: 42.0 years in 2023, 39.6 years in 2014
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2023: 24.2 per 100,000 people (14th lowest of the 50 states)
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2014: 16.6 per 100,000 people (4th lowest of the 50 states)
Total Alzheimer's disease deaths, 2014-2023: 3,533 (5th fewest of the 50 states)

3. Utah

10-year change in number of Alzheimer's disease deaths: +80.1% (+468)
Alzheimer's disease deaths by year: 1,052 in 2023, 584 in 2014
Median age of state population by year: 32.3 years in 2023, 30.5 years in 2014
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2023: 40.3 per 100,000 people (2nd highest of the 50 states)
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2014: 26.7 per 100,000 people (25th highest of the 50 states)
Total Alzheimer's disease deaths, 2014-2023: 9,612 (18th fewest of the 50 states)

2. Idaho

10-year change in number of Alzheimer's disease deaths: +106.1% (+399)
Alzheimer's disease deaths by year: 775 in 2023, 376 in 2014
Median age of state population by year: 37.8 years in 2023, 35.9 years in 2014
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2023: 35.6 per 100,000 people (10th highest of the 50 states)
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2014: 22.4 per 100,000 people (17th lowest of the 50 states)
Total Alzheimer's disease deaths, 2014-2023: 6,684 (13th fewest of the 50 states)

1. Alaska

10-year change in number of Alzheimer's disease deaths: +116.2% (+79)
Alzheimer's disease deaths by year: 147 in 2023, 68 in 2014
Median age of state population by year: 36.5 years in 2023, 33.3 years in 2014
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2023: 27.1 per 100,000 people (20th lowest of the 50 states)
Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in 2014: 17.2 per 100,000 people (5th lowest of the 50 states)
Total Alzheimer's disease deaths, 2014-2023: 1,203 (the fewest of the 50 states)