The numbers behind Medicare in Jackson County
| Jackson County | Alabama | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 11,383 | 932,312 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 21.3% | 18.3% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 13,807 | 1,148,442 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 7,888 | 706,387 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 57.1% | 61.5% statewide |
Sources: Census Bureau 2023 estimates and CMS Medicare Advantage penetration, September 2026.
Among Alabama’s 67 counties, Jackson County comes in 24th for residents age 65 and up (11,383). Older adults make up 21.3% of the population here; the state figure is 18.3%. About 3,836 more people are 60 to 64 and are heading toward Medicare; our turning 65 guide explains their first steps. Census 2023 estimates show 59% of the 65-plus population is under 75, 32% is 75 to 84 and 9% is 85 or older. About 57.1% of people with Medicare in Jackson County are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. That is close to the Alabama average of 61.5%. A county average does not tell you which kind of plan fits you. Whether Medicare Advantage or Original Medicare with a Medigap plan is the better fit depends on your doctors, your prescriptions and how you want to handle costs, so we compare both for your ZIP code.
Who has Medicare in Jackson County
The USDA classifies Jackson County as: urban population of 5,000 to 20,000, adjacent to a metro area. In counties of this type, people often travel to a larger neighboring county for specialists, so we check whether your plan’s network reaches there.
CMS counts 14,214 Medicare beneficiaries in Jackson County (2023). Their average age is 73, about the same as the Alabama average of 72. About 15% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, close to the state figure of 14%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Jackson County, CMS reported about 560 emergency room visits and 222 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is close to the state average for emergency visits (600) and close to it for hospital stays (247). About 10% received home health care. These figures describe how people use care under Original Medicare; they do not show what any plan covers or costs.
Sources: CMS Medicare Geographic Variation, 2023; USDA Rural-Urban Continuum Codes, 2023.
Medicare Advantage and Part D plan availability and provider networks are set county by county, so the plans open to you in Jackson County may differ from those in a neighboring county. We are not based in Jackson County; we help Jackson County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Jackson County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Jackson County:
- Highlands Medical Center — Scottsboro (acute care; government-owned; emergency services; CMS overall rating 3 of 5)
A hospital being in the county does not mean every plan covers it. Medicare Advantage networks differ by plan, so we check the hospitals and doctors you actually use before you enroll. Ratings are CMS Care Compare overall hospital star ratings; they describe the hospital, not whether a plan covers it. Source: CMS Hospital General Information.
Where people live in Jackson County
People in Jackson County live in communities such as Scottsboro (15,863), Bridgeport (2,262), Stevenson (1,973), Hollywood (928), Skyline (851), Section (773) (2023 population estimates, counting only the part of each community that lies inside the county).
Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas mostly within Jackson County number 17: 35740, 35744, 35745, 35746, 35751, 35752, 35764, 35765, 35766, 35768, 35769, 35771, 35772, 35774 and 3 more. Your exact ZIP code is what decides which plans you can join.
Questions about Medicare in Jackson County?
Reach out to us: fill out our short form or call (571) 354-0146, and a licensed agent will compare the plans available to you, check your doctors and drugs, and stay with you each year at renewal. For general Medicare information, the federal helpline is 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Medicare resources from official sources
- Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov, searchable by ZIP code.
- HealthCare.gov if you are not yet on Medicare.
- Medicare Care Compare for hospitals and doctors.
- Social Security: Medicare to enroll or check status.
- Alabama Department of Insurance: Alabama’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Jackson County residents
As an independent agency we are not tied to one insurer, so for Jackson County residents we can compare Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance and annuities.
Ready to compare plans in Jackson County?
Tell us your doctors and medicines and we will show you what fits. No cost, no pressure.
Get my plan comparisonRead next
- What Medicare Part D actually costs
- Can I change my Medicare plan after December 7?
- How to read your Medicare Annual Notice of Change
- Medigap Plan G vs. Plan N
Jackson County compared with similar Alabama counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tallapoosa County | 9,836 | 60.9% | 14% | Smaller city/town |
| Coffee County | 9,764 | 54.3% | 12% | Smaller city/town |
| DeKalb County | 13,132 | 57.9% | 20% | Smaller city/town |
| Dale County | 9,256 | 57.6% | 15% | Smaller city/town |
| Covington County | 8,550 | 59.1% | 19% | Smaller city/town |
| Dallas County | 7,636 | 71.3% | 32% | Smaller city/town |
See every Alabama county in our Alabama directory or go to our Alabama Medicare hub.