The numbers behind Medicare in Clarke County
| Clarke County | Alabama | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 4,683 | 932,312 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 21.0% | 18.3% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 6,350 | 1,148,442 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 4,403 | 706,387 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 69.3% | 61.5% statewide |
Sources: Census Bureau 2023 estimates and CMS Medicare Advantage penetration, September 2026.
With roughly 4,683 residents age 65 and older, Clarke County is 44th among 67 Alabama counties for older residents. That group is 21.0% of its population, compared with 18.3% across Alabama. Another 1,618 residents are age 60 to 64 and will reach Medicare eligibility within about five years (see our turning 65 guide). Among residents 65 and older, 54% are 65 to 74, 34% are 75 to 84 and 12% are 85 or older (Census 2023 estimates). CMS data show 69.3% of Clarke County residents with Medicare chose Medicare Advantage, which is higher than the 61.5% average across Alabama. What most people do in a county is less important than what fits you. We weigh Medicare Advantage against Original Medicare with Medigap using your doctors, your drugs and your budget.
Who has Medicare in Clarke County
Clarke County is a rural county; the U.S. Department of Agriculture describes it as: urban population of fewer than 5,000, not adjacent to a metro area. Rural counties tend to have fewer local hospitals and doctors, so a plan’s network and the distance to care matter a great deal.
CMS counts 6,662 Medicare beneficiaries in Clarke County (2023). Their average age is 72, about the same as the Alabama average of 72. About 18% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, higher than the state figure of 14%. Where many people have both, special plans for dual-eligible members can matter; see our Medicaid and dual eligible guide, since availability varies by plan and area.
Among people in Original Medicare in Clarke County, CMS reported about 753 emergency room visits and 237 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is higher than the state average for emergency visits (600) and close to it for hospital stays (247). About 13% 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.
Insurers choose which counties to serve each year, which means the Medicare Advantage and Part D plans you can pick in Clarke County can be different from the ones offered next door. We are not based in Clarke County; we help Clarke County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Clarke County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists these hospitals in Clarke County:
- Grove Hill Memorial Hospital — Grove Hill (acute care; government-owned; emergency services)
- Jackson Medical Center — Jackson (acute care; for-profit; emergency services)
Network rules, not geography, decide whether a plan covers a hospital. We look up the hospitals and doctors you use and check them against each plan 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.
Communities and ZIP codes in Clarke County
The largest communities in Clarke County by 2023 Census population estimates are Jackson (4,525), Thomasville (3,583), Grove Hill (1,742), Coffeeville (250), Fulton (216). Each figure counts only the people living inside the county.
Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas mostly within Clarke County number 9: 36436, 36446, 36451, 36482, 36524, 36540, 36545, 36727, 36784. Your exact ZIP code is what decides which plans you can join.
Questions about Medicare in Clarke 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.
- Social Security: Medicare to enroll or check status.
- Medicare.gov: Medigap on how Medicare Supplement works.
- HealthCare.gov if you are not yet on Medicare.
- Alabama Department of Insurance: Alabama’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Clarke County residents
Here is what we can help Clarke County residents with, drawing on plans from many insurers: annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance and final expense insurance.
Ready to compare plans in Clarke County?
Tell us your doctors and medicines and we will show you what fits. No cost, no pressure.
Get my plan comparisonMedicare guides for Clarke County residents
- How to read your Medicare Annual Notice of Change
- Medigap Plan G vs. Plan N
- Do you really need a Medicare agent?
- Does Medicare cover dental, vision and hearing?
Clarke County compared with similar Alabama counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Randolph County | 4,918 | 59.0% | 18% | Rural |
| Monroe County | 4,296 | 68.1% | 18% | Rural |
| Winston County | 5,295 | 60.1% | 20% | Rural |
| Fayette County | 3,554 | 62.2% | 21% | Rural |
| Washington County | 3,240 | 63.3% | 18% | Rural |
| Lamar County | 3,105 | 45.2% | 18% | Rural |
See every Alabama county in our Alabama directory or go to our Alabama Medicare hub.