Young Americans enlist in the armed services for many reasons, including learning new skills, getting physically fit, and getting financial assistance to pay for college. One of the most common reasons, however, is to serve the country. On top of the more than 1.4 million active-duty service members in the military, the United States is home to over 17.8 million veterans.
The sacrifices veterans have made for the country often follow them long after their service. Nearly half of those who served after the terror attacks of 9/11 say they had an emotionally traumatic or distressing experience while serving, and about one in four of all veterans say readjusting to civilian life was at least somewhat difficult, according to a Pew Research study.
The same study also found that over half of all veterans say their service provided them with useful skills and training for the civilian job market. Veterans are also less likely to live in poverty and more likely to have higher incomes than their non-veteran counterparts.
Every state in the country has a significant veteran population, ranging from the tens of thousands up to over a million. Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 24/7 Wall St. identified the states with the most veterans. States are ranked by the number of veterans as a share of the total population.
Depending on the state, veterans comprise anywhere from 4.4% of the population to over 12%. For context, 7.1% of the total U.S. civilian population have served in the military. Here is a look at the U.S. presidents who have served in the military.
It is important to note that while many veterans chose to enlist out of a sense of patriotic duty – including a considerable share of the 2.4 million who enlisted after 9/11 – many living veterans did not choose to serve and were drafted into service during the Vietnam War. The United States has not had a military draft since 1973. Here is a look at the wars that claimed the most American lives.
Click here to see the state with the most veterans
Click here to read our detailed methodology
Source: TomasSereda / iStock via Getty Images
50. New York
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 4.4%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 11.6% (17th lowest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 33.5% (22nd lowest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 9.7% (4th highest)
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Source: Ultima_Gaina / iStock via Getty Images
49. New Jersey
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 4.5%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 10.8% (8th lowest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 35.3% (12th highest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 10.5% (the highest)
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Source: DutcherAerials / E+ via Getty Images
48. California
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 5.0%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 14.9% (9th highest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 32.5% (16th lowest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 7.5% (16th highest)
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
47. Massachusetts
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 5.3%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 11.4% (14th lowest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 33.5% (23rd lowest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 10.1% (3rd highest)
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
46. Utah
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 5.4%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 16.4% (7th highest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 31.5% (11th lowest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 6.8% (25th highest)
Source: JaySi / iStock via Getty Images
45. Illinois
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 5.6%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 11.9% (20th lowest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 34.6% (17th highest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 7.9% (11th highest)
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
44. Connecticut
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 5.7%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 10.9% (9th lowest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 34.3% (21st highest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 10.3% (2nd highest)
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
43. Rhode Island
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 6.1%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 11.7% (18th lowest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 35.5% (9th highest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 9.0% (7th highest)
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
42. Louisiana
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 6.8%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 14.0% (18th highest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 33.3% (21st lowest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 5.7% (17th lowest)
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Source: Davel5957 / E+ via Getty Images
41. Minnesota
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 6.8%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 11.4% (15th lowest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 36.8% (2nd highest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 9.2% (5th highest)
Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
40. Texas
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 6.8%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 18.1% (4th highest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 29.1% (5th lowest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 4.7% (5th lowest)
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Source: pawel.gaul / E+ via Getty Images
39. Michigan
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 6.8%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 9.8% (3rd lowest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 36.5% (4th highest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 7.8% (12th highest)
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
38. Vermont
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 6.9%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 9.5% (2nd lowest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 36.8% (3rd highest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 7.7% (14th highest)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
37. Wisconsin
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 7.0%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 11.1% (11th lowest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 35.3% (11th highest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 8.2% (9th highest)
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
36. Pennsylvania
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 7.2%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 10.3% (5th lowest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 35.0% (16th highest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 8.6% (8th highest)
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
35. Indiana
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 7.3%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 12.1% (23rd lowest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 33.7% (25th lowest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 6.8% (24th highest)
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
34. Mississippi
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 7.3%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 14.6% (14th highest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 30.4% (7th lowest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 5.1% (8th lowest)
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33. Iowa
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 7.4%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 11.2% (12th lowest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 35.1% (15th highest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 9.0% (6th highest)
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
32. Kentucky
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 7.5%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 12.0% (22nd lowest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 34.4% (19th highest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 5.4% (11th lowest)
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Source: pawel.gaul / E+ via Getty Images
31. Ohio
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 7.6%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 11.1% (10th lowest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 34.5% (18th highest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 6.9% (22nd highest)
Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
30. Maryland
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 7.7%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 14.2% (17th highest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 27.8% (3rd lowest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 5.5% (13th lowest)
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Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
29. Georgia
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 7.9%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 14.9% (11th highest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 29.1% (4th lowest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 4.2% (3rd lowest)
Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
28. Nebraska
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 7.9%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 13.1% (25th highest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 32.4% (15th lowest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 7.9% (10th highest)
Source: TriggerPhoto / iStock via Getty Images
27. Kansas
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 7.9%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 14.8% (12th highest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 32.9% (19th lowest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 7.3% (17th highest)
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
26. North Dakota
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 8.0%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 18.2% (3rd highest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 31.1% (10th lowest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 6.2% (22nd lowest)
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
25. Tennessee
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 8.2%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 13.6% (20th highest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 33.2% (20th lowest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 5.5% (15th lowest)
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Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
24. North Carolina
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 8.2%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 14.9% (10th highest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 30.7% (9th lowest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 5.2% (9th lowest)
Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
23. Missouri
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 8.3%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 12.0% (21st lowest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 35.2% (13th highest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 6.9% (21st highest)
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
22. Oregon
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 8.3%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 11.8% (19th lowest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 36.3% (5th highest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 7.1% (18th highest)
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
21. Arkansas
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 8.3%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 13.1% (24th highest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 34.0% (25th highest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 5.9% (19th lowest)
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
20. Florida
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 8.4%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 11.2% (13th lowest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 32.1% (14th lowest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 7.5% (15th highest)
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Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
19. Colorado
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 8.4%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 16.8% (6th highest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 30.3% (6th lowest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 5.0% (6th lowest)
Source: peeterv / iStock via Getty Images
18. South Dakota
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 8.5%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 13.4% (22nd highest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 34.1% (24th highest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 7.8% (13th highest)
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
17. New Hampshire
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 8.5%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 9.9% (4th lowest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 34.4% (20th highest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 7.0% (20th highest)
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
16. Delaware
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 8.6%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 10.3% (6th lowest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 35.9% (6th highest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 6.1% (21st lowest)
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
15. Alabama
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 8.6%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 13.7% (19th highest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 31.6% (12th lowest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 5.4% (12th lowest)
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Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
14. West Virginia
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 8.7%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 10.3% (7th lowest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 37.3% (the highest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 6.8% (23rd highest)
Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
13. Nevada
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 8.8%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 13.5% (21st highest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 32.6% (17th lowest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 5.3% (10th lowest)
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
12. New Mexico
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 8.8%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 13.0% (25th lowest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 34.2% (22nd highest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 6.2% (23rd lowest)
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Source: vkbhat / E+ via Getty Images
11. Idaho
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 8.9%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 11.6% (16th lowest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 35.6% (8th highest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 6.2% (24th lowest)
Source: 4kodiak / E+ via Getty Images
10. Arizona
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 8.9%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 13.0% (24th lowest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 34.2% (23rd highest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 6.8% (25th lowest)
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Source: aiisha5 / iStock via Getty Images
9. Washington
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 8.9%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 14.8% (13th highest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 32.1% (13th lowest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 5.0% (7th lowest)
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
8. Oklahoma
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 9.0%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 14.9% (8th highest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 33.7% (24th lowest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 5.6% (16th lowest)
Source: okimo / iStock via Getty Images
7. Hawaii
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 9.1%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 19.5% (2nd highest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 30.7% (8th lowest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 6.0% (20th lowest)
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Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
6. South Carolina
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 9.1%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 13.3% (23rd highest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 32.7% (18th lowest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 4.7% (4th lowest)
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
5. Maine
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 9.3%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 8.5% (the lowest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 35.7% (7th highest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 7.0% (19th highest)
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
4. Wyoming
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 10.0%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 14.2% (16th highest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 35.2% (14th highest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 5.5% (14th lowest)
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Source: Jon Bilous / iStock via Getty Images
3. Montana
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 10.3%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 14.6% (15th highest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 35.4% (10th highest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 5.8% (18th lowest)
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
2. Virginia
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 10.3%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 17.0% (5th highest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 24.4% (the lowest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 4.0% (2nd lowest)
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Source: troutnut / iStock via Getty Images
1. Alaska
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 12.1%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 21.8% (the highest)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 26.2% (2nd lowest)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 2.5% (the lowest)
Methodology
To determine the states with the most veterans, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed five-year estimates of the share of the civilian population 18 years and over who are veterans from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 American Community Survey.
States were ranked based on the share of the population 18 and over who are veterans. To break ties, we used the number of veterans.
Additional information on the share of veterans who first enlisted after 9/11, in the Vietnam Era, and during the Korean War are also five-year estimates from the 2020 ACS. Because the Census Bureau didn’t release one-year estimates for 2020 due to data collection issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, all ACS data are five-year estimates.
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