Young Americans enlist in the armed services for many reasons, including the opportunity to gain new skills, get physically fit, and earn 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.
Still, 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, and that veterans are less likely to live in poverty and more likely to have higher incomes than their nonveteran counterparts.
Veterans of the armed service reside in cities across the country, but some parts of the country have a considerably higher concentration of military vets than others. Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 24/7 Wall St. identified the metropolitan area in every state with the most veterans relative to the population.
It is important to note that four states – Delaware, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont – each have only one metro area. As a result, the metro area in these states ranks as having the largest veteran population by default only.
Among the metro areas on this list, the share of the adult civilian population with a history of military service ranges from about 6% to nearly 22%, and in most cases exceeds the statewide share by at least 3 percentage points. For context, 7.1% of the total U.S. civilian adult population have served in the military. Here is a look at the U.S. presidents who have served in the military.
While many veterans chose to enlist out of a sense of patriotic duty, many living veterans did not choose to serve and were drafted into service during the Vietnam War. In most metro areas on this list, those whose period of service is confined to the Vietnam Era account for over 25% of the total veteran population. Here is a look at the wars that claimed the most American lives.
Click here to see the city with the most veterans in every state
Click here to read our detailed methodology
Alabama: Daphne-Fairhope-Foley
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 11.2% (Alabama: 8.6%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 10.9% (Alabama: 13.7%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 40.6% (Alabama: 31.6%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 4.3% (Alabama: 5.4%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 12
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Alaska: Fairbanks
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 16.5% (Alaska: 12.1%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 31.8% (Alaska: 21.8%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 20.0% (Alaska: 26.2%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 1.4% (Alaska: 2.5%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 2
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Arizona: Sierra Vista-Douglas
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 19.4% (Arizona: 8.9%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 13.3% (Arizona: 13.0%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 28.1% (Arizona: 34.2%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 5.0% (Arizona: 6.8%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 7
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
Arkansas: Hot Springs
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 10.6% (Arkansas: 8.3%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 10.9% (Arkansas: 13.1%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 37.0% (Arkansas: 34.0%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 6.7% (Arkansas: 5.9%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 6
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California: Redding
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 9.7% (California: 5.0%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 14.3% (California: 14.9%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 38.1% (California: 32.5%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 8.0% (California: 7.5%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 26
Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
Colorado: Colorado Springs
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 17.0% (Colorado: 8.4%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 22.7% (Colorado: 16.8%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 20.0% (Colorado: 30.3%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 2.2% (Colorado: 5.0%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 7
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Connecticut: Norwich-New London
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 10.2% (Connecticut: 5.7%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 12.3% (Connecticut: 10.9%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 31.4% (Connecticut: 34.3%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 6.3% (Connecticut: 10.3%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 4
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Delaware: Dover
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 12.8% (Delaware: 8.6%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 14.9% (Delaware: 10.3%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 28.0% (Delaware: 35.9%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 4.4% (Delaware: 6.1%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 1
*Because Dover is the only eligible metro in Delaware, it is the metro with the most veterans by default.
Source: CampPhoto / Getty Images
Florida: Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 19.0% (Florida: 8.4%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 17.1% (Florida: 11.2%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 22.6% (Florida: 32.1%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 2.7% (Florida: 7.5%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 22
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Georgia: Hinesville
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 21.9% (Georgia: 7.9%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 35.5% (Georgia: 14.9%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 10.2% (Georgia: 29.1%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.4% (Georgia: 4.2%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 14
Source: Art Wager / iStock via Getty Images
Hawaii: Urban Honolulu
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 9.7% (Hawaii: 9.1%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 23.4% (Hawaii: 19.5%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 26.7% (Hawaii: 30.7%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 5.6% (Hawaii: 6.0%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 2
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Idaho: Coeur d’Alene
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 10.5% (Idaho: 8.9%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 6.4% (Idaho: 11.6%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 39.6% (Idaho: 35.6%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 7.1% (Idaho: 6.2%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 6
Source: sshepard / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
Illinois: Carbondale-Marion
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 8.7% (Illinois: 5.6%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 13.4% (Illinois: 11.9%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 36.5% (Illinois: 34.6%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 6.1% (Illinois: 7.9%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 10
Indiana: Kokomo
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 9.3% (Indiana: 7.3%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 11.5% (Indiana: 12.1%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 36.9% (Indiana: 33.7%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 7.3% (Indiana: 6.8%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 12
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Iowa: Davenport-Moline-Rock Island
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 8.4% (Iowa: 7.4%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 11.6% (Iowa: 11.2%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 36.7% (Iowa: 35.1%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 6.5% (Iowa: 9.0%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 8
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
Kansas: Manhattan
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 12.6% (Kansas: 7.9%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 34.5% (Kansas: 14.8%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 18.9% (Kansas: 32.9%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 4.1% (Kansas: 7.3%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 4
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Kentucky: Elizabethtown-Fort Knox
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 15.4% (Kentucky: 7.5%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 17.8% (Kentucky: 12.0%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 23.7% (Kentucky: 34.4%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 1.4% (Kentucky: 5.4%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 5
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Louisiana: Shreveport-Bossier City
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 9.6% (Louisiana: 6.8%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 13.4% (Louisiana: 14.0%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 27.2% (Louisiana: 33.3%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 6.5% (Louisiana: 5.7%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 9
Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
Maine: Lewiston-Auburn
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 9.6% (Maine: 9.3%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 13.0% (Maine: 8.5%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 33.4% (Maine: 35.7%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 4.2% (Maine: 7.0%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 3
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Maryland: California-Lexington Park
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 13.6% (Maryland: 7.7%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 15.5% (Maryland: 14.2%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 20.0% (Maryland: 27.8%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 1.5% (Maryland: 5.5%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 5
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
Massachusetts: Barnstable Town
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 8.8% (Massachusetts: 5.3%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 5.0% (Massachusetts: 11.4%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 39.4% (Massachusetts: 33.5%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 14.0% (Massachusetts: 10.1%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 5
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Michigan: Bay City
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 8.9% (Michigan: 6.8%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 9.5% (Michigan: 9.8%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 34.9% (Michigan: 36.5%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 8.2% (Michigan: 7.8%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 14
Source: JodiJacobson / E+ via Getty Images
Minnesota: Duluth
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 8.5% (Minnesota: 6.8%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 12.2% (Minnesota: 11.4%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 35.8% (Minnesota: 36.8%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 7.8% (Minnesota: 9.2%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 5
Source: dszc / iStock via Getty Images
Mississippi: Gulfport-Biloxi
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 12.8% (Mississippi: 7.3%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 16.7% (Mississippi: 14.6%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 26.3% (Mississippi: 30.4%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 3.9% (Mississippi: 5.1%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 3
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Missouri: St. Joseph
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 8.9% (Missouri: 8.3%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 13.5% (Missouri: 12.0%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 34.1% (Missouri: 35.2%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 9.5% (Missouri: 6.9%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 8
Source: leezsnow / iStock via Getty Images
Montana: Great Falls
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 15.1% (Montana: 10.3%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 23.1% (Montana: 14.6%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 24.3% (Montana: 35.4%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 5.6% (Montana: 5.8%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 3
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Nebraska: Omaha-Council Bluffs
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 8.8% (Nebraska: 7.9%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 14.8% (Nebraska: 13.1%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 29.3% (Nebraska: 32.4%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 5.7% (Nebraska: 7.9%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 3
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Nevada: Carson City
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 9.9% (Nevada: 8.8%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 6.6% (Nevada: 13.5%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 41.2% (Nevada: 32.6%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 9.0% (Nevada: 5.3%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 3
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
New Hampshire: Manchester-Nashua
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 7.9% (New Hampshire: 8.5%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 10.6% (New Hampshire: 9.9%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 32.9% (New Hampshire: 34.4%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 7.0% (New Hampshire: 7.0%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 1
*Because Manchester-Nashua is the only eligible metro in New Hampshire, it is the metro with the most veterans by default.
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New Jersey: Ocean City
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 8.9% (New Jersey: 4.5%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 4.9% (New Jersey: 10.8%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 35.7% (New Jersey: 35.3%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 11.0% (New Jersey: 10.5%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 4
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
New Mexico: Albuquerque
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 9.3% (New Mexico: 8.8%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 12.5% (New Mexico: 13.0%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 33.8% (New Mexico: 34.2%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 5.9% (New Mexico: 6.2%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 4
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New York: Watertown-Fort Drum
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 13.2% (New York: 4.4%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 31.4% (New York: 11.6%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 19.5% (New York: 33.5%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 4.4% (New York: 9.7%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 13
North Carolina: Jacksonville
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 21.5% (North Carolina: 8.2%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 38.5% (North Carolina: 14.9%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 13.4% (North Carolina: 30.7%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 1.4% (North Carolina: 5.2%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 15
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
North Dakota: Grand Forks
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 8.0% (North Dakota: 8.0%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 18.4% (North Dakota: 18.2%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 32.4% (North Dakota: 31.1%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 6.7% (North Dakota: 6.2%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 3
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Ohio: Springfield
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 10.7% (Ohio: 7.6%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 9.4% (Ohio: 11.1%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 34.4% (Ohio: 34.5%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 4.1% (Ohio: 6.9%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 11
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
Oklahoma: Lawton
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 17.6% (Oklahoma: 9.0%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 22.8% (Oklahoma: 14.9%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 20.3% (Oklahoma: 33.7%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 3.0% (Oklahoma: 5.6%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 4
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Oregon: Grants Pass
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 12.3% (Oregon: 8.3%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 9.5% (Oregon: 11.8%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 39.2% (Oregon: 36.3%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 9.5% (Oregon: 7.1%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 8
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Pennsylvania: Johnstown
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 10.0% (Pennsylvania: 7.2%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 9.0% (Pennsylvania: 10.3%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 36.5% (Pennsylvania: 35.0%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 9.1% (Pennsylvania: 8.6%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 18
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
Rhode Island: Providence-Warwick
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 6.2% (Rhode Island: 6.1%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 10.8% (Rhode Island: 11.7%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 35.4% (Rhode Island: 35.5%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 9.2% (Rhode Island: 9.0%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 1
*Because Providence-Warwick is the only eligible metro in Rhode Island, it is the metro with the most veterans by default.
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South Carolina: Sumter
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 11.9% (South Carolina: 9.1%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 18.3% (South Carolina: 13.3%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 27.3% (South Carolina: 32.7%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 4.1% (South Carolina: 4.7%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 8
Source: James_Gabbert / iStock via Getty Images
South Dakota: Rapid City
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 12.5% (South Dakota: 8.5%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 15.4% (South Dakota: 13.4%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 29.0% (South Dakota: 34.1%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 5.6% (South Dakota: 7.8%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 2
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Tennessee: Clarksville
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 17.8% (Tennessee: 8.2%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 29.5% (Tennessee: 13.6%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 16.7% (Tennessee: 33.2%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 2.1% (Tennessee: 5.5%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 10
Texas: Killeen-Temple
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 21.0% (Texas: 6.8%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 29.1% (Texas: 18.1%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 14.3% (Texas: 29.1%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 1.1% (Texas: 4.7%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 25
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
Utah: St. George
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 8.2% (Utah: 5.4%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 7.0% (Utah: 16.4%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 39.3% (Utah: 31.5%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 14.9% (Utah: 6.8%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 5
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Vermont: Burlington-South Burlington
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 5.9% (Vermont: 6.9%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 14.6% (Vermont: 9.5%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 30.3% (Vermont: 36.8%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 8.1% (Vermont: 7.7%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 1
*Because Burlington-South Burlington is the only eligible metro in Vermont, it is the metro with the most veterans by default.
Virginia: Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 16.0% (Virginia: 10.3%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 21.9% (Virginia: 17.0%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 19.6% (Virginia: 24.4%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 2.3% (Virginia: 4.0%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 9
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Washington: Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 16.3% (Washington: 8.9%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 15.6% (Washington: 14.8%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 26.9% (Washington: 32.1%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 2.8% (Washington: 5.0%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 11
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West Virginia: Parkersburg-Vienna
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 9.6% (West Virginia: 8.7%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 9.0% (West Virginia: 10.3%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 36.8% (West Virginia: 37.3%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 5.3% (West Virginia: 6.8%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 7
Wisconsin: Oshkosh-Neenah
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 7.8% (Wisconsin: 7.0%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 14.7% (Wisconsin: 11.1%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 30.9% (Wisconsin: 35.3%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 8.3% (Wisconsin: 8.2%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 12
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Wyoming: Cheyenne
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 14.4% (Wyoming: 10.0%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 17.4% (Wyoming: 14.2%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 24.7% (Wyoming: 35.2%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 4.9% (Wyoming: 5.5%)
> No. of metros considered in ranking: 2
Methodology
To determine the metro area in every state 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.
We used the 384 metropolitan statistical areas as delineated by the United States Office of Management and Budget and used by the Census Bureau as our definition of metros.
Metro areas 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 served 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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