In 1930, President Herbert Hoover created the Veterans Administration – now the Department of Veterans Affairs – by consolidating the existing Veterans Bureau with the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers and Pension Bureau. Since then, the VA has provided medical services for veterans who have been honorably discharged, whether they served in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, or Air Force. Here are 50 of the most decorated war heroes in American history.
There were about 18 million veterans in the U.S. in 2021, with over 9 million enrolled in the VA health care program. With so many vets to serve, there are about 1,293 VA health care facilities across the country, making the Veterans Health Administration the largest integrated health care system in the United States. And the state with the most VA hospitals is California.
To make this determination, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed a directory of veteran facilities by state on VA.gov. States are ranked by the number of VA facilities in the state. Population data came from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey and are five-year estimates.
The VA provides a full range of medical services to eligible veterans, including general care, surgery, orthopedics, physical therapy, and mental health service. Veterans Health Administration facilities include VA medical centers, and outpatient clinics. Facilities also include domiciliaries, which provide long-term residential rehabilitative care for veterans at risk of homelessness, and vet centers, which provide social and psychological services, including professional readjustment counseling.
In California, there are 103 VA facilities. Texas is next with 91 facilities and Florida has 83. When these facilities are divided among the number of veterans in the state, there are less than seven facilities per 100,000 veterans – some of the lowest rates in the nation. On the other hand, the states with the highest numbers of VA facilities per 100,000 veterans are Wyoming, North Dakota, and Montana. Here are the states with the most veterans.
One factor to bear in mind is that the service capacity of individual VA facilities varies widely. By number of staffed beds, the largest facilities are the Biloxi VA Medical Center in Mississippi with 716 beds, the Southern Oregon VA Rehabilitation Center in White City, Oregon, with 600 beds, and the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center in Ohio with 586 beds.
Click here to see the state with the most VA hospitals
50. Rhode Island
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 3
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 5.76 (4th lowest)
> Veteran population (2020): 52,128 (4th lowest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 6.1% (8th lowest)
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Source: Bastiaan Slabbers / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
49. Delaware
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 5
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 7.68 (17th lowest)
> Veteran population (2020): 65,065 (7th lowest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 8.6% (16th highest)
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48. Vermont
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 8
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 22.91 (5th highest)
> Veteran population (2020): 34,915 (the lowest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 6.9% (13th lowest)
Source: StellaMc / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
47. Alaska
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 9
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 13.90 (10th highest)
> Veteran population (2020): 64,765 (6th lowest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 12.1% (the highest)
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Source: travelview / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
45. New Hampshire
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 12
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 12.86 (11th highest)
> Veteran population (2020): 93,326 (9th lowest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 8.5% (17th highest)
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45. Nebraska
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 12
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 10.57 (18th highest)
> Veteran population (2020): 113,567 (12th lowest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 7.9% (23rd lowest)
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41. North Dakota
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 13
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 28.09 (2nd highest)
> Veteran population (2020): 46,288 (3rd lowest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 8.0% (25th lowest)
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41. Idaho
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 13
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 11.25 (14th highest)
> Veteran population (2020): 115,549 (13th lowest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 8.9% (11th highest)
Source: Christian Horz / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
41. Connecticut
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 13
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 8.12 (20th lowest)
> Veteran population (2020): 160,142 (17th lowest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 5.7% (7th lowest)
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
41. Mississippi
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 13
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 7.89 (19th lowest)
> Veteran population (2020): 164,687 (18th lowest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 7.3% (17th lowest)
Source: pabradyphoto / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
39. South Dakota
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 14
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 25.01 (4th highest)
> Veteran population (2020): 55,969 (5th lowest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 8.5% (18th highest)
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Source: Carlos Perez Lopez / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
39. Utah
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 14
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 11.65 (12th highest)
> Veteran population (2020): 120,198 (14th lowest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 5.4% (5th lowest)
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38. Hawaii
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 15
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 15.39 (8th highest)
> Veteran population (2020): 97,478 (10th lowest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 9.1% (7th highest)
Source: Harald Schmidt / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
36. Wyoming
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 17
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 38.29 (the highest)
> Veteran population (2020): 44,403 (2nd lowest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 10.0% (4th highest)
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Source: Photo Italia LLC / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
36. Maine
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 17
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 16.72 (7th highest)
> Veteran population (2020): 101,652 (11th lowest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 9.3% (5th highest)
Source: ablokhin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
35. South Carolina
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 18
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 5.00 (3rd lowest)
> Veteran population (2020): 360,355 (18th highest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 9.1% (6th highest)
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Source: LawrenceSawyer / E+ via Getty Images
32. Kansas
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 19
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 11.00 (16th highest)
> Veteran population (2020): 172,750 (19th lowest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 7.9% (24th lowest)
Source: mariusz_prusaczyk / iStock via Getty Images
32. Nevada
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 19
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 9.24 (25th lowest)
> Veteran population (2020): 205,659 (22nd lowest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 8.8% (13th highest)
32. Minnesota
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 19
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 6.52 (9th lowest)
> Veteran population (2020): 291,453 (23rd highest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 6.8% (10th lowest)
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Source: Jacqueline Nix / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
31. Iowa
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 20
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 11.21 (15th highest)
> Veteran population (2020): 178,481 (20th lowest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 7.4% (18th lowest)
Source: JannHuizenga / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
29. New Mexico
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 21
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 14.83 (9th highest)
> Veteran population (2020): 141,558 (16th lowest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 8.8% (12th highest)
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29. Arkansas
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 21
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 10.95 (17th highest)
> Veteran population (2020): 191,786 (21st lowest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 8.3% (21st highest)
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28. Washington
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 22
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 4.25 (2nd lowest)
> Veteran population (2020): 517,912 (12th highest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 8.9% (9th highest)
26. Montana
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 23
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 26.93 (3rd highest)
> Veteran population (2020): 85,401 (8th lowest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 10.3% (3rd highest)
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Source: Aneese / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
26. New Jersey
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 23
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 7.33 (13th lowest)
> Veteran population (2020): 313,928 (22nd highest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 4.5% (2nd lowest)
24. West Virginia
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 24
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 19.19 (6th highest)
> Veteran population (2020): 125,084 (15th lowest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 8.7% (14th highest)
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Source: Jacqueline Nix / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
24. Alabama
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 24
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 7.39 (14th lowest)
> Veteran population (2020): 324,857 (20th highest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 8.6% (15th highest)
Source: Sean Gardner / Getty Images
23. Louisiana
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 25
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 10.42 (19th highest)
> Veteran population (2020): 239,881 (23rd lowest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 6.8% (9th lowest)
Source: JillianCain / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
19. Kentucky
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 26
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 10.10 (22nd highest)
> Veteran population (2020): 257,452 (24th lowest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 7.5% (19th lowest)
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
19. Oklahoma
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 26
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 9.74 (23rd highest)
> Veteran population (2020): 266,895 (25th lowest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 9.0% (8th highest)
Source: coastalpics / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
19. Maryland
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 26
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 7.28 (12th lowest)
> Veteran population (2020): 357,261 (19th highest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 7.7% (21st lowest)
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
19. Virginia
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 26
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 3.86 (the lowest)
> Veteran population (2020): 674,242 (7th highest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 10.3% (2nd highest)
Source: Roberto Galan / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
18. Wisconsin
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 27
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 8.46 (22nd lowest)
> Veteran population (2020): 319,280 (21st highest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 7.0% (14th lowest)
Source: GarysFRP / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
15. Oregon
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 28
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 10.22 (20th highest)
> Veteran population (2020): 273,946 (25th highest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 8.3% (22nd highest)
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15. Massachusetts
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 28
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 9.63 (24th highest)
> Veteran population (2020): 290,648 (24th highest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 5.3% (4th lowest)
Source: chapin31 / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
15. Colorado
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 28
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 7.55 (16th lowest)
> Veteran population (2020): 370,677 (17th highest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 8.4% (19th highest)
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Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
14. Indiana
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 32
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 8.60 (23rd lowest)
> Veteran population (2020): 372,074 (16th highest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 7.3% (16th lowest)
Source: Joesboy / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
12. Arizona
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 38
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 7.74 (18th lowest)
> Veteran population (2020): 491,239 (13th highest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 8.9% (10th highest)
Source: J. Michael Jones / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
12. North Carolina
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 38
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 5.81 (5th lowest)
> Veteran population (2020): 654,365 (8th highest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 8.2% (24th highest)
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Source: tedpagel / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
9. Missouri
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 40
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 10.22 (21st highest)
> Veteran population (2020): 391,513 (15th highest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 8.3% (23rd highest)
Source: sshepard / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
9. Tennessee
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 40
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 9.33 (25th highest)
> Veteran population (2020): 428,519 (14th highest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 8.2% (25th highest)
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Source: Jacqueline Nix / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
9. Georgia
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 40
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 6.40 (8th lowest)
> Veteran population (2020): 625,251 (9th highest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 7.9% (22nd lowest)
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Source: smontgom65 / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
7. Michigan
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 45
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 8.45 (21st lowest)
> Veteran population (2020): 532,394 (11th highest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 6.8% (12th lowest)
Source: Jacqueline Nix / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
7. Ohio
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 45
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 6.56 (10th lowest)
> Veteran population (2020): 685,905 (5th highest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 7.6% (20th lowest)
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6. Illinois
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 49
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 8.85 (24th lowest)
> Veteran population (2020): 553,593 (10th highest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 5.6% (6th lowest)
Source: JanaShea / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
5. Pennsylvania
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 55
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 7.52 (15th lowest)
> Veteran population (2020): 731,411 (4th highest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 7.2% (15th lowest)
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4. New York
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 78
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 11.53 (13th highest)
> Veteran population (2020): 676,295 (6th highest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 4.4% (the lowest)
Source: JHVEPhoto / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
3. Florida
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 83
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 5.86 (6th lowest)
> Veteran population (2020): 1,416,472 (3rd highest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 8.4% (20th highest)
Source: Roberto Galan / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
2. Texas
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 91
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 6.34 (7th lowest)
> Veteran population (2020): 1,435,527 (2nd highest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 6.8% (11th lowest)
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Source: f8grapher / iStock via Getty Images
1. California
> No. of veteran medical facilities: 103
> Facilities per 100,000 veterans: 6.75 (11th lowest)
> Veteran population (2020): 1,525,746 (the highest)
> Pct. veterans of adult population (2020): 5.0% (3rd lowest)
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