There are over 17.8 million military veterans living in the United States. These men and women, who have sacrificed more for their country than most lifelong civilians ever will, reside in cities and towns across the country, and are an important part of the social and economic fabric of their communities.
Young Americans enlist in the armed services for many reasons. In addition to service to their country, the reasons often include the opportunity to get physically fit and gain new skills. And many of these skills appear to pay off beyond their military service. A Pew Research study found that over half of all veterans say their service provided them with useful 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.
Nationwide, 7.1% of the total U.S. civilian adult population are veterans. This amount can vary considerably from place to place, however, and in some U.S. cities, veteran populations are relatively small. Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 24/7 Wall St. identified the city in every state with the fewest veterans. Cities, defined as places with at least 25,000 residents, are ranked by the share of the adult population who are veterans.
Among the cities on this list, veteran populations range from as few as 0.9% to no more than 8.5% of all civilians 18 and older, and in most cases, falls below the statewide share by at least 3 percentage points. Military veterans are slightly less likely than non-veterans to have a bachelor’s degree, and many of the places on this list are home to major colleges and universities, including East Lansing, Michigan; State College, Pennsylvania; and Blacksburg, Virginia. 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, many living veterans did not choose to serve and were drafted into the military during the Vietnam War. In most cities 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 in every state with the fewest veterans
Click here to read our detailed methodology
Alabama: Homewood
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 4.0% (Alabama: 8.6%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 16.0% (Alabama: 13.7%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 33.7% (Alabama: 31.6%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 6.5% (Alabama: 5.4%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 23
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Alaska: Juneau
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 8.5% (Alaska: 12.1%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 15.7% (Alaska: 21.8%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 31.5% (Alaska: 26.2%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 5.6% (Alaska: 2.5%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 3
Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
Arizona: Flagstaff
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 5.2% (Arizona: 8.9%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 29.7% (Arizona: 13.0%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 24.2% (Arizona: 34.2%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 3.8% (Arizona: 6.8%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 38
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Arkansas: Bentonville
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 5.1% (Arkansas: 8.3%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 13.6% (Arkansas: 13.1%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 22.2% (Arkansas: 34.0%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 8.2% (Arkansas: 5.9%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 19
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California: Florence-Graham
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 1.0% (California: 5.0%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 43.8% (California: 14.9%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 20.7% (California: 32.5%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 3.3% (California: 7.5%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 287
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Colorado: Boulder
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 3.1% (Colorado: 8.4%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 19.8% (Colorado: 16.8%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 29.2% (Colorado: 30.3%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 7.4% (Colorado: 5.0%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 33
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Connecticut: Hartford
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 2.3% (Connecticut: 5.7%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 17.0% (Connecticut: 10.9%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 33.5% (Connecticut: 34.3%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 9.7% (Connecticut: 10.3%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 24
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Delaware: Newark
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 3.9% (Delaware: 8.6%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 10.2% (Delaware: 10.3%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 36.8% (Delaware: 35.9%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 7.9% (Delaware: 6.1%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 3
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Florida: Hialeah
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 0.9% (Florida: 8.4%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 28.3% (Florida: 11.2%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 22.2% (Florida: 32.1%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 2.6% (Florida: 7.5%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 139
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Georgia: Brookhaven
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 3.6% (Georgia: 7.9%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 26.4% (Georgia: 14.9%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 24.3% (Georgia: 29.1%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 3.6% (Georgia: 4.2%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 43
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Hawaii: Kahului
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 5.0% (Hawaii: 9.1%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 8.7% (Hawaii: 19.5%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 37.4% (Hawaii: 30.7%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 3.5% (Hawaii: 6.0%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 10
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Idaho: Rexburg
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 2.2% (Idaho: 8.9%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 26.7% (Idaho: 11.6%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 29.4% (Idaho: 35.6%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 7.1% (Idaho: 6.2%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 13
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Illinois: Wheeling
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 2.2% (Illinois: 5.6%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 12.3% (Illinois: 11.9%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 23.7% (Illinois: 34.6%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 12.6% (Illinois: 7.9%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 88
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Indiana: West Lafayette
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 1.5% (Indiana: 7.3%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 0.4% (Indiana: 12.1%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 33.8% (Indiana: 33.7%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 16.2% (Indiana: 6.8%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 40
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Iowa: Iowa City
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 3.7% (Iowa: 7.4%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 17.0% (Iowa: 11.2%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 28.0% (Iowa: 35.1%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 12.3% (Iowa: 9.0%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 18
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Kansas: Garden City
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 4.0% (Kansas: 7.9%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 11.1% (Kansas: 14.8%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 27.4% (Kansas: 32.9%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 16.4% (Kansas: 7.3%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 14
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Kentucky: Bowling Green
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 5.3% (Kentucky: 7.5%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 13.2% (Kentucky: 12.0%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 36.4% (Kentucky: 34.4%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 5.4% (Kentucky: 5.4%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 15
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Louisiana: Marrero
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 4.8% (Louisiana: 6.8%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 16.1% (Louisiana: 14.0%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 45.0% (Louisiana: 33.3%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 2.5% (Louisiana: 5.7%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 17
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Maine: Portland
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 5.0% (Maine: 9.3%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 14.7% (Maine: 8.5%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 31.4% (Maine: 35.7%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 12.5% (Maine: 7.0%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 4
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Maryland: College Park
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 2.5% (Maryland: 7.7%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 17.4% (Maryland: 14.2%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 29.1% (Maryland: 27.8%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 7.4% (Maryland: 5.5%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 53
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Massachusetts: Somerville
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 1.5% (Massachusetts: 5.3%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 21.8% (Massachusetts: 11.4%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 26.5% (Massachusetts: 33.5%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 11.3% (Massachusetts: 10.1%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 63
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Michigan: East Lansing
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 2.1% (Michigan: 6.8%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 7.3% (Michigan: 9.8%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 29.4% (Michigan: 36.5%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 32.1% (Michigan: 7.8%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 44
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Minnesota: Minneapolis
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 3.7% (Minnesota: 6.8%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 15.3% (Minnesota: 11.4%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 32.8% (Minnesota: 36.8%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 7.5% (Minnesota: 9.2%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 42
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Mississippi: Oxford
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 3.2% (Mississippi: 7.3%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 4.7% (Mississippi: 14.6%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 30.1% (Mississippi: 30.4%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 12.6% (Mississippi: 5.1%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 13
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Missouri: Columbia
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 5.7% (Missouri: 8.3%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 19.9% (Missouri: 12.0%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 29.8% (Missouri: 35.2%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 6.1% (Missouri: 6.9%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 28
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Montana: Bozeman
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 4.4% (Montana: 10.3%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 32.7% (Montana: 14.6%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 25.9% (Montana: 35.4%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 4.2% (Montana: 5.8%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 6
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Nebraska: Lincoln
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 5.8% (Nebraska: 7.9%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 15.4% (Nebraska: 13.1%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 35.1% (Nebraska: 32.4%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 6.2% (Nebraska: 7.9%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 6
Nevada: Winchester
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 5.8% (Nevada: 8.8%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 14.5% (Nevada: 13.5%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 39.7% (Nevada: 32.6%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 6.9% (Nevada: 5.3%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 14
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New Hampshire: Dover
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 6.5% (New Hampshire: 8.5%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 13.3% (New Hampshire: 9.9%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 38.7% (New Hampshire: 34.4%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 8.6% (New Hampshire: 7.0%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 5
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New Jersey: Union City
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 1.1% (New Jersey: 4.5%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 34.9% (New Jersey: 10.8%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 19.2% (New Jersey: 35.3%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 2.3% (New Jersey: 10.5%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 34
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New Mexico: Hobbs
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 3.9% (New Mexico: 8.8%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 14.6% (New Mexico: 13.0%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 31.8% (New Mexico: 34.2%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 6.7% (New Mexico: 6.2%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 11
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New York: Hempstead
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 2.0% (New York: 4.4%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 25.7% (New York: 11.6%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 22.1% (New York: 33.5%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 7.4% (New York: 9.7%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 59
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North Carolina: Chapel Hill
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 2.8% (North Carolina: 8.2%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 13.5% (North Carolina: 14.9%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 27.8% (North Carolina: 30.7%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 6.6% (North Carolina: 5.2%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 39
North Dakota: West Fargo
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 4.5% (North Dakota: 8.0%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 38.1% (North Dakota: 18.2%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 30.7% (North Dakota: 31.1%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 2.4% (North Dakota: 6.2%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 6
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Ohio: Bowling Green
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 3.2% (Ohio: 7.6%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 24.7% (Ohio: 11.1%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 24.1% (Ohio: 34.5%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 2.3% (Ohio: 6.9%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 61
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Oklahoma: Stillwater
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 3.9% (Oklahoma: 9.0%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 22.3% (Oklahoma: 14.9%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 36.0% (Oklahoma: 33.7%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 6.5% (Oklahoma: 5.6%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 16
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Oregon: Bethany
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 4.4% (Oregon: 8.3%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 25.4% (Oregon: 11.8%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 16.3% (Oregon: 36.3%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 3.2% (Oregon: 7.1%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 23
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Pennsylvania: State College
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 1.7% (Pennsylvania: 7.2%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 34.3% (Pennsylvania: 10.3%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 30.0% (Pennsylvania: 35.0%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 5.5% (Pennsylvania: 8.6%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 23
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Rhode Island: Providence
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 2.4% (Rhode Island: 6.1%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 14.6% (Rhode Island: 11.7%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 24.0% (Rhode Island: 35.5%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 9.1% (Rhode Island: 9.0%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 6
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South Carolina: Greenville
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 5.4% (South Carolina: 9.1%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 23.9% (South Carolina: 13.3%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 23.5% (South Carolina: 32.7%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 4.0% (South Carolina: 4.7%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 19
South Dakota: Aberdeen
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 5.9% (South Dakota: 8.5%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 16.5% (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: 9.4% (South Dakota: 7.8%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 3
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Tennessee: Brentwood
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 5.0% (Tennessee: 8.2%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 5.6% (Tennessee: 13.6%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 36.1% (Tennessee: 33.2%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 7.0% (Tennessee: 5.5%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 28
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Texas: Pharr
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 2.2% (Texas: 6.8%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 16.8% (Texas: 18.1%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 39.9% (Texas: 29.1%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 11.9% (Texas: 4.7%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 118
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
Utah: Provo
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 2.0% (Utah: 5.4%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 14.6% (Utah: 16.4%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 31.9% (Utah: 31.5%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 7.1% (Utah: 6.8%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 35
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Vermont: Burlington
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 3.2% (Vermont: 6.9%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 7.3% (Vermont: 9.5%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 36.1% (Vermont: 36.8%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 8.2% (Vermont: 7.7%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 1
*Because Burlington is the only eligible city in Vermont, it is the city with the fewest veterans by default.
Source: BSPollard / iStock via Getty Images
Virginia: Blacksburg
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 1.7% (Virginia: 10.3%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 20.6% (Virginia: 17.0%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 21.2% (Virginia: 24.4%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 6.7% (Virginia: 4.0%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 42
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Washington: Pullman
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 2.4% (Washington: 8.9%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 33.2% (Washington: 14.8%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 14.4% (Washington: 32.1%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 4.6% (Washington: 5.0%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 47
Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
West Virginia: Morgantown
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 3.7% (West Virginia: 8.7%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 27.9% (West Virginia: 10.3%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 24.6% (West Virginia: 37.3%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 17.6% (West Virginia: 6.8%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 5
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
Wisconsin: Milwaukee
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 4.2% (Wisconsin: 7.0%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 15.3% (Wisconsin: 11.1%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 31.3% (Wisconsin: 35.3%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 7.6% (Wisconsin: 8.2%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 34
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Wyoming: Laramie
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 5.8% (Wyoming: 10.0%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 34.5% (Wyoming: 14.2%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 23.7% (Wyoming: 35.2%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 6.8% (Wyoming: 5.5%)
> No. of cities considered in ranking: 4
Methodology
To determine the city with the fewest veterans in every state, 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 census “place” geographies — a category that includes incorporated legal entities and census-designated statistical entities. We defined cities based on a population threshold — census places needed to have a population of at least 25,000 to be considered.
Cities were excluded if the share of veterans was not available in the 2020 ACS, if the civilian population 18 and over was less than 1,000, or if the sampling error associated with a city’s data was deemed too high.
The sampling error was defined as too high if the coefficient of variation — a statistical assessment of how reliable an estimate is — for a city’s share of veterans was above 15% and greater than two standard deviations above the mean CV for all cities’ veteran shares. We similarly excluded cities that had a sampling error too high for their population, using the same definition.
Cities 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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