There are 18.2 million veterans who have served in the U.S. military, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Veterans comprise 7.3% of the civilian population over the age of 18. Many of these veterans are among America’s most decorated war heroes.
Veterans have a higher median income than nonveterans and lower unemployment and poverty rates than those who did not serve in the military. They also, however, have a higher percentage of people with a disability than those who did not serve. Veterans also contribute more volunteer hours a year to their communities than nonveterans, according to data from the Veterans Civic Health Index.
Some states have a higher percentage of veterans than others, and 24/7 Wall St. has reviewed U.S. Census Bureau data to determine which states have the highest percentage of former military members.
There are four states where the number of veterans as a share of the adult population exceeds 10%: Alaska, Montana, Virginia, and Wyoming. With the exception of Montana, each of those states is home to one of America’s largest military cities.
The states with the lowest share of veterans are mostly on either coast — New York (4.5%), New Jersey (4.6%), California (5.2%), and Massachusetts (5.5%). The three most populous states in the nation have the three largest veteran populations: California (1.56 million), Texas (1.46 million), and Florida (1.44 million). These states are also home to some of America’s largest military bases.
The highest percentage of veterans served during the era of the Vietnam War, 35.7%. Two states — Oregon and Minnesota — have the highest share of veterans who served during that era, both topping 40% of the states’ veteran populations. The first Gulf War era (1990-2001) has the next highest share of veterans, with 20.8%, and Virginia and Alaska have the highest percentage of veterans from that period, at 33.9% and 31.5%, respectively.
The percentage of veterans from World War II, the most expensive war in U.S, history, is just 3.4%. Connecticut is home to the highest percentage of World War II veterans at 7.1%.
Click here to see the states with the most veterans
50. New York
> Veteran population: 4.5% (699,604)
> Adult civilian population: 15.7 million (4th largest)
> Veteran unemployment: 5.0% (8th highest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 6.7% (22nd lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 28.7% (16th lowest)
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49. New Jersey
> Veteran population: 4.6% (325,283)
> Adult civilian population: 7.0 million (11th largest)
> Veteran unemployment: 6.2% (2nd highest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 5.2% (6th lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 28.9% (18th lowest)
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48. California
> Veteran population: 5.2% (1,564,913)
> Adult civilian population: 30.4 million (the largest)
> Veteran unemployment: 5.2% (7th highest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 7.1% (23rd highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 29.2% (21st lowest)
See all stories featuring: California
47. Massachusetts
> Veteran population: 5.5% (304,373)
> Adult civilian population: 5.5 million (14th largest)
> Veteran unemployment: 3.5% (13th lowest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 5.7% (11th lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 29.4% (23rd lowest)
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46. Utah
> Veteran population: 5.7% (124,785)
> Adult civilian population: 2.2 million (16th smallest)
> Veteran unemployment: 4.2% (25th highest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 6.1% (14th lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 30.4% (21st highest)
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45. Connecticut
> Veteran population: 5.8% (164,988)
> Adult civilian population: 2.8 million (22nd smallest)
> Veteran unemployment: 3.5% (13th lowest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 4.9% (2nd lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 26.0% (6th lowest)
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44. Illinois
> Veteran population: 5.8% (576,214)
> Adult civilian population: 9.9 million (6th largest)
> Veteran unemployment: 5.0% (8th highest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 6.9% (25th highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 27.3% (10th lowest)
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43. Rhode Island
> Veteran population: 6.2% (52,261)
> Adult civilian population: 849,171 (8th smallest)
> Veteran unemployment: 3.9% (18th lowest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 5.2% (6th lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 29.0% (19th lowest)
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42. Louisiana
> Veteran population: 6.7% (237,672)
> Adult civilian population: 3.6 million (25th largest)
> Veteran unemployment: 5.5% (5th highest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 9.0% (2nd highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 31.2% (16th highest)
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41. Texas
> Veteran population: 7.0% (1,460,397)
> Adult civilian population: 20.9 million (2nd largest)
> Veteran unemployment: 4.5% (20th highest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 6.7% (22nd lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 28.6% (14th lowest)
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40. Minnesota
> Veteran population: 7.1% (303,524)
> Adult civilian population: 4.3 million (22nd largest)
> Veteran unemployment: 3.9% (18th lowest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 5.3% (7th lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 29.7% (24th lowest)
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39. Michigan
> Veteran population: 7.1% (552,362)
> Adult civilian population: 7.8 million (10th largest)
> Veteran unemployment: 4.4% (23rd highest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 7.2% (21st highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 31.9% (13th highest)
See all stories featuring: Michigan
38. Mississippi
> Veteran population: 7.3% (164,848)
> Adult civilian population: 2.3 million (18th smallest)
> Veteran unemployment: 5.0% (8th highest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 8.7% (4th highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 34.9% (4th highest)
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37. Wisconsin
> Veteran population: 7.3% (327,271)
> Adult civilian population: 4.5 million (20th largest)
> Veteran unemployment: 3.8% (16th lowest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 6.3% (18th lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 28.5% (13th lowest)
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36. Pennsylvania
> Veteran population: 7.3% (742,199)
> Adult civilian population: 10.1 million (5th largest)
> Veteran unemployment: 4.9% (12th highest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 6.4% (19th lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 30.7% (20th highest)
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35. Vermont
> Veteran population: 7.4% (37,545)
> Adult civilian population: 505,237 (2nd smallest)
> Veteran unemployment: 2.2% (2nd lowest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 6.9% (25th highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 29.8% (25th highest)
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34. Iowa
> Veteran population: 7.4% (178,829)
> Adult civilian population: 2.4 million (21st smallest)
> Veteran unemployment: 2.0% (the lowest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 5.7% (11th lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 27.9% (12th lowest)
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33. Indiana
> Veteran population: 7.6% (386,929)
> Adult civilian population: 5.1 million (17th largest)
> Veteran unemployment: 4.1% (22nd lowest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 7.4% (15th highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 31.2% (16th highest)
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32. Kentucky
> Veteran population: 7.7% (263,104)
> Adult civilian population: 3.4 million (25th smallest)
> Veteran unemployment: 4.9% (12th highest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 9.0% (2nd highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 33.0% (6th highest)
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31. Maryland
> Veteran population: 7.9% (369,845)
> Adult civilian population: 4.7 million (19th largest)
> Veteran unemployment: 3.2% (11th lowest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 5.2% (6th lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 22.3% (3rd lowest)
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30. Georgia
> Veteran population: 7.9% (622,790)
> Adult civilian population: 7.9 million (9th largest)
> Veteran unemployment: 4.2% (25th highest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 7.3% (18th highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 27.7% (11th lowest)
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29. Ohio
> Veteran population: 7.9% (714,647)
> Adult civilian population: 9.0 million (7th largest)
> Veteran unemployment: 4.2% (25th highest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 7.3% (18th highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 29.1% (20th lowest)
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28. North Dakota
> Veteran population: 8.0% (46,221)
> Adult civilian population: 575,151 (4th smallest)
> Veteran unemployment: 4.7% (17th highest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 5.5% (8th lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 23.7% (4th lowest)
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27. Kansas
> Veteran population: 8.0% (175,064)
> Adult civilian population: 2.2 million (17th smallest)
> Veteran unemployment: 3.0% (9th lowest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 6.3% (18th lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 29.8% (25th highest)
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26. Nebraska
> Veteran population: 8.1% (117,048)
> Adult civilian population: 1.4 million (13th smallest)
> Veteran unemployment: 2.9% (8th lowest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 5.8% (12th lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 30.2% (22nd highest)
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25. Tennessee
> Veteran population: 8.3% (429,173)
> Adult civilian population: 5.2 million (16th largest)
> Veteran unemployment: 4.9% (12th highest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 7.8% (10th highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 32.7% (9th highest)
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24. North Carolina
> Veteran population: 8.3% (656,044)
> Adult civilian population: 7.9 million (8th largest)
> Veteran unemployment: 3.8% (16th lowest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 7.4% (15th highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 29.3% (22nd lowest)
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23. Delaware
> Veteran population: 8.5% (64,027)
> Adult civilian population: 754,546 (6th smallest)
> Veteran unemployment: 4.7% (17th highest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 8.1% (7th highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 21.5% (the lowest)
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22. Oregon
> Veteran population: 8.5% (276,280)
> Adult civilian population: 3.3 million (24th smallest)
> Veteran unemployment: 5.9% (3rd highest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 8.1% (7th highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 32.8% (8th highest)
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21. New Hampshire
> Veteran population: 8.6% (92,693)
> Adult civilian population: 1.1 million (11th smallest)
> Veteran unemployment: 3.1% (10th lowest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 5.1% (3rd lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 27.2% (9th lowest)
See all stories featuring: New Hampshire
20. Florida
> Veteran population: 8.6% (1,438,337)
> Adult civilian population: 16.7 million (3rd largest)
> Veteran unemployment: 5.0% (8th highest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 7.2% (21st highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 29.9% (24th highest)
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19. Idaho
> Veteran population: 8.7% (111,015)
> Adult civilian population: 1.3 million (12th smallest)
> Veteran unemployment: 2.4% (4th lowest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 6.8% (24th lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 32.9% (7th highest)
See all stories featuring: Idaho
18. Colorado
> Veteran population: 8.7% (372,857)
> Adult civilian population: 4.3 million (21st largest)
> Veteran unemployment: 4.0% (21st lowest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 6.3% (18th lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 26.2% (8th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Colorado
17. Missouri
> Veteran population: 8.7% (408,668)
> Adult civilian population: 4.7 million (18th largest)
> Veteran unemployment: 4.2% (25th highest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 7.0% (24th highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 32.3% (11th highest)
See all stories featuring: Missouri
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16. West Virginia
> Veteran population: 8.8% (127,149)
> Adult civilian population: 1.4 million (14th smallest)
> Veteran unemployment: 5.3% (6th highest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 10.1% (the highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 38.3% (the highest)
See all stories featuring: West Virginia
15. Nevada
> Veteran population: 8.8% (201,917)
> Adult civilian population: 2.3 million (20th smallest)
> Veteran unemployment: 4.3% (24th highest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 7.5% (14th highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 28.7% (16th lowest)
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14. Arkansas
> Veteran population: 8.9% (203,639)
> Adult civilian population: 2.3 million (19th smallest)
> Veteran unemployment: 4.8% (15th highest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 8.7% (4th highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 36.0% (3rd highest)
See all stories featuring: Arkansas
13. Alabama
> Veteran population: 8.9% (334,186)
> Adult civilian population: 3.8 million (24th largest)
> Veteran unemployment: 3.8% (16th lowest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 7.6% (12th highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 31.9% (13th highest)
See all stories featuring: Alabama
12. South Dakota
> Veteran population: 9.0% (58,880)
> Adult civilian population: 653,291 (5th smallest)
> Veteran unemployment: 5.6% (4th highest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 6.8% (24th lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 31.2% (16th highest)
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11. Arizona
> Veteran population: 9.0% (480,778)
> Adult civilian population: 5.4 million (15th largest)
> Veteran unemployment: 4.8% (15th highest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 7.3% (18th highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 30.0% (23rd highest)
See all stories featuring: Arizona
10. Oklahoma
> Veteran population: 9.1% (269,154)
> Adult civilian population: 3.0 million (23rd smallest)
> Veteran unemployment: 4.5% (20th highest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 7.7% (11th highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 37.0% (2nd highest)
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9. New Mexico
> Veteran population: 9.3% (148,310)
> Adult civilian population: 1.6 million (15th smallest)
> Veteran unemployment: 4.7% (17th highest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 8.6% (6th highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 31.7% (15th highest)
See all stories featuring: New Mexico
8. South Carolina
> Veteran population: 9.3% (362,121)
> Adult civilian population: 3.9 million (23rd largest)
> Veteran unemployment: 4.5% (20th highest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 7.4% (15th highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 30.9% (19th highest)
See all stories featuring: South Carolina
7. Washington
> Veteran population: 9.4% (535,293)
> Adult civilian population: 5.7 million (13th largest)
> Veteran unemployment: 4.0% (21st lowest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 5.6% (9th lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 28.9% (18th lowest)
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6. Maine
> Veteran population: 9.7% (104,728)
> Adult civilian population: 1.1 million (10th smallest)
> Veteran unemployment: 2.4% (4th lowest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 6.2% (15th lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 34.1% (5th highest)
See all stories featuring: Maine
5. Hawaii
> Veteran population: 9.8% (106,123)
> Adult civilian population: 1.1 million (9th smallest)
> Veteran unemployment: 2.7% (6th lowest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 7.6% (12th highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 25.3% (5th lowest)
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4. Wyoming
> Veteran population: 10.2% (44,499)
> Adult civilian population: 437,821 (the smallest)
> Veteran unemployment: 2.8% (7th lowest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 6.5% (20th lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 32.6% (10th highest)
See all stories featuring: Wyoming
3. Montana
> Veteran population: 10.6% (86,787)
> Adult civilian population: 818,256 (7th smallest)
> Veteran unemployment: 4.0% (21st lowest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 7.9% (9th highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 32.2% (12th highest)
See all stories featuring: Montana
2. Virginia
> Veteran population: 10.6% (687,271)
> Adult civilian population: 6.5 million (12th largest)
> Veteran unemployment: 2.7% (6th lowest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 4.5% (the lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 22.2% (2nd lowest)
See all stories featuring: Virginia
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1. Alaska
> Veteran population: 11.9% (64,057)
> Adult civilian population: 538,005 (3rd smallest)
> Veteran unemployment: 6.5% (the highest)
> Veteran poverty rate: 6.0% (13th lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 26.1% (7th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Alaska
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