The United States continues to wield its global military dominance in wars and armed conflicts around the world. While the vast majority of Americans will never go to war, millions have.
The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) estimates that 41.89 million Americans have fought in wars, from the American Revolution in 1775 to Desert Storm in 1991. Since Sept. 11, 2001, the start of the Global War on Terror, 3.3 million veterans have served in the U.S. military. Today, there are around 1.4 million active-duty military service members living in the United States or deployed in more than 150 countries. Here are America’s military cities, and here are the countries with the most U.S. military bases.
As of the end of 2018, there were approximately 18 million veterans in the United States, or 7.1% of the adult population. More than 5 million veterans have at least one disability, 1.2 million live in poverty, and 77% of veterans aged 18 to 64 are employed or looking for work. At the end of 2018, an estimated 37,878 veterans were homeless.
Close to 4 million or 35.5% of U.S. veterans served in Vietnam, the most heavily represented conflict among veterans. In all states but three the largest group of veterans is that of Vietnam War vets. Alaska, Hawaii, and Virginia are the exception. The largest group of veterans in these three states served in the Gulf War.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed for every state the veteran status of the civilian population 18 years and over from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2018 1-year American Community Survey. The number and percentages of Vietnam War veterans, veterans with a disability, labor force participation rates among veterans (the percentage of working age veterans who are employed or looking for work), and veterans with incomes at or below the poverty level also came from the ACS. The estimated numbers of homeless veterans in each state are point in time estimates in December and came from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s annual report to congress on homelessness in the United States.
Click here to see the states with the most veterans
50. New York
> Veteran population: 678,833 (4.4% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 246,548 (36.3% of veterans — 25th lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 188,442 (28.4% of veterans — 19th lowest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 74.0% — 12th lowest
> Veterans living in poverty: 6.8% — 22nd highest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 1,224
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49. New Jersey
> Veteran population: 308,012 (4.4% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 112,419 (36.5% of veterans — 23rd highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 85,996 (28.3% of veterans — 17th lowest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 81.3% — 9th highest
> Veterans living in poverty: 4.9% — 7th lowest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 555
See all stories featuring: New Jersey
48. California
> Veteran population: 1,538,797 (5.1% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 537,650 (34.9% of veterans — 14th lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 440,494 (29.0% of veterans — 25th lowest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 76.4% — 20th lowest
> Veterans living in poverty: 7.1% — 20th highest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 10,836
See all stories featuring: California
47. Massachusetts
> Veteran population: 292,644 (5.3% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 103,306 (35.3% of veterans — 17th lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 78,699 (27.4% of veterans — 11th lowest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 79.8% — 14th highest
> Veterans living in poverty: 6.3% — 20th lowest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 985
See all stories featuring: Massachusetts
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46. Utah
> Veteran population: 120,410 (5.4% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 41,246 (34.3% of veterans — 12th lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 32,867 (27.4% of veterans — 11th lowest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 82.1% — 7th highest
> Veterans living in poverty: 4.9% — 7th lowest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 239
See all stories featuring: Utah
45. Illinois
> Veteran population: 559,656 (5.7% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 203,913 (36.4% of veterans — 24th highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 152,689 (28.0% of veterans — 15th lowest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 78.5% — 17th highest
> Veterans living in poverty: 6.6% — 25th lowest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 804
See all stories featuring: Illinois
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44. Connecticut
> Veteran population: 165,029 (5.8% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 61,354 (37.2% of veterans — 20th highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 43,971 (27.3% of veterans — 8th lowest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 81.1% — 10th highest
> Veterans living in poverty: 5.8% — 13th lowest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 190
See all stories featuring: Connecticut
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43. Rhode Island
> Veteran population: 54,848 (6.5% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 21,323 (38.9% of veterans — 8th highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 16,649 (31.5% of veterans — 12th highest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 81.4% — 8th highest
> Veterans living in poverty: 8.3% — 5th highest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 103
See all stories featuring: Rhode Island
42. Vermont
> Veteran population: 33,986 (6.7% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 15,017 (44.2% of veterans — the highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 10,714 (32.0% of veterans — 9th highest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 73.3% — 10th lowest
> Veterans living in poverty: 6.2% — 17th lowest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 104
See all stories featuring: Vermont
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41. Texas
> Veteran population: 1,435,787 (6.8% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 471,690 (32.9% of veterans — 7th lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 411,526 (29.2% of veterans — 25th highest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 78.0% — 22nd highest
> Veterans living in poverty: 6.5% — 23rd lowest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 1,935
See all stories featuring: Texas
40. Minnesota
> Veteran population: 294,377 (6.8% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 111,668 (37.9% of veterans — 15th highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 83,691 (28.9% of veterans — 24th lowest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 79.6% — 15th highest
> Veterans living in poverty: 6.3% — 20th lowest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 301
See all stories featuring: Minnesota
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39. Michigan
> Veteran population: 530,572 (6.8% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 203,602 (38.4% of veterans — 10th highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 166,135 (31.8% of veterans — 10th highest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 74.7% — 14th lowest
> Veterans living in poverty: 7.4% — 12th highest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 693
See all stories featuring: Michigan
38. Louisiana
> Veteran population: 247,339 (7.0% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 87,280 (35.3% of veterans — 17th lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 74,987 (31.0% of veterans — 17th highest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 72.3% — 7th lowest
> Veterans living in poverty: 9.5% — 2nd highest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 406
See all stories featuring: Louisiana
37. Wisconsin
> Veteran population: 326,288 (7.2% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 124,986 (38.3% of veterans — 11th highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 89,750 (28.0% of veterans — 15th lowest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 77.7% — 24th highest
> Veterans living in poverty: 5.8% — 13th lowest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 332
See all stories featuring: Wisconsin
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36. Mississippi
> Veteran population: 162,926 (7.2% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 52,935 (32.5% of veterans — 4th lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 49,985 (31.2% of veterans — 16th highest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 73.3% — 10th lowest
> Veterans living in poverty: 6.8% — 22nd highest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 102
See all stories featuring: Mississippi
35. Pennsylvania
> Veteran population: 745,909 (7.3% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 278,351 (37.3% of veterans — 19th highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 214,900 (29.6% of veterans — 21st highest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 77.6% — 25th highest
> Veterans living in poverty: 6.9% — 21st highest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 982
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34. Indiana
> Veteran population: 380,079 (7.4% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 136,161 (35.8% of veterans — 21st lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 116,051 (31.3% of veterans — 15th highest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 78.8% — 16th highest
> Veterans living in poverty: 7.4% — 12th highest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 539
See all stories featuring: Indiana
33. Ohio
> Veteran population: 680,310 (7.5% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 245,852 (36.1% of veterans — 23rd lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 197,650 (29.6% of veterans — 21st highest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 77.4% — 25th lowest
> Veterans living in poverty: 7.2% — 17th highest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 749
See all stories featuring: Ohio
32. Kentucky
> Veteran population: 261,887 (7.6% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 92,698 (35.4% of veterans — 18th lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 83,213 (32.5% of veterans — 6th highest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 70.8% — 3rd lowest
> Veterans living in poverty: 7.8% — 8th highest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 369
See all stories featuring: Kentucky
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31. Iowa
> Veteran population: 184,032 (7.6% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 66,990 (36.4% of veterans — 24th highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 50,187 (28.0% of veterans — 15th lowest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 80.5% — 12th highest
> Veterans living in poverty: 5.7% — 10th lowest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 196
See all stories featuring: Iowa
30. Georgia
> Veteran population: 609,508 (7.6% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 200,319 (32.9% of veterans — 7th lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 163,284 (27.2% of veterans — 7th lowest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 76.9% — 24th lowest
> Veterans living in poverty: 6.4% — 22nd lowest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 705
See all stories featuring: Georgia
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29. North Dakota
> Veteran population: 45,135 (7.8% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 15,677 (34.7% of veterans — 13th lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 11,207 (25.5% of veterans — 4th lowest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 85.2% — the highest
> Veterans living in poverty: 7.7% — 9th highest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 09
See all stories featuring: North Dakota
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28. Maryland
> Veteran population: 363,178 (7.8% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 111,591 (30.7% of veterans — 2nd lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 84,962 (23.8% of veterans — 2nd lowest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 83.1% — 6th highest
> Veterans living in poverty: 4.2% — 2nd lowest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 574
See all stories featuring: Maryland
27. Nebraska
> Veteran population: 116,754 (8.1% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 40,072 (34.3% of veterans — 12th lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 32,676 (28.6% of veterans — 22nd lowest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 84.7% — 2nd highest
> Veterans living in poverty: 5.4% — 9th lowest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 171
See all stories featuring: Nebraska
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26. Missouri
> Veteran population: 384,150 (8.1% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 148,953 (38.8% of veterans — 9th highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 119,511 (31.7% of veterans — 11th highest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 75.3% — 16th lowest
> Veterans living in poverty: 7.3% — 15th highest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 507
See all stories featuring: Missouri
25. Arkansas
> Veteran population: 187,903 (8.1% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 69,185 (36.8% of veterans — 22nd highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 69,251 (37.4% of veterans — 2nd highest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 69.7% — 2nd lowest
> Veterans living in poverty: 8.2% — 6th highest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 251
See all stories featuring: Arkansas
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24. Tennessee
> Veteran population: 429,585 (8.2% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 153,462 (35.7% of veterans — 20th lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 132,492 (31.4% of veterans — 13th highest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 73.5% — 11th lowest
> Veterans living in poverty: 6.3% — 20th lowest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 742
See all stories featuring: Tennessee
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23. South Dakota
> Veteran population: 54,691 (8.2% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 20,923 (38.3% of veterans — 11th highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 16,108 (30.0% of veterans — 18th highest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 78.3% — 20th highest
> Veterans living in poverty: 5.4% — 9th lowest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 110
See all stories featuring: South Dakota
22. Kansas
> Veteran population: 178,959 (8.2% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 60,993 (34.1% of veterans — 10th lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 57,918 (33.4% of veterans — 4th highest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 78.5% — 17th highest
> Veterans living in poverty: 7.4% — 12th highest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 195
See all stories featuring: Kansas
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21. North Carolina
> Veteran population: 667,035 (8.3% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 224,691 (33.7% of veterans — 8th lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 187,208 (28.4% of veterans — 19th lowest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 76.0% — 19th lowest
> Veterans living in poverty: 6.8% — 22nd highest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 884
See all stories featuring: North Carolina
20. Oregon
> Veteran population: 279,132 (8.4% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 110,596 (39.6% of veterans — 3rd highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 91,593 (33.3% of veterans — 5th highest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 72.7% — 8th lowest
> Veterans living in poverty: 7.2% — 17th highest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 1,363
See all stories featuring: Oregon
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19. Colorado
> Veteran population: 371,081 (8.4% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 125,501 (33.8% of veterans — 9th lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 93,865 (25.6% of veterans — 5th lowest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 80.2% — 13th highest
> Veterans living in poverty: 6.2% — 17th lowest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 1,073
See all stories featuring: Colorado
18. Florida
> Veteran population: 1,439,606 (8.5% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 520,697 (36.2% of veterans — 24th lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 422,958 (29.8% of veterans — 20th highest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 75.0% — 15th lowest
> Veterans living in poverty: 6.6% — 25th lowest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 2,543
See all stories featuring: Florida
17. New Hampshire
> Veteran population: 93,957 (8.6% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 35,982 (38.3% of veterans — 11th highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 25,280 (27.5% of veterans — 12th lowest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 81.0% — 11th highest
> Veterans living in poverty: 3.7% — the lowest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 143
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16. Alabama
> Veteran population: 324,612 (8.6% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 114,539 (35.3% of veterans — 17th lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 100,180 (31.4% of veterans — 13th highest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 71.3% — 5th lowest
> Veterans living in poverty: 7.3% — 15th highest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 339
See all stories featuring: Alabama
15. West Virginia
> Veteran population: 126,473 (8.8% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 50,933 (40.3% of veterans — 2nd highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 45,797 (36.9% of veterans — 3rd highest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 68.1% — the lowest
> Veterans living in poverty: 9.9% — the highest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 131
See all stories featuring: West Virginia
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14. Delaware
> Veteran population: 66,896 (8.8% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 25,349 (37.9% of veterans — 15th highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 16,567 (25.0% of veterans — 3rd lowest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 78.0% — 22nd highest
> Veterans living in poverty: 6.0% — 15th lowest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 70
See all stories featuring: Delaware
13. Washington
> Veteran population: 520,226 (8.9% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 185,141 (35.6% of veterans — 19th lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 147,596 (28.7% of veterans — 23rd lowest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 78.1% — 21st highest
> Veterans living in poverty: 5.8% — 13th lowest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 1,636
See all stories featuring: Washington
12. Oklahoma
> Veteran population: 266,513 (9.0% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 98,743 (37% of veterans — 21st highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 97,366 (37.6% of veterans — the highest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 74.4% — 13th lowest
> Veterans living in poverty: 7.2% — 17th highest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 313
See all stories featuring: Oklahoma
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11. Nevada
> Veteran population: 211,114 (9.0% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 76,028 (36% of veterans — 22nd lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 61,095 (29.3% of veterans — 23rd highest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 76.6% — 22nd lowest
> Veterans living in poverty: 8.0% — 7th highest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 723
See all stories featuring: Nevada
10. Arizona
> Veteran population: 496,239 (9.0% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 190,010 (38.3% of veterans — 11th highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 147,276 (30.0% of veterans — 18th highest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 76.5% — 21st lowest
> Veterans living in poverty: 6.8% — 22nd highest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 893
See all stories featuring: Arizona
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9. New Mexico
> Veteran population: 146,147 (9.1% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 57,060 (39% of veterans — 5th highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 46,772 (32.4% of veterans — 7th highest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 72.0% — 6th lowest
> Veterans living in poverty: 9.4% — 3rd highest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 290
See all stories featuring: New Mexico
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8. South Carolina
> Veteran population: 363,194 (9.2% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 136,178 (37.5% of veterans — 18th highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 102,233 (28.5% of veterans — 21st lowest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 76.0% — 19th lowest
> Veterans living in poverty: 8.5% — 4th highest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 415
See all stories featuring: South Carolina
7. Idaho
> Veteran population: 121,327 (9.3% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 46,036 (37.9% of veterans — 15th highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 38,550 (32.2% of veterans — 8th highest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 76.0% — 19th lowest
> Veterans living in poverty: 6.4% — 22nd lowest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 215
See all stories featuring: Idaho
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6. Hawaii
> Veteran population: 102,915 (9.6% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 33,908 (32.9% of veterans — 7th lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 27,835 (27.4% of veterans — 11th lowest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 84.7% — 2nd highest
> Veterans living in poverty: 4.3% — 3rd lowest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 532
See all stories featuring: Hawaii
5. Maine
> Veteran population: 105,385 (9.7% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 41,119 (39% of veterans — 5th highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 30,158 (29.3% of veterans — 23rd highest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 71.1% — 4th lowest
> Veterans living in poverty: 5.9% — 14th lowest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 119
See all stories featuring: Maine
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4. Montana
> Veteran population: 84,392 (10.2% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 32,940 (39% of veterans — 5th highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 23,518 (28.3% of veterans — 17th lowest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 78.5% — 17th highest
> Veterans living in poverty: 7.6% — 10th highest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 198
See all stories featuring: Montana
3. Wyoming
> Veteran population: 45,252 (10.3% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 17,919 (39.6% of veterans — 3rd highest)
> Veterans with a disability: 12,698 (28.5% of veterans — 21st lowest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 84.3% — 4th highest
> Veterans living in poverty: 4.5% — 4th lowest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 47
See all stories featuring: Wyoming
2. Virginia
> Veteran population: 670,273 (10.3% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 198,524 (29.6% of veterans — the lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 152,137 (23.0% of veterans — the lowest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 83.6% — 5th highest
> Veterans living in poverty: 4.9% — 7th lowest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 485
See all stories featuring: Virginia
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1. Alaska
> Veteran population: 67,635 (12.6% of adult pop.)
> Vietnam War veterans: 20,885 (30.9% of veterans — 3rd lowest)
> Veterans with a disability: 17,183 (25.7% of veterans — 6th lowest)
> Veteran labor force participation rate: 76.8% — 23rd lowest
> Veterans living in poverty: 7.5% — 11th highest
> Estimated number of homeless veterans: 132
See all stories featuring: Alaska
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