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 communities 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 town in every state with the highest share of veterans.
Among the towns on this list, the share of the adult civilian population with a history of military service ranges from about 11% to over 50%, and in most cases exceeds the statewide share by at least 15 percentage points. For context, 7.1% of the total U.S. adult civilian population have served in the military. Here is a look at the U.S. presidents who have served in the military.
Many of the places on this list – including West Point, New York, and several Air Force bases – are themselves military installations, as certain bases around the country offer affordable housing options for former service members.
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 service during the Vietnam War. In a handful of towns on this list, those whose period of service is confined to the Vietnam Era account for over 50% of the total veteran population. Here is a look at the wars that claimed the most American lives.
Click here to see the town where the most veterans live in every state
Click here to read our detailed methodology
Alabama: Level Plains
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 24.9% (Alabama: 8.6%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 6.9% (Alabama: 13.7%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 18.3% (Alabama: 31.6%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported (Alabama: 5.4%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 256
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Alaska: Eielson AFB
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 35.4% (Alaska: 12.1%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 78.2% (Alaska: 21.8%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 0.0% reported (Alaska: 26.2%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 1.4% (Alaska: 2.5%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 59
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Arizona: Meadview
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 38.5% (Arizona: 8.9%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 24.0% (Arizona: 13.0%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 45.9% (Arizona: 34.2%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported (Arizona: 6.8%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 135
Arkansas: Mulberry
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 22.3% (Arkansas: 8.3%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 3.5% (Arkansas: 13.1%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 55.6% (Arkansas: 34.0%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 4.9% (Arkansas: 5.9%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 164
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California: Vandenberg AFB
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 33.2% (California: 5.0%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 92.3% (California: 14.9%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 0.0% reported (California: 32.5%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported (California: 7.5%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 634
Colorado: Fort Carson
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 29.1% (Colorado: 8.4%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 85.0% (Colorado: 16.8%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 0.0% reported (Colorado: 30.3%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported (Colorado: 5.0%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 162
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Connecticut: Essex Village
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 19.9% (Connecticut: 5.7%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 15.3% (Connecticut: 10.9%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 26.2% (Connecticut: 34.3%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 7.9% (Connecticut: 10.3%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 120
Delaware: Dover Base Housing
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 25.6% (Delaware: 8.6%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 53.2% (Delaware: 10.3%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 8.8% (Delaware: 35.9%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported (Delaware: 6.1%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 43
Florida: Pensacola Station
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 50.2% (Florida: 8.4%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 92.4% (Florida: 11.2%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 0.7% (Florida: 32.1%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported (Florida: 7.5%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 552
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Georgia: Midway
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 22.0% (Georgia: 7.9%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 7.0% (Georgia: 14.9%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 9.9% (Georgia: 29.1%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 6.1% (Georgia: 4.2%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 285
Hawaii: Hickam Housing
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 28.0% (Hawaii: 9.1%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 48.8% (Hawaii: 19.5%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 0.0% reported (Hawaii: 30.7%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported (Hawaii: 6.0%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 100
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Idaho: Mountain Home
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 22.3% (Idaho: 8.9%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 30.1% (Idaho: 11.6%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 18.2% (Idaho: 35.6%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 1.4% (Idaho: 6.2%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 65
Illinois: Scott AFB
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 31.4% (Illinois: 5.6%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 55.9% (Illinois: 11.9%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 2.7% (Illinois: 34.6%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported (Illinois: 7.9%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 536
Indiana: Oolitic
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 25.2% (Indiana: 7.3%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 3.5% (Indiana: 12.1%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 73.9% (Indiana: 33.7%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 3.5% (Indiana: 6.8%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 255
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Iowa: Marcus
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 20.0% (Iowa: 7.4%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 0.0% reported (Iowa: 11.2%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 7.8% (Iowa: 35.1%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 7.4% (Iowa: 9.0%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 219
Kansas: Ogden
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 29.9% (Kansas: 7.9%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 22.2% (Kansas: 14.8%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 29.5% (Kansas: 32.9%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 19.1% (Kansas: 7.3%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 153
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Kentucky: Vine Grove
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 28.0% (Kentucky: 7.5%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 14.8% (Kentucky: 12.0%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 12.0% (Kentucky: 34.4%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported (Kentucky: 5.4%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 196
Louisiana: Lydia
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 41.0% (Louisiana: 6.8%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 0.0% reported (Louisiana: 14.0%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 94.4% (Louisiana: 33.3%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported (Louisiana: 5.7%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 207
Maine: Limestone
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 19.3% (Maine: 9.3%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 0.0% reported (Maine: 8.5%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 18.7% (Maine: 35.7%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 6.6% (Maine: 7.0%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 89
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Maryland: Andrews AFB
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 43.0% (Maryland: 7.7%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 60.8% (Maryland: 14.2%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 0.0% reported (Maryland: 27.8%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported (Maryland: 5.5%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 254
Massachusetts: West Brookfield
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 19.8% (Massachusetts: 5.3%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 0.0% reported (Massachusetts: 11.4%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 9.7% (Massachusetts: 33.5%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 23.7% (Massachusetts: 10.1%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 147
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Michigan: Gwinn
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 23.9% (Michigan: 6.8%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 11.2% (Michigan: 9.8%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 29.3% (Michigan: 36.5%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported (Michigan: 7.8%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 334
Minnesota: St. Charles
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 15.4% (Minnesota: 6.8%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 16.5% (Minnesota: 11.4%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 16.5% (Minnesota: 36.8%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 4.4% (Minnesota: 9.2%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 275
Mississippi: Latimer
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 22.9% (Mississippi: 7.3%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 20.8% (Mississippi: 14.6%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 13.6% (Mississippi: 30.4%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 9.4% (Mississippi: 5.1%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 148
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Missouri: St. Robert
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 33.3% (Missouri: 8.3%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 26.0% (Missouri: 12.0%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 9.7% (Missouri: 35.2%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.5% (Missouri: 6.9%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 301
Montana: Deer Lodge
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 23.9% (Montana: 10.3%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 7.6% (Montana: 14.6%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 41.3% (Montana: 35.4%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 4.0% (Montana: 5.8%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 67
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Nebraska: Offutt AFB
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 25.5% (Nebraska: 7.9%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 79.0% (Nebraska: 13.1%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 0.0% reported (Nebraska: 32.4%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported (Nebraska: 7.9%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 91
Nevada: East Valley
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 24.9% (Nevada: 8.8%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 0.0% reported (Nevada: 13.5%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 58.8% (Nevada: 32.6%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 2.5% (Nevada: 5.3%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 39
New Hampshire: Hillsborough
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 17.0% (New Hampshire: 8.5%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 10.2% (New Hampshire: 9.9%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 16.3% (New Hampshire: 34.4%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 8.2% (New Hampshire: 7.0%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 52
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New Jersey: McGuire AFB
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 28.9% (New Jersey: 4.5%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 59.6% (New Jersey: 10.8%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 0.0% reported (New Jersey: 35.3%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported (New Jersey: 10.5%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 467
New Mexico: Kirtland AFB
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 42.7% (New Mexico: 8.8%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 78.9% (New Mexico: 13.0%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 0.0% reported (New Mexico: 34.2%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported (New Mexico: 6.2%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 108
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New York: West Point
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 58.4% (New York: 4.4%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 88.9% (New York: 11.6%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 0.0% reported (New York: 33.5%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported (New York: 9.7%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 678
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North Carolina: Rockfish
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 28.2% (North Carolina: 8.2%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 37.7% (North Carolina: 14.9%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 20.2% (North Carolina: 30.7%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported (North Carolina: 5.2%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 367
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North Dakota: Minot AFB
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 25.6% (North Dakota: 8.0%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 81.4% (North Dakota: 18.2%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 0.0% reported (North Dakota: 31.1%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported (North Dakota: 6.2%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 32
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Ohio: Day Heights
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 22.5% (Ohio: 7.6%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 22.3% (Ohio: 11.1%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 40.9% (Ohio: 34.5%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported (Ohio: 6.9%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 543
Oklahoma: Elgin
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 26.6% (Oklahoma: 9.0%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 28.7% (Oklahoma: 14.9%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 18.6% (Oklahoma: 33.7%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported (Oklahoma: 5.6%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 177
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Oregon: Keno
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 27.3% (Oregon: 8.3%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 24.7% (Oregon: 11.8%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 35.3% (Oregon: 36.3%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 2.9% (Oregon: 7.1%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 181
Pennsylvania: Trainer
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 33.1% (Pennsylvania: 7.2%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 3.6% (Pennsylvania: 10.3%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 87.3% (Pennsylvania: 35.0%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 2.1% (Pennsylvania: 8.6%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 832
Rhode Island: Tiverton
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 11.3% (Rhode Island: 6.1%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 13.8% (Rhode Island: 11.7%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 24.9% (Rhode Island: 35.5%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 4.4% (Rhode Island: 9.0%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 14
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South Carolina: Stateburg
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 36.1% (South Carolina: 9.1%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 26.0% (South Carolina: 13.3%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 12.9% (South Carolina: 32.7%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.7% (South Carolina: 4.7%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 211
South Dakota: Hot Springs
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 18.4% (South Dakota: 8.5%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 9.0% (South Dakota: 13.4%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 37.8% (South Dakota: 34.1%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 8.8% (South Dakota: 7.8%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 58
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Tennessee: Tellico Village
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 24.8% (Tennessee: 8.2%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 2.2% (Tennessee: 13.6%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 30.2% (Tennessee: 33.2%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 30.3% (Tennessee: 5.5%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 241
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Texas: Lackland AFB
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 58.0% (Texas: 6.8%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 84.6% (Texas: 18.1%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 0.0% reported (Texas: 29.1%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported (Texas: 4.7%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 699
Utah: Panguitch
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 13.4% (Utah: 5.4%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 0.0% reported (Utah: 16.4%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 29.9% (Utah: 31.5%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 37.0% (Utah: 6.8%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 108
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Vermont: Lyndonville
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 14.0% (Vermont: 6.9%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 22.2% (Vermont: 9.5%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 10.1% (Vermont: 36.8%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 2.5% (Vermont: 7.7%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 39
Virginia: Fort Lee
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 36.2% (Virginia: 10.3%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 88.1% (Virginia: 17.0%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 0.0% reported (Virginia: 24.4%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported (Virginia: 4.0%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 292
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Washington: DuPont
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 34.8% (Washington: 8.9%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 35.5% (Washington: 14.8%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 13.2% (Washington: 32.1%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 1.4% (Washington: 5.0%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 308
West Virginia: Fort Ashby
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 22.6% (West Virginia: 8.7%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 22.4% (West Virginia: 10.3%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 3.3% (West Virginia: 37.3%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported (West Virginia: 6.8%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 114
Wisconsin: King
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 26.9% (Wisconsin: 7.0%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 0.5% (Wisconsin: 11.1%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 39.8% (Wisconsin: 35.3%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 16.0% (Wisconsin: 8.2%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 305
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Wyoming: Ranchettes
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 15.5% (Wyoming: 10.0%)
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 6.8% (Wyoming: 14.2%)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 40.2% (Wyoming: 35.2%)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 11.7% (Wyoming: 5.5%)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 42
Methodology
To determine the town 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 census “place” geographies — a category that includes incorporated legal entities and census-designated statistical entities. We defined towns based on population thresholds — having at least 1,000 people and less than 25,000 people.
Towns 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 town’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 town’s share of veterans was above 15% and greater than two standard deviations above the mean CV for all towns’ veteran shares. We similarly excluded towns that had a sampling error too high for their population, using the same definition.
Towns 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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