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 50 U.S. towns with the most veterans. Towns – defined as places with populations between 1,000 and 25,000 – are ranked by the share of adult residents who are veterans.
In every town on this list, veterans account for over 25% of the adult civilian population – more than triple the national share of 7.1%. Here is a look at the U.S. presidents who have served in the military.
The places on this list are concentrated in the South, including seven in Texas alone. Many of the places on this list – including Fort Hood, Texas and Fort Drum, New York – are themselves military bases, 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 towns with the most veterans
Click here to read our detailed methodology
50. Pinopolis, South Carolina
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 27.0%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 19.1% — 1,692nd lowest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 19.4% — 990th highest of 11,705 towns
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49. Nolanville, Texas
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 27.1%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 45.5% — 233rd highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 10.5% — 526th lowest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
48. Elephant Butte, New Mexico
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 27.2%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 77.3% — 86th highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 2.5% — 3,432nd lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
47. Keno, Oregon
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 27.3%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 24.7% — 1,416th highest of 11,705 towns (tied)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 35.3% — 5,131st highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 2.9% — 3,688th lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
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46. Circle D-KC Estates, Texas
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 27.3%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 9.3% — 5,794th highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 14.7% — 954th lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
45. Fort Drum, New York
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 27.4%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 90.4% — 8th highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
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44. Schofield Barracks, Hawaii
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 27.4%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 85.3% — 16th highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.5% — 2,639th lowest of 11,705 towns
43. Spout Springs, North Carolina
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 27.6%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 41.1% — 341st highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 4.8% — 201st lowest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.6% — 2,648th lowest of 11,705 towns
42. Niceville, Florida
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 27.7%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 21.1% — 2,025th highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 15.2% — 1,031st lowest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.7% — 2,675th lowest of 11,705 towns
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41. Mexico Beach, Florida
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 27.8%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 6.6% — 4,683rd lowest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 37.2% — 4,522nd highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 15.6% — 1,678th highest of 11,705 towns
40. Hickam Housing, Hawaii
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 28.0%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 48.8% — 189th highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
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39. Vine Grove, Kentucky
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 28.0%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 14.8% — 3,667th highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 12.0% — 647th lowest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
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38. Rockfish, North Carolina
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 28.2%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 37.7% — 434th highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 20.2% — 1,953rd lowest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
37. Garden Ridge, Texas
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 28.2%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 5.0% — 3,916th lowest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 22.1% — 2,369th lowest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
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36. Westlake, Louisiana
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 28.2%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 33.1% — 652nd highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 48.8% — 1,761st highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 1.8% — 3,045th lowest of 11,705 towns
35. New Baden, Illinois
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 28.4%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 8.5% — 5,565th lowest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 17.5% — 1,391st lowest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
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34. Whetstone, Arizona
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 28.8%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 3.8% — 3,335th lowest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 27.6% — 3,984th lowest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 6.3% — 5,585th highest of 11,705 towns
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33. McGuire AFB, New Jersey
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 28.9%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 59.6% — 85th highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
32. Fort Carson, Colorado
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 29.1%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 85.0% — 17th highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
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31. Bouse, Arizona
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 29.6%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 34.6% — 5,394th highest of 11,705 towns (tied)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 19.9% — 933rd highest of 11,705 towns
30. Lemoore Station, California
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 29.9%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 74.9% — 34th highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
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29. Ogden, Kansas
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 29.9%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 22.2% — 1,834th highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 29.5% — 4,623rd lowest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 19.1% — 1,030th highest of 11,705 towns
28. Fort Meade, Maryland
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 30.4%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 57.1% — 97th highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 0.8% — 141st lowest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
27. Allyn, Washington
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 30.6%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 19.1% — 2,444th highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 53.0% — 1,188th highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 3.1% — 3,882nd lowest of 11,705 towns
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26. Fort Irwin, California
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 31.3%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 73.9% — 37th highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
25. Scott AFB, Illinois
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 31.4%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 55.9% — 108th highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 2.7% — 161st lowest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
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24. Knob Noster, Missouri
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 31.5%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 45.8% — 226th highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 2.6% — 157th lowest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 9.7% — 3,621st highest of 11,705 towns (tied)
23. Boles Acres, New Mexico
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 32.1%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 4.0% — 3,440th lowest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 47.2% — 2,072nd highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 6.0% — 5,753rd highest of 11,705 towns (tied)
.JPG "Milton, FL, Courthouse, Santa Rosa County, 12-16-2010 (1) by Georgia Guercio")
22. Holley, Florida
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 32.6%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 36.3% — 489th highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 30.4% — 4,904th lowest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 4.5% — 4,897th lowest of 11,705 towns
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21. Fort Polk South, Louisiana
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 33.0%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 83.9% — 19th highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
20. Trainer, Pennsylvania
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 33.1%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 3.6% — 3,270th lowest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 87.3% — 19th highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 2.1% — 3,225th lowest of 11,705 towns
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19. Vandenberg AFB, California
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 33.2%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 92.3% — 5th highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
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18. Holloman AFB, New Mexico
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 33.2%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 86.5% — 14th highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
17. St. Robert, Missouri
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 33.3%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 26.0% — 1,271st highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 9.7% — 457th lowest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.5% — 2,629th lowest of 11,705 towns
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16. Fort Bliss, Texas
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 34.6%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 80.9% — 24th highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
15. DuPont, Washington
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 34.8%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 35.5% — 525th highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 13.2% — 782nd lowest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 1.4% — 2,861st lowest of 11,705 towns
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14. Quantico Base, Virginia
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 35.2%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 78.9% — 27th highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
13. Eielson AFB, Alaska
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 35.4%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 78.2% — 30th highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 1.4% — 2,876th lowest of 11,705 towns
12. Stateburg, South Carolina
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 36.1%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 26.0% — 1,269th highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 12.9% — 739th lowest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.7% — 2,687th lowest of 11,705 towns
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11. Fort Lee, Virginia
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 36.2%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 88.1% — 12th highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
10. Fort Hood, Texas
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 37.8%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 92.0% — 6th highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 0.2% — 134th lowest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
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9. Meadview, Arizona
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 38.5%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 24.0% — 1,517th highest of 11,705 towns (tied)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 45.9% — 2,325th highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
8. Fort Clark Springs, Texas
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 39.5%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 22.6% — 1,743rd highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 37.0% — 4,592nd highest of 11,705 towns (tied)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 6.0% — 5,784th highest of 11,705 towns (tied)
7. Lydia, Louisiana
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 41.0%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 94.4% — 8th highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
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6. Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 42.3%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 44.6% — 250th highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
5. Kirtland AFB, New Mexico
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 42.7%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 78.9% — 28th highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
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4. Andrews AFB, Maryland
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 43.0%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 60.8% — 77th highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
3. Pensacola Station, Florida
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 50.2%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 92.4% — 4th highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 0.7% — 138th lowest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
2. Lackland AFB, Texas
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 58.0%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 84.6% — 18th highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
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1. West Point, New York
> Civilian adults who have served in the military: 58.4%
> Veterans who first enlisted after 9/11: 88.9% — 9th highest of 11,705 towns
> Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
> Veterans who served during the Korean War only: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 11,705 towns (tied)
Methodology
To determine the towns 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 enlisted after 9/11, in the Vietnam Era, and during the Korean War are also five-year estimates from the 2020 ACS.
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