Special Report

States With The Most People in the Army

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

The United States military, the most powerful in the world, totals 1.3 million in personnel. Of that total, 452,000 are in the Army as of July 31, 2023. That is a slight decline from 465,000 the previous year. Every state has an Army presence or installation, though some states have a greater presence than others. (Also see, states with the most veterans all 50 states ranked.)

To determine the states that have the most active-duty Army personnel, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed unclassified military personnel data from the Department of Defense Personnel, Workforce Reports & Publications, using data from Sept. 30, 2022 — the most recent fully updated data. We considered active-duty Army personnel serving in each state and the District of Columbia adjusted per 100,000 state population. 

Six of the top 12 states with active-duty Army personnel per 100,000 are the Southern states of Virginia, Texas, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Georgia, and Kentucky. (Considering all branches, these are the states where the most Americans serve in the military.)

You might be surprised that the top two states with active-duty personnel per 100,000 are the states farthest west and and the most recent to join the Union. Both Alaska and Hawaii are the only states with active-duty Army personnel of 1,000 or more per 100,000. Hawaii has the second-most Army sites — 20 — behind Alabama’s 22, and it has the highest Army reserve personnel of 165 per 100,000. Three states and the District of Columbia have one Army site.

Data on the number of Army sites in each state came from the U.S. Department of Transportation/Bureau of Transportation Statistics’s National Transportation Atlas Database and are for May 2019. State populations came from the Census Bureau’s Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for July 1, 2022. Notable Army bases came from 24/7 Wall St.’s previous piece about states with the largest Army presence.

Here are the states with the most people in the army.

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

51. Minnesota
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 2.7 per 100,000 (total: 154)
> No. of Army sites: 8 — 11th highest (tied)
> Notable Army base: Fort Snelling
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 47.2 per 100,000 — 24th lowest

 

Christian Horz / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

50. Connecticut
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 2.8 per 100,000 (total: 103)
> No. of Army sites: 3 — 15th lowest (tied)
> Notable Army base: N/A
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 34.3 per 100,000 — 9th lowest

Mario Tama / Getty Images News via Getty Images

49. New Hampshire
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 3.1 per 100,000 (total: 43)
> No. of Army sites: 1 — 4th lowest (tied)
> Notable Army base: N/A
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 61.7 per 100,000 — 14th highest

GarysFRP / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

48. Oregon
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 3.2 per 100,000 (total: 136)
> No. of Army sites: 8 — 11th highest (tied)
> Notable Army base: N/A
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 10.3 per 100,000 — the lowest

Smith Collection/Gado / Archive Photos via Getty Images

47. Iowa
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 3.3 per 100,000 (total: 105)
> No. of Army sites: 2 — 9th lowest (tied)
> Notable Army base: N/A
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 60.3 per 100,000 — 15th highest

virsuziglis / iStock via Getty Images

46. West Virginia
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 3.5 per 100,000 (total: 63)
> No. of Army sites: 5 — 23rd highest (tied)
> Notable Army base: N/A
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 78.8 per 100,000 — 6th highest

 

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

45. Ohio
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 3.8 per 100,000 (total: 443)
> No. of Army sites: 8 — 11th highest (tied)
> Notable Army base: Columbus Def Depot
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 43.6 per 100,000 — 18th lowest

44. Idaho
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 3.9 per 100,000 (total: 75)
> No. of Army sites: 3 — 15th lowest (tied)
> Notable Army base: N/A
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 32.2 per 100,000 — 8th lowest

Roberto Galan / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

43. Michigan
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 4.2 per 100,000 (total: 422)
> No. of Army sites: 6 — 20th highest (tied)
> Notable Army base: Detroit Arsenal
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 25.3 per 100,000 — 5th lowest

42. Arkansas
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 4.5 per 100,000 (total: 136)
> No. of Army sites: 3 — 15th lowest (tied)
> Notable Army base: N/A
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 48.3 per 100,000 — 26th highest

41. North Dakota
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 4.5 per 100,000 (total: 35)
> No. of Army sites: 2 — 9th lowest (tied)
> Notable Army base: N/A
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 25.7 per 100,000 — 6th lowest

40. Montana
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 4.6 per 100,000 (total: 52)
> No. of Army sites: 3 — 15th lowest (tied)
> Notable Army base: N/A
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 54.5 per 100,000 — 20th highest

39. Wyoming
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 4.6 per 100,000 (total: 27)
> No. of Army sites: 1 — 4th lowest (tied)
> Notable Army base: N/A
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 12.6 per 100,000 — 2nd lowest

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

38. Maine
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 4.9 per 100,000 (total: 68)
> No. of Army sites: 4 — 22nd lowest (tied)
> Notable Army base: N/A
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 22.7 per 100,000 — 4th lowest

37. Tennessee
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 5.0 per 100,000 (total: 351)
> No. of Army sites: 8 — 11th highest (tied)
> Notable Army base: N/A
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 47.7 per 100,000 — 25th lowest

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

36. Massachusetts
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 5.1 per 100,000 (total: 355)
> No. of Army sites: 5 — 23rd highest (tied)
> Notable Army base: N/A
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 37.9 per 100,000 — 13th lowest

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

35. Nevada
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 5.1 per 100,000 (total: 163)
> No. of Army sites: 3 — 15th lowest (tied)
> Notable Army base: N/A
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 43.7 per 100,000 — 20th lowest

thenationalguard / Flickr

34. South Dakota
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 5.3 per 100,000 (total: 48)
> No. of Army sites: 4 — 22nd lowest (tied)
> Notable Army base: N/A
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 38.6 per 100,000 — 14th lowest

delawarenationalguard / Flickr

33. Delaware
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 5.3 per 100,000 (total: 54)
> No. of Army sites: 2 — 9th lowest (tied)
> Notable Army base: N/A
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 50.3 per 100,000 — 24th highest

George Frey / Getty Images

32. Utah
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 5.5 per 100,000 (total: 185)
> No. of Army sites: 6 — 20th highest (tied)
> Notable Army base: Dugway Proving Ground
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 77.5 per 100,000 — 7th highest

ErikaMitchell / iStock via Getty Images

31. Vermont
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 5.6 per 100,000 (total: 36)
> No. of Army sites: 4 — 22nd lowest (tied)
> Notable Army base: N/A
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 17.0 per 100,000 — 3rd lowest

Aneese / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

30. New Jersey
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 6.5 per 100,000 (total: 598)
> No. of Army sites: 4 — 22nd lowest (tied)
> Notable Army base: Fort Dix
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 42.8 per 100,000 — 17th lowest

Roberto Galan / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

29. Wisconsin
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 7.1 per 100,000 (total: 419)
> No. of Army sites: 4 — 22nd lowest (tied)
> Notable Army base: Fort McCoy
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 60.1 per 100,000 — 16th highest

28. Pennsylvania
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 7.6 per 100,000 (total: 992)
> No. of Army sites: 11 — 6th highest (tied)
> Notable Army base: Carlisle Barracks
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 50.5 per 100,000 — 23rd highest

EAGiven / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

27. Illinois
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 7.8 per 100,000 (total: 976)
> No. of Army sites: 7 — 17th highest (tied)
> Notable Army base: N/A
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 43.6 per 100,000 — 19th lowest

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

26. Nebraska
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 8.1 per 100,000 (total: 159)
> No. of Army sites: 6 — 20th highest (tied)
> Notable Army base: N/A
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 53.3 per 100,000 — 21st highest

Roberto Galan / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

25. Indiana
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 9.0 per 100,000 (total: 614)
> No. of Army sites: 8 — 11th highest (tied)
> Notable Army base: N/A
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 35.4 per 100,000 — 11th lowest

Javier Alvarez / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

24. Rhode Island
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 9.5 per 100,000 (total: 104)
> No. of Army sites: 1 — 4th lowest (tied)
> Notable Army base: N/A
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 48.5 per 100,000 — 25th highest

drnadig / iStock via Getty Images

23. Mississippi
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 14.6 per 100,000 (total: 428)
> No. of Army sites: 3 — 15th lowest (tied)
> Notable Army base: N/A
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 51.2 per 100,000 — 22nd highest

JannHuizenga / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

22. New Mexico
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 16.1 per 100,000 (total: 340)
> No. of Army sites: 5 — 23rd highest (tied)
> Notable Army base: White Sands Missile Range
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 30.3 per 100,000 — 7th lowest

DrewsPhotos / iStock via Getty Images

21. California
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 17.8 per 100,000 (total: 6,948)
> No. of Army sites: 10 — 8th highest (tied)
> Notable Army base: Presidio of Monterey
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 39.6 per 100,000 — 15th lowest

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

20. Florida
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 26.2 per 100,000 (total: 5,818)
> No. of Army sites: 2 — 9th lowest (tied)
> Notable Army base: U.S. Southern Command
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 44.6 per 100,000 — 22nd lowest

Stocktrek Images / Stocktrek Images via Getty Images

19. Arizona
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 46.5 per 100,000 (total: 3,422)
> No. of Army sites: 8 — 11th highest (tied)
> Notable Army base: Fort Huachuca
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 44.7 per 100,000 — 23rd lowest

Jacqueline Nix / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

18. Alabama
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 80.7 per 100,000 (total: 4,096)
> No. of Army sites: 22 — the highest
> Notable Army base: Fort Rucker
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 82.8 per 100,000 — 4th highest

17. New York
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 84.6 per 100,000 (total: 16,645)
> No. of Army sites: 7 — 17th highest (tied)
> Notable Army base: Fort Drum
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 34.6 per 100,000 — 10th lowest

coastalpics / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

16. Maryland
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 132.3 per 100,000 (total: 8,156)
> No. of Army sites: 10 — 8th highest (tied)
> Notable Army base: Fort George G. Meade
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 92.2 per 100,000 — 2nd highest

tedpagel / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

15. Missouri
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 138.2 per 100,000 (total: 8,536)
> No. of Army sites: 9 — 10th highest
> Notable Army base: Fort Leonard Wood
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 66.7 per 100,000 — 11th highest

joeynick / iStock via Getty Images

14. Louisiana
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 163.5 per 100,000 (total: 7,506)
> No. of Army sites: 11 — 6th highest (tied)
> Notable Army base: Fort Polk
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 36.5 per 100,000 — 12th lowest

AdShooter / iStock via Getty Images

13. South Carolina
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 194.4 per 100,000 (total: 10,270)
> No. of Army sites: 2 — 9th lowest (tied)
> Notable Army base: Fort Jackson
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 70.3 per 100,000 — 9th highest

ablokhin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

12. Virginia
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 226.2 per 100,000 (total: 19,646)
> No. of Army sites: 12 — 4th highest (tied)
> Notable Army base: Fort Story
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 82.3 per 100,000 — 5th highest

RonBailey / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

11. Texas
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 229.1 per 100,000 (total: 68,792)
> No. of Army sites: 16 — 3rd highest
> Notable Army base: Fort Hood
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 59.6 per 100,000 — 18th highest

10. District Of Columbia
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 274.0 per 100,000 (total: 1,841)
> No. of Army sites: 1 — 4th lowest (tied)
> Notable Army base: Fort Belvoir
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 61.9 per 100,000 — 13th highest

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

9. Oklahoma
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 293.8 per 100,000 (total: 11,809)
> No. of Army sites: 7 — 17th highest (tied)
> Notable Army base: Fort Sill
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 42.3 per 100,000 — 16th lowest

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

8. Washington
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 351.4 per 100,000 (total: 27,356)
> No. of Army sites: 5 — 23rd highest (tied)
> Notable Army base: Fort Lewis
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 59.7 per 100,000 — 17th highest

7. North Carolina
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 422.7 per 100,000 (total: 45,223)
> No. of Army sites: 5 — 23rd highest (tied)
> Notable Army base: Fort Bragg
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 57.7 per 100,000 — 19th highest

6. Georgia
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 429.6 per 100,000 (total: 46,877)
> No. of Army sites: 12 — 4th highest (tied)
> Notable Army base: Fort Benning
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 67.1 per 100,000 — 10th highest

chapin31 / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

5. Colorado
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 460.0 per 100,000 (total: 26,865)
> No. of Army sites: 4 — 22nd lowest (tied)
> Notable Army base: Fort Carson
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 64.4 per 100,000 — 12th highest

wellesenterprises / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

4. Kansas
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 589.6 per 100,000 (total: 17,317)
> No. of Army sites: 4 — 22nd lowest (tied)
> Notable Army base: Fort Riley
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 72.7 per 100,000 — 8th highest

JillianCain / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

3. Kentucky
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 755.4 per 100,000 (total: 34,085)
> No. of Army sites: 5 — 23rd highest (tied)
> Notable Army base: Fort Campbell
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 85.7 per 100,000 — 3rd highest

NNehring / iStock via Getty Images

2. Hawaii
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 1,071.2 per 100,000 (total: 15,428)
> No. of Army sites: 20 — 2nd highest
> Notable Army base: Schofield Barracks
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 165.0 per 100,000 — the highest

1. Alaska
> Active-duty personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 1,332.8 per 100,000 (total: 9,777)
> No. of Army sites: 5 — 23rd highest (tied)
> Notable Army base: Fort Jonathan Wainwright
> Army reserve personnel (as of Sept. 30, 2022): 44.6 per 100,000 — 21st lowest

 

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.