There are roughly 17.5 million veterans living in the U.S., according to data from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Though, the VA anticipates the percentage of the U.S. population with military experience will continue to decline over the next couple of decades—by 2046, it expects the number of living U.S. veterans to decrease by 35%.
Stacker compiled a list of the counties with the most veterans in Florida using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by the highest percent of residents that are veterans based on the Census' 2023 5-year estimate.
Alaska, Virginia, and Wyoming are home to the most veterans per capita. American veterans live in virtually all of the country's 3,142 counties.
Keep reading to see where the most veterans live in your home state.
#50. DeSoto County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.7% (2,196 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 28
--- Korean War: 124
--- Vietnam War: 935
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 583
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 268
#49. Polk County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.7% (45,507 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 801
--- Korean War: 2,646
--- Vietnam War: 15,690
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 8,914
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 9,370
#48. Lee County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8% (52,360 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 1,121
--- Korean War: 4,361
--- Vietnam War: 22,289
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 7,586
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 7,640
#47. Jackson County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.1% (3,122 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 68
--- Korean War: 104
--- Vietnam War: 1,405
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 725
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 537
#46. Monroe County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.7% (5,888 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 67
--- Korean War: 196
--- Vietnam War: 2,270
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,385
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,456
#45. Pinellas County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.7% (69,924 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 1,253
--- Korean War: 5,361
--- Vietnam War: 26,219
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 13,586
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 11,734
#44. Washington County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.8% (1,779 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 2
--- Korean War: 72
--- Vietnam War: 790
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 392
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 438
#43. Calhoun County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9% (983 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 26
--- Vietnam War: 454
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 319
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 139
#42. Okeechobee County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9% (2,842 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 108
--- Korean War: 224
--- Vietnam War: 1,052
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 569
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 440
#41. Bradford County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.1% (2,019 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 31
--- Korean War: 44
--- Vietnam War: 631
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 791
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 643
#40. Martin County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.1% (12,248 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 550
--- Korean War: 1,370
--- Vietnam War: 5,081
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,780
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,362
#39. Manatee County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.2% (31,563 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 585
--- Korean War: 2,012
--- Vietnam War: 13,496
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 5,796
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 5,158
#38. Suwannee County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.2% (3,244 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 106
--- Vietnam War: 1,406
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 766
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 713
#37. St. Lucie County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.3% (25,884 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 389
--- Korean War: 1,282
--- Vietnam War: 10,060
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 5,483
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 4,131
#36. Sarasota County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.5% (36,555 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 841
--- Korean War: 3,604
--- Vietnam War: 17,117
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 5,281
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 3,686
#35. Madison County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.6% (1,431 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 31
--- Vietnam War: 511
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 506
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 426
#34. Wakulla County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.8% (2,688 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 13
--- Korean War: 13
--- Vietnam War: 905
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 857
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 534
#33. Gilchrist County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.9% (1,452 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 15
--- Korean War: 32
--- Vietnam War: 529
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 281
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 300
#32. Gulf County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.9% (1,249 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 21
--- Vietnam War: 600
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 490
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 208
#31. St. Johns County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.9% (22,703 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 369
--- Korean War: 940
--- Vietnam War: 7,347
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 8,250
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 6,093
#30. Pasco County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10% (46,932 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 516
--- Korean War: 2,606
--- Vietnam War: 16,217
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 11,657
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 10,047
#29. Taylor County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.1% (1,722 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 2
--- Korean War: 161
--- Vietnam War: 480
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 501
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 185
#28. Volusia County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.1% (47,376 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 797
--- Korean War: 2,969
--- Vietnam War: 17,219
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 9,491
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 8,467
#27. Franklin County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.2% (1,075 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 5
--- Korean War: 44
--- Vietnam War: 477
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 214
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 152
#26. Holmes County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.2% (1,584 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 12
--- Korean War: 33
--- Vietnam War: 471
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 443
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 467
#25. Indian River County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.2% (14,078 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 376
--- Korean War: 1,464
--- Vietnam War: 5,863
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,752
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,490
#24. Putnam County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.3% (6,008 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 38
--- Korean War: 295
--- Vietnam War: 2,378
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,006
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 967
#23. Lake County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.4% (33,662 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 606
--- Korean War: 2,460
--- Vietnam War: 14,221
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 7,293
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 5,665
#22. Dixie County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.5% (1,460 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 92
--- Vietnam War: 582
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 278
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 350
#21. Duval County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.5% (80,535 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 489
--- Korean War: 2,481
--- Vietnam War: 20,092
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 28,140
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 27,249
#20. Jefferson County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.5% (1,281 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 39
--- Korean War: 34
--- Vietnam War: 498
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 221
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 334
#19. Walton County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.5% (6,626 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 59
--- Korean War: 304
--- Vietnam War: 2,156
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,325
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,993
#18. Union County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.6% (1,294 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 30
--- Vietnam War: 518
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 206
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 267
#17. Flagler County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.8% (10,982 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 241
--- Korean War: 417
--- Vietnam War: 4,842
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,367
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 2,142
#16. Columbia County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 11% (6,029 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 28
--- Korean War: 279
--- Vietnam War: 2,287
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,451
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,301
#15. Highlands County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 11% (9,508 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 194
--- Korean War: 1,104
--- Vietnam War: 4,486
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,060
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 688
#14. Marion County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 11.1% (34,899 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 477
--- Korean War: 2,149
--- Vietnam War: 15,413
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 6,412
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 4,370
#13. Levy County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 11.3% (4,023 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 30
--- Korean War: 157
--- Vietnam War: 1,882
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 809
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 700
#12. Charlotte County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 11.5% (19,727 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 374
--- Korean War: 1,680
--- Vietnam War: 9,687
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,402
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,666
#11. Nassau County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 11.6% (8,787 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 37
--- Korean War: 272
--- Vietnam War: 3,219
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,816
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 2,379
#10. Hernando County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 11.7% (19,226 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 311
--- Korean War: 1,169
--- Vietnam War: 7,305
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 3,728
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 3,425
#9. Glades County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 11.9% (1,265 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 128
--- Vietnam War: 515
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 139
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 120
#8. Citrus County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 12.7% (17,215 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 352
--- Korean War: 1,191
--- Vietnam War: 7,959
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,701
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 2,050
#7. Brevard County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 13.4% (67,800 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 668
--- Korean War: 3,575
--- Vietnam War: 24,438
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 19,634
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 16,564
#6. Bay County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 13.8% (19,329 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 150
--- Korean War: 820
--- Vietnam War: 5,306
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 7,953
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 6,302
#5. Escambia County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 13.8% (33,654 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 227
--- Korean War: 1,396
--- Vietnam War: 10,005
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 12,313
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 10,722
#4. Sumter County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 14.2% (18,136 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 475
--- Korean War: 1,482
--- Vietnam War: 9,871
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,474
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,236
#3. Santa Rosa County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 16.4% (23,939 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 75
--- Korean War: 559
--- Vietnam War: 5,752
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 10,359
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 10,241
#2. Clay County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 16.5% (27,984 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 131
--- Korean War: 1,073
--- Vietnam War: 7,555
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 12,640
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 10,552
#1. Okaloosa County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 20.6% (31,518 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 194
--- Korean War: 889
--- Vietnam War: 8,164
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 15,076
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 14,016