There are roughly 17.1 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 29%.
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' 2024 5-year estimate.
Alaska, Virginia, and Montana are home to the most veterans per capita. American veterans live in virtually all of the country's 3,144 counties.
Keep reading to see where the most veterans live in your home state.
#50. Hillsborough County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.3% (86,621 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 794
--- Korean War: 2,958
--- Vietnam War: 24,048
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 28,103
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 29,285
#49. Jackson County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.5% (2,934 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 13
--- Korean War: 91
--- Vietnam War: 1,200
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 697
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 546
#48. Lee County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.7% (52,032 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 859
--- Korean War: 3,699
--- Vietnam War: 22,395
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 8,214
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 8,153
#47. DeSoto County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.9% (2,283 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 26
--- Korean War: 96
--- Vietnam War: 927
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 662
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 333
#46. Okeechobee County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.2% (2,636 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 97
--- Korean War: 195
--- Vietnam War: 1,049
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 567
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 486
#45. Bradford County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.3% (1,845 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 30
--- Korean War: 56
--- Vietnam War: 662
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 556
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 458
#44. Pinellas County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.3% (67,474 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 1,043
--- Korean War: 4,508
--- Vietnam War: 24,504
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 13,392
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 12,492
#43. Monroe County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.4% (5,674 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 22
--- Korean War: 168
--- Vietnam War: 1,997
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,430
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,558
#42. Calhoun County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.6% (926 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 6
--- Vietnam War: 446
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 305
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 164
#41. St. Lucie County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.6% (24,969 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 311
--- Korean War: 1,105
--- Vietnam War: 9,217
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 5,773
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 4,321
#40. Dixie County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.7% (1,214 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 14
--- Vietnam War: 554
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 210
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 219
#39. Madison County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.7% (1,294 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 18
--- Vietnam War: 468
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 431
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 381
#38. Sarasota County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.8% (34,867 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 534
--- Korean War: 2,874
--- Vietnam War: 16,833
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 5,002
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 3,859
#37. Martin County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.9% (12,168 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 360
--- Korean War: 1,163
--- Vietnam War: 5,054
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,176
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,583
#36. Manatee County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9% (31,972 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 428
--- Korean War: 1,657
--- Vietnam War: 13,517
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 6,536
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 5,718
#35. Glades County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.1% (997 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 104
--- Vietnam War: 424
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 131
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 42
#34. Union County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.1% (1,111 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 33
--- Vietnam War: 322
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 172
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 265
#33. Washington County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.1% (1,846 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 2
--- Korean War: 84
--- Vietnam War: 723
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 519
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 435
#32. Holmes County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.5% (1,464 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 11
--- Korean War: 35
--- Vietnam War: 526
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 381
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 377
#31. Taylor County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.5% (1,618 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 2
--- Korean War: 147
--- Vietnam War: 433
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 492
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 191
#30. Gilchrist County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.6% (1,435 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 1
--- Korean War: 13
--- Vietnam War: 532
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 302
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 260
#29. Indian River County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.6% (13,526 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 209
--- Korean War: 1,122
--- Vietnam War: 5,864
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,988
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,469
#28. Franklin County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.7% (1,028 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 22
--- Vietnam War: 372
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 257
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 160
#27. Volusia County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.7% (46,354 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 580
--- Korean War: 2,483
--- Vietnam War: 16,284
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 9,749
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 9,986
#26. Gulf County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.8% (1,258 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 19
--- Vietnam War: 479
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 436
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 167
#25. Lake County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.8% (32,591 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 505
--- Korean War: 2,046
--- Vietnam War: 13,963
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 7,357
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 5,749
#24. Pasco County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.8% (47,588 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 444
--- Korean War: 2,392
--- Vietnam War: 16,138
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 12,221
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 11,139
#23. St. Johns County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.8% (23,534 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 316
--- Korean War: 664
--- Vietnam War: 7,292
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 8,883
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 6,844
#22. Wakulla County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.8% (2,752 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 10
--- Korean War: 32
--- Vietnam War: 931
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 721
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 609
#21. Suwannee County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.9% (3,559 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 75
--- Vietnam War: 1,354
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,065
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 988
#20. Duval County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.3% (80,475 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 359
--- Korean War: 2,153
--- Vietnam War: 19,209
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 28,313
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 28,250
#19. Jefferson County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.3% (1,288 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 13
--- Korean War: 27
--- Vietnam War: 537
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 219
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 325
#18. Levy County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.3% (3,758 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 14
--- Korean War: 127
--- Vietnam War: 1,656
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,029
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 722
#17. Walton County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.3% (6,740 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 21
--- Korean War: 228
--- Vietnam War: 2,139
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,515
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 2,134
#16. Flagler County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.5% (11,137 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 199
--- Korean War: 438
--- Vietnam War: 4,704
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,766
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 2,343
#15. Marion County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.5% (34,259 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 367
--- Korean War: 1,730
--- Vietnam War: 14,783
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 6,450
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 4,671
#14. Hernando County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.7% (18,080 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 182
--- Korean War: 933
--- Vietnam War: 6,880
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 3,990
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 3,521
#13. Putnam County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.7% (6,356 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 43
--- Korean War: 239
--- Vietnam War: 2,273
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,166
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,392
#12. Charlotte County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.9% (19,280 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 205
--- Korean War: 1,274
--- Vietnam War: 9,601
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,508
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,907
#11. Nassau County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 11% (8,635 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 24
--- Korean War: 202
--- Vietnam War: 2,966
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,784
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 2,611
#10. Columbia County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 11.1% (6,180 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 18
--- Korean War: 133
--- Vietnam War: 2,538
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,430
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,162
#9. Highlands County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 11.1% (9,776 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 88
--- Korean War: 906
--- Vietnam War: 4,760
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,217
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 889
#8. Brevard County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 12.6% (65,035 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 539
--- Korean War: 2,916
--- Vietnam War: 22,476
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 19,320
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 16,964
#7. Citrus County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 12.8% (17,659 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 257
--- Korean War: 1,028
--- Vietnam War: 8,130
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 3,294
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 2,452
#6. Bay County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 13.6% (19,659 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 126
--- Korean War: 652
--- Vietnam War: 5,224
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 8,550
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 6,996
#5. Escambia County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 13.6% (33,582 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 179
--- Korean War: 1,265
--- Vietnam War: 9,610
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 12,806
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 11,133
#4. Sumter County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 13.7% (18,301 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 467
--- Korean War: 1,482
--- Vietnam War: 9,526
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,581
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,184
#3. Clay County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 15.9% (27,517 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 159
--- Korean War: 953
--- Vietnam War: 6,837
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 12,114
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 10,639
#2. Santa Rosa County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 16.5% (24,742 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 33
--- Korean War: 540
--- Vietnam War: 5,740
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 10,954
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 10,784
#1. Okaloosa County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 20.4% (31,494 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 213
--- Korean War: 782
--- Vietnam War: 7,447
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 15,263
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 14,393
