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 New York 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. Albany County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 4.8% (12,394 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 152
--- Korean War: 942
--- Vietnam War: 4,246
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,696
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 2,569
#49. Dutchess County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 4.8% (11,695 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 199
--- Korean War: 618
--- Vietnam War: 4,381
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,153
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 2,169
#48. Monroe County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 4.9% (29,658 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 552
--- Korean War: 1,784
--- Vietnam War: 9,713
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 5,346
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 6,397
#47. Orange County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.2% (15,541 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 152
--- Korean War: 778
--- Vietnam War: 4,692
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 3,552
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 4,749
#46. Schenectady County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.3% (6,724 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 85
--- Korean War: 291
--- Vietnam War: 2,170
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,235
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,476
#45. Onondaga County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.5% (20,619 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 179
--- Korean War: 1,446
--- Vietnam War: 7,007
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 3,490
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 4,640
#44. Sullivan County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.6% (3,484 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 46
--- Korean War: 82
--- Vietnam War: 1,140
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 707
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 685
#43. Erie County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.7% (43,450 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 560
--- Korean War: 2,353
--- Vietnam War: 15,089
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 8,282
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 8,307
#42. Broome County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6% (9,523 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 149
--- Korean War: 765
--- Vietnam War: 3,966
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,568
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,602
#41. Rensselaer County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6% (7,810 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 116
--- Korean War: 416
--- Vietnam War: 2,629
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,602
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,618
#40. Otsego County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.1% (3,125 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 43
--- Korean War: 151
--- Vietnam War: 1,310
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 423
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 420
#39. Columbia County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.2% (3,191 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 19
--- Korean War: 240
--- Vietnam War: 1,496
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 432
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 355
#38. Cortland County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.2% (2,343 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 16
--- Korean War: 84
--- Vietnam War: 690
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 439
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 551
#37. Delaware County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.4% (2,401 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 50
--- Korean War: 253
--- Vietnam War: 742
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 445
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 397
#36. Oneida County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.7% (12,099 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 123
--- Korean War: 642
--- Vietnam War: 4,528
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,867
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 2,425
#35. Saratoga County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.7% (12,878 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 91
--- Korean War: 607
--- Vietnam War: 4,449
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,660
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 2,969
#34. St. Lawrence County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.7% (5,722 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 33
--- Korean War: 300
--- Vietnam War: 1,863
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,036
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 935
#33. Wayne County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.8% (4,863 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 49
--- Korean War: 174
--- Vietnam War: 1,773
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 870
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 928
#32. Cayuga County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.9% (4,189 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 20
--- Korean War: 270
--- Vietnam War: 1,611
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 553
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 722
#31. Ontario County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7% (6,365 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 38
--- Korean War: 390
--- Vietnam War: 2,121
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,454
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,274
#30. Yates County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7% (1,343 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 38
--- Korean War: 49
--- Vietnam War: 606
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 133
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 148
#29. Greene County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.1% (2,834 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 56
--- Korean War: 218
--- Vietnam War: 916
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 392
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 629
#28. Livingston County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.1% (3,596 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 58
--- Korean War: 198
--- Vietnam War: 1,337
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 665
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 685
#27. Warren County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.1% (3,816 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 77
--- Korean War: 202
--- Vietnam War: 1,396
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 518
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 635
#26. Chautauqua County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.3% (7,295 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 94
--- Korean War: 234
--- Vietnam War: 2,728
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,561
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,195
#25. Franklin County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.3% (2,731 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 11
--- Korean War: 85
--- Vietnam War: 1,010
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 510
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 549
#24. Genesee County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.3% (3,369 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 38
--- Korean War: 173
--- Vietnam War: 1,124
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 745
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 613
#23. Montgomery County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.3% (2,757 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 12
--- Korean War: 233
--- Vietnam War: 929
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 602
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 404
#22. Madison County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.4% (4,047 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 27
--- Korean War: 117
--- Vietnam War: 1,402
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 874
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 712
#21. Niagara County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.4% (12,450 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 362
--- Korean War: 718
--- Vietnam War: 4,680
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,175
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,960
#20. Schoharie County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.4% (1,837 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 3
--- Korean War: 150
--- Vietnam War: 743
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 380
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 248
#19. Wyoming County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.4% (2,399 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 154
--- Vietnam War: 959
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 447
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 535
#18. Chenango County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.7% (2,827 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 30
--- Korean War: 201
--- Vietnam War: 970
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 490
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 461
#17. Herkimer County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.7% (3,646 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 52
--- Korean War: 126
--- Vietnam War: 1,451
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 804
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 398
#16. Seneca County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.7% (2,013 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 11
--- Korean War: 242
--- Vietnam War: 579
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 308
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 441
#15. Clinton County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.8% (4,993 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 14
--- Korean War: 167
--- Vietnam War: 1,687
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,410
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,111
#14. Allegany County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.9% (2,979 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 6
--- Korean War: 181
--- Vietnam War: 1,251
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 634
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 558
#13. Cattaraugus County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.9% (4,721 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 52
--- Korean War: 268
--- Vietnam War: 1,861
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 872
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 743
#12. Essex County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8% (2,515 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 48
--- Korean War: 94
--- Vietnam War: 898
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 611
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 448
#11. Oswego County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8% (7,445 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 50
--- Korean War: 530
--- Vietnam War: 2,470
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,464
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,648
#10. Washington County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.1% (3,973 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 11
--- Korean War: 211
--- Vietnam War: 1,396
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 519
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 743
#9. Orleans County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.2% (2,621 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 17
--- Korean War: 128
--- Vietnam War: 999
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 483
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 626
#8. Schuyler County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.2% (1,171 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 3
--- Korean War: 114
--- Vietnam War: 336
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 225
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 306
#7. Fulton County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.3% (3,478 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 9
--- Korean War: 152
--- Vietnam War: 1,175
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 969
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 774
#6. Lewis County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.3% (1,703 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 26
--- Korean War: 55
--- Vietnam War: 638
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 377
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 360
#5. Tioga County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.3% (3,167 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 78
--- Korean War: 129
--- Vietnam War: 1,091
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 533
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 500
#4. Hamilton County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.6% (386 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 1
--- Korean War: 13
--- Vietnam War: 184
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 57
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 44
#3. Chemung County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.7% (5,658 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 81
--- Korean War: 244
--- Vietnam War: 1,994
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,432
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 804
#2. Steuben County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.9% (6,466 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 46
--- Korean War: 247
--- Vietnam War: 2,160
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,345
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,422
#1. Jefferson County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 12.7% (9,861 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 20
--- Korean War: 219
--- Vietnam War: 1,858
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,941
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 5,091