Counties with the most veterans in California

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 California 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.

#58. San Francisco County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 2.5% (18,046 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 171
--- Korean War: 1,170
--- Vietnam War: 5,895
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 3,035
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 4,423

#57. Santa Clara County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 2.6% (39,968 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 854
--- Korean War: 2,910
--- Vietnam War: 13,798
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 6,328
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 9,069

#56. Los Angeles County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 2.7% (209,570 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 2,977
--- Korean War: 12,772
--- Vietnam War: 64,917
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 38,730
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 52,157

#55. San Mateo County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 2.9% (17,374 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 359
--- Korean War: 1,722
--- Vietnam War: 6,539
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,523
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 3,060

#54. Alameda County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 3% (39,894 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 557
--- Korean War: 2,312
--- Vietnam War: 12,938
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 7,500
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 9,125

#53. Alpine County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 3.1% (40 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 0
--- Vietnam War: 13
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 9
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 18

#52. Imperial County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 3.4% (4,439 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 30
--- Korean War: 291
--- Vietnam War: 1,231
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,254
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,316

#51. Orange County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 3.5% (87,155 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 1,487
--- Korean War: 6,315
--- Vietnam War: 30,308
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 15,322
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 20,155

#50. Merced County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 3.6% (7,464 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 33
--- Korean War: 394
--- Vietnam War: 2,915
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,564
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,849

#49. Santa Cruz County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 3.7% (8,035 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 108
--- Korean War: 630
--- Vietnam War: 3,777
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,050
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,209

#48. Marin County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 3.8% (7,912 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 235
--- Korean War: 631
--- Vietnam War: 3,495
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,024
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,015

#47. Yolo County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 3.8% (6,631 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 114
--- Korean War: 389
--- Vietnam War: 2,082
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,344
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,991

#46. San Benito County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 3.9% (1,975 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 25
--- Korean War: 100
--- Vietnam War: 753
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 328
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 572

#45. Tulare County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 3.9% (13,196 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 192
--- Korean War: 499
--- Vietnam War: 4,716
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,519
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 3,457

#44. Contra Costa County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 4.2% (37,905 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 439
--- Korean War: 2,497
--- Vietnam War: 13,420
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 6,494
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 8,071

#43. Monterey County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 4.2% (13,371 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 302
--- Korean War: 870
--- Vietnam War: 4,445
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,899
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 3,360

#42. Stanislaus County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 4.2% (16,935 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 202
--- Korean War: 793
--- Vietnam War: 5,444
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 3,202
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 4,557

#41. San Joaquin County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 4.3% (25,319 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 527
--- Korean War: 1,053
--- Vietnam War: 9,211
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 5,474
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 5,409

#40. Colusa County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 4.5% (722 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 26
--- Vietnam War: 230
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 125
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 186

#39. Fresno County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 4.5% (32,718 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 511
--- Korean War: 1,451
--- Vietnam War: 10,043
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 6,537
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 9,212

#38. Santa Barbara County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 4.6% (15,770 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 221
--- Korean War: 1,124
--- Vietnam War: 6,252
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,801
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 3,160

#37. Madera County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 4.7% (5,461 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 14
--- Korean War: 342
--- Vietnam War: 1,736
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 955
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,247

#36. San Bernardino County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 4.7% (76,558 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 536
--- Korean War: 3,410
--- Vietnam War: 26,594
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 16,516
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 20,589

#35. Sonoma County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 4.8% (18,880 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 561
--- Korean War: 1,036
--- Vietnam War: 8,140
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,716
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 3,157

#34. Kern County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 4.9% (31,813 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 189
--- Korean War: 997
--- Vietnam War: 9,448
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 7,186
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 10,371

#33. Glenn County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.1% (1,072 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 2
--- Korean War: 107
--- Vietnam War: 446
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 197
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 227

#32. Mono County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.1% (544 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 16
--- Vietnam War: 144
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 72
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 352

#31. Ventura County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.1% (33,062 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 348
--- Korean War: 2,043
--- Vietnam War: 11,908
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 6,900
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 8,296

#30. Napa County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.2% (5,614 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 71
--- Korean War: 389
--- Vietnam War: 2,418
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 725
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,026

#29. Sacramento County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.5% (67,205 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 660
--- Korean War: 4,098
--- Vietnam War: 23,744
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 13,929
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 16,513

#28. Sierra County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.6% (132 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 0
--- Vietnam War: 71
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 0
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 7

#27. Riverside County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.8% (109,216 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 819
--- Korean War: 5,956
--- Vietnam War: 34,427
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 27,129
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 31,345

#26. Mendocino County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.9% (4,203 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 19
--- Korean War: 350
--- Vietnam War: 1,846
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 547
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 395

#25. Humboldt County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6% (6,535 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 96
--- Korean War: 248
--- Vietnam War: 2,846
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,349
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 897

#24. San Luis Obispo County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.3% (14,563 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 134
--- Korean War: 1,196
--- Vietnam War: 6,022
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,350
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 2,591

#23. Sutter County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.5% (4,746 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 91
--- Korean War: 138
--- Vietnam War: 1,470
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,123
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,609

#22. Kings County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.7% (7,079 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 9
--- Korean War: 128
--- Vietnam War: 1,647
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,190
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 3,370

#21. Butte County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.8% (11,249 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 120
--- Korean War: 661
--- Vietnam War: 4,895
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,112
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 2,146

#20. Tehama County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.9% (3,435 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 49
--- Korean War: 182
--- Vietnam War: 1,066
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 794
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 699

#19. Placer County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.3% (23,924 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 562
--- Korean War: 1,551
--- Vietnam War: 8,456
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 5,085
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 6,009

#18. San Diego County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.3% (183,791 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 1,599
--- Korean War: 5,867
--- Vietnam War: 51,079
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 54,894
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 72,407

#17. El Dorado County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.4% (11,480 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 272
--- Korean War: 669
--- Vietnam War: 5,166
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,917
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 2,087

#16. Lassen County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.4% (1,833 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 12
--- Korean War: 94
--- Vietnam War: 621
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 331
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 464

#15. Del Norte County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.8% (1,670 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 18
--- Korean War: 3
--- Vietnam War: 736
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 276
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 249

#14. Inyo County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.9% (1,172 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 21
--- Korean War: 64
--- Vietnam War: 483
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 82
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 85

#13. Nevada County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.1% (6,858 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 92
--- Korean War: 426
--- Vietnam War: 2,790
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,060
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,128

#12. Solano County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.2% (28,370 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 103
--- Korean War: 786
--- Vietnam War: 9,431
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 6,957
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 8,575

#11. Lake County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.3% (4,400 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 112
--- Korean War: 172
--- Vietnam War: 1,783
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 561
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 719

#10. Shasta County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.4% (12,002 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 366
--- Korean War: 572
--- Vietnam War: 4,675
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,851
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 2,569

#9. Mariposa County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.5% (1,197 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 9
--- Korean War: 274
--- Vietnam War: 458
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 171
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 52

#8. Yuba County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.5% (5,002 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 2
--- Korean War: 191
--- Vietnam War: 1,438
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,165
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,910

#7. Calaveras County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.6% (3,286 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 82
--- Korean War: 125
--- Vietnam War: 1,367
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 565
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 515

#6. Trinity County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.1% (1,189 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 57
--- Vietnam War: 419
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 198
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 181

#5. Siskiyou County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.3% (3,248 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 46
--- Korean War: 183
--- Vietnam War: 1,512
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 449
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 556

#4. Tuolumne County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.6% (4,345 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 69
--- Korean War: 297
--- Vietnam War: 1,905
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 691
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 629

#3. Amador County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.9% (3,481 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 30
--- Korean War: 123
--- Vietnam War: 1,303
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 532
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 679

#2. Plumas County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.9% (1,589 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 44
--- Korean War: 122
--- Vietnam War: 661
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 206
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 357

#1. Modoc County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 11.7% (810 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 3
--- Korean War: 7
--- Vietnam War: 506
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 90
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 120

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