Counties with the most veterans in California

Written by:
July 4, 2022
Bobak Ha'Eri // Wikimedia Commons

Counties with the most veterans in California

There are roughly 19 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 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’ 2020 5-year estimate.

California, Texas, and Florida are home to the most veterans, and Wyoming, Vermont, and Washington D.C. home to the least. 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.

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#58. San Francisco

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 2.9% (22,047 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 983
--- Korean War: 2,398
--- Vietnam War: 7,419
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 3,243
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 4,047
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Uladzik Kryhin // Shutterstock

#57. Santa Clara County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 3.2% (47,755 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 1,984
--- Korean War: 5,498
--- Vietnam War: 16,867
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 6,874
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 7,438
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BDS2006 // Wikimedia

#56. Los Angeles County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 3.2% (252,329 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 10,279
--- Korean War: 24,086
--- Vietnam War: 81,510
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 40,748
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 50,046
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Jennifer Williams // Wikimedia Commons

#55. Alameda County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 3.6% (47,820 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 1,716
--- Korean War: 4,462
--- Vietnam War: 16,179
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 7,598
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 8,852
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Craig Howell // Wikimedia Commons

#54. San Mateo County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 3.8% (23,314 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 1,304
--- Korean War: 2,693
--- Vietnam War: 8,416
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,820
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 3,245
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Hollywood // Wikimedia Commons

#53. Orange County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 4.3% (105,193 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 5,315
--- Korean War: 11,841
--- Vietnam War: 36,709
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 15,947
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 18,019
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Epolk // Wikimedia Commons

#52. Yolo County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 4.3% (7,389 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 314
--- Korean War: 738
--- Vietnam War: 2,338
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,467
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 1,640
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#51. Tulare County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 4.4% (14,223 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 458
--- Korean War: 1,003
--- Vietnam War: 5,129
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,227
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 3,059
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Cbl62 // Wikicommons

#50. Imperial County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 4.5% (5,749 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 117
--- Korean War: 484
--- Vietnam War: 1,711
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,414
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 1,353
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Mark Miller // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Merced County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 4.5% (8,692 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 243
--- Korean War: 813
--- Vietnam War: 3,614
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,430
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 1,572
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Kglavin // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Marin County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 4.5% (9,370 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 556
--- Korean War: 1,174
--- Vietnam War: 3,760
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 889
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 909
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Aaronbrick // Wikicommons

#47. Santa Cruz County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 4.7% (10,391 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 381
--- Korean War: 907
--- Vietnam War: 4,794
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,376
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 1,100
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Public Domain

#46. Stanislaus County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.0% (20,043 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 398
--- Korean War: 1,346
--- Vietnam War: 7,198
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,833
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 4,283
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MARELBU // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Contra Costa County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.1% (45,027 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 1,974
--- Korean War: 4,670
--- Vietnam War: 16,260
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 7,635
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 6,095
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David Jordan // Wikicommons

#44. Fresno County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.1% (36,307 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 1,435
--- Korean War: 3,148
--- Vietnam War: 12,830
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 6,337
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 7,830
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CleanWater17 // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Colusa County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.1% (804 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 46
--- Korean War: 60
--- Vietnam War: 326
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 135
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 99
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LPS.1 // Wikicommons

#42. San Joaquin County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.2% (28,635 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 1,117
--- Korean War: 2,048
--- Vietnam War: 10,802
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 5,416
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 4,852
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Naotake Murayama // Wikicommons

#41. Monterey County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.2% (16,488 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 665
--- Korean War: 1,424
--- Vietnam War: 6,058
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 3,150
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 3,397
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Michael Patrick // Wikimedia Commons

#40. San Benito County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.4% (2,458 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 86
--- Korean War: 221
--- Vietnam War: 999
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 431
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 604
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Public Domain

#39. Madera County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.6% (6,275 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 104
--- Korean War: 589
--- Vietnam War: 2,268
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 847
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 1,252
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nickchapman // Wikicommons

#38. Kern County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.6% (35,324 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 774
--- Korean War: 2,561
--- Vietnam War: 11,706
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 7,878
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 8,622
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clr_flickr from Rocklin, USA // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Mono County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.6% (638 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 7
--- Korean War: 41
--- Vietnam War: 166
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 213
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 178
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#36. San Bernardino County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.7% (89,407 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 1,803
--- Korean War: 6,013
--- Vietnam War: 32,012
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 17,760
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 19,593
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Pixabay

#35. Santa Barbara County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.8% (19,824 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 817
--- Korean War: 2,314
--- Vietnam War: 6,891
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 3,621
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 4,357
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#34. Ventura County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.8% (37,864 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 1,425
--- Korean War: 3,213
--- Vietnam War: 14,661
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 6,534
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 7,385
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Stan Shebs // Wikicommons

#33. Napa County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.0% (6,545 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 273
--- Korean War: 613
--- Vietnam War: 2,905
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 826
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 569
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Fred Hsu // Wikicommons

#32. Sonoma County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.3% (25,212 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 1,163
--- Korean War: 1,957
--- Vietnam War: 10,991
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 3,876
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 3,644
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#31. Sacramento County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.4% (75,320 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 2,109
--- Korean War: 6,386
--- Vietnam War: 28,107
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 14,422
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 14,373
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Daniel Orth // Flickr

#30. Riverside County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.6% (120,078 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 3,578
--- Korean War: 10,142
--- Vietnam War: 38,922
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 26,448
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 29,045
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Trance addict // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Glenn County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.7% (1,375 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 49
--- Korean War: 151
--- Vietnam War: 595
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 210
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 168
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Finetooth // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Lassen County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.9% (1,756 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 23
--- Korean War: 144
--- Vietnam War: 652
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 294
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 364
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Basar // Wikicommons

#27. San Luis Obispo County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.4% (17,118 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 526
--- Korean War: 2,064
--- Vietnam War: 7,703
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,168
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 2,363
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Ray Bouknight // Wikicommons

#26. Sutter County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.6% (5,394 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 176
--- Korean War: 465
--- Vietnam War: 1,706
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,125
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 1,410
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Binksternet // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Mendocino County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.7% (5,245 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 216
--- Korean War: 466
--- Vietnam War: 2,581
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 620
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 466
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Cory Maylett // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Humboldt County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.7% (8,446 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 479
--- Korean War: 483
--- Vietnam War: 3,378
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,213
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 1,232
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#23. Butte County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.0% (14,202 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 550
--- Korean War: 1,202
--- Vietnam War: 5,891
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,435
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 2,317
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Frank Schulenburg // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Tehama County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.0% (3,913 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 91
--- Korean War: 381
--- Vietnam War: 1,666
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 465
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 486
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Armona // Wikicommons

#21. Kings County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.2% (8,665 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 115
--- Korean War: 306
--- Vietnam War: 2,292
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,635
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 3,615
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#20. Del Norte County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.3% (1,804 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 85
--- Korean War: 243
--- Vietnam War: 883
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 208
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 174
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SD Dirk // Flickr

#19. San Diego County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.3% (210,611 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 5,643
--- Korean War: 12,929
--- Vietnam War: 61,423
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 57,602
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 69,890
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Susan Popielaski // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Alpine County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.4% (76 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 0
--- Vietnam War: 35
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 6
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 0
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Doug Olson // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Placer County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.4% (25,573 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 1,010
--- Korean War: 2,627
--- Vietnam War: 9,861
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 5,188
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 4,537
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#16. Sierra County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.5% (208 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 9
--- Vietnam War: 103
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 5
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 36
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DimiTalen // Wikimedia Commons

#15. El Dorado County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.9% (13,535 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 423
--- Korean War: 1,189
--- Vietnam War: 6,402
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,077
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 1,190
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#14. Solano County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.1% (31,262 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 600
--- Korean War: 1,910
--- Vietnam War: 11,730
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 7,705
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 6,862
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CFang // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Lake County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.7% (4,919 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 227
--- Korean War: 315
--- Vietnam War: 2,297
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 528
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 355
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Doug Kerr // Wikicommons

#12. Shasta County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.7% (13,694 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 623
--- Korean War: 1,216
--- Vietnam War: 5,397
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,733
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 2,473
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Almonroth // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Trinity County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.8% (1,013 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 25
--- Korean War: 120
--- Vietnam War: 478
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 51
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 115
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Frank Schulenburg // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Nevada County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.8% (8,054 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 416
--- Korean War: 757
--- Vietnam War: 3,246
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,041
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 944
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Chuck Abbe // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Inyo County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.8% (1,392 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 73
--- Korean War: 181
--- Vietnam War: 516
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 117
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 189
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EPoelzl // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Mariposa County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.5% (1,522 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 11
--- Korean War: 328
--- Vietnam War: 667
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 109
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 186
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#7. Calaveras County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.7% (4,075 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 351
--- Korean War: 328
--- Vietnam War: 1,722
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 489
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 204
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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Yuba County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.7% (5,818 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 162
--- Korean War: 400
--- Vietnam War: 1,635
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,323
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 1,980
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Bobak Ha'Eri // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Amador County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.8% (3,554 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 132
--- Korean War: 290
--- Vietnam War: 1,660
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 428
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 562
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Kenneth Green // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Plumas County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 11.4% (1,794 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 58
--- Korean War: 127
--- Vietnam War: 839
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 246
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 289
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Chmee2 // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Siskiyou County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 11.5% (3,997 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 100
--- Korean War: 419
--- Vietnam War: 1,750
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 462
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 600
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Scott Burley // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Modoc County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 11.6% (824 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 15
--- Korean War: 22
--- Vietnam War: 390
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 62
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 56
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Bobak Ha'Eri // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Tuolumne County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 11.9% (5,386 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 204
--- Korean War: 627
--- Vietnam War: 2,208
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 699
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 936

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