Counties with the most veterans in Iowa
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 Iowa 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. Linn County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.5% (13,308 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 450
--- Korean War: 676
--- Vietnam War: 4,852
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,564
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 2,547
#49. Lucas County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.5% (500 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 4
--- Korean War: 22
--- Vietnam War: 215
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 144
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 63
#48. Madison County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.5% (943 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 26
--- Vietnam War: 365
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 165
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 226
#47. Audubon County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.6% (330 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 20
--- Vietnam War: 137
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 64
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 76
#46. Franklin County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.6% (576 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 10
--- Korean War: 45
--- Vietnam War: 273
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 152
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 81
#45. Jackson County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.6% (1,153 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 27
--- Korean War: 164
--- Vietnam War: 505
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 182
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 81
#44. Jasper County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.6% (2,252 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 48
--- Korean War: 166
--- Vietnam War: 591
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 639
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 511
#43. Guthrie County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.7% (643 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 9
--- Korean War: 15
--- Vietnam War: 220
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 158
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 85
#42. Hancock County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.7% (648 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 19
--- Korean War: 18
--- Vietnam War: 289
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 89
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 93
#41. Howard County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.7% (540 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 16
--- Korean War: 54
--- Vietnam War: 254
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 106
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 84
#40. Palo Alto County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.7% (524 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 14
--- Korean War: 77
--- Vietnam War: 218
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 64
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 41
#39. Scott County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.7% (10,225 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 150
--- Korean War: 420
--- Vietnam War: 3,418
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,219
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 2,026
#38. Dickinson County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.8% (1,126 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 9
--- Korean War: 139
--- Vietnam War: 500
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 165
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 137
#37. Iowa County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.8% (990 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 37
--- Korean War: 43
--- Vietnam War: 304
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 199
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 165
#36. Kossuth County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.8% (885 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 8
--- Korean War: 36
--- Vietnam War: 426
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 171
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 147
#35. Montgomery County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.8% (617 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 6
--- Korean War: 51
--- Vietnam War: 202
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 120
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 127
#34. Plymouth County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.8% (1,501 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 24
--- Korean War: 166
--- Vietnam War: 661
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 284
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 240
#33. Hamilton County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.9% (903 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 2
--- Korean War: 38
--- Vietnam War: 389
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 221
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 191
#32. Fremont County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8% (410 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 29
--- Vietnam War: 163
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 79
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 69
#31. Jefferson County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8% (1,038 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 6
--- Korean War: 30
--- Vietnam War: 231
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 294
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 333
#30. Jones County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8% (1,314 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 35
--- Korean War: 72
--- Vietnam War: 508
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 195
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 304
#29. Clay County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.2% (1,041 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 56
--- Korean War: 119
--- Vietnam War: 431
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 97
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 169
#28. Des Moines County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.2% (2,478 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 71
--- Korean War: 167
--- Vietnam War: 1,072
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 565
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 339
#27. Shelby County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.2% (744 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 14
--- Korean War: 40
--- Vietnam War: 200
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 134
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 143
#26. Union County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.2% (753 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 14
--- Korean War: 28
--- Vietnam War: 338
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 156
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 99
#25. Sac County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.3% (633 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 13
--- Korean War: 54
--- Vietnam War: 247
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 85
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 113
#24. Wright County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.3% (782 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 5
--- Korean War: 152
--- Vietnam War: 242
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 136
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 192
#23. Osceola County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.4% (392 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 1
--- Korean War: 43
--- Vietnam War: 148
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 65
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 45
#22. Cedar County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.5% (1,223 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 6
--- Korean War: 60
--- Vietnam War: 457
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 263
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 315
#21. Fayette County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.5% (1,297 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 39
--- Korean War: 37
--- Vietnam War: 474
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 255
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 283
#20. Pocahontas County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.5% (459 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 1
--- Korean War: 37
--- Vietnam War: 219
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 64
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 51
#19. Appanoose County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.6% (832 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 37
--- Korean War: 48
--- Vietnam War: 386
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 157
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 98
#18. Pottawattamie County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.6% (6,174 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 29
--- Korean War: 262
--- Vietnam War: 2,060
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,410
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,181
#17. Tama County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.6% (1,107 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 19
--- Korean War: 88
--- Vietnam War: 384
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 204
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 180
#16. Benton County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.8% (1,739 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 6
--- Korean War: 48
--- Vietnam War: 532
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 262
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 494
#15. Clinton County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.8% (3,133 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 23
--- Korean War: 214
--- Vietnam War: 1,328
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 619
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 506
#14. Adams County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.9% (252 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 23
--- Vietnam War: 102
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 44
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 45
#13. Lee County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.9% (2,309 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 44
--- Korean War: 99
--- Vietnam War: 971
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 501
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 403
#12. Marshall County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.9% (2,649 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 139
--- Korean War: 217
--- Vietnam War: 947
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 419
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 473
#11. Mitchell County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9% (719 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 1
--- Korean War: 46
--- Vietnam War: 361
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 151
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 96
#10. Cherokee County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.1% (822 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 31
--- Korean War: 34
--- Vietnam War: 245
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 179
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 112
#9. Greene County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.2% (631 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 26
--- Vietnam War: 140
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 156
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 113
#8. Page County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.2% (1,130 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 4
--- Korean War: 67
--- Vietnam War: 495
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 113
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 194
#7. Harrison County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.3% (1,047 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 7
--- Korean War: 127
--- Vietnam War: 390
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 189
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 150
#6. Taylor County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.3% (422 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 2
--- Korean War: 42
--- Vietnam War: 182
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 78
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 38
#5. Monona County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.4% (630 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 42
--- Vietnam War: 288
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 83
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 50
#4. Van Buren County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.4% (524 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 4
--- Korean War: 24
--- Vietnam War: 278
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 96
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 60
#3. Floyd County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.5% (1,141 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 11
--- Korean War: 154
--- Vietnam War: 346
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 144
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 154
#2. Mills County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.7% (1,069 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 28
--- Korean War: 17
--- Vietnam War: 364
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 341
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 310
#1. Worth County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.3% (605 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 8
--- Korean War: 37
--- Vietnam War: 249
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 107
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 87
