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Counties with the most veterans in New Mexico
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 New Mexico 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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#33. Lea County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 3.8% (1,887 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 20
--- Korean War: 115
--- Vietnam War: 717
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 422
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 364
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 20
--- Korean War: 115
--- Vietnam War: 717
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 422
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 364
#32. McKinley County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.8% (2,973 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 15
--- Korean War: 169
--- Vietnam War: 911
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 735
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 675
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 15
--- Korean War: 169
--- Vietnam War: 911
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 735
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 675
#31. Roosevelt County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.5% (898 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 8
--- Korean War: 57
--- Vietnam War: 238
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 244
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 419
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 8
--- Korean War: 57
--- Vietnam War: 238
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 244
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 419
#30. Chaves County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.9% (3,292 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 123
--- Korean War: 392
--- Vietnam War: 1,291
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 419
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 496
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 123
--- Korean War: 392
--- Vietnam War: 1,291
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 419
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 496
#29. Rio Arriba County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.1% (2,112 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 62
--- Korean War: 255
--- Vietnam War: 880
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 366
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 145
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 62
--- Korean War: 255
--- Vietnam War: 880
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 366
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 145
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#28. Santa Fe County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.5% (9,254 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 356
--- Korean War: 738
--- Vietnam War: 4,122
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,279
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 969
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 356
--- Korean War: 738
--- Vietnam War: 4,122
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,279
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 969
#27. San Juan County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.5% (6,940 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 209
--- Korean War: 563
--- Vietnam War: 2,357
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,307
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 1,192
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 209
--- Korean War: 563
--- Vietnam War: 2,357
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,307
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 1,192
#26. Eddy County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.6% (3,216 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 155
--- Korean War: 299
--- Vietnam War: 1,121
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 691
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 381
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 155
--- Korean War: 299
--- Vietnam War: 1,121
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 691
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 381
#25. San Miguel County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.8% (1,758 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 37
--- Korean War: 197
--- Vietnam War: 846
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 296
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 201
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 37
--- Korean War: 197
--- Vietnam War: 846
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 296
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 201
#24. Cibola County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.9% (1,626 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 79
--- Korean War: 140
--- Vietnam War: 743
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 369
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 164
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 79
--- Korean War: 140
--- Vietnam War: 743
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 369
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 164
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#23. Guadalupe County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.2% (292 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 8
--- Vietnam War: 58
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 7
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 81
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 8
--- Vietnam War: 58
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 7
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 81
#22. Quay County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.3% (531 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 52
--- Korean War: 27
--- Vietnam War: 250
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 34
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 58
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 52
--- Korean War: 27
--- Vietnam War: 250
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 34
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 58
#21. Doña Ana County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.4% (13,737 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 181
--- Korean War: 1,128
--- Vietnam War: 4,633
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,823
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 3,915
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 181
--- Korean War: 1,128
--- Vietnam War: 4,633
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,823
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 3,915
#20. Luna County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.5% (1,504 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 11
--- Korean War: 147
--- Vietnam War: 788
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 181
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 145
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 11
--- Korean War: 147
--- Vietnam War: 788
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 181
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 145
#19. Los Alamos County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.8% (1,284 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 35
--- Korean War: 40
--- Vietnam War: 379
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 347
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 258
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 35
--- Korean War: 40
--- Vietnam War: 379
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 347
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 258
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#18. Bernalillo County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.9% (47,124 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 1,369
--- Korean War: 3,888
--- Vietnam War: 17,303
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 11,200
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 9,963
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 1,369
--- Korean War: 3,888
--- Vietnam War: 17,303
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 11,200
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 9,963
#17. Socorro County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.2% (1,187 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 96
--- Korean War: 32
--- Vietnam War: 553
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 81
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 65
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 96
--- Korean War: 32
--- Vietnam War: 553
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 81
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 65
#16. Harding County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.2% (34 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 3
--- Vietnam War: 3
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 6
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 12
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 3
--- Vietnam War: 3
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 6
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 12
#15. Taos County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.3% (2,514 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 61
--- Korean War: 135
--- Vietnam War: 1,091
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 417
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 240
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 61
--- Korean War: 135
--- Vietnam War: 1,091
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 417
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 240
#14. Sandoval County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.6% (10,686 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 179
--- Korean War: 530
--- Vietnam War: 4,405
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,857
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 2,290
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 179
--- Korean War: 530
--- Vietnam War: 4,405
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,857
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 2,290
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#13. Hidalgo County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.7% (315 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 11
--- Korean War: 5
--- Vietnam War: 163
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 42
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 41
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 11
--- Korean War: 5
--- Vietnam War: 163
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 42
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 41
#12. De Baca County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.2% (117 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 0
--- Vietnam War: 42
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 53
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 25
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 0
--- Vietnam War: 42
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 53
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 25
#11. Colfax County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.3% (1,015 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 10
--- Korean War: 93
--- Vietnam War: 491
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 174
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 70
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 10
--- Korean War: 93
--- Vietnam War: 491
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 174
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 70
#10. Lincoln County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.9% (1,758 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 88
--- Korean War: 79
--- Vietnam War: 721
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 337
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 243
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 88
--- Korean War: 79
--- Vietnam War: 721
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 337
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 243
#9. Grant County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 11.0% (2,420 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 68
--- Korean War: 144
--- Vietnam War: 1,233
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 325
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 184
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 68
--- Korean War: 144
--- Vietnam War: 1,233
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 325
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 184
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#8. Valencia County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 11.0% (6,452 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 110
--- Korean War: 579
--- Vietnam War: 3,157
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,065
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 938
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 110
--- Korean War: 579
--- Vietnam War: 3,157
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,065
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 938
#7. Union County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 11.1% (363 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 49
--- Vietnam War: 87
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 91
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 27
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 49
--- Vietnam War: 87
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 91
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 27
#6. Mora County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 12.1% (475 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 4
--- Korean War: 23
--- Vietnam War: 229
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 127
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 38
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 4
--- Korean War: 23
--- Vietnam War: 229
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 127
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 38
#5. Curry County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 13.0% (4,373 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 91
--- Korean War: 131
--- Vietnam War: 977
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,529
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 1,995
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 91
--- Korean War: 131
--- Vietnam War: 977
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,529
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 1,995
#4. Torrance County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 13.7% (1,663 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 23
--- Korean War: 95
--- Vietnam War: 673
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 261
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 277
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 23
--- Korean War: 95
--- Vietnam War: 673
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 261
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 277
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#3. Catron County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 15.1% (459 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 56
--- Vietnam War: 245
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 44
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 106
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 56
--- Vietnam War: 245
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 44
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 106
#2. Sierra County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 15.8% (1,464 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 56
--- Korean War: 124
--- Vietnam War: 806
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 157
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 16
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 56
--- Korean War: 124
--- Vietnam War: 806
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 157
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 16
#1. Otero County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 16.2% (7,835 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 152
--- Korean War: 657
--- Vietnam War: 2,497
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,166
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 2,697
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 152
--- Korean War: 657
--- Vietnam War: 2,497
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,166
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 2,697
