Counties with the most veterans in North Carolina

Written by:
July 4, 2022
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Counties with the most veterans in North Carolina

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 North Carolina 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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#50. Warren County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.8% (1,261 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 7
--- Korean War: 70
--- Vietnam War: 496
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 240
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 149

#49. New Hanover County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.8% (14,736 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 365
--- Korean War: 1,461
--- Vietnam War: 5,097
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 3,027
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 3,287

#48. Gaston County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.9% (13,482 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 295
--- Korean War: 715
--- Vietnam War: 4,978
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 3,050
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 2,513

#47. Madison County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.0% (1,413 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 11
--- Korean War: 87
--- Vietnam War: 506
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 297
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 226

#46. Cleveland County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.0% (6,092 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 58
--- Korean War: 578
--- Vietnam War: 2,555
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 777
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 625
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#45. Wilkes County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.0% (4,367 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 38
--- Korean War: 391
--- Vietnam War: 1,725
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 900
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 605

#44. Buncombe County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.1% (17,043 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 660
--- Korean War: 1,748
--- Vietnam War: 6,556
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,608
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 2,854

#43. Jackson County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.1% (2,937 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 55
--- Korean War: 277
--- Vietnam War: 1,430
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 277
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 446

#42. Martin County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.1% (1,463 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 24
--- Korean War: 87
--- Vietnam War: 639
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 444
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 204

#41. Person County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.2% (2,555 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 12
--- Korean War: 82
--- Vietnam War: 944
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 564
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 562
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#40. Nash County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.2% (6,015 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 151
--- Korean War: 615
--- Vietnam War: 2,475
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,240
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 1,158

#39. Beaufort County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.2% (3,100 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 74
--- Korean War: 278
--- Vietnam War: 1,674
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 467
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 242

#38. McDowell County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.2% (2,994 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 68
--- Korean War: 277
--- Vietnam War: 1,319
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 283
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 414

#37. Rowan County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.3% (9,045 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 317
--- Korean War: 684
--- Vietnam War: 3,346
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,603
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 1,536

#36. Wilson County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.4% (5,241 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 117
--- Korean War: 199
--- Vietnam War: 1,794
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,297
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 1,114
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#35. Polk County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.5% (1,479 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 51
--- Korean War: 207
--- Vietnam War: 671
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 157
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 176

#34. Stokes County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.8% (3,270 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 69
--- Korean War: 231
--- Vietnam War: 1,199
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 540
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 403

#33. Lincoln County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.9% (5,965 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 64
--- Korean War: 349
--- Vietnam War: 2,151
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,090
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 1,153

#32. Bladen County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.1% (2,382 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 107
--- Vietnam War: 839
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 405
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 402

#31. Gates County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.1% (836 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 25
--- Korean War: 32
--- Vietnam War: 227
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 305
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 88
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#30. Lee County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.1% (4,195 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 50
--- Korean War: 242
--- Vietnam War: 1,378
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 954
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 1,107

#29. Tyrrell County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.3% (319 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 55
--- Vietnam War: 74
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 67
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 36

#28. Davie County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.3% (3,105 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 81
--- Korean War: 245
--- Vietnam War: 1,211
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 636
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 365

#27. Alleghany County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.3% (857 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 13
--- Korean War: 96
--- Vietnam War: 453
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 127
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 122

#26. Henderson County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.4% (8,822 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 345
--- Korean War: 755
--- Vietnam War: 3,920
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,268
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 1,138
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#25. Johnston County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.6% (14,552 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 316
--- Korean War: 667
--- Vietnam War: 4,056
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 4,561
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 3,599

#24. Macon County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.9% (2,846 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 101
--- Korean War: 246
--- Vietnam War: 1,205
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 403
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 220

#23. Washington County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.3% (959 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 101
--- Korean War: 64
--- Vietnam War: 330
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 149
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 84

#22. Clay County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.4% (968 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 19
--- Korean War: 38
--- Vietnam War: 550
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 87
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 53

#21. Lenoir County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.4% (4,529 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 110
--- Korean War: 393
--- Vietnam War: 1,809
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,027
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 765
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#20. Dare County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.6% (3,146 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 25
--- Korean War: 191
--- Vietnam War: 1,449
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 552
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 570

#19. Jones County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.7% (820 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 65
--- Vietnam War: 377
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 214
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 118

#18. Haywood County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.8% (5,452 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 186
--- Korean War: 418
--- Vietnam War: 2,366
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 877
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 735

#17. Pender County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 11.3% (5,402 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 157
--- Korean War: 383
--- Vietnam War: 1,844
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,637
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 1,269

#16. Perquimans County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 11.5% (1,259 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 46
--- Korean War: 118
--- Vietnam War: 598
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 238
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 122
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#15. Brunswick County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 11.6% (13,451 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 211
--- Korean War: 629
--- Vietnam War: 6,574
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,070
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 2,116

#14. Pasquotank County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 11.6% (3,520 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 99
--- Korean War: 180
--- Vietnam War: 943
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,173
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 1,174

#13. Moore County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 12.1% (9,118 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 343
--- Korean War: 632
--- Vietnam War: 3,107
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,650
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 2,553

#12. Cherokee County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 12.5% (2,979 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 36
--- Korean War: 179
--- Vietnam War: 1,548
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 328
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 292

#11. Transylvania County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 12.6% (3,617 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 285
--- Korean War: 206
--- Vietnam War: 1,469
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 392
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 373
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#10. Wayne County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 12.8% (11,699 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 141
--- Korean War: 494
--- Vietnam War: 3,595
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 4,402
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 3,736

#9. Harnett County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 12.9% (12,269 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 81
--- Korean War: 633
--- Vietnam War: 2,998
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 4,303
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 5,544

#8. Pamlico County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 13.6% (1,462 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 15
--- Korean War: 229
--- Vietnam War: 532
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 336
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 213

#7. Carteret County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 13.9% (7,844 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 147
--- Korean War: 665
--- Vietnam War: 3,489
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,219
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 1,705

#6. Currituck County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 14.4% (2,996 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 25
--- Korean War: 130
--- Vietnam War: 778
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,373
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 1,135
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#5. Camden County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 15.8% (1,287 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 26
--- Korean War: 75
--- Vietnam War: 360
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 581
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 327

#4. Craven County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 15.9% (11,741 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 168
--- Korean War: 685
--- Vietnam War: 3,685
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 3,526
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 3,709

#3. Hoke County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 16.3% (6,071 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 72
--- Korean War: 194
--- Vietnam War: 1,023
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,909
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 3,168

#2. Cumberland County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 19.2% (42,630 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 175
--- Korean War: 1,274
--- Vietnam War: 9,871
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 17,103
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 20,377

#1. Onslow County

- Percent of residents that are veterans: 21.5% (24,005 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 131
--- Korean War: 675
--- Vietnam War: 4,564
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 7,997
--- Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 13,515
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