Counties with the most veterans in Minnesota

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 Minnesota 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.

#50. Swift County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.7% (502 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 40
--- Korean War: 32
--- Vietnam War: 192
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 54
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 78

#49. Cook County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.8% (329 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 20
--- Vietnam War: 153
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 29
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 7

#48. Renville County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.8% (760 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 9
--- Korean War: 60
--- Vietnam War: 319
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 91
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 133

#47. Mower County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.9% (2,075 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 13
--- Korean War: 185
--- Vietnam War: 793
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 305
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 403

#46. Le Sueur County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7% (1,577 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 11
--- Korean War: 65
--- Vietnam War: 512
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 345
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 359

#45. Fillmore County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.1% (1,142 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 29
--- Korean War: 63
--- Vietnam War: 428
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 153
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 184

#44. Roseau County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.2% (841 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 32
--- Korean War: 25
--- Vietnam War: 323
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 189
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 117

#43. Wabasha County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.2% (1,206 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 44
--- Vietnam War: 487
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 155
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 239

#42. Marshall County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.3% (501 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 53
--- Vietnam War: 193
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 66
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 55

#41. St. Louis County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.3% (11,800 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 158
--- Korean War: 722
--- Vietnam War: 4,636
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,336
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 2,370

#40. Freeborn County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.4% (1,772 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 28
--- Korean War: 155
--- Vietnam War: 676
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 175
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 310

#39. Murray County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.4% (468 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 5
--- Korean War: 52
--- Vietnam War: 231
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 57
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 51

#38. Steele County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.4% (2,104 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 5
--- Korean War: 205
--- Vietnam War: 878
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 406
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 452

#37. Beltrami County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.5% (2,633 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 3
--- Korean War: 185
--- Vietnam War: 934
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 548
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 580

#36. Kittson County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.5% (241 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 2
--- Korean War: 10
--- Vietnam War: 95
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 34
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 33

#35. Jackson County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.6% (594 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 21
--- Korean War: 58
--- Vietnam War: 251
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 108
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 66

#34. Yellow Medicine County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.6% (554 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 1
--- Korean War: 53
--- Vietnam War: 202
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 81
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 116

#33. Pipestone County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.7% (523 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 3
--- Korean War: 22
--- Vietnam War: 193
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 94
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 83

#32. Carlton County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.8% (2,237 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 2
--- Korean War: 97
--- Vietnam War: 734
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 475
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 591

#31. Lake County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.8% (683 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 96
--- Vietnam War: 263
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 129
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 103

#30. Lincoln County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.8% (340 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 21
--- Korean War: 33
--- Vietnam War: 139
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 43
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 63

#29. Norman County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.8% (379 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 2
--- Korean War: 15
--- Vietnam War: 144
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 64
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 62

#28. Todd County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.8% (1,503 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 14
--- Korean War: 66
--- Vietnam War: 723
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 231
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 225

#27. Douglas County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.9% (2,463 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 19
--- Korean War: 120
--- Vietnam War: 1,091
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 344
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 307

#26. Mille Lacs County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.9% (1,638 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 24
--- Korean War: 67
--- Vietnam War: 600
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 321
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 302

#25. Pope County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.9% (711 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 1
--- Korean War: 72
--- Vietnam War: 308
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 92
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 99

#24. Chisago County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8% (3,601 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 36
--- Korean War: 211
--- Vietnam War: 1,270
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 560
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 867

#23. Goodhue County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8% (2,976 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 64
--- Korean War: 235
--- Vietnam War: 1,123
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 389
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 543

#22. Otter Tail County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8% (3,781 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 7
--- Korean War: 353
--- Vietnam War: 1,631
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 521
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 577

#21. Traverse County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8% (202 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 3
--- Korean War: 28
--- Vietnam War: 91
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 17
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 15

#20. Wadena County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8% (831 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 1
--- Korean War: 28
--- Vietnam War: 317
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 108
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 92

#19. Grant County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.1% (380 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 10
--- Korean War: 31
--- Vietnam War: 171
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 54
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 56

#18. Isanti County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.1% (2,656 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 7
--- Korean War: 144
--- Vietnam War: 1,038
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 411
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 590

#17. Faribault County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.2% (885 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 13
--- Korean War: 31
--- Vietnam War: 348
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 192
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 127

#16. Koochiching County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.2% (805 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 1
--- Korean War: 92
--- Vietnam War: 276
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 67
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 165

#15. Crow Wing County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.3% (4,480 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 62
--- Korean War: 304
--- Vietnam War: 1,699
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 694
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 763

#14. Pine County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.5% (2,028 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 16
--- Korean War: 123
--- Vietnam War: 957
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 303
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 286

#13. Lac qui Parle County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.6% (451 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 5
--- Korean War: 37
--- Vietnam War: 201
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 60
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 52

#12. Becker County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.7% (2,358 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 4
--- Korean War: 148
--- Vietnam War: 1,025
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 448
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 424

#11. Chippewa County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.7% (810 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 43
--- Vietnam War: 318
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 188
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 94

#10. Morrison County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.7% (2,290 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 27
--- Korean War: 56
--- Vietnam War: 863
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 402
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 512

#9. Martin County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.9% (1,358 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 9
--- Korean War: 219
--- Vietnam War: 584
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 218
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 247

#8. Itasca County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.1% (3,277 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 31
--- Korean War: 256
--- Vietnam War: 1,336
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 380
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 366

#7. Clearwater County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.2% (591 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 7
--- Korean War: 59
--- Vietnam War: 231
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 96
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 91

#6. Kanabec County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.4% (1,209 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 3
--- Korean War: 46
--- Vietnam War: 496
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 194
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 200

#5. Cass County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.5% (2,367 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 18
--- Korean War: 95
--- Vietnam War: 1,211
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 327
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 327

#4. Red Lake County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.8% (291 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 28
--- Vietnam War: 104
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 70
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 18

#3. Aitkin County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10% (1,358 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 10
--- Korean War: 102
--- Vietnam War: 694
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 183
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 139

#2. Hubbard County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10% (1,719 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 6
--- Korean War: 131
--- Vietnam War: 701
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 251
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 212

#1. Lake of the Woods County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.9% (340 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 5
--- Korean War: 2
--- Vietnam War: 134
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 41
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 57

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