Counties with the most veterans in California
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 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' 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.
#58. San Francisco County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 2.6% (18,553 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 254
--- Korean War: 1,360
--- Vietnam War: 6,237
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,756
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 4,097
#57. Santa Clara County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 2.7% (41,154 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 933
--- Korean War: 3,423
--- Vietnam War: 14,552
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 6,316
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 8,234
#56. Los Angeles County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 2.8% (220,722 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 4,367
--- Korean War: 15,005
--- Vietnam War: 69,813
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 39,797
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 51,879
#55. San Mateo County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 3.1% (18,587 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 466
--- Korean War: 1,880
--- Vietnam War: 6,971
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,660
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 3,115
#54. Alameda County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 3.2% (42,158 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 850
--- Korean War: 2,883
--- Vietnam War: 14,211
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 7,230
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 8,795
#53. Alpine County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 3.5% (46 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 0
--- Vietnam War: 20
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 15
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 9
#52. Orange County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 3.6% (89,830 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 2,232
--- Korean War: 7,163
--- Vietnam War: 31,454
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 15,243
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 19,335
#51. Imperial County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 3.7% (4,671 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 34
--- Korean War: 337
--- Vietnam War: 1,240
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,247
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,417
#50. Marin County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 3.8% (7,971 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 253
--- Korean War: 755
--- Vietnam War: 3,586
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,039
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 998
#49. Yolo County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 3.8% (6,487 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 160
--- Korean War: 550
--- Vietnam War: 1,922
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,399
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,942
#48. Merced County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 4% (8,005 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 67
--- Korean War: 537
--- Vietnam War: 3,289
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,439
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,942
#47. Santa Cruz County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 4% (8,560 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 130
--- Korean War: 689
--- Vietnam War: 4,126
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,081
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,240
#46. San Benito County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 4.2% (2,083 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 52
--- Korean War: 172
--- Vietnam War: 870
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 339
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 539
#45. Tulare County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 4.3% (14,203 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 241
--- Korean War: 644
--- Vietnam War: 5,151
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,868
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 3,413
#44. Contra Costa County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 4.4% (39,719 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 779
--- Korean War: 3,029
--- Vietnam War: 13,956
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 6,911
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 7,421
#43. San Joaquin County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 4.4% (25,676 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 718
--- Korean War: 1,399
--- Vietnam War: 9,721
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 5,362
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 4,776
#42. Stanislaus County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 4.4% (17,802 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 237
--- Korean War: 995
--- Vietnam War: 6,008
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 3,311
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 4,564
#41. Monterey County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 4.5% (14,289 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 485
--- Korean War: 1,039
--- Vietnam War: 4,973
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,928
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 3,243
#40. Fresno County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 4.6% (33,616 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 740
--- Korean War: 1,754
--- Vietnam War: 10,816
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 6,391
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 8,676
#39. San Bernardino County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 4.9% (78,796 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 784
--- Korean War: 3,807
--- Vietnam War: 27,656
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 16,993
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 19,798
#38. Colusa County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5% (790 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 68
--- Korean War: 21
--- Vietnam War: 262
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 128
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 190
#37. Santa Barbara County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5% (17,154 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 357
--- Korean War: 1,416
--- Vietnam War: 6,932
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,985
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 3,361
#36. Kern County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.1% (32,696 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 253
--- Korean War: 1,358
--- Vietnam War: 10,355
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 7,191
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 9,492
#35. Madera County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.1% (5,847 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 24
--- Korean War: 425
--- Vietnam War: 1,867
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 946
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,434
#34. Sonoma County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.2% (20,384 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 661
--- Korean War: 1,224
--- Vietnam War: 8,693
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 3,132
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 3,268
#33. Ventura County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.2% (33,552 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 574
--- Korean War: 2,092
--- Vietnam War: 12,294
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 6,727
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 8,204
#32. Napa County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.4% (5,911 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 89
--- Korean War: 461
--- Vietnam War: 2,511
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 869
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,054
#31. Glenn County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.7% (1,205 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 48
--- Korean War: 99
--- Vietnam War: 483
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 170
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 261
#30. Sacramento County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.7% (69,400 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 869
--- Korean War: 4,765
--- Vietnam War: 25,361
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 13,950
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 16,625
#29. Humboldt County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6% (6,576 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 170
--- Korean War: 280
--- Vietnam War: 2,946
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,222
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 877
#28. Mono County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6% (635 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 17
--- Vietnam War: 195
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 96
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 341
#27. Riverside County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6% (111,536 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 1,300
--- Korean War: 6,438
--- Vietnam War: 36,546
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 27,248
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 30,145
#26. Mendocino County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.6% (4,697 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 28
--- Korean War: 369
--- Vietnam War: 2,148
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 605
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 560
#25. San Luis Obispo County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.6% (15,210 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 201
--- Korean War: 1,412
--- Vietnam War: 6,340
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,394
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 2,748
#24. Sutter County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.6% (4,813 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 135
--- Korean War: 268
--- Vietnam War: 1,714
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 999
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,506
#23. Butte County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.9% (11,472 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 198
--- Korean War: 771
--- Vietnam War: 5,085
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,954
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 2,008
#22. Del Norte County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.9% (1,480 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 3
--- Korean War: 56
--- Vietnam War: 722
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 180
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 237
#21. Kings County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.9% (7,300 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 20
--- Korean War: 137
--- Vietnam War: 1,793
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,414
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 3,334
#20. Sierra County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.1% (170 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 0
--- Vietnam War: 88
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 0
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 7
#19. Tehama County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.3% (3,612 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 52
--- Korean War: 206
--- Vietnam War: 1,249
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 836
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 726
#18. Inyo County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.4% (1,110 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 17
--- Korean War: 125
--- Vietnam War: 459
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 52
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 52
#17. San Diego County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.6% (189,272 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 2,228
--- Korean War: 7,060
--- Vietnam War: 54,195
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 55,611
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 70,232
#16. Placer County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.7% (24,672 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 643
--- Korean War: 1,738
--- Vietnam War: 8,672
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 5,325
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 5,751
#15. El Dorado County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.8% (11,998 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 231
--- Korean War: 642
--- Vietnam War: 5,681
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,942
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,822
#14. Lassen County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.9% (2,032 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 13
--- Korean War: 142
--- Vietnam War: 511
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 341
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 716
#13. Solano County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.3% (28,858 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 176
--- Korean War: 1,023
--- Vietnam War: 9,837
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 7,368
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 7,902
#12. Nevada County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.5% (7,223 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 185
--- Korean War: 497
--- Vietnam War: 2,841
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,030
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 987
#11. Calaveras County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.8% (3,355 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 180
--- Korean War: 116
--- Vietnam War: 1,475
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 527
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 435
#10. Lake County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.8% (4,715 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 122
--- Korean War: 215
--- Vietnam War: 2,001
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 596
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 776
#9. Yuba County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.9% (5,161 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 42
--- Korean War: 252
--- Vietnam War: 1,392
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,223
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,903
#8. Trinity County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9% (1,165 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 111
--- Vietnam War: 400
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 223
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 170
#7. Shasta County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.1% (12,959 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 428
--- Korean War: 731
--- Vietnam War: 4,962
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,920
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 2,832
#6. Mariposa County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.5% (1,349 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 7
--- Korean War: 264
--- Vietnam War: 577
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 198
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 90
#5. Siskiyou County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.4% (3,624 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 65
--- Korean War: 211
--- Vietnam War: 1,634
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 550
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 639
#4. Tuolumne County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.4% (4,713 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 112
--- Korean War: 363
--- Vietnam War: 1,969
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 737
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 729
#3. Amador County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.9% (3,770 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 50
--- Korean War: 227
--- Vietnam War: 1,606
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 615
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 778
#2. Plumas County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 11% (1,777 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 44
--- Korean War: 120
--- Vietnam War: 707
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 328
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 435
#1. Modoc County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 11.4% (797 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 6
--- Korean War: 10
--- Vietnam War: 442
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 81
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 67
