Counties with the most veterans in Iowa

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 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' 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. Poweshiek County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.9% (1,036 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 57
--- Vietnam War: 383
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 214
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 187

#49. Henry County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7% (1,112 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 28
--- Korean War: 64
--- Vietnam War: 301
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 233
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 353

#48. Jackson County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7% (1,049 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 17
--- Korean War: 137
--- Vietnam War: 439
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 190
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 90

#47. Montgomery County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7% (552 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 6
--- Korean War: 44
--- Vietnam War: 168
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 70
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 121

#46. Guthrie County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.1% (594 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 10
--- Korean War: 22
--- Vietnam War: 189
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 163
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 77

#45. Osceola County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.2% (341 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 2
--- Korean War: 41
--- Vietnam War: 151
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 60
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 21

#44. Ida County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.3% (381 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 4
--- Korean War: 33
--- Vietnam War: 137
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 101
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 98

#43. Hamilton County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.4% (838 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 2
--- Korean War: 31
--- Vietnam War: 334
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 213
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 190

#42. Linn County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.4% (13,209 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 289
--- Korean War: 438
--- Vietnam War: 4,975
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,747
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 2,823

#41. Louisa County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.4% (620 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 36
--- Korean War: 49
--- Vietnam War: 197
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 128
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 114

#40. Palo Alto County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.4% (507 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 15
--- Korean War: 59
--- Vietnam War: 221
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 79
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 49

#39. Clay County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.5% (951 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 32
--- Korean War: 89
--- Vietnam War: 398
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 83
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 174

#38. Scott County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.5% (10,040 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 177
--- Korean War: 451
--- Vietnam War: 3,071
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,546
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 2,423

#37. Hancock County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.6% (638 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 29
--- Korean War: 12
--- Vietnam War: 232
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 105
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 133

#36. Union County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.6% (706 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 14
--- Korean War: 5
--- Vietnam War: 354
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 121
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 79

#35. Audubon County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.7% (336 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 12
--- Vietnam War: 139
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 58
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 68

#34. Cedar County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.7% (1,119 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 6
--- Korean War: 45
--- Vietnam War: 424
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 244
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 333

#33. Jasper County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.7% (2,261 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 20
--- Korean War: 195
--- Vietnam War: 566
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 609
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 611

#32. Jefferson County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.7% (1,005 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 14
--- Korean War: 18
--- Vietnam War: 257
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 302
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 232

#31. Sac County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.7% (581 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 7
--- Korean War: 46
--- Vietnam War: 246
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 79
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 108

#30. Cerro Gordo County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.9% (2,669 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 20
--- Korean War: 211
--- Vietnam War: 864
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 392
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 613

#29. Tama County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.9% (1,018 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 17
--- Korean War: 52
--- Vietnam War: 364
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 178
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 150

#28. Dickinson County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8% (1,159 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 10
--- Korean War: 156
--- Vietnam War: 423
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 202
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 221

#27. Cherokee County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.1% (728 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 24
--- Korean War: 25
--- Vietnam War: 191
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 180
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 127

#26. Des Moines County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.1% (2,425 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 66
--- Korean War: 162
--- Vietnam War: 1,032
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 508
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 360

#25. Fremont County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.1% (410 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 23
--- Vietnam War: 156
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 94
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 86

#24. Clayton County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.2% (1,087 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 33
--- Korean War: 69
--- Vietnam War: 480
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 169
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 133

#23. Wright County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.2% (776 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 6
--- Korean War: 137
--- Vietnam War: 229
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 151
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 188

#22. Clinton County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.3% (2,936 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 16
--- Korean War: 164
--- Vietnam War: 1,246
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 637
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 529

#21. Page County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.3% (1,012 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 2
--- Korean War: 74
--- Vietnam War: 451
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 109
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 155

#20. Fayette County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.4% (1,263 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 9
--- Korean War: 28
--- Vietnam War: 488
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 212
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 295

#19. Pottawattamie County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.4% (6,038 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 29
--- Korean War: 291
--- Vietnam War: 2,127
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,207
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,205

#18. Greene County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.5% (577 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 15
--- Vietnam War: 149
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 136
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 157

#17. Jones County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.5% (1,418 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 31
--- Korean War: 95
--- Vietnam War: 486
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 210
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 354

#16. Harrison County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.6% (970 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 7
--- Korean War: 100
--- Vietnam War: 372
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 219
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 116

#15. Iowa County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.6% (1,086 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 33
--- Korean War: 46
--- Vietnam War: 238
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 258
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 234

#14. Shelby County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.6% (784 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 24
--- Vietnam War: 257
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 169
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 149

#13. Benton County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.7% (1,728 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 5
--- Korean War: 55
--- Vietnam War: 496
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 261
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 492

#12. Taylor County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.7% (397 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 1
--- Korean War: 35
--- Vietnam War: 172
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 64
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 29

#11. Lee County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.8% (2,270 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 23
--- Korean War: 135
--- Vietnam War: 889
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 482
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 445

#10. Marshall County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.8% (2,639 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 97
--- Korean War: 162
--- Vietnam War: 908
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 476
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 539

#9. Pocahontas County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9% (484 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 1
--- Korean War: 15
--- Vietnam War: 224
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 73
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 61

#8. Adams County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.1% (257 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 24
--- Vietnam War: 103
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 56
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 42

#7. Worth County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.1% (532 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 10
--- Korean War: 25
--- Vietnam War: 243
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 80
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 73

#6. Mills County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.2% (1,026 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 5
--- Korean War: 37
--- Vietnam War: 322
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 332
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 296

#5. Mitchell County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.2% (741 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 11
--- Korean War: 26
--- Vietnam War: 316
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 191
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 176

#4. Floyd County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.4% (1,116 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 10
--- Korean War: 102
--- Vietnam War: 398
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 159
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 147

#3. Van Buren County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.5% (527 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 4
--- Korean War: 4
--- Vietnam War: 294
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 126
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 65

#2. Monona County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.8% (645 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 50
--- Vietnam War: 240
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 103
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 87

#1. Appanoose County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.9% (948 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 22
--- Korean War: 49
--- Vietnam War: 371
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 244
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 90

You may also like: Highest-rated Class of 2026 football recruits from Iowa