Counties with the most veterans in Michigan
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 Michigan 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.
#50. Mecosta County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.5% (2,425 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 16
--- Korean War: 101
--- Vietnam War: 956
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 479
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 571
#49. Missaukee County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.5% (884 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 29
--- Korean War: 71
--- Vietnam War: 394
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 119
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 218
#48. Leelanau County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.6% (1,455 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 25
--- Korean War: 117
--- Vietnam War: 653
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 162
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 144
#47. Muskegon County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.6% (10,359 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 194
--- Korean War: 596
--- Vietnam War: 3,518
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,381
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,533
#46. Shiawassee County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.6% (4,090 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 47
--- Korean War: 218
--- Vietnam War: 1,512
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 869
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 749
#45. Hillsdale County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.7% (2,762 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 12
--- Korean War: 154
--- Vietnam War: 1,158
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 470
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 385
#44. Newaygo County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.7% (3,018 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 73
--- Korean War: 209
--- Vietnam War: 1,106
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 382
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 565
#43. Sanilac County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.8% (2,482 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 43
--- Korean War: 170
--- Vietnam War: 1,018
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 462
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 286
#42. Bay County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.9% (6,566 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 55
--- Korean War: 322
--- Vietnam War: 2,632
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,374
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,143
#41. Oceana County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.9% (1,659 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 28
--- Korean War: 69
--- Vietnam War: 656
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 273
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 307
#40. Cass County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.1% (3,315 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 20
--- Korean War: 161
--- Vietnam War: 1,414
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 531
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 510
#39. Lapeer County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.1% (5,728 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 201
--- Vietnam War: 2,615
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,138
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 728
#38. Montcalm County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.1% (4,294 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 31
--- Korean War: 153
--- Vietnam War: 1,413
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 979
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,054
#37. Lake County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.4% (883 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 7
--- Korean War: 45
--- Vietnam War: 373
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 180
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 123
#36. Mason County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.4% (1,972 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 33
--- Korean War: 94
--- Vietnam War: 872
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 271
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 322
#35. Charlevoix County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.5% (1,814 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 50
--- Korean War: 151
--- Vietnam War: 675
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 296
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 271
#34. Chippewa County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.5% (2,536 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 7
--- Korean War: 172
--- Vietnam War: 837
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 594
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 764
#33. Baraga County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.8% (600 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 5
--- Korean War: 38
--- Vietnam War: 228
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 82
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 108
#32. Manistee County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.8% (1,839 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 16
--- Korean War: 113
--- Vietnam War: 723
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 293
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 185
#31. Antrim County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.9% (1,759 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 20
--- Korean War: 69
--- Vietnam War: 775
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 374
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 185
#30. Arenac County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.9% (1,086 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 72
--- Vietnam War: 475
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 182
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 149
#29. Marquette County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.9% (4,835 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 69
--- Korean War: 335
--- Vietnam War: 1,924
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,067
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 916
#28. Alger County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9% (675 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 10
--- Korean War: 27
--- Vietnam War: 296
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 160
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 89
#27. Schoolcraft County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9% (602 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 4
--- Korean War: 59
--- Vietnam War: 240
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 104
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 58
#26. Gladwin County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.1% (1,893 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 20
--- Korean War: 117
--- Vietnam War: 835
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 349
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 203
#25. Cheboygan County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.2% (1,991 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 15
--- Korean War: 73
--- Vietnam War: 924
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 425
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 310
#24. Dickinson County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.4% (1,961 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 67
--- Korean War: 84
--- Vietnam War: 578
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 698
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 556
#23. Wexford County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.5% (2,475 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 39
--- Korean War: 166
--- Vietnam War: 843
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 644
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 405
#22. Clare County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.6% (2,397 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 106
--- Korean War: 135
--- Vietnam War: 1,044
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 299
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 200
#21. Benzie County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.7% (1,462 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 26
--- Korean War: 72
--- Vietnam War: 635
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 327
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 201
#20. Kalkaska County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.7% (1,398 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 23
--- Korean War: 78
--- Vietnam War: 625
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 202
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 174
#19. Mackinac County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.7% (889 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 6
--- Korean War: 78
--- Vietnam War: 444
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 173
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 91
#18. Alpena County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.1% (2,361 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 10
--- Korean War: 109
--- Vietnam War: 1,121
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 509
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 409
#17. Osceola County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.2% (1,830 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 17
--- Korean War: 95
--- Vietnam War: 778
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 331
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 275
#16. Otsego County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.2% (2,042 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 20
--- Korean War: 67
--- Vietnam War: 676
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 330
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 533
#15. Ogemaw County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.4% (1,779 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 8
--- Korean War: 89
--- Vietnam War: 758
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 295
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 277
#14. Delta County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.5% (3,114 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 32
--- Korean War: 117
--- Vietnam War: 1,300
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 577
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 541
#13. Iron County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.5% (1,012 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 26
--- Korean War: 46
--- Vietnam War: 488
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 154
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 137
#12. Menominee County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.5% (2,010 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 83
--- Korean War: 175
--- Vietnam War: 902
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 441
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 342
#11. Gogebic County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.6% (1,270 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 33
--- Korean War: 59
--- Vietnam War: 535
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 196
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 225
#10. Oscoda County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.7% (716 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 7
--- Korean War: 19
--- Vietnam War: 339
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 107
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 114
#9. Montmorency County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.8% (860 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 8
--- Korean War: 42
--- Vietnam War: 529
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 104
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 78
#8. Roscommon County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 11.2% (2,273 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 8
--- Korean War: 129
--- Vietnam War: 1,127
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 306
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 271
#7. Luce County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 11.8% (622 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 33
--- Vietnam War: 276
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 122
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 67
#6. Crawford County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 12% (1,305 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 43
--- Korean War: 25
--- Vietnam War: 401
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 287
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 209
#5. Iosco County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 12.3% (2,578 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 17
--- Korean War: 136
--- Vietnam War: 1,276
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 541
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 412
#4. Presque Isle County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 12.3% (1,359 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 5
--- Korean War: 62
--- Vietnam War: 677
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 182
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 172
#3. Alcona County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 13.3% (1,198 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 8
--- Korean War: 79
--- Vietnam War: 529
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 225
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 117
#2. Ontonagon County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 14.5% (754 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 4
--- Korean War: 14
--- Vietnam War: 344
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 137
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 99
#1. Keweenaw County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 17% (305 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 14
--- Vietnam War: 142
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 69
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 27
