Counties with the most veterans in South Carolina
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 South 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' 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.
#46. Bamberg County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5% (537 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 13
--- Korean War: 8
--- Vietnam War: 276
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 31
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 53
#45. Williamsburg County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.6% (1,376 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 6
--- Korean War: 27
--- Vietnam War: 545
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 361
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 167
#44. Marion County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.9% (1,323 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 29
--- Vietnam War: 492
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 257
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 226
#43. Pickens County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.9% (6,363 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 21
--- Korean War: 391
--- Vietnam War: 2,517
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,320
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,479
#42. Dillon County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.1% (1,271 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 16
--- Korean War: 26
--- Vietnam War: 511
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 374
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 264
#41. Hampton County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.1% (898 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 51
--- Vietnam War: 277
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 255
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 156
#40. Allendale County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.2% (392 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 0
--- Vietnam War: 66
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 182
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 29
#39. Darlington County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.2% (3,007 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 29
--- Korean War: 114
--- Vietnam War: 1,203
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 720
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 338
#38. Marlboro County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.4% (1,348 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 20
--- Korean War: 11
--- Vietnam War: 353
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 238
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 134
#37. Orangeburg County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.4% (4,191 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 35
--- Korean War: 209
--- Vietnam War: 1,332
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 988
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 844
#36. Laurens County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.6% (3,479 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 29
--- Korean War: 197
--- Vietnam War: 1,447
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 779
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 541
#35. Lee County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.6% (868 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 10
--- Korean War: 35
--- Vietnam War: 356
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 251
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 126
#34. Saluda County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.6% (978 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 2
--- Korean War: 23
--- Vietnam War: 330
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 170
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 183
#33. Spartanburg County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.6% (17,155 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 120
--- Korean War: 1,110
--- Vietnam War: 5,868
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 3,813
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 3,925
#32. Barnwell County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.7% (1,059 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 7
--- Korean War: 10
--- Vietnam War: 350
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 233
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 360
#31. Fairfield County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.7% (1,127 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 27
--- Korean War: 44
--- Vietnam War: 424
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 324
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 234
#30. Newberry County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.8% (2,019 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 14
--- Korean War: 121
--- Vietnam War: 945
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 439
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 267
#29. Clarendon County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.9% (1,743 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 93
--- Korean War: 46
--- Vietnam War: 884
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 412
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 236
#28. Greenville County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.9% (28,568 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 196
--- Korean War: 1,230
--- Vietnam War: 9,514
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 7,534
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 6,349
#27. Greenwood County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7% (3,751 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 30
--- Korean War: 249
--- Vietnam War: 1,253
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 544
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 951
#26. Chesterfield County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.1% (2,410 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 46
--- Vietnam War: 868
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 608
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 486
#25. Florence County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.3% (7,635 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 70
--- Korean War: 241
--- Vietnam War: 2,622
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,103
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,750
#24. Lancaster County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.5% (5,907 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 22
--- Korean War: 250
--- Vietnam War: 2,177
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,414
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,424
#23. Cherokee County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.6% (3,292 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 49
--- Korean War: 124
--- Vietnam War: 1,105
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 862
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 687
#22. Abbeville County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.7% (1,511 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 121
--- Korean War: 34
--- Vietnam War: 672
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 204
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 347
#21. Edgefield County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.7% (1,676 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 5
--- Korean War: 26
--- Vietnam War: 622
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 527
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 386
#20. York County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.8% (17,035 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 146
--- Korean War: 338
--- Vietnam War: 5,851
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 4,191
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 4,235
#19. Oconee County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.9% (5,072 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 30
--- Korean War: 269
--- Vietnam War: 2,150
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 809
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,050
#18. Anderson County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8% (12,753 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 59
--- Korean War: 595
--- Vietnam War: 4,233
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,862
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 2,486
#17. Union County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.2% (1,748 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 18
--- Korean War: 104
--- Vietnam War: 454
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 576
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 545
#16. Charleston County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.4% (27,598 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 115
--- Korean War: 1,559
--- Vietnam War: 8,972
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 7,303
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 7,527
#15. Chester County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.6% (2,147 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 39
--- Korean War: 36
--- Vietnam War: 891
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 417
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 403
#14. Colleton County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.9% (2,643 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 52
--- Korean War: 244
--- Vietnam War: 925
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 639
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 445
#13. Jasper County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9% (2,210 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 4
--- Korean War: 135
--- Vietnam War: 807
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 552
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 512
#12. Calhoun County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.3% (1,064 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 18
--- Vietnam War: 294
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 403
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 136
#11. Horry County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.3% (28,256 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 273
--- Korean War: 1,336
--- Vietnam War: 14,207
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 5,353
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 3,727
#10. McCormick County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.3% (808 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 9
--- Korean War: 40
--- Vietnam War: 421
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 222
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 63
#9. Lexington County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.4% (21,666 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 176
--- Korean War: 919
--- Vietnam War: 6,986
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 7,032
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 6,051
#8. Richland County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.5% (30,279 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 192
--- Korean War: 734
--- Vietnam War: 8,208
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 9,865
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 11,218
#7. Aiken County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.9% (13,229 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 136
--- Korean War: 526
--- Vietnam War: 4,950
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 3,334
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 3,717
#6. Georgetown County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.9% (5,250 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 19
--- Korean War: 144
--- Vietnam War: 2,555
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,252
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 651
#5. Kershaw County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.1% (5,128 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 75
--- Korean War: 165
--- Vietnam War: 1,694
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,696
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,302
#4. Beaufort County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 11.2% (16,881 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 237
--- Korean War: 973
--- Vietnam War: 6,507
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 4,049
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 3,902
#3. Dorchester County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 12.1% (14,829 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 159
--- Korean War: 271
--- Vietnam War: 3,852
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 5,568
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 4,997
#2. Berkeley County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 12.5% (21,799 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 15
--- Korean War: 488
--- Vietnam War: 6,154
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 7,755
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 7,341
#1. Sumter County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 13.5% (10,251 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 64
--- Korean War: 502
--- Vietnam War: 2,556
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 3,677
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 4,060
