There are roughly 19 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 Tennessee using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by the highest percent of residents that are veterans based on the Census’ 2020 5-year estimate.
California, Texas, and Florida are home to the most veterans, and Wyoming, Vermont, and Washington D.C. home to the least. American veterans live in virtually all of the country’s 3,142 counties.
Keep reading to see where the most veterans live in the Volunteer State.
Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons
#50. Bledsoe County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.2% (1,046 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 40
— Korean War: 87
— Vietnam War: 399
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 250
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 160
Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons
#49. Cheatham County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.3% (2,620 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 35
— Korean War: 119
— Vietnam War: 761
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 573
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 640
Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons
#48. Crockett County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.3% (906 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 18
— Korean War: 56
— Vietnam War: 400
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 220
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 209
rustejunk // Wikimedia Commons
#47. Lewis County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.3% (793 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 23
— Korean War: 30
— Vietnam War: 257
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 118
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 80
AppalachianCentrist // Wikimedia Commons
#46. Grainger County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.3% (1,555 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 0
— Korean War: 23
— Vietnam War: 710
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 341
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 184
Art davis // Wikimedia Commons
#45. Wilson County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.4% (8,996 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 121
— Korean War: 554
— Vietnam War: 3,085
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,234
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 2,086
Rdikeman // Wikimedia Commons
#44. Campbell County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.4% (2,663 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 92
— Korean War: 144
— Vietnam War: 1,230
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 449
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 378
Brandonrush // Wikimedia Commons
#43. Benton County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.5% (1,099 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 9
— Korean War: 109
— Vietnam War: 481
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 169
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 129
JNix // Shutterstock
#42. Clay County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.5% (517 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 0
— Korean War: 26
— Vietnam War: 176
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 44
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 120
Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons
#41. Fentress County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.6% (1,249 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 26
— Korean War: 184
— Vietnam War: 598
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 167
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 95
Daniel Schwen // Wikimedia Commons
#40. Hardin County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.6% (1,756 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 32
— Korean War: 174
— Vietnam War: 661
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 235
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 262
Walker Kinsler // Wikimedia Commons
#39. Hawkins County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.7% (3,939 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 11
— Korean War: 241
— Vietnam War: 1,522
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 585
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 661
Efy96001 // Wikimedia Commons
#38. White County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.7% (1,838 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 16
— Korean War: 191
— Vietnam War: 692
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 281
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 232
Ichabod // Wikimedia Commons
#37. Giles County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.7% (2,030 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 36
— Korean War: 127
— Vietnam War: 1,118
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 439
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 190
Michael Barera // Wikimedia Commons
#36. Sevier County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.8% (6,828 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 132
— Korean War: 537
— Vietnam War: 2,889
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,260
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 785
Canva
#35. Fayette County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.8% (2,895 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 73
— Korean War: 235
— Vietnam War: 1,152
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 611
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 434
Ichabod // Wikimedia Commons
#34. Trousdale County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.8% (787 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 0
— Korean War: 10
— Vietnam War: 288
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 163
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 269
Springfieldohio // Wikimedia Commons
#33. Jackson County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.8% (850 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 0
— Korean War: 67
— Vietnam War: 368
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 184
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 100
Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons
#32. Rhea County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 8.9% (2,270 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 56
— Korean War: 85
— Vietnam War: 1,004
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 348
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 581
Brandonrush // Wikimedia Commons
#31. Van Buren County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.0% (421 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 14
— Korean War: 42
— Vietnam War: 230
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 19
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 81
Scott Basford // Wikimedia Commons
#30. Loudon County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.0% (3,856 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 56
— Korean War: 538
— Vietnam War: 1,492
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 587
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 555
doug_wertman // Wikimedia Commons
#29. Carroll County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.1% (1,980 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 4
— Korean War: 169
— Vietnam War: 615
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 475
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 501
Rhatsa26X // Wikimedia Commons
#28. Gibson County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.1% (3,389 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 90
— Korean War: 330
— Vietnam War: 1,312
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 488
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 528
Dwight Burdette // Wikimedia Commons
#27. Cocke County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.1% (2,600 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 75
— Korean War: 191
— Vietnam War: 1,203
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 373
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 228
CoryClaxon // Wikimedia Commons
#26. Carter County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.2% (4,216 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 68
— Korean War: 429
— Vietnam War: 1,676
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 855
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 641
MPearsallArt // Wikimedia Commons
#25. Morgan County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.2% (1,599 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 83
— Korean War: 49
— Vietnam War: 659
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 311
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 230
Ichabod // Wikimedia Commons
#24. Anderson County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.3% (5,594 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 137
— Korean War: 304
— Vietnam War: 2,208
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,082
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 974
Canva
#23. Wayne County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.4% (1,296 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 11
— Korean War: 91
— Vietnam War: 535
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 282
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 323
Carol M. Highsmith // Wikimedia Commons
#22. Monroe County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.4% (3,444 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 64
— Korean War: 190
— Vietnam War: 1,750
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 550
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 701
Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons
#21. Hickman County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.5% (1,876 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 21
— Korean War: 86
— Vietnam War: 681
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 599
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 470
Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons
#20. Sullivan County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.6% (12,270 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 264
— Korean War: 1,016
— Vietnam War: 4,758
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,291
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 1,699
Canva
#19. Greene County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.7% (5,414 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 273
— Korean War: 309
— Vietnam War: 2,392
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 921
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 809
Rudi Weikard // Wikimedia Commons
#18. Blount County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.8% (10,255 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 184
— Korean War: 680
— Vietnam War: 4,206
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,533
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 1,680
Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD // Wikimedia Commons
#17. Humphreys County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.0% (1,445 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 10
— Korean War: 64
— Vietnam War: 402
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 364
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 191
M Floyd // Flickr
#16. Jefferson County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.1% (4,377 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 150
— Korean War: 260
— Vietnam War: 1,427
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 997
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 840
Idawriter // Wikimedia Commons
#15. Washington County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.2% (10,585 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 320
— Korean War: 910
— Vietnam War: 3,917
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,903
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 1,780
Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons
#14. Unicoi County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.2% (1,516 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 37
— Korean War: 146
— Vietnam War: 611
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 216
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 112
Valis55 // Wikimedia Commons
#13. Johnson County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.2% (1,503 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 12
— Korean War: 132
— Vietnam War: 624
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 204
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 179
Rudi Weikard // Wikimedia Commons
#12. Franklin County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.7% (3,588 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 32
— Korean War: 269
— Vietnam War: 1,314
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 994
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 566
Calvin Beale // Wikimedia Commons
#11. Coffee County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.9% (4,639 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 77
— Korean War: 380
— Vietnam War: 1,695
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 952
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 933
Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons
#10. Sequatchie County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.9% (1,317 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 22
— Korean War: 35
— Vietnam War: 551
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 328
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 294
Rivers Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons
#9. Henry County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 11.2% (2,864 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 29
— Korean War: 130
— Vietnam War: 1,143
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 481
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 412
Derek Jensen // Wikimedia Commons
#8. Tipton County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 11.7% (5,427 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 34
— Korean War: 266
— Vietnam War: 1,562
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,071
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 1,570
Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons
#7. Pickett County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 11.9% (488 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 0
— Korean War: 93
— Vietnam War: 250
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 65
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 82
Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons
#6. Roane County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 12.1% (5,225 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 112
— Korean War: 266
— Vietnam War: 2,186
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,079
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 861
KAD Photo // Shutterstock
#5. Moore County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 12.2% (628 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 0
— Korean War: 43
— Vietnam War: 197
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 149
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 190
Carol M. Highsmith/Library of Congress // Wikimedia Commons
#4. Houston County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 12.5% (804 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 29
— Korean War: 28
— Vietnam War: 288
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 238
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 176
MattHucke // Wikimedia Commons
#3. Cumberland County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 12.7% (6,294 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 154
— Korean War: 526
— Vietnam War: 2,832
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 860
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 741
Robbie Honerkamp // Wikimedia Commons
#2. Stewart County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 14.4% (1,529 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 18
— Korean War: 96
— Vietnam War: 548
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 510
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 487
Chris Pruitt // wikicommons
#1. Montgomery County
– Percent of residents that are veterans: 20.0% (27,489 veterans)
– Veterans by war:
— World War II: 122
— Korean War: 572
— Vietnam War: 4,969
— Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 11,696
— Gulf War (09/2002 or later): 14,447