Counties with the most veterans in Massachusetts

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 Massachusetts 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.

#14. Suffolk County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 2.2% (14,271 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 192
--- Korean War: 655
--- Vietnam War: 3,902
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,033
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 4,510

#13. Middlesex County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 3.3% (43,892 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 852
--- Korean War: 3,876
--- Vietnam War: 15,625
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 7,169
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 8,785

#12. Norfolk County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 3.8% (22,054 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 470
--- Korean War: 1,700
--- Vietnam War: 7,947
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 3,156
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 3,764

#11. Essex County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 4.3% (27,478 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 494
--- Korean War: 2,160
--- Vietnam War: 9,956
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 4,352
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 5,698

#10. Worcester County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5% (34,457 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 470
--- Korean War: 1,964
--- Vietnam War: 10,966
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 5,931
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 7,104

#9. Hampshire County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.1% (7,119 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 48
--- Korean War: 352
--- Vietnam War: 2,838
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,338
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,273

#8. Bristol County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.2% (24,032 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 500
--- Korean War: 1,598
--- Vietnam War: 8,483
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 4,155
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 4,499

#7. Hampden County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.5% (20,195 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 616
--- Korean War: 989
--- Vietnam War: 6,743
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 4,004
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 3,872

#6. Plymouth County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.7% (24,212 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 241
--- Korean War: 1,797
--- Vietnam War: 8,863
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 3,913
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 4,962

#5. Berkshire County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 5.9% (6,411 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 116
--- Korean War: 458
--- Vietnam War: 2,480
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 894
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,029

#4. Franklin County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6% (3,575 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 50
--- Korean War: 234
--- Vietnam War: 1,629
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 454
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 410

#3. Nantucket County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.1% (703 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 17
--- Korean War: 21
--- Vietnam War: 318
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 102
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 92

#2. Dukes County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 6.2% (1,072 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 90
--- Korean War: 205
--- Vietnam War: 308
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 208
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 45

#1. Barnstable County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 7.1% (14,125 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 181
--- Korean War: 1,469
--- Vietnam War: 6,322
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,144
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,830