1 in 5 US Military Servicemembers Are From This State

24/7 Wall St. Insights

We used data from the DOD report, Defense Spending by State Fiscal Year 2022
More than 1.1 million active-duty service members are stationed at bases across the 50 states and Washington, D.C.
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There are 3.7 million military personnel active across the US. 1.1 million are active-duty service members stationed at military bases, and nearly 2.6 million Americans are directly employed by the Pentagon, including reserve troops, the Nation Guard, and civilian personnel. The United States has long favored a policy of military deterrence towards its geopolitical adversaries, which hinges on maintaining a large, well-trained fighting force. In keeping with this strategy, the Department of Defense ranks as one of the single largest employers in the world.

Using data from the DOD report Defense Spending By State Fiscal Year 2022, 24/7 Wall St. identified the states with the most military personnel. States are ranked by the number of Defense Department personnel in each state, including civilian workers, the National Guard, reservists, and active-duty service members.

The number of military personnel in each state ranges from just under 4,000 to nearly 273,000. While populous states like California, Texas, and Florida top the list, the presence of major military bases in each state also plays a significant role in the population of military personnel.

Virginia is an excellent example of this. Home to the Norfolk Naval Station (the largest navy base in the world), Virginia maintains a quarter-million Department of Defense personnel—the second-highest concentration nationwide—despite not even ranking among the ten most populous states overall.

Why Is This Important?

The number of military personnel in each state goes beyond troop deployment and national security. It also carries financial implications, as states with higher numbers of armed forces personnel often enjoy a boost in their economies. While this can also mean a higher cost of living, it potentially also means a stronger housing market and more job opportunities within the state.

These are the states with the most military personnel.

50. Vermont

Military personnel in state, 2022: 3,802 (3.1% active-duty; 82.2% National Guard/reserve; 14.7% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Army; 2,353 personnel (64.2% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: N/A
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $170.9 million (31.0% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 647,064 (2nd smallest of 50 states)

49. New Hampshire

Military personnel in state, 2022: 6,010 (17.7% active-duty; 65.7% National Guard/reserve; 16.6% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Army; 2,915 personnel (49.7% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: N/A
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $291.5 million (17.8% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 1,395,231 (10th smallest of 50 states)

48. Wyoming

Military personnel in state, 2022: 7,171 (43.8% active-duty; 41.0% National Guard/reserve; 15.1% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Air Force; 5,095 personnel (71.6% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Francis E Warren AFB (Air Force)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $348.9 million (56.7% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 581,381 (the smallest of 50 states)

47. Montana

Military personnel in state, 2022: 8,708 (37.3% active-duty; 46.4% National Guard/reserve; 16.4% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Air Force; 4,771 personnel (56.1% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Malmstrom AFB (Air Force)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $416.2 million (62.7% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 1,122,867 (8th smallest of 50 states)

46. South Dakota

Military personnel in state, 2022: 9,325 (36.3% active-duty; 48.5% National Guard/reserve; 15.1% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Air Force; 5,067 personnel (55.6% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Ellsworth AFB (Air Force)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $400.6 million (37.7% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 909,824 (5th smallest of 50 states)

45. West Virginia

Military personnel in state, 2022: 9,627 (1.1% active-duty; 78.5% National Guard/reserve; 20.4% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Army; 6,839 personnel (72.7% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: N/A
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $364.6 million (60.7% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 1,775,156 (12th smallest of 50 states)

44. Delaware

Military personnel in state, 2022: 9,816 (35.2% active-duty; 50.0% National Guard/reserve; 14.8% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Air Force; 6,792 personnel (70.2% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Dover AFB (Air Force)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $456.2 million (61.4% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 1,018,396 (6th smallest of 50 states)

43. Idaho

Military personnel in state, 2022: 10,354 (33.9% active-duty; 50.7% National Guard/reserve; 15.5% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Air Force; 5,232 personnel (52.1% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Mountain Home AFB (Air Force)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $487.7 million (62.8% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 1,939,033 (13th smallest of 50 states)

42. Oregon

Military personnel in state, 2022: 12,126 (4.5% active-duty; 71.6% National Guard/reserve; 23.9% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Army; 7,989 personnel (67.5% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: N/A
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $556.9 million (47.5% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 4,240,137 (24th smallest of 50 states)

41. Maine

Military personnel in state, 2022: 12,480 (2.3% active-duty; 26.9% National Guard/reserve; 70.8% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Navy/Marines; 7,674 personnel (62.7% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (Navy)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $856.1 million (23.5% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 1,385,340 (9th smallest of 50 states)

40. Iowa

Military personnel in state, 2022: 12,814 (1.7% active-duty; 85.2% National Guard/reserve; 13.1% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Army; 9,886 personnel (79.2% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: N/A
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $379.1 million (17.0% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 3,200,517 (20th smallest of 50 states)

39. Rhode Island

Military personnel in state, 2022: 12,992 (25.8% active-duty; 33.3% National Guard/reserve; 40.9% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Navy/Marines; 8,411 personnel (65.7% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Naval Station Newport (Army)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $916.0 million (55.9% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 1,093,734 (7th smallest of 50 states)

38. North Dakota

Military personnel in state, 2022: 13,490 (53.6% active-duty; 33.1% National Guard/reserve; 13.3% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Air Force; 9,422 personnel (70.5% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Minot AFB (Air Force)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $693.2 million (75.3% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 779,261 (4th smallest of 50 states)

37. Connecticut

Military personnel in state, 2022: 14,785 (37.5% active-duty; 44.6% National Guard/reserve; 18.0% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Navy/Marines; 7,080 personnel (48.6% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: New London NAVSUBBASE (Navy)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $819.9 million (3.7% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 3,626,205 (22nd smallest of 50 states)

36. Nebraska

Military personnel in state, 2022: 16,558 (39.2% active-duty; 35.9% National Guard/reserve; 25.0% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Air Force; 9,723 personnel (59.3% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Offutt AFB (Air Force)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $998.8 million (58.4% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 1,967,923 (14th smallest of 50 states)

35. Wisconsin

Military personnel in state, 2022: 16,599 (4.2% active-duty; 79.1% National Guard/reserve; 16.6% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Army; 12,482 personnel (76.9% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Fort McCoy (Army)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $586.6 million (17.1% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 5,892,539 (20th largest of 50 states)

34. Arkansas

Military personnel in state, 2022: 17,997 (20.7% active-duty; 59.5% National Guard/reserve; 19.9% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Army; 10,505 personnel (59.3% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Little Rock AFB (Air Force)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $758.5 million (65.0% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 3,045,637 (18th smallest of 50 states)

33. Minnesota

Military personnel in state, 2022: 20,499 (2.2% active-duty; 84.7% National Guard/reserve; 13.1% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Army; 14,609 personnel (72.5% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: N/A
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $658.9 million (33.5% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 5,717,184 (22nd largest of 50 states)

32. Massachusetts

Military personnel in state, 2022: 22,076 (8.9% active-duty; 60.8% National Guard/reserve; 30.3% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Army; 10,941 personnel (50.5% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Hanscom AFB (Air Force)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $1.2 billion (7.9% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 6,981,974 (16th largest of 50 states)

31. Nevada

Military personnel in state, 2022: 23,086 (53.0% active-duty; 34.4% National Guard/reserve; 12.6% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Air Force; 14,862 personnel (64.9% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Nellis AFB (Air Force)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $1.4 billion (45.9% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 3,177,772 (19th smallest of 50 states)

30. New Mexico

Military personnel in state, 2022: 24,575 (53.9% active-duty; 19.1% National Guard/reserve; 27.0% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Air Force; 17,648 personnel (71.9% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Cannon AFB (Air Force)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $1.5 billion (33.5% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 2,113,344 (15th smallest of 50 states)

29. Michigan

Military personnel in state, 2022: 25,032 (3.4% active-duty; 57.6% National Guard/reserve; 39.0% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Army; 18,106 personnel (73.6% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Detroit Arsenal (Army)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $1.4 billion (18.5% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 10,034,118 (10th largest of 50 states)

28. Tennessee

Military personnel in state, 2022: 26,134 (8.5% active-duty; 66.1% National Guard/reserve; 25.4% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Army; 15,235 personnel (59.2% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Naval Support Activity Mid-South (Navy)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $1.1 billion (37.1% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 7,051,339 (15th largest of 50 states)

27. Alaska

Military personnel in state, 2022: 28,452 (65.0% active-duty; 16.0% National Guard/reserve; 19.0% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Army; 13,669 personnel (48.6% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Fort Wainwright (Army)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $1.9 billion (48.2% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 733,583 (3rd smallest of 50 states)

26. Indiana

Military personnel in state, 2022: 29,952 (3.4% active-duty; 56.7% National Guard/reserve; 39.9% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Army; 15,418 personnel (52.2% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Naval Support Activity Crane (Navy)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $1.5 billion (17.4% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 6,833,037 (17th largest of 50 states)

25. Utah

Military personnel in state, 2022: 31,843 (14.1% active-duty; 35.8% National Guard/reserve; 50.2% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Air Force; 19,051 personnel (60.6% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Hill AFB (Air Force)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $1.9 billion (31.5% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 3,380,800 (21st smallest of 50 states)

24. New Jersey

Military personnel in state, 2022: 33,430 (18.5% active-duty; 49.8% National Guard/reserve; 31.7% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Army; 15,928 personnel (48.2% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (Multiple service branches)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $2.0 billion (21.4% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 9,261,699 (11th largest of 50 states)

23. Mississippi

Military personnel in state, 2022: 34,747 (30.8% active-duty; 41.1% National Guard/reserve; 28.1% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Army; 13,960 personnel (40.6% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Keesler AFB (Air Force)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $1.7 billion (30.1% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 2,940,057 (17th smallest of 50 states)

22. Louisiana

Military personnel in state, 2022: 36,419 (37.8% active-duty; 44.5% National Guard/reserve; 17.6% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Army; 22,079 personnel (61.2% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Fort Johnson (Army)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $1.8 billion (54.2% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 4,590,241 (25th largest of 50 states)

21. Kansas

Military personnel in state, 2022: 37,263 (55.0% active-duty; 26.5% National Guard/reserve; 18.6% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Army; 28,425 personnel (77.0% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Fort Riley (Army)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $2.1 billion (57.8% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 2,937,150 (16th smallest of 50 states)

20. Missouri

Military personnel in state, 2022: 39,952 (35.5% active-duty; 44.7% National Guard/reserve; 19.8% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Army; 26,574 personnel (67.3% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Fort Leonard Wood (Army)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $1.6 billion (18.4% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 6,177,957 (18th largest of 50 states)

19. Arizona

Military personnel in state, 2022: 41,502 (42.1% active-duty; 35.7% National Guard/reserve; 22.2% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Air Force; 18,497 personnel (45.2% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Davis-Monthan AFB (Air Force)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $2.3 billion (15.0% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 7,359,197 (14th largest of 50 states)

18. Alabama

Military personnel in state, 2022: 49,895 (14.5% active-duty; 37.2% National Guard/reserve; 48.3% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Army; 35,366 personnel (71.4% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Fort Novosel (Army)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $3.5 billion (24.8% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 5,074,296 (24th largest of 50 states)

17. Pennsylvania

Military personnel in state, 2022: 54,181 (4.0% active-duty; 49.2% National Guard/reserve; 46.9% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Army; 28,549 personnel (53.5% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Carlisle Barracks (Army)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $3.1 billion (17.4% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 12,972,008 (5th largest of 50 states)

16. Kentucky

Military personnel in state, 2022: 56,290 (61.2% active-duty; 21.2% National Guard/reserve; 17.6% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Army; 52,091 personnel (93.1% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Fort Campbell (Army)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $3.3 billion (23.5% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 4,512,310 (25th smallest of 50 states)

15. New York

Military personnel in state, 2022: 57,965 (31.7% active-duty; 48.1% National Guard/reserve; 20.1% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Army; 40,391 personnel (70.6% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Fort Drum (Army)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $2.9 billion (10.3% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 19,677,151 (4th largest of 50 states)

14. Illinois

Military personnel in state, 2022: 58,423 (38.6% active-duty; 39.9% National Guard/reserve; 21.5% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Army; 23,945 personnel (41.4% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Naval Station Great Lakes (Navy)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $2.4 billion (23.9% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 12,582,032 (6th largest of 50 states)

13. Oklahoma

Military personnel in state, 2022: 59,376 (35.5% active-duty; 21.6% National Guard/reserve; 42.8% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Air Force; 28,504 personnel (48.5% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Fort Sill (Army)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $3.4 billion (48.5% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 4,019,800 (23rd smallest of 50 states)

12. Ohio

Military personnel in state, 2022: 59,470 (10.6% active-duty; 43.5% National Guard/reserve; 45.9% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Air Force; 28,886 personnel (49.1% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Wright-Patterson AFB (Air Force)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $3.6 billion (40.1% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 11,756,058 (7th largest of 50 states)

11. Colorado

Military personnel in state, 2022: 59,917 (57.4% active-duty; 23.0% National Guard/reserve; 19.6% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Army; 36,836 personnel (58.5% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Fort Carson (Army)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $3.9 billion (30.2% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 5,839,926 (21st largest of 50 states)

10. South Carolina

Military personnel in state, 2022: 65,493 (56.8% active-duty; 26.3% National Guard/reserve; 16.9% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Army; 26,090 personnel (40.2% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Fort Jackson (Army)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $3.0 billion (48.0% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 5,282,634 (23rd largest of 50 states)

9. Hawaii

Military personnel in state, 2022: 68,754 (57.0% active-duty; 13.7% National Guard/reserve; 29.4% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Navy/Marines; 31,169 personnel (45.6% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Schofield Barracks (Army)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $5.3 billion (60.9% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 1,440,196 (11th smallest of 50 states)

8. Maryland

Military personnel in state, 2022: 93,930 (30.4% active-duty; 19.2% National Guard/reserve; 50.3% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Army; 33,918 personnel (36.4% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Fort George G. Meade (Army)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $8.4 billion (31.6% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 6,164,660 (19th largest of 50 states)

7. Washington

Military personnel in state, 2022: 108,542 (55.8% active-duty; 15.4% National Guard/reserve; 28.8% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Navy/Marines; 48,602 personnel (45.0% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Joint Base Lewis-McChord (Multiple service branches)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $7.4 billion (50.8% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 7,785,786 (13th largest of 50 states)

6. Georgia

Military personnel in state, 2022: 124,079 (51.1% active-duty; 21.3% National Guard/reserve; 27.6% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Army; 73,768 personnel (59.8% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Fort Moore (Army)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $7.2 billion (53.8% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 10,912,876 (8th largest of 50 states)

5. Florida

Military personnel in state, 2022: 132,265 (46.8% active-duty; 27.7% National Guard/reserve; 25.5% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Navy/Marines; 52,815 personnel (40.1% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Mayport NAVSTA (Navy)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $8.5 billion (28.1% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 22,244,823 (3rd largest of 50 states)

4. North Carolina

Military personnel in state, 2022: 137,146 (68.9% active-duty; 14.7% National Guard/reserve; 16.4% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Army; 68,330 personnel (50.0% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Fort Liberty (Army)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $7.6 billion (56.3% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 10,698,973 (9th largest of 50 states)

3. Texas

Military personnel in state, 2022: 214,865 (52.3% active-duty; 25.5% National Guard/reserve; 22.3% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Army; 122,524 personnel (57.3% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Fort Cavazos (Army)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $12.1 billion (20.9% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 30,029,572 (2nd largest of 50 states)

2. Virginia

Military personnel in state, 2022: 247,314 (50.2% active-duty; 10.0% National Guard/reserve; 39.8% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Navy/Marines; 145,047 personnel (58.8% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Norfolk Naval Base (Navy)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $20.3 billion (32.4% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 8,683,619 (12th largest of 50 states)

1. California

Military personnel in state, 2022: 272,971 (57.6% active-duty; 19.3% National Guard/reserve; 23.1% civilian)
Largest service branch in state, 2022: Navy/Marines; 181,395 personnel (66.5% of all military personnel in state)
Major military installation in state: Camp Pendleton (Marine Corps)
DOD military payroll expenditure, 2022: $17.2 billion (30.7% of all military spending in state)
Total state population, 2022: 39,029,342 (the largest of 50 states)

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