As the nation celebrates Veteran’s Day, Veterans United Home Loans, one of the nation’s largest , has released its list of “The 10 Most Patriotic Cities in the U.S.,” highlighting communities that demonstrate exceptional support for veterans and a commitment to the democratic process—qualities considered among the highest expressions of patriotism.
The report, authored by Chris Birk, VP of Mortgage Insight for Veterans United Home Loans, found the top 10 cities, ranked, in order, including:
- Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, Florida
- Spokane, Washington
- Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Madison, Wisconsin
- Salt Lake City, Utah
- Columbia, South Carolina
- Springfield, Missouri
- Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, Pennsylvania-New Jersey
- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, Minnesota-Wisconsin
- Columbus, Georgia-Alabama
The cities were selected based on veteran population, VA health facilities, veteran-owned businesses, voter turnout, and Veteran’s Day search trends.
Where Veterans Reside
Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin and Colorado Springs have the largest veteran populations, with approximately 17% of residents having served. Columbus also boasts a strong veteran community, with 13% of its residents as veterans.
- Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin hosts Eglin Air Force Base, one of the largest U.S. military installations, providing Veterans services like financial counseling and employment workshops through the Airman and Family Readiness Center.
- Colorado Springs is home to multiple military installations, including the Air Force Academy, Fort Carson, and Peterson Space Force Base. This region offers significant post-service opportunities with defense contractors and academic institutions providing Veteran-focused resources.
- Columbia is notable for Fort Jackson, the Army’s largest training base, which trains about half of all new Army recruits. The city’s Veterans Day parade is one of the largest in the Southeast.
Veteran-Owned Businesses Support
Several cities with smaller veteran populations stand out for their high number of veteran-owned businesses. Minneapolis, Allentown, and Salt Lake City have an impressive representation of veteran entrepreneurs relative to their population:
- Minneapolis has more than 3,500 veteran-owned businesses, with Veterans making up about roughly 5% of the population.
- Allentown is home to approximately 875 veteran-owned businesses, with veterans comprising around 5% of the population.
- Salt Lake City is also impressive, boasting nearly 1,300 Veteran-owned businesses.
Veteran Care
Access to VA healthcare was a significant factor in the ranking:
- Madison scored highest in healthcare accessibility for Veterans, with eight VA facilities, including the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital.
- Springfield ranked second, with the Gene Taylor Veterans’ Outpatient Clinic and additional health facilities nearby.
- Spokane also excelled in healthcare with the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center and six other locations supporting approximately 40,000 veterans.
Voters Casting Their Ballots
Voter participation ranked higher in each of the top 10 metros than the 66% national voter turnout recorded in 2020. Leading cities included:
- Salt Lake City (90.1%), Madison (89.3%), and Springfield (83%) had the highest voting rates, reflecting strong community engagement.
Veteran’s Day Search Trends
Interest in Veteran’s Day events was another measure of patriotism:
- Columbus led in Veteran’s Day-related Google searches, possibly influenced by its National Infantry Museum and local events like the Tri-City Veterans Day Parade.
- Colorado Springs followed, spurred by local Veteran’s Day parade interest. After an initial cancellation due to funding, the event was reinstated following public outcry, with Mayor Yemi Mobolade urging the community to show active support for veterans.
- Columbia ranked third, likely due to its large veteran retiree population and Fort Jackson’s influence.
These cities exemplify patriotic dedication through their ongoing support of Veterans and active civic engagement, making them remarkable places for those who have served to live and thrive.
Click here for more on the Veterans United Home Loans study on “The 10 Most Patriotic Cities in the U.S.”
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