As Americans prepare to celebrate Independence Day with parades, fireworks, and flag displays, new data finds that patriotism extends far beyond July 4 festivities.
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In order to determine where Americans have the most red, white and blue pride on the Fourth of July and during the rest of the year, financial data company WalletHub evaluated all 50 states across 13 indicators of patriotism, including military enlistment rates, veteran populations, voter participation, and volunteer service.
Virginia is most patriotic state
By the numbers:
According to the data, Virginia ranked as the most patriotic state largely because of its strong military presence and civic participation. The state boasts nearly 1,761 active-duty military personnel for every 100,000 civilians, the third-highest rate in the nation. It also has nearly 103 veterans per 1,000 civilians, ranking second nationally.
A man wearing a pair of Wrangler jeans with a small American flag in the front pocket enjoys a Fourth of July holiday celebration in Santa Fe, New Mexico. (Credit: Robert Alexander/Getty Images)
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Civic engagement further strengthened Virginia’s position. Nearly 73% of residents voted in the 2024 presidential election, significantly above the national average of 66%. The state also ranks fifth in the country for Peace Corps volunteers per capita and requires a standalone civics course for high school graduation.
Montana ranked second on the list, driven by exceptional voter participation and community service. Vermont ranked third.
What they’re saying:
“The most patriotic states have a lot of residents who serve or have served in the armed forces, high voter turnouts during elections, and a high share of the population volunteering with national or local organizations,” Chip Lupo, a WalletHub analyst, said in a statement. “Patriotism also isn’t concentrated in any one particular area – the top states are located in vastly different geographic regions.”
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Most patriotic states in US
- Virginia
- Montana
- Vermont
- Colorado
- Oregon
- North Dakota
- Washington
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- New Hampshire
See the full report here.