Florida Is Among the Worst States for Veterans, According to Study

American veterans have access to federal and state benefits for years after their military service. Some of those benefits include affordable housing and education for them and their families.

Certain states are better for veterans than others, though. Using specific data points, SmartAsset breaks it down and ranks which states are the best and worst for veterans.

Whether you’re a veteran or have a veteran in your family, the results might make you think twice about which state you want to call home.

Tracking Veteran Conditions Statewide

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SmartAsset ranked the best and worst states for veterans by examining data such as the number of veterans in each state, the amount of unemployed veterans, and their median income.

According to one 2023 report, there are over 18 million veterans living in the U.S., with more than 33,000 designated as homeless. In the same report, Detroit, Michigan, was listed as the worst city in the U.S. for veterans.

With that in mind, where does Michigan rank among states that are best for veterans? Here are the rankings, starting with the best states for veterans to reside.

1. Alaska

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Veteran unemployment rate: 4.3%
Veteran income after housing: $36,831
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 2.89

2. South Dakota

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Veteran unemployment rate: 2.43%
Veteran income after housing: $30,230
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 3.9

3. Wyoming

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Veteran unemployment rate: 3.67%
Veteran income after housing: $31,010
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 4.23

4. Nebraska

Hay field and rock formations in Nebraska. — Photo Credit: Don Lewis via stock.adobe.com.

Veteran unemployment rate: 1.91%
Veteran income after housing: $30,568
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 1.49

5. North Dakota

Oceti Sakowin Camp, Cannon Ball, North Dakota. — Photo Credit: PhotoImage via stock.adobe.com.

Veteran unemployment rate: 3.33%
Veteran income after housing: $36,534
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 2.85

6. Maine

Moose in a lake. — Photo Credit: Paul via stock.adobe.com.

Veteran unemployment rate: 4.9%
Veteran income after housing: $25,821
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 1.99

7. Montana

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Veteran unemployment rate: 4.62%
Veteran income after housing: $25,746
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 2.83

8. South Carolina

Live oak tree in South Carolina. — Photo Credit: gnagel via stock.adobe.com.

Veteran unemployment rate: 4.45%
Veteran income after housing: $27,720
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 0.85

9. Virginia

Virginia road in the fall. — Photo Credit: SNEHIT PHOTO via stock.adobe.com.

Veteran unemployment rate: 3.98%
Veteran income after housing: $36,714
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 0.78

10. Alabama

Alabama highway over low country. — Photo Credit: George via stock.adobe.com.

Veteran unemployment rate: 4.49%
Veteran income after housing: $29,025
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 0.95

11. Delaware

Canal in Delaware. — Photo Credit: DanaDaglePhotography via stock.adobe.com.

Veteran unemployment rate: 3.81%
Veteran income after housing: $27,406
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 1.10

12. New Hampshire

Portsmouth, New Hampshire. — Photo Credit: thomas via stock.adobe.com.

Veteran unemployment rate: 4.09%
Veteran income after housing: $25,317
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 1.31

13. New Mexico

Hot air balloons flying in Albuquerque. — Photo Credit: Emeric’s Timelapse via stock.adobe.com.

Veteran unemployment rate: 4.73%
Veteran income after housing: $27,726
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 1.54

Note: New Mexico ties with New Hampshire.

14. Vermont

Farm in Vermont. — Photo Credit: kirkikis via stock.adobe.com.

Veteran unemployment rate: 2.42%
Veteran income after housing: $22,253
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 2.82

15. Iowa

Straw field in Iowa. — Photo Credit: S Quintans via stock.adobe.com.

Veteran unemployment rate: 3.82%
Veteran income after housing: $26,814
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 1.19

16. Maryland

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Veteran unemployment rate: 3.96%
Veteran income after housing: $35,053
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 1.15

17. Hawaii

Sea turtle in Hawaii. — Photo Credit: shanemyersphoto via stock.adobe.com.

Veteran unemployment rate: 2.41%
Veteran income after housing: $24,924
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 2.46

18. West Virginia

Bridge in West Virginia. — Photo Credit: Barry via stock.adobe.com.

Veteran unemployment rate: 6.2%
Veteran income after housing: $26,361
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 2.03

19. Oklahoma

Longhorn cattle in Oklahoma. — Photo Credit: Bob via stock.adobe.com.

Veteran unemployment rate: 4.77%
Veteran income after housing: $28,475
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 1.10

20. Colorado

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Veteran unemployment rate: 5.23%
Veteran income after housing: $27,797
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 1.06

21. Kentucky

Horse farm in Kentucky. — Photo Credit: aheflin via stock.adobe.com.

Veteran unemployment rate: 4.7%
Veteran income after housing: $25,658
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 1.31

22. Kansas

Arkansas aerial view of mountains and river. — Photo Credit: ODell Outside via stock.adobe.com.

Veteran unemployment rate: 5.66%
Veteran income after housing: $27,365
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 1.55

23. Minnesota

Minnesota river and evergreens in state park. — Photo Credit: wolterke via stock.adobe.com.

Veteran unemployment rate: 3.41%
Veteran income after housing: $25,799
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 0.73

24. North Carolina

North Carolina road winding through Appalachian Mountains in autumn. — Photo Credit: Dave Allen via stock.adobe.com.

Veteran unemployment rate: 4.83%
Veteran income after housing: $26,446
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 0.73

Note: North Carolina ties with Minnesota.

25. Arkansas

Ozark Mountains, Arkansas. — Photo Credit: Thorin Wolfheart via stock.adobe.com.

Veteran unemployment rate: 5.10%
Veteran income after housing: $23,044
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 1.24

26. Texas

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Veteran unemployment rate: 4.78%
Veteran income after housing: $29,253
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 0.79

27. Missouri

Country road. — Photo Credit: Larry via stock.adobe.com.

Veteran unemployment rate: 5.04%
Veteran income after housing: $24,586
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 1.27

28. Utah

Arches National Park, Utah. — Photo Credit: Josemaria Toscano via stock.adobe.com.

Veteran unemployment rate: 5.04%
Veteran income after housing: $28,837
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 1.10

29. Washington

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Veteran unemployment rate: 4.58%
Veteran income after housing: $28,495
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 0.75

30. Louisiana

Egret at Lake Martin in Louisiana. — Photo Credit: Dave via stock.adobe.com.

Veteran unemployment rate: 6.63%
Veteran income after housing: $27,214
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 1.14

31. Indiana

Bridge at Turkey Run State Park, Indiana. — Photo Credit: Michael Carroll via stock.adobe.com.

Veteran unemployment rate: 5.0%
Veteran income after housing: $25,922
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 0.84

32. Idaho

Mountains in Idaho. — Photo Credit: James via stock.adobe.com.

Veteran unemployment rate: 6.44%
Veteran income after housing: $24,992
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 1.28

33. Tennessee

Veteran unemployment rate: 5.62%
Veteran income after housing: $25,479
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 0.93

34. Mississippi

Swamp area in Mississippi. — Photo Credit: Pierre-Jean DURIEU via stock.adobe.com.

Veteran unemployment rate: 5.96%
Veteran income after housing: $23,780
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 1.18

35. Arizona

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Veteran unemployment rate: 5.01%
Veteran income after housing: $25,401
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 0.98

36. Nevada

Colorful rocks in Nevada. — Photo Credit: Fyle via stock.adobe.com.

Veteran unemployment rate: 7.67%
Veteran income after housing: $27,294
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 0.77

37. Georgia

Marsh land in Georgia. — Photo Credit: Jpeetz/Wirestock Creators via stock.adobe.com.

Veteran unemployment rate: 5.49%
Veteran income after housing: $26,359
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 0.78

38. Connecticut

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Veteran unemployment rate: 5.44%
Veteran income after housing: $25,671
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 0.88

39. Wisconsin

Winding road in Wisconsin. — Photo Credit: nejdetduzen via stock.adobe.com.

Veteran unemployment rate: 4.69%
Veteran income after housing: $24,463
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 1.03

40. Ohio

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Veteran unemployment rate: 4.9%
Veteran income after housing: $25,063
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 0.74

41. Florida

Boardwalk in St. Petersburg, Florida. — Photo Credit: Nazir via stock.adobe.com.

Veteran unemployment rate: 6.24%
Veteran income after housing: $23,920
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 0.79

42. Pennsylvania

Farm in Pennsylvania. — Photo Credit: Bob via stock.adobe.com.

Veteran unemployment rate: 5.42%
Veteran income after housing: $24,171
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 0.97

Note: Pennsylvania ties with Florida.

43. New York

Image Credit: Alessandro Cancian/Shutterstock.com.

Veteran unemployment rate: 5.26%
Veteran income after housing: $23,694
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 1.25

44. Illinois

Road in the fall in Illinois. — Photo Credit: nejdetduzen via stock.adobe.com.

Veteran unemployment rate: 5.95%
Veteran income after housing: $25,807
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 1.06

45. Oregon

Winding path through Oregon forest. — Photo Credit: aiisha via stock.adobe.com.

Veteran unemployment rate: 7.74%
Veteran income after housing: $22,379
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 1.06

46. Rhode Island

Middletown, Rhode Island. — Photo Credit: Faina Gurevich via stock.adobe.com.

Veteran unemployment rate: 3.22%
Veteran income after housing: $22,668
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 0.67

47. Massachusetts

Lighthouse at sunset in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. — Photo Credit: Christopher Seufert via stock.adobe.com.

Veteran unemployment rate: 6.94%
Veteran income after housing: $22,813
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 1.00

48. New Jersey

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Veteran unemployment rate: 5.86%
Veteran income after housing: $24,642
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 0.96

Note: New Jersey ties with Massachusetts.

49. California

Highway 1 and Big Sur coast, California. — Photo Credit: Strikernia via stock.adobe.com.

Veteran unemployment rate: 6.75%
Veteran income after housing: $24,987
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 0.85

50. Michigan

Path through a forest. — Photo Credit: SNEHIT PHOTO via stock.adobe.com.

Veteran unemployment rate: 6.67%
Veteran income after housing: $25,234
VA facilities per 10,000 veterans: 0.77

Alaska’s Long Military History

Alaskan mountains and water. — Photo Credit: MF via stock.adobe.com.

Alaska has a rich U.S. military history and is ranked the best state for veterans. In 1867, President Andrew Johnson obtained our Alaska land from Russia. Before Alaska became a state in 1959, it was maintained by the U.S. military.

There were about 21,400 active duty military personnel in Alaska as of 2019. Across 104 million acres of land in Alaska, nine military bases are strategically located to allow American military forces access to the Arctic and Indo-Pacific regions. Russia and China are active in both regions, making Alaska a key area for the U.S.’s military dominance.

Struggles For Michigan Veterans

House in Dearborn, Michigan. — Photo Credit: Randy Runtsch via stock.adobe.com.

Michigan is ranked as the worst state for veterans. A key factor in its placement is the state’s veteran population decreasing over the last decade. In 2010, approximately 692,000 veterans resided in Michigan. In 2022, the number dropped to about 461,000.

From 2021 to 2022, Michigan veterans living below the poverty line increased from 7.6% to 8.6%. The unemployment rate for veterans improved for veterans during the same period, dropping from 5.2% to 3.9%.

Veteran Population Changes Ahead

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The future of American veterans is set to look drastically different compared to today. According to experts, the total number of veterans in the country is expected to decline over the next 25 years, from about 18 million reported in 2023 to an estimated 12 million in 2048.

Female veteran numbers are set to increase from 11% in 2023 to 18% in 2048, growing from about 2 million to 2.2 million. The number of male veterans in the U.S. will reportedly decline from about 16 million in 2023 to an estimated 10 million in 2048.