WalletHub Study Ranks Virginia Highest, New York Second-Lowest on Patriotism Metrics

New York received the second-lowest patriotism score among U.S. states in a WalletHub study that evaluated all 50 states on military and civic engagement metrics. The state scored 28.96 out of 100 and recorded the lowest number of veterans per capita.

WalletHub calculated scores using 13 metrics across two categories, with voter turnout in the 2024 presidential election weighted at 25 points. Additional factors included the average number of military enlistees per 1,000 adults from 2017 to 2022 and AmeriCorps volunteers per capita. Virginia placed first with a score of 70.07.

The state had 1,761 active-duty military personnel per 100,000 civilians and 103 veterans per 1,000 civilians. Voter turnout reached 72.9 percent in the 2024 election, above the national average of 66 percent. Montana ranked second at 67.9, with 69.2 percent turnout in the 2024 presidential election and the highest primary turnout in 2020 at 46 percent.

Vermont finished third at 66.56. Arkansas received the lowest score of 28.23 and recorded the lowest percentage of adults who voted in the 2024 presidential election. The study found that blue states scored higher overall than red states.

WalletHub Analyst Chip Lupo stated that the most patriotic states feature high levels of military service, voter turnout, and volunteering with national or local organizations. He added that patriotism is not concentrated in any single geographic region.