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Mapped: States with the Most Military Personnel in 2025
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Key Takeaways
- California tops the list with over 157,000 active duty personnel, thanks to major bases like Camp Pendleton and Naval Base San Diego.
- Virginia ranks second due to the Pentagon and the Norfolk Naval Station, world’s largest naval station.
Which U.S. states house the most active military personnel?
This map highlights where the U.S. Department of Defense concentrates its manpower across the country in 2025. From massive coastal bases to inland installations, certain states stand out as major military hubs.
The data for this visualization comes from the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC). It tracks the number of active duty personnel stationed in each U.S. state, reflecting the current military footprint by location.
California Leads with Massive Coastal Presence
California hosts over 157,000 active duty personnel, more than any other state. This is largely due to large-scale facilities such as Naval Base San Diego, Camp Pendleton, and Edwards Air Force Base. California’s bases are strategically important for Pacific operations and logistics.
| Rank | State | Active Duty Personnel |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 157,477 |
| 2 | Virginia | 119,878 |
| 3 | Texas | 112,915 |
| 4 | North Carolina | 94,805 |
| 5 | Florida | 67,115 |
| 6 | Georgia | 65,152 |
| 7 | Washington | 57,785 |
| 8 | Hawaii | 43,935 |
| 9 | South Carolina | 36,145 |
| 10 | Colorado | 35,433 |
| 11 | Kentucky | 28,980 |
| 12 | Maryland | 28,376 |
| 13 | Illinois | 22,968 |
| 14 | Oklahoma | 20,760 |
| 15 | Alaska | 20,040 |
| 16 | Kansas | 18,973 |
| 17 | New York | 17,275 |
| 18 | Arizona | 16,139 |
| 19 | Missouri | 15,222 |
| 20 | New Mexico | 13,577 |
| 21 | Louisiana | 13,031 |
| 22 | Mississippi | 12,149 |
| 23 | Nevada | 11,715 |
| 24 | District Of Columbia | 11,307 |
| 25 | Alabama | 8,281 |
| 26 | New Jersey | 7,885 |
| 27 | North Dakota | 7,234 |
| 28 | Ohio | 7,000 |
| 29 | Connecticut | 6,744 |
| 30 | Nebraska | 6,345 |
| 31 | Utah | 4,416 |
| 32 | Rhode Island | 4,215 |
| 33 | Arkansas | 3,674 |
| 34 | Massachusetts | 3,502 |
| 35 | Montana | 3,405 |
| 36 | Delaware | 3,394 |
| 37 | Idaho | 3,372 |
| 38 | South Dakota | 3,204 |
| 39 | Wyoming | 3,126 |
| 40 | Tennessee | 2,450 |
| 41 | Pennsylvania | 2,276 |
| 42 | Michigan | 1,897 |
| 43 | Oregon | 1,482 |
| 44 | New Hampshire | 1,262 |
| 45 | Indiana | 1,050 |
| 46 | Wisconsin | 988 |
| 47 | Maine | 652 |
| 48 | Minnesota | 628 |
| 49 | Iowa | 195 |
| 50 | West Virginia | 171 |
| 51 | Vermont | 128 |
Virginia, with nearly 120,000 active duty members, ranks second.
The Pentagon, the seat of U.S. military command, and Naval Station Norfolk, the largest naval base in the world, are both located in the state.
Southern States Are Prominent Hubs
Texas, North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia round out the top six. These states benefit from expansive land, warm climates, and proximity to the Atlantic or Gulf coasts.
In 2024, the largest recipients of U.S. defense spending were Texas, Virginia, and California, with significant portions also going to Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, and North Carolina.
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