Mapped: The U.S. states with the highest and lowest shares of veterans

Veterans made up just over 6% of the U.S. adult civilian population last year.

The big picture: The nation observes Veterans Day on Friday, bringing awareness to the contributions of those who've served.

By the numbers: Alaska had the highest share of veteran residents at 10.1%, according to 2022 U.S. Census Bureau data.

• Wyoming was second at 9.4%, while Virginia was close behind at 9.2%.
• California (4.3%), New Jersey (3.9%) and New York (3.7%) were among the states with the lowest shares of veterans.