JD Vance Speaks to Military Personnel
Senator JD Vance recently addressed military personnel in Virginia Beach, VA, emphasizing the importance of the Constitution and the safeguarding of liberty. He highlighted the military’s role as a representation of the nation’s finest attributes. Vance expressed confidence that the future of the United States will be brighter due to their dedicated service.
Survey on Patriotism Across States
A recent survey released by WalletHub ranks the 50 states based on their level of patriotism. This ranking considers over a dozen indicators, such as military engagement and civic involvement.
Virginia emerged as the most patriotic state. It ranks third in military engagement and seventh in civic participation. WalletHub reports Virginia has nearly 1,761 active-duty military personnel per 100,000 civilians, which is the third-highest in the nation. Additionally, Virginia has nearly 103 veterans per 1,000 civilians, ranking second nationally.
Adam McCann, a WalletHub financial writer, explained the methodology used in the study, focusing on indicators that reflect American pride, such as voting rates and AmeriCorps volunteers.
Civic Engagement and Volunteerism
Virginia boasts a high voter turnout rate, with 72.9% of residents participating in the 2024 presidential election, compared to a national average of 66%. Furthermore, Virginia has one of the highest numbers of Peace Corps volunteers per capita. The state mandates a civics course for high school graduation, highlighting its commitment to civic education.
WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo noted that patriotic states have residents actively involved in the armed forces and civic activities. These states are spread across various regions, indicating patriotism isn’t confined to a single area.
Top Patriotic States
Montana follows Virginia as the second-most patriotic state, partly due to its robust voter turnout. In the 2024 presidential election, 69.2% of voters participated, and it had the highest turnout in the 2020 primary election. Montana also ranks second in jury service and AmeriCorps volunteer numbers. A significant portion of its residents, 37%, volunteer for organizations.
Vermont, Colorado, and Oregon complete the top five patriotic states.
States with Lower Patriotism
Conversely, Arkansas ranks as the least patriotic state, followed by New York, Louisiana, and Alabama. The survey results, analyzed by political affiliation, show the 19 states voting for Kamala Harris in 2024 are generally more patriotic than the 31 states supporting President Donald Trump.
The survey positions large blue states such as Illinois (37th), California (40th), and New York (49th) relatively low.