A veteran is a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable as discussed in United States Code 38. Once a veteran is discharged, he or she will transition into civilian life. For some the change is easy, while others struggle through it. The list below complies the top cities veterans choose to live at after discharge, based off information provided by Stonegate. All top cities on the list have at least one military base within the city limits or close by. Veteran unemployment in the higher ranking places is lower than the general population.
1. Beavercreek, Ohio
-13 miles from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
-Miami Valley Military Affairs Association sponsors events and offers support for veterans in Beavercreek
-15 miles from the Dayton VA Medical Center and the Military Veterans Resource Center
-Honor Flight Dayton provides free trips to see national memorials in Washington, D.C., for veterans of World War II, the Korean and Vietnam wars, and terminally ill veterans.
2. Madison, Alabama
-Minutes away from Redstone Arsenal, an Army post. The base provides support and services to current and former members of the military.
-Highest median income of any city on the list at $71,425.
-Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs office
-Madison County Veterans Service Office are located in nearby Huntsville.
-Also in Huntsville, the Floyd E. “Tut” Fann State Veterans Home provides elderly veterans with housing and medical care.
3. Goodyear, Arizona
-Near Luke Air Force Base, Sky Harbor Air National Guard Base, Phoenix Vet Center, Phoenix VA Health Care System and West Valley Vet Center.
-Up By Their Bootstraps provides opportunities and support to members of the military, veterans and families.
-Veterans in Goodyear have an unemployment rate of 1.5 percent, the lowest on our top 10 list.
-Glendale Community College provides enrollment and referral services for veterans transitioning from military life to an academic environment.
-A chapter of the Disabled American Veterans is also in Glendale.
4. Papillion, Nebraska
-The lowest rate of veterans living below the poverty line on the top cities list.
-Less than 10 miles from the Offutt Air Force Base.
-Home to VFW Post 9675, which serves Sarpy County.
-Omaha VA Medical Center and the Douglas County Veterans Services Office in nearby Omaha.
-The University of Nebraska Omaha is known for its high graduation rates for military veterans.
-No. 1 in Military Times’ Best for Vets: Colleges 2015 rankings.
5. Schertz, Texas
-Near Randolph Air Force Base in Universal City. The base is part of Joint Base San Antonio, which also includes the Army’s Fort Sam Houston and Lackland Air Force Base.
-Veterans make up about 22 percent of Schertz’s population.
-Home to a VFW post.
6. Sierra Vista, Arizona
-Veterans make up about 28 percent of the total population.
– A prominent fixture in this southeast Arizona city is Fort Huachuca. The fort is home to the Army Intelligence Center and the Army Network Enterprise Technology Command/9th Army Signal Command.
-Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services office in Sierra Vista
-Sierra Vista Community Based Outpatient Clinic is located in the city as part of the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, based in Tucson.
7. Chesapeake, Virginia
-Home to the Naval Support Activity Northwest Annex, which provides support services for 11 commands.
-Veterans Benefits Service Field Office recently opened in Chesapeake
-Nearby military installations include the Coast Guard’s Fifth District, just 8 miles away in Portsmouth; the Navy’s Norfolk Naval Shipyard; a Naval Medical Center and an office of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services.
-In Hampton, less than 30 miles from Chesapeake, veterans benefit from the Hampton VA Medical Center.
8. Maricopa, Arizona
-Located in the Phoenix metro area.
-Near Luke Air Force Base, Sky Harbor Air National Guard Base, Phoenix Vet Center, Phoenix VA Health Care System and West Valley Veteran Center.
-The county of Maricopa offers services for veterans including programs focusing on health care, homelessness, affordable housing, down-payment assistance, home improvement, court- and law-related programs, continuing education and skills training and employment.
9. Vacaville, California
-Less than 13 miles from Travis Air Force Base.
-Home to a branch of Disabled American Veterans and several veterans halls in the area, including one in Vacaville. These halls are meeting hubs for many veterans groups including the Brotherhood of Vietnam Vets, VFW and American Legion.
-45 miles from the Sacramento VA Medical Center in Mather.
10. Lake Stevens, Washington
-Close to the Naval Station Everett in Everett and an Armed Forces Reserve Center in Marysville.
-VA Puget Sound Health Care System serves veterans in the area.
-More than one-fifth of all jobs are in manufacturing, one of the most popular industries for veterans.
