Virginia has been named the most patriotic state in the United States for 2026, according to a new study by WalletHub. The state achieved an overall score of 70.07 out of 100, based on metrics measuring military and civic engagement.
How Patriotism Was Measured
WalletHub researchers analyzed data from each state to determine rates of military engagement, including average enlistment, number of veterans, and active-duty and reserve military personnel. They also assessed civic engagement through voter turnout, jury participation, volunteer rates and hours logged per resident, AmeriCorps and Peace Corps volunteers, civic life participation, and civics education. Each state received a score from 0 (least patriotic) to 100 (most patriotic).
Top and Bottom States
The top five most patriotic states are:
- Virginia (70.07)
- Montana (67.90)
- Vermont (66.56)
- Colorado (64.46)
- Oregon (62.46)
Other high-ranking states include North Dakota (60.63), Washington (60.27), Maryland (59.92), Minnesota (58.66), and New Hampshire (57.64).
At the bottom of the list, Arkansas scored the lowest at 28.23, followed by New York (28.96), Louisiana (32.82), Alabama (34.45), and Florida (36.19).
Military and Civic Strength in Virginia
WalletHub noted that Virginia has nearly 1,761 active-duty military personnel per 100,000 civilians, the third-highest rate in the country. It also has about 103 veterans per 1,000 civilians, the second-highest rate. On the civic side, Virginia recorded a 72.9% voter turnout in the 2024 presidential election, the fifth-highest number of Peace Corps volunteers, and requires civics education for high school graduation.
Political Divide in Patriotism
An interesting finding from the study is that states voting for the Democratic candidate in the 2024 presidential election ("blue" states) generally scored higher on the patriotism index than those voting Republican ("red" states). Chip Lupo, a WalletHub analyst, said, "The most patriotic states have a lot of residents who serve or have served in the armed forces, high voter turnouts during elections, and a high share of the population volunteering with national or local organizations." He added, "Patriotism also isn't concentrated in any one particular area – the top states are located in vastly different geographic regions."
Complex Feelings About Patriotism
The study coincides with the 250th anniversary of the United States, prompting many Americans to reflect on their feelings about patriotism. A Pew Research Center survey from late 2025 found that Americans were more likely to express negative sentiments when asked what makes them proud of their country, with clear partisan differences. Republicans often mentioned "God," "President Donald Trump," the military, freedom, the economy, and international standing. One 64-year-old Republican woman said, "Donald Trump and his Cabinet ... Our country is no longer a laughing stock worldwide and is now a military and economic superpower." Democrats, on the other hand, were more likely to use words like "embarrass," "current," "moment," "nothing," and to highlight democracy, diversity, and multiculturalism.
Alternative Perspectives on Patriotism
Stephen C. Finley, inaugural chair of Louisiana State University's Department of African and African American Studies, offered a broader view. He said, "The best way to show individual patriotism is to advocate that America be the best that it can be, that is, a land and state that has the highest commitment to the well-being and development of all of its citizens." Finley emphasized that patriotism can involve transforming America into an egalitarian and democratic space, rather than simply acquiescing to existing hierarchies.
