In a recent WalletHub study, Florida has found itself near the bottom of the list when it comes to patriotism, ranking as the 46th most patriotic state in the nation. This assessment places the Sunshine State just above Arkansas, which landed in the last spot.
Patriotism manifests in various forms—whether by proudly displaying the national flag, attending civic parades, casting votes, serving in the military, or dedicating efforts to community betterment. The study by WalletHub delved into these expressions, evaluating states based on 13 key indicators.
These indicators ranged from the number of military enlistees and veterans within a state to the proportion of adults participating in the 2024 presidential election and those involved in AmeriCorps volunteer programs. Such metrics provide a comprehensive view of how patriotism is reflected in daily life across the United States.
WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo highlighted that the most patriotic states are characterized by a significant number of residents with military service experience, high voter turnout during elections, and an active volunteer community. Interestingly, Lupo pointed out that patriotism is not confined to any single geographical area, as the leading states are spread across diverse regions.
“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. Patriotism also isn’t concentrated in any one particular area – the top states are located in vastly different geographic regions,” Chip Lupo, WalletHub analyst said.
Virginia was ranked first as the most patriotic state in America, with Montana coming in second.
Virginia was on top of the list because for every 100,000 civilians in Virginia, there are nearly 1,761 active-duty military personnel, and they have a higher voter turnout, with 72.9% of residents having voted in the 2024 presidential election, according to WalletHub.