The most patriotic day in the U.S., July 4, is just around the corner. With political tension flaring up on the cusp of an election year and societal unrest among social issues, the economy and more, personal finance website WalletHub conducted a study about which states are the most patriotic. Florida, surprisingly, ranked among the lowest.
WalletHub compared metrics surrounding two key dimensions, military engagement and civic engagement. In the study, it found that Florida ranked as the 46th most patriotic state in the country, placing it among the likes of New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Arkansas.
The most patriotic states in the US
The most patriotic states in the U.S. include Virginia, Montana, Alaska, North Dakota and Maine. Each of these ranked high among WalletHub’s 13 metrics that correspond to the two categories, military and civic engagement.
Florida’s invasive species: Southwest Florida’s most wanted includes giant snails: Invasive species in your backyard
How Florida ranks among patriotic states
Florida ranked as the 46th most patriotic state in the U.S. In the two dimensions used to rank the list, the state ranked 19th in military engagement and 49th in civic engagement.
Takeaways from the study
WalletHub noted a few interesting statistics from the study, including which states have the highest number of military enlistees and veterans per capita.
States with the highest average number of military enlistees
-
Georgia
-
Alaska
-
Texas
-
South Carolina
-
Hawaii
States with the lowest average number of military enlistees
-
Minnesota
-
Massachusetts
-
Rhode Island
-
Vermont
-
North Dakota
States with the most veterans per capita
-
Alaska
-
Virginia
-
Wyoming
-
Montana
-
Hawaii
States with the fewest veterans per capita
-
Utah
-
Massachusetts
-
California
-
New Jersey
-
New York
Most Peace Corps volunteers per capita
-
Vermont
-
Montana
-
Maryland
-
Virginia
-
Oregon
Fewest Peace Corps volunteers per capita
-
Arkansas
-
North Dakota
-
South Dakota
-
Mississippi
-
Alabama
States with the highest percentage of adults who voted in the 2020 presidential election
-
New Jersey
-
Minnesota
-
Oregon
-
New Hampshire
-
Wisconsin — tied
-
Maryland — tied
States with the lowest percentage of adults who voted in the 2020 presidential election
-
Alabama
-
South Dakota
-
Oklahoma
-
West Virginia
-
Arkansas
States with the highest volunteer rate
-
Utah
-
Wyoming
-
Minnesota
-
Maine
-
South Dakota
States with the lowest volunteer rate
-
Hawaii — tied
-
New Mexico — tied
-
Alabama
-
California
-
Nevada
-
Florida
Methodology
WalletHub compared the 50 states by weighing 13 metrics and grading them on a 100-point scale. Each state’s weight was then averaged across all metrics to calculate an overall score, which was used to rank-order the states.
Military Engagement – Total Points: 25
-
Average military enlistees per 1,000 civilian adults between 2015 & 2020 (No Prior Service): Triple weight (~10.71 Points)
-
Veterans per 1,000 civilian adults: Full weight (~3.57 Points)
-
Active-duty military personnel per 100,000 civilian adults: Double weight (~7.14 Points)
-
Share of civilian adult population in military reserves: Full weight (~3.57 Points)
Civic Engagement – Total Points: 75
-
Share of adults who voted in 2020 presidential election: Double weight (~16.67 Points)
-
Share of adults who voted in 2020 primary elections: Full weight (~8.33 Points)
-
Volunteer rate: Half weight (~4.17 Points)
-
Volunteer hours per resident: Half weight (~4.17 Points)
-
AmeriCorps volunteers per capita: Half weight (~4.17 Points)
-
Peace Corps volunteers per capita: Half weight (~4.17 Points)
-
Trial- & grand-jury participation per civilian adult population: Double weight (~16.67 Points)
-
Share of residents who participate in groups or organizations (civic life): Full weight (~8.33 Points)
-
U.S. history/civics education requirement: Full weight (~8.33 Points)
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Florida was ranked one of the least patriotic states in the country