As Americans prepare to thank past and current military members for their service to the country on Monday in celebration of Veterans Day, a new study has named the most patriotic cities in the U.S.
Top VA lender Veterans United Home Loans studied 100 metropolitan areas to determine their patriotism based on factors including their veteran population, the presence of VA health facilities and veteran-owned businesses, Google search interest for Veterans Day and the voter turnout rate.
Here are the most patriotic cities in the U.S., according to Veterans United:
1. Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, Florida
The Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin area in the Florida panhandle secured the top spot on the list largely due to its strong veteran presence. The area is home to Eglin Air Force Base, which is one of the largest military bases in the country.
“Patriotism isn’t just a value in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin—it’s a way of life,” said Chris Birk, Veterans United vice president of mortgage insight.