PTSD: National Center for PTSD

 

Where do they live?

Nearly one quarter of U.S. Veterans, 4.8 million, live in rural areas and almost one in five (18%) have at least one injury or illness incurred during military service for which they are compensated. As you can see in the chart below, the largest proportion of rural Veterans live in the South.¹

Who are they?

When compared to their urban counterparts², VA-enrolled rural Veterans are more likely to:

• Be older (more than half are 65 years old or older)
• Be married (more than 65%)
• Have less income (51% earn an annual income of less than $35,000)
• Be male (though 7% are women)
• Have other health insurance (81% are enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, or a private insurance)
• Consider VA a primary source of health care (45%)

Why do they live where they live?

Many of the reasons that Veterans choose to live in rural communities are positive, yet varied: proximity to family and friends, feeling part of a community, a sense of belonging to the place where one comes from, open spaces for outdoor enjoyment, a perception of greater privacy, lower cost of living, and less crowding. These factors can contribute to a greater sense of well-being for Veterans who live in rural areas.