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North Dakota Ranked #2 in the Nation for Military Retirees

Posted: Jun 24 2026

A new national analysis puts North Dakota near the top of the nation when it comes to supporting the men and women who've served our country.

WalletHub's 2026 Best & Worst States for Military Retirees study ranked North Dakota second in the nation, trailing only South Carolina. The personal finance company evaluated all 50 states and the District of Columbia across 28 metrics, including economic environment, quality of life, and healthcare. North Dakota earned high marks for access to healthcare, its low share of homeless veterans, and robust support for veteran employment, including allowing employers to give preference to veterans when hiring.

North Dakota's strong showing is backed by years of strategic efforts by state and local organizations. The North Dakota Military Commission is a governor-appointed body focused on making the state the most military-friendly in the nation. Under Gov. Kelly Armstrong's leadership, the commission develops policies and initiatives that support military installations and enhance quality of life for service members and their families.

The Minot Area Chamber EDC (MACEDC) is an active partner in that work. President | CEO Brekka Kramer and Task Force 21 Chair and MACEDC Board Member Pete Hankla both serve on the North Dakota Military Commission – and MACEDC works each day to ensure Minot is a place where military families are supported both during and after their service, from appreciation events and community connections to workforce development initiatives and quality-of-life advocacy.

“The North Dakota Military Commission is firmly committed to making our state a national leader in supporting our nation's military personnel, and the Minot Area Chamber EDC is proud to be part of that effort,” Kramer said. “We live in a community that truly supports the Airmen, guardsmen, reservists, and veterans who call Minot home – and when military families thrive, our entire community thrives.”