Connecticut Receives an Embarrassing Patriotism Score According to New Study

According to a new study from WalletHub, Connecticut ranks as the 32nd most patriotic state in America, and honestly, that feels a little low for a state with so much history tied to the nation's founding.

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With Independence Day right around the corner, WalletHub took a look at patriotism across all 50 states. Instead of measuring who owns the most American flags or who has the biggest Fourth of July fireworks displays, researchers focused on things like military service, voter participation, volunteerism, and community involvement.

The results weren't exactly a reason for Connecticut residents to break out the red, white, and blue.

The Nutmeg State landed at No. 32 overall, putting us behind neighboring states like Vermont, New Hampshire, and even Massachusetts. That's especially surprising considering Connecticut played a significant role in America's early history and is packed with communities that take pride in local traditions, civic engagement, and public service.

The good news is that Connecticut performed fairly well when it came to civic engagement, ranking 20th in the nation. That category includes things like voting and volunteer efforts, which suggests residents are still participating in their communities.

The bad news? Our military-related numbers dragged down the overall ranking. Connecticut ranked near the bottom of the country in several military categories, including veterans per capita, where the state finished 46th nationwide. Only California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York ranked lower.

Meanwhile, Virginia claimed the top spot overall, followed by Montana and Vermont. New Hampshire also cracked the Top 10, proving that New England can hold its own when it comes to patriotism.

Of course, patriotism means different things to different people. Some people serve in the military. Others volunteer, vote, coach youth sports, donate to local causes, or simply work to improve their communities. There isn't just one way to show pride in your country.

Still, if Connecticut is going to find itself ranked 32nd in anything, especially a category tied to civic pride and community involvement, it feels like we should be aiming higher.

Maybe this is one ranking where moving up the list would be something almost everyone could get behind.

The 10 Most Patriotic States in America, according to WalletHub

1. Virginia
2. Montana
3. Vermont
4. Colorado
5. Oregon
6. North Dakota
7. Washington
8. Maryland
9. Minnesota
10. New Hampshire