Infographic: America’s National Guard Personnel by State

Key Takeaways

Texas has the largest National Guard presence with 22,367 personnel (as of June 30, 2025).
Every U.S. state and territory hosts at least some National Guard members, reflecting its decentralized structure.
The National Guard can be activated by both state governors and the federal government, raising its profile amid recent political debates.

America’s National Guard plays a unique dual role in the country’s defense infrastructure. While it operates under the U.S. military umbrella, it is also deeply tied to state-level emergency response.

Comprised of the Army National Guard and Air National Guard, the force can be activated by either a state governor or the president, depending on the situation. This dual control makes it one of the most versatile components of the U.S. military.

This map used data from the Department of Defense and visualized by USAFacts.

What is The National Guard

The National Guard is a military reserve that responds to disasters and civil disorder within the US. It is divided into the Air National Guard and the Army National Guard, each of which have units in all 50 states, Washington, DC, and three US territories.

What National Guard Does

As a reserve service, the National Guard trains and deploys troops to respond to national emergencies. It also supports global military priorities when the armed forces need additional support.

The Guard has been called into service during every war in American history, as well as in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and COVID-19 in 2020.