Kudos to the East Coast for having the #1 per capita state and the top two overall metropolitan areas in the United States of America!

On December 20th, the Peace Corps released its annual ranking of the top Volunteer-producing states and metropolitan areas across the country.

Among the highlights:

• Vermont stands strong as the top state with the most Peace Corps Volunteers per capita for the fourth straight year at 8.3 Volunteers for every 100,000 residents. Other states that landed in the top 10 this year include Maryland, Virginia, Maine and Washington, D.C.
• Rhode Island made its debut on this year’s national list, landing in the top 10 states per capita with 3.9 Volunteers for every 100,000 residents.
• East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania also appeared on this year’s per capita list for the first time. Meanwhile, the Greater Burlington area retained its spot at #2 on the list.
• Washington, D.C. claimed the title of Top Volunteer-Producing Metropolitan Area, edging out the Greater New York City area after seven years on top. The Washington, D.C. area ranks high across all four lists this year.
• The Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and New York City metros remain on the Peace Corps’ list of Top Metropolitan Areas for Total Volunteers. The New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island area was the #2 metropolitan producer of Peace Corps Volunteers, while the Boston-Cambridge-Quincy metro area, the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington area, and the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta area ranked #7, #8, and #9, respectively.

Communities around the world are getting a taste of American life by way of Boston, Burlington, East Stroudsburg, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.

“During my time leading the Peace Corps, I have seen the tremendous impact that Volunteers have when they share their unique hometown perspectives with the communities they serve,” said Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet. “Volunteers represent our nation’s rich diversity by coming from all corners of the U.S. They are able to share our nation’s rich cultural heritage with communities around the world, leaving a legacy of peace and friendship that is timeless.”

Click here to see the complete 2016 list of the Peace Corps’ top states and metro areas.