WASHINGTON, D.C. Peace Corps announces the top Peace Corps volunteer-producing states and metropolitan areas.*

In 2009, the largest number of Peace Corps volunteers called California (920), New York (432) and Illinois (378) home. The greatest number of volunteers per capita came from Vermont (9.7/100k residents), the District of Columbia (7.8/100k residents) and Maine (5.7/100k residents).

The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metropolitan area (339) produced the greatest number of volunteers, followed by the New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island (334) and the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana (271) metropolitan areas. The Ithaca, N.Y. (12.9/100k residents); Corvallis, Ore. (11.0/100k residents); and Boulder, Colo. (9.9/100k residents) metropolitan areas led the nation in the per capita volunteer ratings.

Peace Corps nine regional recruiting offices across the United States work to recruit and provide information and guidance to prospective Peace Corps volunteers. Over 15,000 Americans applied to the Peace Corps this year an increase of 18% over last year. Individuals can connect with a local recruiter and locate their local regional recruiting office by visiting the Peace Corps website here.

The following are the top-ten volunteer producing states and Metropolitan areas:

2009 Top Ten Metropolitan Areas (Volunteers, 2009):
1. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (339)
2. New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island (334)
3. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana (271)
4. Chicago-Naperville-Joliet (245)
5. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue (199)
6. Boston-Cambridge-Quincy (170)
7. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont (169)
8. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington (164)
9. Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington (159)
10. Denver-Aurora (130)

2009 Top Ten Metropolitan Areas per capita (Volunteers per 100,000 residents):
1. Ithaca, N.Y. (12.85)
2. Corvallis, Ore. (11.0)
3. Boulder, Colo. (9.89)
4. Longview, Wash. (9.88)
5. Charlottesville, Va. (9.77)
6. Cheyenne, Wyo. (9.14)
7. Burlington-South Burlington, Vt. (9.11)
8. Olympia, Wash. (8.57)
9. Columbia, Mo. (8.52)
10. Portland-South Portland-Biddeford, Maine (7.78)

2009 Top Ten States (Volunteers, 2009):
1. California (920)
2. New York (432)
3. Illinois (378)
4. Washington (343)
5. Virginia (335)
6. Texas (318)
7. Ohio (317)
8. Michigan (309)
9. Pennsylvania (294)
10. Colorado (275)

2009 Top Ten States per capita (Volunteers per 100,000 residents):
1. Vermont (9.66)
2. District of Columbia (7.77)
3. Maine (5.70)
4. Colorado (5.57)
5. Oregon (5.54)
6. Montana (5.38)
7. Washington (5.24)
8. Alaska (4.52)
9. Minnesota (4.33)
10. Virginia (4.31)

Peace Corps also releases its Top College rankings annually. The list will be released in early 2010. As Peace Corps approaches its 50th anniversary, its service legacy continues to promote peace and friendship around the world with over 7,600 volunteers serving in 75 host countries. Historically, nearly 200,000 Americans have served with the Peace Corps to promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of 139 host countries. Peace Corps Volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment. To learn more about the Peace Corps, please visit our website: www.peacecorps.gov.

* Peace Corps data current as of September 30, 2009. The metropolitan area data used to determine Peace Corps rankings is derived from the most current U.S. Census Bureau Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Area data. The U.S. Census population data is based on 2008 estimates. Volunteers self-report their home city and state on their Peace Corps application.