Counties with the most born-and-bred residents in Massachusetts
Written by:
April 15, 2021
Schlitzer90 // Wikimedia Commons
Counties with the most born-and-bred residents in Massachusetts
In certain corners of the U.S., the only way you’ll ever be considered a local is if you were born there. Elsewhere, particularly in major metropolitan centers, the constant influx of new businesses, college students, and families can transform neighborhoods every few years and certainly decade over decade.
Americans change their addresses at higher rates than most other countries, but that “move, move, move” mentality may be shifting. In 2016, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that only 11.2% of respondents had moved within the last year. Additionally, 72% of Americans reported living in or close to the city they grew up in. To learn more about where people are staying put, Stacker compiled a list of counties with the most born-and-bred residents in Massachusetts using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by the highest percentage of residents that were born in the state as of 2019.
Keep reading to discover which counties in your state have the most born-and-bred residents.
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Sean Pavone // Shutterstock
#14. Suffolk County
- Population: 796,605
- Born in Massachusetts: 351,541 (44.1% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 197,435 (24.8% of population)
--- Midwest (2.9%), Northeast (11.6%), South (5.3%), West (2.7%)
- Born in another country: 235,705 (29.6% of population)
--- Africa (3.1%), Asia (7.0%), Europe (3.5%), Latin America (15.5%), North America (0.4%), Oceania (0.1%)
- Born in Massachusetts: 351,541 (44.1% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 197,435 (24.8% of population)
--- Midwest (2.9%), Northeast (11.6%), South (5.3%), West (2.7%)
- Born in another country: 235,705 (29.6% of population)
--- Africa (3.1%), Asia (7.0%), Europe (3.5%), Latin America (15.5%), North America (0.4%), Oceania (0.1%)
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Jwgetchell // Wikimedia Commons
#13. Dukes County
- Population: 17,312
- Born in Massachusetts: 8,747 (50.5% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 6,394 (36.9% of population)
--- Midwest (5.3%), Northeast (23.8%), South (4.6%), West (2.7%)
- Born in another country: 1,923 (11.1% of population)
--- Africa (0.4%), Asia (0.4%), Europe (2.0%), Latin America (7.6%), North America (0.8%), Oceania (0.0%)
- Born in Massachusetts: 8,747 (50.5% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 6,394 (36.9% of population)
--- Midwest (5.3%), Northeast (23.8%), South (4.6%), West (2.7%)
- Born in another country: 1,923 (11.1% of population)
--- Africa (0.4%), Asia (0.4%), Europe (2.0%), Latin America (7.6%), North America (0.8%), Oceania (0.0%)
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thisisbossi // Wikimedia Commons
#12. Nantucket County
- Population: 11,168
- Born in Massachusetts: 5,681 (50.9% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 4,028 (36.1% of population)
--- Midwest (5.0%), Northeast (22.7%), South (6.2%), West (1.9%)
- Born in another country: 1,297 (11.6% of population)
--- Africa (0.3%), Asia (1.0%), Europe (4.6%), Latin America (5.1%), North America (0.3%), Oceania (0.3%)
- Born in Massachusetts: 5,681 (50.9% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 4,028 (36.1% of population)
--- Midwest (5.0%), Northeast (22.7%), South (6.2%), West (1.9%)
- Born in another country: 1,297 (11.6% of population)
--- Africa (0.3%), Asia (1.0%), Europe (4.6%), Latin America (5.1%), North America (0.3%), Oceania (0.3%)
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Jellymuffin40 // Wikimedia Commons
#11. Middlesex County
- Population: 1,600,842
- Born in Massachusetts: 868,564 (54.3% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 370,819 (23.2% of population)
--- Midwest (3.4%), Northeast (12.1%), South (3.9%), West (2.9%)
- Born in another country: 342,181 (21.4% of population)
--- Africa (1.5%), Asia (9.0%), Europe (4.0%), Latin America (6.1%), North America (0.6%), Oceania (0.1%)
- Born in Massachusetts: 868,564 (54.3% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 370,819 (23.2% of population)
--- Midwest (3.4%), Northeast (12.1%), South (3.9%), West (2.9%)
- Born in another country: 342,181 (21.4% of population)
--- Africa (1.5%), Asia (9.0%), Europe (4.0%), Latin America (6.1%), North America (0.6%), Oceania (0.1%)
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Jameslwoodward // Wikimedia Commons
#10. Norfolk County
- Population: 700,437
- Born in Massachusetts: 423,732 (60.5% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 140,316 (20.0% of population)
--- Midwest (2.8%), Northeast (11.4%), South (3.5%), West (1.9%)
- Born in another country: 128,815 (18.4% of population)
--- Africa (1.3%), Asia (8.4%), Europe (4.3%), Latin America (3.9%), North America (0.5%), Oceania (0.0%)
- Born in Massachusetts: 423,732 (60.5% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 140,316 (20.0% of population)
--- Midwest (2.8%), Northeast (11.4%), South (3.5%), West (1.9%)
- Born in another country: 128,815 (18.4% of population)
--- Africa (1.3%), Asia (8.4%), Europe (4.3%), Latin America (3.9%), North America (0.5%), Oceania (0.0%)
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John Phelan // Wikimedia Commons
#9. Hampshire County
- Population: 161,032
- Born in Massachusetts: 98,754 (61.3% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 46,499 (28.9% of population)
--- Midwest (3.6%), Northeast (16.8%), South (4.3%), West (3.2%)
- Born in another country: 14,213 (8.8% of population)
--- Africa (1.3%), Asia (3.8%), Europe (2.1%), Latin America (1.3%), North America (0.3%), Oceania (0.1%)
- Born in Massachusetts: 98,754 (61.3% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 46,499 (28.9% of population)
--- Midwest (3.6%), Northeast (16.8%), South (4.3%), West (3.2%)
- Born in another country: 14,213 (8.8% of population)
--- Africa (1.3%), Asia (3.8%), Europe (2.1%), Latin America (1.3%), North America (0.3%), Oceania (0.1%)
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Bobak // Wikimedia Commons
#8. Essex County
- Population: 783,676
- Born in Massachusetts: 499,179 (63.7% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 140,843 (18.0% of population)
--- Midwest (2.2%), Northeast (9.6%), South (2.7%), West (1.6%)
- Born in another country: 135,677 (17.3% of population)
--- Africa (0.8%), Asia (2.7%), Europe (2.8%), Latin America (10.5%), North America (0.4%), Oceania (0.0%)
- Born in Massachusetts: 499,179 (63.7% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 140,843 (18.0% of population)
--- Midwest (2.2%), Northeast (9.6%), South (2.7%), West (1.6%)
- Born in another country: 135,677 (17.3% of population)
--- Africa (0.8%), Asia (2.7%), Europe (2.8%), Latin America (10.5%), North America (0.4%), Oceania (0.0%)
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Wangkun Jia // Shutterstock
#7. Barnstable County
- Population: 213,496
- Born in Massachusetts: 136,024 (63.7% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 58,975 (27.6% of population)
--- Midwest (3.6%), Northeast (18.3%), South (3.4%), West (2.0%)
- Born in another country: 17,093 (8.0% of population)
--- Africa (0.3%), Asia (1.2%), Europe (2.2%), Latin America (3.8%), North America (0.3%), Oceania (0.0%)
- Born in Massachusetts: 136,024 (63.7% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 58,975 (27.6% of population)
--- Midwest (3.6%), Northeast (18.3%), South (3.4%), West (2.0%)
- Born in another country: 17,093 (8.0% of population)
--- Africa (0.3%), Asia (1.2%), Europe (2.2%), Latin America (3.8%), North America (0.3%), Oceania (0.0%)
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Protophobic // Wikimedia Commons
#6. Berkshire County
- Population: 126,425
- Born in Massachusetts: 81,286 (64.3% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 36,381 (28.8% of population)
--- Midwest (3.1%), Northeast (19.1%), South (3.5%), West (2.3%)
- Born in another country: 7,657 (6.1% of population)
--- Africa (0.4%), Asia (1.5%), Europe (1.9%), Latin America (1.9%), North America (0.3%), Oceania (0.1%)
- Born in Massachusetts: 81,286 (64.3% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 36,381 (28.8% of population)
--- Midwest (3.1%), Northeast (19.1%), South (3.5%), West (2.3%)
- Born in another country: 7,657 (6.1% of population)
--- Africa (0.4%), Asia (1.5%), Europe (1.9%), Latin America (1.9%), North America (0.3%), Oceania (0.1%)
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Real Window Creative // Shutterstock
#5. Hampden County
- Population: 467,871
- Born in Massachusetts: 303,131 (64.8% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 121,968 (26.1% of population)
--- Midwest (1.4%), Northeast (11.6%), South (3.2%), West (1.0%)
- Born in another country: 39,963 (8.5% of population)
--- Africa (0.5%), Asia (2.3%), Europe (2.9%), Latin America (2.5%), North America (0.3%), Oceania (0.0%)
- Born in Massachusetts: 303,131 (64.8% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 121,968 (26.1% of population)
--- Midwest (1.4%), Northeast (11.6%), South (3.2%), West (1.0%)
- Born in another country: 39,963 (8.5% of population)
--- Africa (0.5%), Asia (2.3%), Europe (2.9%), Latin America (2.5%), North America (0.3%), Oceania (0.0%)
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Daderot // Wikimedia Commons
#4. Worcester County
- Population: 824,772
- Born in Massachusetts: 549,181 (66.6% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 168,408 (20.4% of population)
--- Midwest (2.2%), Northeast (10.8%), South (2.9%), West (1.7%)
- Born in another country: 100,071 (12.1% of population)
--- Africa (1.6%), Asia (4.0%), Europe (2.3%), Latin America (3.8%), North America (0.5%), Oceania (0.0%)
- Born in Massachusetts: 549,181 (66.6% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 168,408 (20.4% of population)
--- Midwest (2.2%), Northeast (10.8%), South (2.9%), West (1.7%)
- Born in another country: 100,071 (12.1% of population)
--- Africa (1.6%), Asia (4.0%), Europe (2.3%), Latin America (3.8%), North America (0.5%), Oceania (0.0%)
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Marcbela (Marc N. Belanger) // Wikimedia Commons
#3. Bristol County
- Population: 561,037
- Born in Massachusetts: 375,300 (66.9% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 109,376 (19.5% of population)
--- Midwest (1.4%), Northeast (13.1%), South (2.2%), West (1.1%)
- Born in another country: 71,523 (12.7% of population)
--- Africa (1.3%), Asia (1.7%), Europe (6.6%), Latin America (2.9%), North America (0.2%), Oceania (0.0%)
- Born in Massachusetts: 375,300 (66.9% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 109,376 (19.5% of population)
--- Midwest (1.4%), Northeast (13.1%), South (2.2%), West (1.1%)
- Born in another country: 71,523 (12.7% of population)
--- Africa (1.3%), Asia (1.7%), Europe (6.6%), Latin America (2.9%), North America (0.2%), Oceania (0.0%)
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AlexiusHoratius // Wikimedia Commons
#2. Franklin County
- Population: 70,577
- Born in Massachusetts: 47,956 (67.9% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 18,579 (26.3% of population)
--- Midwest (3.2%), Northeast (16.4%), South (3.6%), West (2.1%)
- Born in another country: 3,584 (5.1% of population)
--- Africa (0.2%), Asia (1.5%), Europe (1.9%), Latin America (0.9%), North America (0.4%), Oceania (0.2%)
- Born in Massachusetts: 47,956 (67.9% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 18,579 (26.3% of population)
--- Midwest (3.2%), Northeast (16.4%), South (3.6%), West (2.1%)
- Born in another country: 3,584 (5.1% of population)
--- Africa (0.2%), Asia (1.5%), Europe (1.9%), Latin America (0.9%), North America (0.4%), Oceania (0.2%)
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Schlitzer90 // Wikimedia Commons
#1. Plymouth County
- Population: 515,303
- Born in Massachusetts: 384,054 (74.5% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 76,730 (14.9% of population)
--- Midwest (2.0%), Northeast (8.3%), South (2.6%), West (1.4%)
- Born in another country: 49,207 (9.5% of population)
--- Africa (2.8%), Asia (1.1%), Europe (1.5%), Latin America (3.8%), North America (0.3%), Oceania (0.0%)
- Born in Massachusetts: 384,054 (74.5% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 76,730 (14.9% of population)
--- Midwest (2.0%), Northeast (8.3%), South (2.6%), West (1.4%)
- Born in another country: 49,207 (9.5% of population)
--- Africa (2.8%), Asia (1.1%), Europe (1.5%), Latin America (3.8%), North America (0.3%), Oceania (0.0%)
