Counties with the most born-and-bred residents in Michigan

Written by:
April 15, 2021
kennethaw88 // Wikimedia Commons

Counties with the most born-and-bred residents in Michigan

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 Michigan 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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Notorious4life // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Alcona County

- Population: 10,353
- Born in Michigan: 8,717 (84.2% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 1,466 (14.2% of population)
--- Midwest (5.5%), Northeast (2.2%), South (4.4%), West (1.9%)
- Born in another country: 112 (1.1% of population)
--- Africa (0.0%), Asia (0.2%), Europe (0.4%), Latin America (0.2%), North America (0.2%), Oceania (0.0%)
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Ryano913~commonswiki // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Barry County

- Population: 60,540
- Born in Michigan: 51,004 (84.2% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 8,295 (13.7% of population)
--- Midwest (6.3%), Northeast (1.8%), South (3.5%), West (2.0%)
- Born in another country: 1,000 (1.7% of population)
--- Africa (0.0%), Asia (0.5%), Europe (0.7%), Latin America (0.4%), North America (0.1%), Oceania (0.0%)
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Henry Schenck Tanner // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Montmorency County

- Population: 9,265
- Born in Michigan: 7,806 (84.3% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 1,306 (14.1% of population)
--- Midwest (6.2%), Northeast (1.7%), South (4.8%), West (1.4%)
- Born in another country: 98 (1.1% of population)
--- Africa (0.1%), Asia (0.2%), Europe (0.4%), Latin America (0.1%), North America (0.2%), Oceania (0.0%)
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NOAA Great Lakes Envorinmental Ressearch Laboritory // Flickr

#27. Muskegon County

- Population: 173,297
- Born in Michigan: 146,357 (84.5% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 23,197 (13.4% of population)
--- Midwest (5.2%), Northeast (1.5%), South (4.6%), West (2.0%)
- Born in another country: 3,192 (1.8% of population)
--- Africa (0.1%), Asia (0.6%), Europe (0.3%), Latin America (0.8%), North America (0.1%), Oceania (0.0%)
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kennethaw88 // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Clinton County

- Population: 78,389
- Born in Michigan: 66,245 (84.5% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 9,434 (12.0% of population)
--- Midwest (5.1%), Northeast (1.7%), South (3.5%), West (1.7%)
- Born in another country: 2,409 (3.1% of population)
--- Africa (0.2%), Asia (1.5%), Europe (0.5%), Latin America (0.6%), North America (0.2%), Oceania (0.0%)
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rossograph // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Otsego County

- Population: 24,490
- Born in Michigan: 20,706 (84.5% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 3,313 (13.5% of population)
--- Midwest (5.1%), Northeast (1.9%), South (4.3%), West (2.2%)
- Born in another country: 382 (1.6% of population)
--- Africa (0.0%), Asia (0.5%), Europe (0.6%), Latin America (0.2%), North America (0.3%), Oceania (0.0%)
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Charles W. Chapman // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Wexford County

- Population: 33,256
- Born in Michigan: 28,164 (84.7% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 4,460 (13.4% of population)
--- Midwest (5.0%), Northeast (1.7%), South (4.2%), West (2.2%)
- Born in another country: 405 (1.2% of population)
--- Africa (0.0%), Asia (0.4%), Europe (0.5%), Latin America (0.1%), North America (0.2%), Oceania (0.0%)
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Notorious4life // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Roscommon County

- Population: 23,851
- Born in Michigan: 20,261 (84.9% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 3,207 (13.4% of population)
--- Midwest (4.7%), Northeast (1.3%), South (4.7%), West (2.7%)
- Born in another country: 338 (1.4% of population)
--- Africa (0.0%), Asia (0.3%), Europe (0.7%), Latin America (0.1%), North America (0.2%), Oceania (0.0%)
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Notorious4life // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Kalkaska County

- Population: 17,585
- Born in Michigan: 14,940 (85.0% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 2,331 (13.3% of population)
--- Midwest (4.8%), Northeast (1.6%), South (4.7%), West (2.1%)
- Born in another country: 255 (1.5% of population)
--- Africa (0.0%), Asia (0.4%), Europe (0.2%), Latin America (0.5%), North America (0.3%), Oceania (0.0%)
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Charles W. Chapman // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Osceola County

- Population: 23,290
- Born in Michigan: 19,822 (85.1% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 3,143 (13.5% of population)
--- Midwest (6.0%), Northeast (1.5%), South (4.1%), West (1.9%)
- Born in another country: 213 (0.9% of population)
--- Africa (0.0%), Asia (0.2%), Europe (0.3%), Latin America (0.3%), North America (0.1%), Oceania (0.0%)
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Charles W. Chapman // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Newaygo County

- Population: 48,366
- Born in Michigan: 41,231 (85.2% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 5,959 (12.3% of population)
--- Midwest (5.6%), Northeast (1.2%), South (3.1%), West (2.3%)
- Born in another country: 977 (2.0% of population)
--- Africa (0.1%), Asia (0.3%), Europe (0.4%), Latin America (1.1%), North America (0.1%), Oceania (0.0%)
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Iulus Ascanius // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Clare County

- Population: 30,651
- Born in Michigan: 26,130 (85.3% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 4,013 (13.1% of population)
--- Midwest (5.0%), Northeast (2.0%), South (4.2%), West (2.0%)
- Born in another country: 385 (1.3% of population)
--- Africa (0.1%), Asia (0.2%), Europe (0.6%), Latin America (0.1%), North America (0.3%), Oceania (0.0%)
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kennethaw88 // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Saginaw County

- Population: 191,821
- Born in Michigan: 163,569 (85.3% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 23,074 (12.0% of population)
--- Midwest (3.4%), Northeast (1.1%), South (6.2%), West (1.2%)
- Born in another country: 4,619 (2.4% of population)
--- Africa (0.1%), Asia (1.2%), Europe (0.3%), Latin America (0.7%), North America (0.2%), Oceania (0.0%)
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Cwbash (Charles W. Bash) // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Cheboygan County

- Population: 25,418
- Born in Michigan: 21,734 (85.5% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 3,221 (12.7% of population)
--- Midwest (6.1%), Northeast (1.4%), South (3.5%), West (1.6%)
- Born in another country: 377 (1.5% of population)
--- Africa (0.0%), Asia (0.4%), Europe (0.6%), Latin America (0.4%), North America (0.2%), Oceania (0.0%)
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Notorious4life // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Lapeer County

- Population: 88,038
- Born in Michigan: 75,468 (85.7% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 10,025 (11.4% of population)
--- Midwest (3.9%), Northeast (1.3%), South (4.5%), West (1.6%)
- Born in another country: 2,128 (2.4% of population)
--- Africa (0.0%), Asia (0.5%), Europe (0.5%), Latin America (1.0%), North America (0.3%), Oceania (0.0%)
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rossograph // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Montcalm County

- Population: 63,413
- Born in Michigan: 55,033 (86.8% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 7,266 (11.5% of population)
--- Midwest (4.4%), Northeast (1.7%), South (3.2%), West (2.1%)
- Born in another country: 831 (1.3% of population)
--- Africa (0.0%), Asia (0.3%), Europe (0.3%), Latin America (0.6%), North America (0.1%), Oceania (0.0%)
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Ken Heuvelman // Wikimedia Commons

#14. St. Clair County

- Population: 159,247
- Born in Michigan: 138,289 (86.8% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 16,015 (10.1% of population)
--- Midwest (2.9%), Northeast (1.5%), South (3.8%), West (1.8%)
- Born in another country: 4,045 (2.5% of population)
--- Africa (0.0%), Asia (0.7%), Europe (0.7%), Latin America (0.4%), North America (0.7%), Oceania (0.0%)
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Dylan L. Tanner // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Alpena County

- Population: 28,520
- Born in Michigan: 24,872 (87.2% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 3,107 (10.9% of population)
--- Midwest (4.0%), Northeast (1.9%), South (3.1%), West (1.9%)
- Born in another country: 362 (1.3% of population)
--- Africa (0.0%), Asia (0.4%), Europe (0.5%), Latin America (0.2%), North America (0.1%), Oceania (0.0%)
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Unknown author // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Gratiot County

- Population: 40,916
- Born in Michigan: 35,742 (87.4% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 4,568 (11.2% of population)
--- Midwest (4.7%), Northeast (1.5%), South (3.1%), West (1.8%)
- Born in another country: 463 (1.1% of population)
--- Africa (0.0%), Asia (0.3%), Europe (0.3%), Latin America (0.3%), North America (0.1%), Oceania (0.0%)
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Andrew Jameson // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Ionia County

- Population: 64,300
- Born in Michigan: 56,184 (87.4% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 6,850 (10.7% of population)
--- Midwest (3.8%), Northeast (1.0%), South (3.7%), West (2.1%)
- Born in another country: 1,006 (1.6% of population)
--- Africa (0.1%), Asia (0.4%), Europe (0.4%), Latin America (0.6%), North America (0.0%), Oceania (0.0%)
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Elevatorrailfan // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Ogemaw County

- Population: 20,898
- Born in Michigan: 18,272 (87.4% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 2,292 (11.0% of population)
--- Midwest (3.3%), Northeast (1.6%), South (3.9%), West (2.1%)
- Born in another country: 273 (1.3% of population)
--- Africa (0.0%), Asia (0.6%), Europe (0.3%), Latin America (0.1%), North America (0.3%), Oceania (0.0%)
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User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Gladwin County

- Population: 25,279
- Born in Michigan: 22,123 (87.5% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 2,854 (11.3% of population)
--- Midwest (4.8%), Northeast (1.8%), South (3.3%), West (1.4%)
- Born in another country: 252 (1.0% of population)
--- Africa (0.0%), Asia (0.3%), Europe (0.4%), Latin America (0.0%), North America (0.2%), Oceania (0.0%)
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David Coats // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Presque Isle County

- Population: 12,714
- Born in Michigan: 11,161 (87.8% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 1,326 (10.4% of population)
--- Midwest (3.9%), Northeast (1.6%), South (2.5%), West (2.5%)
- Born in another country: 178 (1.4% of population)
--- Africa (0.0%), Asia (0.5%), Europe (0.3%), Latin America (0.4%), North America (0.2%), Oceania (0.0%)
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Notorious4life // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Missaukee County

- Population: 15,028
- Born in Michigan: 13,227 (88.0% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 1,548 (10.3% of population)
--- Midwest (4.6%), Northeast (1.0%), South (2.9%), West (1.8%)
- Born in another country: 194 (1.3% of population)
--- Africa (0.0%), Asia (0.2%), Europe (0.1%), Latin America (0.9%), North America (0.1%), Oceania (0.0%)
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daBinsi // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Shiawassee County

- Population: 68,340
- Born in Michigan: 60,253 (88.2% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 7,088 (10.4% of population)
--- Midwest (3.2%), Northeast (1.4%), South (3.6%), West (2.1%)
- Born in another country: 648 (0.9% of population)
--- Africa (0.0%), Asia (0.3%), Europe (0.3%), Latin America (0.2%), North America (0.1%), Oceania (0.0%)
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Michigan Department of Natural Resources // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Sanilac County

- Population: 41,295
- Born in Michigan: 36,883 (89.3% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 3,458 (8.4% of population)
--- Midwest (3.2%), Northeast (1.1%), South (2.9%), West (1.1%)
- Born in another country: 733 (1.8% of population)
--- Africa (0.0%), Asia (0.2%), Europe (0.6%), Latin America (0.5%), North America (0.4%), Oceania (0.0%)
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Andrew Jameson // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Bay County

- Population: 104,104
- Born in Michigan: 93,323 (89.6% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 9,059 (8.7% of population)
--- Midwest (3.3%), Northeast (1.3%), South (2.7%), West (1.3%)
- Born in another country: 1,426 (1.4% of population)
--- Africa (0.0%), Asia (0.5%), Europe (0.4%), Latin America (0.2%), North America (0.2%), Oceania (0.0%)
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Ian Poellet (User:Werewombat) // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Arenac County

- Population: 15,070
- Born in Michigan: 13,559 (90.0% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 1,327 (8.8% of population)
--- Midwest (3.0%), Northeast (1.5%), South (2.9%), West (1.3%)
- Born in another country: 173 (1.1% of population)
--- Africa (0.0%), Asia (0.3%), Europe (0.5%), Latin America (0.1%), North America (0.2%), Oceania (0.0%)
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Charles Bash // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Huron County

- Population: 31,349
- Born in Michigan: 28,290 (90.2% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 2,475 (7.9% of population)
--- Midwest (3.2%), Northeast (1.3%), South (2.3%), West (1.0%)
- Born in another country: 491 (1.6% of population)
--- Africa (0.0%), Asia (0.5%), Europe (0.7%), Latin America (0.1%), North America (0.2%), Oceania (0.0%)
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kennethaw88 // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Tuscola County

- Population: 52,939
- Born in Michigan: 47,954 (90.6% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 4,408 (8.3% of population)
--- Midwest (2.7%), Northeast (1.0%), South (3.3%), West (1.3%)
- Born in another country: 450 (0.9% of population)
--- Africa (0.0%), Asia (0.2%), Europe (0.4%), Latin America (0.1%), North America (0.1%), Oceania (0.0%)

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