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

Bobak Ha'Eri // Wikimedia Commons

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

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 California 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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#30. San Bernardino County

- Population: 2,149,031
- Born in California: 1,380,871 (64.3% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 296,430 (13.8% of population)
--- Midwest (3.9%), Northeast (2.3%), South (4.3%), West (3.1%)
- Born in another country: 451,036 (21.0% of population)
--- Africa (0.4%), Asia (5.2%), Europe (0.6%), Latin America (14.5%), North America (0.2%), Oceania (0.1%)

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Doug Olson // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Placer County

- Population: 385,512
- Born in California: 248,056 (64.3% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 89,147 (23.1% of population)
--- Midwest (7.2%), Northeast (4.2%), South (4.9%), West (6.6%)
- Born in another country: 43,865 (11.4% of population)
--- Africa (0.3%), Asia (5.4%), Europe (2.3%), Latin America (2.9%), North America (0.3%), Oceania (0.1%)

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Frank Schulenburg // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Nevada County

- Population: 99,244
- Born in California: 63,932 (64.4% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 29,155 (29.4% of population)
--- Midwest (9.7%), Northeast (6.5%), South (5.4%), West (7.7%)
- Born in another country: 4,764 (4.8% of population)
--- Africa (0.1%), Asia (0.8%), Europe (1.8%), Latin America (1.7%), North America (0.5%), Oceania (0.0%)

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LPS.1 // Wikicommons

#27. San Joaquin County

- Population: 742,603
- Born in California: 480,072 (64.6% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 81,824 (11.0% of population)
--- Midwest (2.9%), Northeast (1.4%), South (3.5%), West (3.0%)
- Born in another country: 173,091 (23.3% of population)
--- Africa (0.3%), Asia (9.7%), Europe (0.8%), Latin America (12.1%), North America (0.1%), Oceania (0.3%)

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Armona // Wikicommons

#26. Kings County

- Population: 150,691
- Born in California: 97,795 (64.9% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 22,668 (15.0% of population)
--- Midwest (3.3%), Northeast (1.8%), South (6.3%), West (3.4%)
- Born in another country: 28,441 (18.9% of population)
--- Africa (0.3%), Asia (2.6%), Europe (0.8%), Latin America (15.0%), North America (0.1%), Oceania (0.1%)

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Chmee2 // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Siskiyou County

- Population: 43,468
- Born in California: 28,427 (65.4% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 12,191 (28.0% of population)
--- Midwest (6.5%), Northeast (2.9%), South (4.7%), West (13.8%)
- Born in another country: 2,353 (5.4% of population)
--- Africa (0.0%), Asia (0.9%), Europe (1.2%), Latin America (2.8%), North America (0.4%), Oceania (0.1%)

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Binksternet // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Mendocino County

- Population: 87,224
- Born in California: 57,494 (65.9% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 17,955 (20.6% of population)
--- Midwest (6.5%), Northeast (4.2%), South (4.1%), West (5.8%)
- Born in another country: 10,805 (12.4% of population)
--- Africa (0.1%), Asia (1.7%), Europe (0.9%), Latin America (9.4%), North America (0.2%), Oceania (0.1%)

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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Yuba County

- Population: 76,360
- Born in California: 50,442 (66.1% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 15,240 (20.0% of population)
--- Midwest (4.5%), Northeast (2.7%), South (7.1%), West (5.5%)
- Born in another country: 9,741 (12.8% of population)
--- Africa (0.2%), Asia (3.6%), Europe (0.7%), Latin America (7.8%), North America (0.3%), Oceania (0.1%)

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Basar // Wikicommons

#22. San Luis Obispo County

- Population: 282,165
- Born in California: 187,280 (66.4% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 62,522 (22.2% of population)
--- Midwest (7.3%), Northeast (4.2%), South (4.8%), West (5.7%)
- Born in another country: 28,533 (10.1% of population)
--- Africa (0.3%), Asia (2.0%), Europe (1.3%), Latin America (5.9%), North America (0.5%), Oceania (0.1%)

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nickchapman // Wikicommons

#21. Kern County

- Population: 887,641
- Born in California: 592,067 (66.7% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 112,350 (12.7% of population)
--- Midwest (3.3%), Northeast (1.6%), South (4.6%), West (3.0%)
- Born in another country: 176,874 (19.9% of population)
--- Africa (0.2%), Asia (3.6%), Europe (0.4%), Latin America (15.6%), North America (0.1%), Oceania (0.0%)

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#20. Del Norte County

- Population: 27,495
- Born in California: 18,340 (66.7% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 6,769 (24.6% of population)
--- Midwest (5.6%), Northeast (3.0%), South (4.7%), West (11.4%)
- Born in another country: 2,077 (7.6% of population)
--- Africa (0.1%), Asia (2.4%), Europe (1.5%), Latin America (3.1%), North America (0.1%), Oceania (0.3%)

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David Jordan // Wikicommons

#19. Fresno County

- Population: 984,521
- Born in California: 661,257 (67.2% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 106,639 (10.8% of population)
--- Midwest (2.7%), Northeast (1.3%), South (3.9%), West (2.8%)
- Born in another country: 208,939 (21.2% of population)
--- Africa (0.2%), Asia (5.8%), Europe (0.6%), Latin America (14.3%), North America (0.2%), Oceania (0.1%)

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#18. Madera County

- Population: 155,433
- Born in California: 104,890 (67.5% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 18,135 (11.7% of population)
--- Midwest (3.1%), Northeast (1.9%), South (3.9%), West (2.7%)
- Born in another country: 31,458 (20.2% of population)
--- Africa (0.0%), Asia (1.7%), Europe (0.5%), Latin America (17.9%), North America (0.1%), Oceania (0.0%)

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#17. Stanislaus County

- Population: 543,194
- Born in California: 366,886 (67.5% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 61,338 (11.3% of population)
--- Midwest (3.0%), Northeast (1.4%), South (3.7%), West (3.0%)
- Born in another country: 110,362 (20.3% of population)
--- Africa (0.2%), Asia (5.0%), Europe (1.0%), Latin America (13.3%), North America (0.1%), Oceania (0.6%)

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Trance addict // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Glenn County

- Population: 27,976
- Born in California: 18,959 (67.8% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 3,656 (13.1% of population)
--- Midwest (3.4%), Northeast (2.1%), South (2.9%), West (4.5%)
- Born in another country: 5,089 (18.2% of population)
--- Africa (0.0%), Asia (1.8%), Europe (0.3%), Latin America (15.8%), North America (0.3%), Oceania (0.0%)

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Almonroth // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Trinity County

- Population: 12,700
- Born in California: 8,608 (67.8% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 3,464 (27.3% of population)
--- Midwest (7.5%), Northeast (4.9%), South (6.6%), West (8.2%)
- Born in another country: 591 (4.7% of population)
--- Africa (0.2%), Asia (1.0%), Europe (0.8%), Latin America (2.5%), North America (0.2%), Oceania (0.0%)

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#14. Tulare County

- Population: 461,898
- Born in California: 313,604 (67.9% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 44,097 (9.5% of population)
--- Midwest (2.3%), Northeast (0.9%), South (3.7%), West (2.7%)
- Born in another country: 100,909 (21.8% of population)
--- Africa (0.1%), Asia (2.0%), Europe (0.5%), Latin America (19.1%), North America (0.1%), Oceania (0.0%)

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EPoelzl // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Mariposa County

- Population: 17,420
- Born in California: 11,902 (68.3% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 4,345 (24.9% of population)
--- Midwest (7.7%), Northeast (4.1%), South (7.9%), West (5.3%)
- Born in another country: 1,019 (5.8% of population)
--- Africa (0.5%), Asia (1.3%), Europe (1.4%), Latin America (2.6%), North America (0.1%), Oceania (0.0%)

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Michael Patrick // Wikimedia Commons

#12. San Benito County

- Population: 60,376
- Born in California: 41,373 (68.5% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 6,149 (10.2% of population)
--- Midwest (2.6%), Northeast (1.6%), South (3.1%), West (2.8%)
- Born in another country: 12,000 (19.9% of population)
--- Africa (0.4%), Asia (2.0%), Europe (1.4%), Latin America (15.9%), North America (0.2%), Oceania (0.0%)

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Chuck Abbe // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Inyo County

- Population: 17,977
- Born in California: 12,322 (68.5% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 3,897 (21.7% of population)
--- Midwest (7.1%), Northeast (4.1%), South (3.4%), West (7.0%)
- Born in another country: 1,671 (9.3% of population)
--- Africa (0.2%), Asia (1.7%), Europe (0.6%), Latin America (6.5%), North America (0.3%), Oceania (0.1%)

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CFang // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Lake County

- Population: 64,195
- Born in California: 44,572 (69.4% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 13,733 (21.4% of population)
--- Midwest (6.8%), Northeast (3.7%), South (5.8%), West (5.1%)
- Born in another country: 5,593 (8.7% of population)
--- Africa (0.0%), Asia (1.3%), Europe (0.9%), Latin America (6.1%), North America (0.4%), Oceania (0.1%)

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Doug Kerr // Wikicommons

#9. Shasta County

- Population: 179,212
- Born in California: 126,024 (70.3% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 42,123 (23.5% of population)
--- Midwest (6.7%), Northeast (2.8%), South (5.2%), West (8.7%)
- Born in another country: 9,825 (5.5% of population)
--- Africa (0.1%), Asia (2.0%), Europe (1.2%), Latin America (1.8%), North America (0.3%), Oceania (0.1%)

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Cory Maylett // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Humboldt County

- Population: 135,940
- Born in California: 95,852 (70.5% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 31,804 (23.4% of population)
--- Midwest (6.1%), Northeast (4.1%), South (5.2%), West (7.9%)
- Born in another country: 7,206 (5.3% of population)
--- Africa (0.1%), Asia (1.6%), Europe (0.8%), Latin America (2.4%), North America (0.3%), Oceania (0.1%)

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Kenneth Green // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Plumas County

- Population: 18,660
- Born in California: 13,179 (70.6% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 4,564 (24.5% of population)
--- Midwest (7.1%), Northeast (2.5%), South (5.1%), West (9.8%)
- Born in another country: 778 (4.2% of population)
--- Africa (0.0%), Asia (1.2%), Europe (0.8%), Latin America (1.6%), North America (0.3%), Oceania (0.3%)

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Bobak Ha'Eri // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Amador County

- Population: 38,429
- Born in California: 27,299 (71.0% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 8,693 (22.6% of population)
--- Midwest (7.2%), Northeast (4.1%), South (5.4%), West (5.9%)
- Born in another country: 2,316 (6.0% of population)
--- Africa (0.0%), Asia (1.3%), Europe (1.3%), Latin America (3.0%), North America (0.3%), Oceania (0.1%)

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#5. Butte County

- Population: 225,817
- Born in California: 161,893 (71.7% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 45,470 (20.1% of population)
--- Midwest (5.6%), Northeast (2.9%), South (4.7%), West (6.7%)
- Born in another country: 16,521 (7.3% of population)
--- Africa (0.1%), Asia (2.5%), Europe (0.8%), Latin America (3.5%), North America (0.3%), Oceania (0.1%)

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Finetooth // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Lassen County

- Population: 30,818
- Born in California: 22,353 (72.5% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 6,475 (21.0% of population)
--- Midwest (4.7%), Northeast (2.0%), South (4.2%), West (9.9%)
- Born in another country: 1,727 (5.6% of population)
--- Africa (0.1%), Asia (1.1%), Europe (0.5%), Latin America (3.3%), North America (0.0%), Oceania (0.6%)

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Frank Schulenburg // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Tehama County

- Population: 63,912
- Born in California: 46,919 (73.4% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 11,258 (17.6% of population)
--- Midwest (4.9%), Northeast (2.4%), South (4.3%), West (5.9%)
- Born in another country: 5,364 (8.4% of population)
--- Africa (0.2%), Asia (0.8%), Europe (0.3%), Latin America (6.9%), North America (0.1%), Oceania (0.0%)

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#2. Calaveras County

- Population: 45,514
- Born in California: 33,641 (73.9% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 9,396 (20.6% of population)
--- Midwest (6.7%), Northeast (3.3%), South (5.5%), West (5.0%)
- Born in another country: 2,205 (4.8% of population)
--- Africa (0.1%), Asia (1.2%), Europe (1.6%), Latin America (1.6%), North America (0.3%), Oceania (0.1%)

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Bobak Ha'Eri // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Tuolumne County

- Population: 54,045
- Born in California: 40,160 (74.3% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 11,029 (20.4% of population)
--- Midwest (6.1%), Northeast (3.2%), South (5.5%), West (5.5%)
- Born in another country: 2,588 (4.8% of population)
--- Africa (0.2%), Asia (1.1%), Europe (1.3%), Latin America (1.8%), North America (0.4%), Oceania (0.0%)