Counties with the most born-and-bred residents in Iowa
The combination of inflation and increased work-from-home opportunities brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted migration patterns across the United States, the effects of which are still being felt in 2024, according to the latest Census Bureau data.
In the first year of the pandemic, migration out of densely populated, expensive cities like New York and San Francisco was especially notable. Many moved to Sun Belt states where the weather is warmer and the cost of living significantly lower.
But by the second year of the pandemic, it became clear that not everyone who was moving wanted to go far. A 2022 analysis of movement out of crowded cities from Stateline showed that many people leaving city centers moved to nearby suburbs in the same state. In Texas, for example, moves out of Houston rose 62% in the first month of the pandemic; meanwhile, the western suburb of Katy saw more new residents move in than any other part of the country.
According to the latest data from the Census Bureau, released in September 2023, 53.5% of people who moved in 2022 did so within the same county and an additional 24.3% remained in state, meaning more than three-quarters of movers stuck close to home.
Many young people in particular are remaining in the state, town, or even house that they grew up in. Before the pandemic, the number of younger adults living with their parents was on the rise and those patterns have continued. A late 2023 survey released by Lending Tree found that 57% of millennials and Gen Zers live in their hometowns.
Many people choose not to leave the state they were raised in for reasons ranging from wanting to be close to family, to not having the resources to leave, to sticking with a lower cost of living.
In order to determine where people stay put in your home state, Stacker compiled a list of counties with the most born-and-bred residents in Iowa using data from the Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by the highest percentage of residents who were born in the state according to the latest data, which is 2022 five-year estimates. The percentage of residents who were born in another state, a U.S. territory, and another country is also included.
Read on to find out where the most loyal Iowa residents live.
#50. Marion County
- Population: 33,487
- Born in Iowa: 25,092 (74.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 7,555 (22.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 217 (0.6% of population)
- Born in another country: 623 (1.9% of population)
#49. Clarke County
- Population: 9,737
- Born in Iowa: 7,317 (75.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,814 (18.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 49 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 557 (5.7% of population)
#48. Monona County
- Population: 8,671
- Born in Iowa: 6,547 (75.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,065 (23.8% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 33 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 26 (0.3% of population)
#47. Plymouth County
- Population: 25,621
- Born in Iowa: 19,355 (75.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 4,924 (19.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 190 (0.7% of population)
- Born in another country: 1,152 (4.5% of population)
#46. Des Moines County
- Population: 38,824
- Born in Iowa: 29,510 (76.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 8,259 (21.3% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 198 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 857 (2.2% of population)
#45. Kossuth County
- Population: 14,718
- Born in Iowa: 11,224 (76.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,978 (20.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 57 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 459 (3.1% of population)
#44. Louisa County
- Population: 10,823
- Born in Iowa: 8,364 (77.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,448 (13.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 82 (0.8% of population)
- Born in another country: 929 (8.6% of population)
#43. Webster County
- Population: 36,986
- Born in Iowa: 28,630 (77.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 7,219 (19.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 174 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 963 (2.6% of population)
#42. Hancock County
- Population: 10,790
- Born in Iowa: 8,362 (77.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,177 (20.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 56 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 195 (1.8% of population)
#41. Tama County
- Population: 17,017
- Born in Iowa: 13,273 (78.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,795 (16.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 54 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 895 (5.3% of population)
#40. Adams County
- Population: 3,680
- Born in Iowa: 2,871 (78.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 794 (21.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 0 (0.0% of population)
- Born in another country: 15 (0.4% of population)
#39. Lucas County
- Population: 8,666
- Born in Iowa: 6,772 (78.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,647 (19.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 11 (0.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 236 (2.7% of population)
#38. Madison County
- Population: 16,609
- Born in Iowa: 13,025 (78.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,341 (20.1% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 51 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 192 (1.2% of population)
#37. O'Brien County
- Population: 14,138
- Born in Iowa: 11,135 (78.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,292 (16.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 212 (1.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 499 (3.5% of population)
#36. Hardin County
- Population: 16,861
- Born in Iowa: 13,302 (78.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,867 (17.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 221 (1.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 471 (2.8% of population)
#35. Pocahontas County
- Population: 7,061
- Born in Iowa: 5,577 (79.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,150 (16.3% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 98 (1.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 236 (3.3% of population)
#34. Mahaska County
- Population: 22,059
- Born in Iowa: 17,424 (79.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 4,097 (18.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 168 (0.8% of population)
- Born in another country: 370 (1.7% of population)
#33. Washington County
- Population: 22,534
- Born in Iowa: 17,819 (79.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,827 (17.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 45 (0.2% of population)
- Born in another country: 843 (3.7% of population)
#32. Floyd County
- Population: 15,601
- Born in Iowa: 12,355 (79.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,700 (17.3% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 23 (0.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 523 (3.4% of population)
#31. Warren County
- Population: 52,709
- Born in Iowa: 41,775 (79.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 9,698 (18.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 380 (0.7% of population)
- Born in another country: 856 (1.6% of population)
#30. Jasper County
- Population: 37,808
- Born in Iowa: 30,018 (79.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 6,562 (17.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 339 (0.9% of population)
- Born in another country: 889 (2.4% of population)
#29. Hamilton County
- Population: 14,979
- Born in Iowa: 11,894 (79.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,365 (15.8% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 88 (0.6% of population)
- Born in another country: 632 (4.2% of population)
#28. Fayette County
- Population: 19,519
- Born in Iowa: 15,566 (79.7% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,607 (18.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 67 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 279 (1.4% of population)
#27. Jones County
- Population: 20,733
- Born in Iowa: 16,573 (79.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,840 (18.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 126 (0.6% of population)
- Born in another country: 194 (0.9% of population)
#26. Cherokee County
- Population: 11,601
- Born in Iowa: 9,276 (80.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,037 (17.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 84 (0.7% of population)
- Born in another country: 204 (1.8% of population)
#25. Franklin County
- Population: 10,015
- Born in Iowa: 8,038 (80.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,401 (14.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 36 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 540 (5.4% of population)
#24. Carroll County
- Population: 20,728
- Born in Iowa: 16,695 (80.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,565 (17.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 54 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 414 (2.0% of population)
#23. Ida County
- Population: 6,969
- Born in Iowa: 5,635 (80.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,202 (17.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 25 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 107 (1.5% of population)
#22. Bremer County
- Population: 25,012
- Born in Iowa: 20,233 (80.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 4,125 (16.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 129 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 525 (2.1% of population)
#21. Greene County
- Population: 8,801
- Born in Iowa: 7,120 (80.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,500 (17.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 46 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 135 (1.5% of population)
#20. Guthrie County
- Population: 10,619
- Born in Iowa: 8,596 (80.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,809 (17.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 27 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 187 (1.8% of population)
#19. Jackson County
- Population: 19,470
- Born in Iowa: 15,792 (81.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,369 (17.3% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 83 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 226 (1.2% of population)
#18. Boone County
- Population: 26,700
- Born in Iowa: 21,660 (81.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 4,623 (17.3% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 80 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 337 (1.3% of population)
#17. Palo Alto County
- Population: 8,938
- Born in Iowa: 7,293 (81.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,429 (16.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 31 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 185 (2.1% of population)
#16. Calhoun County
- Population: 9,893
- Born in Iowa: 8,090 (81.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,719 (17.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 17 (0.2% of population)
- Born in another country: 67 (0.7% of population)
#15. Humboldt County
- Population: 9,606
- Born in Iowa: 7,885 (82.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,392 (14.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 42 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 287 (3.0% of population)
#14. Monroe County
- Population: 7,574
- Born in Iowa: 6,262 (82.7% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,178 (15.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 11 (0.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 123 (1.6% of population)
#13. Sac County
- Population: 9,778
- Born in Iowa: 8,085 (82.7% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,403 (14.3% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 28 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 262 (2.7% of population)
#12. Wright County
- Population: 12,897
- Born in Iowa: 10,675 (82.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,561 (12.1% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 71 (0.6% of population)
- Born in another country: 590 (4.6% of population)
#11. Audubon County
- Population: 5,651
- Born in Iowa: 4,690 (83.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 908 (16.1% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 4 (0.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 49 (0.9% of population)
#10. Cedar County
- Population: 18,479
- Born in Iowa: 15,358 (83.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,809 (15.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 44 (0.2% of population)
- Born in another country: 268 (1.5% of population)
#9. Iowa County
- Population: 16,575
- Born in Iowa: 13,841 (83.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,478 (15.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 67 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 189 (1.1% of population)
#8. Chickasaw County
- Population: 11,957
- Born in Iowa: 10,020 (83.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,765 (14.8% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 13 (0.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 159 (1.3% of population)
#7. Keokuk County
- Population: 10,026
- Born in Iowa: 8,445 (84.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,456 (14.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 17 (0.2% of population)
- Born in another country: 108 (1.1% of population)
#6. Adair County
- Population: 7,479
- Born in Iowa: 6,334 (84.7% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,069 (14.3% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 7 (0.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 69 (0.9% of population)
#5. Benton County
- Population: 25,652
- Born in Iowa: 21,730 (84.7% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,646 (14.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 91 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 185 (0.7% of population)
#4. Grundy County
- Population: 12,351
- Born in Iowa: 10,545 (85.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,522 (12.3% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 61 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 223 (1.8% of population)
#3. Buchanan County
- Population: 20,631
- Born in Iowa: 17,757 (86.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,525 (12.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 29 (0.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 320 (1.6% of population)
#2. Butler County
- Population: 14,376
- Born in Iowa: 12,441 (86.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,630 (11.3% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 23 (0.2% of population)
- Born in another country: 282 (2.0% of population)
#1. Delaware County
- Population: 17,523
- Born in Iowa: 15,841 (90.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,561 (8.9% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 62 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 59 (0.3% of population)
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 49 states.
