Counties with the most born-and-bred residents in Michigan
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 Michigan 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 Michigan residents live.
#50. Manistee County
- Population: 25,058
- Born in Michigan: 20,085 (80.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 4,360 (17.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 81 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 532 (2.1% of population)
#49. Mason County
- Population: 29,178
- Born in Michigan: 23,401 (80.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 5,168 (17.7% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 122 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 487 (1.7% of population)
#48. Alger County
- Population: 8,866
- Born in Michigan: 7,112 (80.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,585 (17.9% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 25 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 144 (1.6% of population)
#47. Delta County
- Population: 36,839
- Born in Michigan: 29,563 (80.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 6,968 (18.9% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 137 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 171 (0.5% of population)
#46. Emmet County
- Population: 34,072
- Born in Michigan: 27,399 (80.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 5,926 (17.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 310 (0.9% of population)
- Born in another country: 437 (1.3% of population)
#45. Charlevoix County
- Population: 26,174
- Born in Michigan: 21,069 (80.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 4,496 (17.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 164 (0.6% of population)
- Born in another country: 445 (1.7% of population)
#44. Eaton County
- Population: 109,072
- Born in Michigan: 87,816 (80.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 15,716 (14.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 599 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 4,941 (4.5% of population)
#43. Allegan County
- Population: 120,189
- Born in Michigan: 96,864 (80.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 18,790 (15.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 870 (0.7% of population)
- Born in another country: 3,665 (3.0% of population)
#42. Antrim County
- Population: 23,662
- Born in Michigan: 19,076 (80.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 4,074 (17.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 119 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 393 (1.7% of population)
#41. Iosco County
- Population: 25,319
- Born in Michigan: 20,605 (81.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,985 (15.7% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 157 (0.6% of population)
- Born in another country: 572 (2.3% of population)
#40. Livingston County
- Population: 194,302
- Born in Michigan: 158,918 (81.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 28,376 (14.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 1,455 (0.7% of population)
- Born in another country: 5,553 (2.9% of population)
#39. Isabella County
- Population: 64,938
- Born in Michigan: 53,136 (81.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 9,520 (14.7% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 440 (0.7% of population)
- Born in another country: 1,842 (2.8% of population)
#38. Lake County
- Population: 12,285
- Born in Michigan: 10,054 (81.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,028 (16.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 72 (0.6% of population)
- Born in another country: 131 (1.1% of population)
#37. Alcona County
- Population: 10,238
- Born in Michigan: 8,407 (82.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,588 (15.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 86 (0.8% of population)
- Born in another country: 157 (1.5% of population)
#36. Crawford County
- Population: 13,197
- Born in Michigan: 10,883 (82.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,080 (15.8% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 34 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 200 (1.5% of population)
#35. Schoolcraft County
- Population: 8,062
- Born in Michigan: 6,665 (82.7% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,294 (16.1% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 29 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 74 (0.9% of population)
#34. Kalkaska County
- Population: 17,934
- Born in Michigan: 14,845 (82.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,783 (15.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 117 (0.7% of population)
- Born in another country: 189 (1.1% of population)
#33. Genesee County
- Population: 405,280
- Born in Michigan: 336,687 (83.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 55,605 (13.7% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 2,148 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 10,840 (2.7% of population)
#32. Barry County
- Population: 62,581
- Born in Michigan: 52,142 (83.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 8,951 (14.3% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 330 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 1,158 (1.9% of population)
#31. Mecosta County
- Population: 40,128
- Born in Michigan: 33,463 (83.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 5,781 (14.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 299 (0.7% of population)
- Born in another country: 585 (1.5% of population)
#30. Jackson County
- Population: 160,637
- Born in Michigan: 133,994 (83.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 22,901 (14.3% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 580 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 3,162 (2.0% of population)
#29. Cheboygan County
- Population: 25,709
- Born in Michigan: 21,632 (84.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,432 (13.3% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 117 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 528 (2.1% of population)
#28. Wexford County
- Population: 33,766
- Born in Michigan: 28,452 (84.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 4,499 (13.3% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 335 (1.0% of population)
- Born in another country: 480 (1.4% of population)
#27. Baraga County
- Population: 8,245
- Born in Michigan: 6,955 (84.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,221 (14.8% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 30 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 39 (0.5% of population)
#26. Clinton County
- Population: 79,249
- Born in Michigan: 66,987 (84.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 9,723 (12.3% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 385 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 2,154 (2.7% of population)
#25. Oscoda County
- Population: 8,264
- Born in Michigan: 6,990 (84.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,192 (14.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 20 (0.2% of population)
- Born in another country: 62 (0.8% of population)
#24. Otsego County
- Population: 25,221
- Born in Michigan: 21,396 (84.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,422 (13.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 76 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 327 (1.3% of population)
#23. Clare County
- Population: 30,998
- Born in Michigan: 26,335 (85.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 4,219 (13.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 152 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 292 (0.9% of population)
#22. Roscommon County
- Population: 23,556
- Born in Michigan: 20,062 (85.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,006 (12.8% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 71 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 417 (1.8% of population)
#21. Saginaw County
- Population: 189,821
- Born in Michigan: 161,797 (85.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 22,599 (11.9% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 916 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 4,509 (2.4% of population)
#20. Muskegon County
- Population: 175,947
- Born in Michigan: 150,536 (85.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 21,124 (12.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 910 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 3,377 (1.9% of population)
#19. Osceola County
- Population: 23,022
- Born in Michigan: 19,704 (85.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,008 (13.1% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 65 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 245 (1.1% of population)
#18. Lapeer County
- Population: 88,687
- Born in Michigan: 76,186 (85.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 9,678 (10.9% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 496 (0.6% of population)
- Born in another country: 2,327 (2.6% of population)
#17. Presque Isle County
- Population: 13,083
- Born in Michigan: 11,243 (85.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,636 (12.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 30 (0.2% of population)
- Born in another country: 174 (1.3% of population)
#16. Newaygo County
- Population: 50,130
- Born in Michigan: 43,287 (86.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 5,603 (11.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 254 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 986 (2.0% of population)
#15. Montmorency County
- Population: 9,261
- Born in Michigan: 8,002 (86.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,140 (12.3% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 43 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 76 (0.8% of population)
#14. Montcalm County
- Population: 66,901
- Born in Michigan: 57,965 (86.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 7,347 (11.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 313 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 1,276 (1.9% of population)
#13. Ionia County
- Population: 66,663
- Born in Michigan: 57,833 (86.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 7,589 (11.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 352 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 889 (1.3% of population)
#12. Alpena County
- Population: 28,911
- Born in Michigan: 25,140 (87.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,218 (11.1% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 116 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 437 (1.5% of population)
#11. Gratiot County
- Population: 41,534
- Born in Michigan: 36,177 (87.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 4,635 (11.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 165 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 557 (1.3% of population)
#10. Ogemaw County
- Population: 20,820
- Born in Michigan: 18,202 (87.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,218 (10.7% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 100 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 300 (1.4% of population)
#9. Gladwin County
- Population: 25,461
- Born in Michigan: 22,293 (87.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,738 (10.8% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 86 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 344 (1.4% of population)
#8. St. Clair County
- Population: 160,257
- Born in Michigan: 140,517 (87.7% of population)
- Born in a different state: 15,489 (9.7% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 1,170 (0.7% of population)
- Born in another country: 3,081 (1.9% of population)
#7. Shiawassee County
- Population: 68,124
- Born in Michigan: 60,062 (88.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 6,784 (10.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 514 (0.8% of population)
- Born in another country: 764 (1.1% of population)
#6. Missaukee County
- Population: 15,089
- Born in Michigan: 13,341 (88.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,456 (9.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 21 (0.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 271 (1.8% of population)
#5. Huron County
- Population: 31,461
- Born in Michigan: 27,920 (88.7% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,864 (9.1% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 193 (0.6% of population)
- Born in another country: 484 (1.5% of population)
#4. Sanilac County
- Population: 40,759
- Born in Michigan: 36,288 (89.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,553 (8.7% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 341 (0.8% of population)
- Born in another country: 577 (1.4% of population)
#3. Arenac County
- Population: 15,031
- Born in Michigan: 13,502 (89.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,354 (9.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 47 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 128 (0.9% of population)
#2. Bay County
- Population: 103,752
- Born in Michigan: 93,455 (90.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 8,967 (8.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 327 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 1,003 (1.0% of population)
#1. Tuscola County
- Population: 53,218
- Born in Michigan: 47,979 (90.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 4,490 (8.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 234 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 515 (1.0% of population)
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 49 states.
