Counties with the most born-and-bred residents in North Carolina
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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina residents live.
#50. Wayne County
- Population: 117,480
- Born in North Carolina: 76,721 (65.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 30,262 (25.8% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 2,148 (1.8% of population)
- Born in another country: 8,349 (7.1% of population)
#49. Warren County
- Population: 18,803
- Born in North Carolina: 12,331 (65.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 5,896 (31.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 27 (0.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 549 (2.9% of population)
#48. Granville County
- Population: 61,161
- Born in North Carolina: 40,149 (65.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 17,073 (27.9% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 663 (1.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 3,276 (5.4% of population)
#47. Rowan County
- Population: 147,067
- Born in North Carolina: 97,268 (66.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 40,799 (27.7% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 1,147 (0.8% of population)
- Born in another country: 7,853 (5.3% of population)
#46. Gaston County
- Population: 228,972
- Born in North Carolina: 152,453 (66.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 62,369 (27.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 2,346 (1.0% of population)
- Born in another country: 11,804 (5.2% of population)
#45. Rutherford County
- Population: 64,680
- Born in North Carolina: 43,288 (66.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 18,933 (29.3% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 490 (0.8% of population)
- Born in another country: 1,969 (3.0% of population)
#44. Avery County
- Population: 17,679
- Born in North Carolina: 11,843 (67.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 5,102 (28.9% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 82 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 652 (3.7% of population)
#43. Yancey County
- Population: 18,538
- Born in North Carolina: 12,420 (67.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 5,527 (29.8% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 91 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 500 (2.7% of population)
#42. Pitt County
- Population: 171,196
- Born in North Carolina: 115,710 (67.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 44,634 (26.1% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 2,140 (1.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 8,712 (5.1% of population)
#41. Ashe County
- Population: 26,759
- Born in North Carolina: 18,270 (68.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 7,577 (28.3% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 91 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 821 (3.1% of population)
#40. Randolph County
- Population: 144,403
- Born in North Carolina: 98,838 (68.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 35,874 (24.8% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 1,181 (0.8% of population)
- Born in another country: 8,510 (5.9% of population)
#39. Swain County
- Population: 14,130
- Born in North Carolina: 9,706 (68.7% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,936 (27.9% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 97 (0.7% of population)
- Born in another country: 391 (2.8% of population)
#38. Duplin County
- Population: 49,312
- Born in North Carolina: 34,360 (69.7% of population)
- Born in a different state: 7,873 (16.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 661 (1.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 6,418 (13.0% of population)
#37. Surry County
- Population: 71,429
- Born in North Carolina: 50,177 (70.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 16,271 (22.8% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 700 (1.0% of population)
- Born in another country: 4,281 (6.0% of population)
#36. Burke County
- Population: 87,799
- Born in North Carolina: 61,914 (70.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 20,710 (23.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 876 (1.0% of population)
- Born in another country: 4,299 (4.9% of population)
#35. Davidson County
- Population: 169,498
- Born in North Carolina: 120,302 (71.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 39,080 (23.1% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 920 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 9,196 (5.4% of population)
#34. Hertford County
- Population: 21,633
- Born in North Carolina: 15,421 (71.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 5,221 (24.1% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 112 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 879 (4.1% of population)
#33. Jones County
- Population: 9,263
- Born in North Carolina: 6,644 (71.7% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,294 (24.8% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 87 (0.9% of population)
- Born in another country: 238 (2.6% of population)
#32. Rockingham County
- Population: 91,209
- Born in North Carolina: 65,570 (71.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 21,662 (23.7% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 415 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 3,562 (3.9% of population)
#31. Scotland County
- Population: 34,222
- Born in North Carolina: 24,613 (71.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 8,570 (25.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 291 (0.9% of population)
- Born in another country: 748 (2.2% of population)
#30. Person County
- Population: 39,131
- Born in North Carolina: 28,174 (72.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 9,715 (24.8% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 224 (0.6% of population)
- Born in another country: 1,018 (2.6% of population)
#29. Beaufort County
- Population: 44,711
- Born in North Carolina: 32,208 (72.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 10,692 (23.9% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 206 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 1,605 (3.6% of population)
#28. McDowell County
- Population: 44,629
- Born in North Carolina: 32,256 (72.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 10,147 (22.7% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 412 (0.9% of population)
- Born in another country: 1,814 (4.1% of population)
#27. Montgomery County
- Population: 25,839
- Born in North Carolina: 18,923 (73.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 4,540 (17.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 290 (1.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 2,086 (8.1% of population)
#26. Vance County
- Population: 42,492
- Born in North Carolina: 31,147 (73.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 8,909 (21.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 221 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 2,215 (5.2% of population)
#25. Stokes County
- Population: 44,696
- Born in North Carolina: 32,775 (73.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 11,013 (24.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 256 (0.6% of population)
- Born in another country: 652 (1.5% of population)
#24. Northampton County
- Population: 17,528
- Born in North Carolina: 12,979 (74.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 4,103 (23.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 91 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 355 (2.0% of population)
#23. Wilson County
- Population: 78,667
- Born in North Carolina: 58,348 (74.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 15,535 (19.7% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 346 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 4,438 (5.6% of population)
#22. Tyrrell County
- Population: 3,389
- Born in North Carolina: 2,529 (74.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 661 (19.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 5 (0.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 194 (5.7% of population)
#21. Richmond County
- Population: 43,149
- Born in North Carolina: 32,210 (74.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 9,032 (20.9% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 391 (0.9% of population)
- Born in another country: 1,516 (3.5% of population)
#20. Nash County
- Population: 95,015
- Born in North Carolina: 71,032 (74.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 19,227 (20.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 694 (0.7% of population)
- Born in another country: 4,062 (4.3% of population)
#19. Cleveland County
- Population: 99,527
- Born in North Carolina: 74,408 (74.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 21,938 (22.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 680 (0.7% of population)
- Born in another country: 2,501 (2.5% of population)
#18. Graham County
- Population: 8,047
- Born in North Carolina: 6,038 (75.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,790 (22.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 24 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 195 (2.4% of population)
#17. Alexander County
- Population: 36,505
- Born in North Carolina: 27,392 (75.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 7,931 (21.7% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 255 (0.7% of population)
- Born in another country: 927 (2.5% of population)
#16. Greene County
- Population: 20,407
- Born in North Carolina: 15,391 (75.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,362 (16.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 159 (0.8% of population)
- Born in another country: 1,495 (7.3% of population)
#15. Yadkin County
- Population: 37,280
- Born in North Carolina: 28,183 (75.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 7,070 (19.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 173 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 1,854 (5.0% of population)
#14. Caldwell County
- Population: 80,716
- Born in North Carolina: 61,169 (75.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 16,650 (20.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 493 (0.6% of population)
- Born in another country: 2,404 (3.0% of population)
#13. Stanly County
- Population: 62,723
- Born in North Carolina: 47,797 (76.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 12,043 (19.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 388 (0.6% of population)
- Born in another country: 2,495 (4.0% of population)
#12. Columbus County
- Population: 50,827
- Born in North Carolina: 39,041 (76.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 10,360 (20.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 192 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 1,234 (2.4% of population)
#11. Sampson County
- Population: 59,317
- Born in North Carolina: 45,756 (77.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 7,194 (12.1% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 183 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 6,184 (10.4% of population)
#10. Bladen County
- Population: 29,807
- Born in North Carolina: 23,072 (77.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 5,823 (19.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 188 (0.6% of population)
- Born in another country: 724 (2.4% of population)
#9. Halifax County
- Population: 48,772
- Born in North Carolina: 37,833 (77.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 9,438 (19.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 322 (0.7% of population)
- Born in another country: 1,179 (2.4% of population)
#8. Lenoir County
- Population: 55,071
- Born in North Carolina: 42,727 (77.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 9,801 (17.8% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 344 (0.6% of population)
- Born in another country: 2,199 (4.0% of population)
#7. Wilkes County
- Population: 66,125
- Born in North Carolina: 52,042 (78.7% of population)
- Born in a different state: 11,607 (17.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 325 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 2,151 (3.3% of population)
#6. Martin County
- Population: 21,992
- Born in North Carolina: 17,576 (79.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,773 (17.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 213 (1.0% of population)
- Born in another country: 430 (2.0% of population)
#5. Edgecombe County
- Population: 49,067
- Born in North Carolina: 39,570 (80.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 7,826 (15.9% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 182 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 1,489 (3.0% of population)
#4. Robeson County
- Population: 117,573
- Born in North Carolina: 95,446 (81.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 16,179 (13.8% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 810 (0.7% of population)
- Born in another country: 5,138 (4.4% of population)
#3. Anson County
- Population: 22,200
- Born in North Carolina: 18,043 (81.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,296 (14.8% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 130 (0.6% of population)
- Born in another country: 731 (3.3% of population)
#2. Washington County
- Population: 11,051
- Born in North Carolina: 8,986 (81.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,912 (17.3% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 16 (0.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 137 (1.2% of population)
#1. Bertie County
- Population: 17,818
- Born in North Carolina: 14,796 (83.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,836 (15.9% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 30 (0.2% of population)
- Born in another country: 156 (0.9% of population)
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 49 states.
