Counties with the most born-and-bred residents in North Dakota
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 Dakota 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 Dakota residents live.
#50. Grand Forks County
- Population: 72,927
- Born in North Dakota: 39,459 (54.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 28,306 (38.8% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 741 (1.0% of population)
- Born in another country: 4,421 (6.1% of population)
#49. Cass County
- Population: 186,328
- Born in North Dakota: 101,629 (54.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 67,659 (36.3% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 1,840 (1.0% of population)
- Born in another country: 15,200 (8.2% of population)
#48. Sargent County
- Population: 3,828
- Born in North Dakota: 2,117 (55.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,518 (39.7% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 35 (0.9% of population)
- Born in another country: 158 (4.1% of population)
#47. Dickey County
- Population: 5,003
- Born in North Dakota: 2,852 (57.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,987 (39.7% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 12 (0.2% of population)
- Born in another country: 152 (3.0% of population)
#46. Ward County
- Population: 69,532
- Born in North Dakota: 40,238 (57.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 24,891 (35.8% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 1,561 (2.2% of population)
- Born in another country: 2,842 (4.1% of population)
#45. Mountrail County
- Population: 9,648
- Born in North Dakota: 5,646 (58.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,567 (37.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 132 (1.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 303 (3.1% of population)
#44. Stark County
- Population: 32,989
- Born in North Dakota: 19,311 (58.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 12,102 (36.7% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 398 (1.2% of population)
- Born in another country: 1,178 (3.6% of population)
#43. Golden Valley County
- Population: 1,734
- Born in North Dakota: 1,080 (62.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 624 (36.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 4 (0.2% of population)
- Born in another country: 26 (1.5% of population)
#42. Adams County
- Population: 2,190
- Born in North Dakota: 1,377 (62.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 751 (34.3% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 3 (0.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 59 (2.7% of population)
#41. Dunn County
- Population: 4,049
- Born in North Dakota: 2,570 (63.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,320 (32.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 15 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 144 (3.6% of population)
#40. Ransom County
- Population: 5,663
- Born in North Dakota: 3,659 (64.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,721 (30.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 82 (1.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 201 (3.5% of population)
#39. Renville County
- Population: 2,282
- Born in North Dakota: 1,528 (67.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 705 (30.9% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 8 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 41 (1.8% of population)
#38. Hettinger County
- Population: 2,477
- Born in North Dakota: 1,661 (67.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 793 (32.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 9 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 14 (0.6% of population)
#37. Traill County
- Population: 8,004
- Born in North Dakota: 5,415 (67.7% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,355 (29.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 88 (1.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 146 (1.8% of population)
#36. Pembina County
- Population: 6,853
- Born in North Dakota: 4,653 (67.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,733 (25.3% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 165 (2.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 302 (4.4% of population)
#35. McIntosh County
- Population: 2,529
- Born in North Dakota: 1,758 (69.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 667 (26.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 3 (0.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 101 (4.0% of population)
#34. Burke County
- Population: 2,184
- Born in North Dakota: 1,526 (69.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 555 (25.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 13 (0.6% of population)
- Born in another country: 90 (4.1% of population)
#33. Divide County
- Population: 2,195
- Born in North Dakota: 1,534 (69.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 582 (26.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 31 (1.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 48 (2.2% of population)
#32. Stutsman County
- Population: 21,609
- Born in North Dakota: 15,362 (71.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 5,505 (25.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 202 (0.9% of population)
- Born in another country: 540 (2.5% of population)
#31. Slope County
- Population: 837
- Born in North Dakota: 598 (71.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 227 (27.1% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 8 (1.0% of population)
- Born in another country: 4 (0.5% of population)
#30. Burleigh County
- Population: 98,443
- Born in North Dakota: 70,592 (71.7% of population)
- Born in a different state: 23,665 (24.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 860 (0.9% of population)
- Born in another country: 3,326 (3.4% of population)
#29. Bottineau County
- Population: 6,411
- Born in North Dakota: 4,598 (71.7% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,540 (24.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 64 (1.0% of population)
- Born in another country: 209 (3.3% of population)
#28. McHenry County
- Population: 5,326
- Born in North Dakota: 3,833 (72.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,386 (26.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 13 (0.2% of population)
- Born in another country: 94 (1.8% of population)
#27. Morton County
- Population: 33,192
- Born in North Dakota: 23,993 (72.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 8,053 (24.3% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 725 (2.2% of population)
- Born in another country: 421 (1.3% of population)
#26. McLean County
- Population: 9,781
- Born in North Dakota: 7,142 (73.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,358 (24.1% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 71 (0.7% of population)
- Born in another country: 210 (2.1% of population)
#25. Bowman County
- Population: 2,975
- Born in North Dakota: 2,185 (73.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 744 (25.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 22 (0.7% of population)
- Born in another country: 24 (0.8% of population)
#24. Sheridan County
- Population: 1,338
- Born in North Dakota: 998 (74.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 329 (24.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 9 (0.7% of population)
- Born in another country: 2 (0.1% of population)
#23. Walsh County
- Population: 10,553
- Born in North Dakota: 7,874 (74.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,207 (20.9% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 112 (1.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 360 (3.4% of population)
#22. Kidder County
- Population: 2,391
- Born in North Dakota: 1,785 (74.7% of population)
- Born in a different state: 573 (24.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 1 (0.0% of population)
- Born in another country: 32 (1.3% of population)
#21. Mercer County
- Population: 8,366
- Born in North Dakota: 6,247 (74.7% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,917 (22.9% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 60 (0.7% of population)
- Born in another country: 142 (1.7% of population)
#20. Barnes County
- Population: 10,826
- Born in North Dakota: 8,089 (74.7% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,365 (21.8% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 48 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 324 (3.0% of population)
#19. Nelson County
- Population: 3,025
- Born in North Dakota: 2,277 (75.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 621 (20.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 18 (0.6% of population)
- Born in another country: 109 (3.6% of population)
#18. Billings County
- Population: 839
- Born in North Dakota: 636 (75.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 183 (21.8% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 3 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 17 (2.0% of population)
#17. Grant County
- Population: 2,320
- Born in North Dakota: 1,760 (75.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 468 (20.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 4 (0.2% of population)
- Born in another country: 88 (3.8% of population)
#16. Pierce County
- Population: 3,999
- Born in North Dakota: 3,061 (76.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 861 (21.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 8 (0.2% of population)
- Born in another country: 69 (1.7% of population)
#15. Logan County
- Population: 1,849
- Born in North Dakota: 1,420 (76.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 392 (21.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 0 (0.0% of population)
- Born in another country: 37 (2.0% of population)
#14. Ramsey County
- Population: 11,613
- Born in North Dakota: 8,977 (77.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,229 (19.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 66 (0.6% of population)
- Born in another country: 341 (2.9% of population)
#13. Griggs County
- Population: 2,309
- Born in North Dakota: 1,789 (77.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 445 (19.3% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 29 (1.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 46 (2.0% of population)
#12. LaMoure County
- Population: 4,135
- Born in North Dakota: 3,204 (77.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 918 (22.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 0 (0.0% of population)
- Born in another country: 13 (0.3% of population)
#11. Towner County
- Population: 2,152
- Born in North Dakota: 1,714 (79.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 353 (16.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 3 (0.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 82 (3.8% of population)
#10. Foster County
- Population: 3,388
- Born in North Dakota: 2,711 (80.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 669 (19.7% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 7 (0.2% of population)
- Born in another country: 1 (0.0% of population)
#9. Cavalier County
- Population: 3,691
- Born in North Dakota: 2,954 (80.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 579 (15.7% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 57 (1.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 101 (2.7% of population)
#8. Wells County
- Population: 3,990
- Born in North Dakota: 3,203 (80.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 761 (19.1% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 2 (0.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 24 (0.6% of population)
#7. Oliver County
- Population: 1,832
- Born in North Dakota: 1,473 (80.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 347 (18.9% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 3 (0.2% of population)
- Born in another country: 9 (0.5% of population)
#6. Emmons County
- Population: 3,297
- Born in North Dakota: 2,654 (80.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 612 (18.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 1 (0.0% of population)
- Born in another country: 30 (0.9% of population)
#5. Eddy County
- Population: 2,345
- Born in North Dakota: 1,940 (82.7% of population)
- Born in a different state: 391 (16.7% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 1 (0.0% of population)
- Born in another country: 13 (0.6% of population)
#4. Sioux County
- Population: 3,896
- Born in North Dakota: 3,239 (83.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 648 (16.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 7 (0.2% of population)
- Born in another country: 2 (0.1% of population)
#3. Steele County
- Population: 1,774
- Born in North Dakota: 1,478 (83.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 261 (14.7% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 15 (0.8% of population)
- Born in another country: 20 (1.1% of population)
#2. Benson County
- Population: 5,960
- Born in North Dakota: 5,238 (87.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 654 (11.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 9 (0.2% of population)
- Born in another country: 59 (1.0% of population)
#1. Rolette County
- Population: 12,292
- Born in North Dakota: 10,998 (89.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,188 (9.7% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 24 (0.2% of population)
- Born in another country: 82 (0.7% of population)
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 49 states.
