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

Written by:
August 6, 2022
Arina P Habich // Shutterstock

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

The COVID-19 pandemic, rising inflation and a higher cost of living in major cities have combined with opportunities for remote work over the past two years. This combination has fueled a major migration across the country. 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 Sunbelt cities where the weather is warmer and the cost of living significantly lower.

But not everyone who moved in recent years went very far. Analysis of movement out of crowded cities shows that many of those leaving city centers moved into nearby suburbs in the same state, rather than making cross country moves.

Other trends suggest that many people are sticking close to home, remaining in or moving back to the state, or even the town they were born in. Even before the pandemic, the number of younger adults living with their parents was on the rise, mostly due to financial difficulties. This economic hardship was made worse by the pandemic, and resulted in many moving back in with their parents. By the end of 2020, more than half of Americans under the age of 29 were living at home, exceeding the share of young adults living with their parents during the Great Depression.

Apart from the pandemic, 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, Stacker compiled a list of counties with the most born-and-bred residents in Virginia using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by the highest percentage of residents that were born in the state according to 2020 5-year estimates.

#50. Middlesex County

- Population: 10,642
- Born in Virginia: 7,288 (68.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,948 (27.7% of population)
--- Midwest (2.9%), Northeast (10.9%), South (11.5%), West (2.4%)
- Born in another country: 251 (2.36% of population)
--- Africa (0.08%) , Asia (0.81%), Europe (0.58%), Latin America (0.55%), North America (0.16%), Oceania (0.17%)

#49. Radford

- Population: 17,833
- Born in Virginia: 12,216 (68.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 4,995 (28.0% of population)
--- Midwest (5.0%), Northeast (7.4%), South (12.7%), West (2.9%)
- Born in another country: 480 (2.69% of population)
--- Africa (0.19%) , Asia (1.85%), Europe (0.44%), Latin America (0.18%), North America (0.03%), Oceania (0.00%)

#48. Nelson County

- Population: 14,812
- Born in Virginia: 10,153 (68.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 4,052 (27.4% of population)
--- Midwest (3.1%), Northeast (10.3%), South (11.3%), West (2.6%)
- Born in another country: 519 (3.50% of population)
--- Africa (0.31%) , Asia (0.37%), Europe (1.01%), Latin America (1.82%), North America (0.00%), Oceania (0.00%)

#47. Rockingham County

- Population: 81,138
- Born in Virginia: 55,634 (68.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 20,096 (24.8% of population)
--- Midwest (4.2%), Northeast (7.6%), South (11.3%), West (1.7%)
- Born in another country: 4,578 (5.64% of population)
--- Africa (0.49%) , Asia (1.11%), Europe (1.03%), Latin America (2.86%), North America (0.11%), Oceania (0.03%)

#46. Norton

- Population: 3,969
- Born in Virginia: 2,747 (69.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,120 (28.2% of population)
--- Midwest (6.6%), Northeast (2.6%), South (18.3%), West (0.7%)
- Born in another country: 0 (0.00% of population)
--- Africa (0.00%) , Asia (0.00%), Europe (0.00%), Latin America (0.00%), North America (0.00%), Oceania (0.00%)

#45. Greensville County

- Population: 11,403
- Born in Virginia: 7,927 (69.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,060 (26.8% of population)
--- Midwest (1.6%), Northeast (6.7%), South (17.3%), West (1.2%)
- Born in another country: 253 (2.22% of population)
--- Africa (0.13%) , Asia (1.36%), Europe (0.00%), Latin America (0.73%), North America (0.00%), Oceania (0.00%)

#44. Highland County

- Population: 2,202
- Born in Virginia: 1,538 (69.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 611 (27.7% of population)
--- Midwest (4.1%), Northeast (4.6%), South (16.3%), West (2.7%)
- Born in another country: 45 (2.04% of population)
--- Africa (0.00%) , Asia (1.86%), Europe (0.18%), Latin America (0.00%), North America (0.00%), Oceania (0.00%)

#43. Danville

- Population: 40,668
- Born in Virginia: 28,462 (70.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 10,626 (26.1% of population)
--- Midwest (1.9%), Northeast (6.4%), South (16.3%), West (1.5%)
- Born in another country: 1,376 (3.38% of population)
--- Africa (0.18%) , Asia (1.02%), Europe (0.09%), Latin America (2.06%), North America (0.01%), Oceania (0.02%)

#42. Campbell County

- Population: 55,406
- Born in Virginia: 38,807 (70.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 14,631 (26.4% of population)
--- Midwest (4.4%), Northeast (7.5%), South (12.0%), West (2.5%)
- Born in another country: 1,692 (3.05% of population)
--- Africa (0.78%) , Asia (0.69%), Europe (0.17%), Latin America (1.31%), North America (0.11%), Oceania (0.00%)

#41. Franklin County

- Population: 56,231
- Born in Virginia: 39,443 (70.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 15,393 (27.4% of population)
--- Midwest (4.2%), Northeast (8.5%), South (12.0%), West (2.7%)
- Born in another country: 1,190 (2.12% of population)
--- Africa (0.06%) , Asia (0.45%), Europe (0.54%), Latin America (0.94%), North America (0.13%), Oceania (0.00%)

#40. Richmond County

- Population: 8,951
- Born in Virginia: 6,340 (70.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,163 (24.2% of population)
--- Midwest (2.6%), Northeast (5.6%), South (14.3%), West (1.7%)
- Born in another country: 390 (4.36% of population)
--- Africa (0.99%) , Asia (0.29%), Europe (0.22%), Latin America (2.85%), North America (0.00%), Oceania (0.00%)

#39. Henry County

- Population: 51,032
- Born in Virginia: 36,233 (71.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 13,029 (25.5% of population)
--- Midwest (1.9%), Northeast (3.6%), South (18.9%), West (1.1%)
- Born in another country: 1,377 (2.70% of population)
--- Africa (0.05%) , Asia (0.38%), Europe (0.37%), Latin America (1.80%), North America (0.05%), Oceania (0.00%)

#38. Lunenburg County

- Population: 12,294
- Born in Virginia: 8,733 (71.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,136 (25.5% of population)
--- Midwest (2.7%), Northeast (9.7%), South (11.5%), West (1.6%)
- Born in another country: 374 (3.04% of population)
--- Africa (0.00%) , Asia (0.95%), Europe (0.12%), Latin America (1.97%), North America (0.00%), Oceania (0.00%)

#37. Madison County

- Population: 13,208
- Born in Virginia: 9,404 (71.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,286 (24.9% of population)
--- Midwest (3.7%), Northeast (10.8%), South (9.6%), West (0.9%)
- Born in another country: 405 (3.07% of population)
--- Africa (0.00%) , Asia (0.75%), Europe (1.52%), Latin America (0.70%), North America (0.00%), Oceania (0.10%)

#36. Wise County

- Population: 38,032
- Born in Virginia: 27,111 (71.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 10,214 (26.9% of population)
--- Midwest (4.6%), Northeast (2.2%), South (18.6%), West (1.5%)
- Born in another country: 510 (1.34% of population)
--- Africa (0.02%) , Asia (0.43%), Europe (0.32%), Latin America (0.57%), North America (0.01%), Oceania (0.00%)

#35. King and Queen County

- Population: 7,011
- Born in Virginia: 5,013 (71.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,871 (26.7% of population)
--- Midwest (7.4%), Northeast (5.6%), South (11.0%), West (2.7%)
- Born in another country: 37 (0.53% of population)
--- Africa (0.20%) , Asia (0.00%), Europe (0.19%), Latin America (0.14%), North America (0.00%), Oceania (0.00%)

#34. Buena Vista

- Population: 6,477
- Born in Virginia: 4,662 (72.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,723 (26.6% of population)
--- Midwest (1.2%), Northeast (3.4%), South (9.3%), West (12.7%)
- Born in another country: 69 (1.07% of population)
--- Africa (0.00%) , Asia (0.00%), Europe (0.05%), Latin America (0.77%), North America (0.25%), Oceania (0.00%)

#33. Augusta County

- Population: 75,754
- Born in Virginia: 54,618 (72.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 18,752 (24.8% of population)
--- Midwest (3.5%), Northeast (8.9%), South (10.4%), West (1.9%)
- Born in another country: 1,743 (2.30% of population)
--- Africa (0.16%) , Asia (0.49%), Europe (0.54%), Latin America (1.02%), North America (0.09%), Oceania (0.00%)

#32. Giles County

- Population: 16,760
- Born in Virginia: 12,130 (72.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 4,328 (25.8% of population)
--- Midwest (3.7%), Northeast (2.6%), South (18.4%), West (1.1%)
- Born in another country: 219 (1.31% of population)
--- Africa (0.00%) , Asia (0.47%), Europe (0.17%), Latin America (0.67%), North America (0.00%), Oceania (0.00%)

#31. King William County

- Population: 16,985
- Born in Virginia: 12,301 (72.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 4,023 (23.7% of population)
--- Midwest (3.8%), Northeast (8.1%), South (9.6%), West (2.3%)
- Born in another country: 497 (2.93% of population)
--- Africa (0.42%) , Asia (0.75%), Europe (0.61%), Latin America (1.08%), North America (0.06%), Oceania (0.00%)

#30. Franklin

- Population: 8,015
- Born in Virginia: 5,828 (72.7% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,906 (23.8% of population)
--- Midwest (2.5%), Northeast (4.5%), South (15.7%), West (1.0%)
- Born in another country: 246 (3.07% of population)
--- Africa (0.00%) , Asia (1.81%), Europe (0.69%), Latin America (0.57%), North America (0.00%), Oceania (0.00%)

#29. Pulaski County

- Population: 34,113
- Born in Virginia: 24,864 (72.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 8,574 (25.1% of population)
--- Midwest (3.1%), Northeast (4.8%), South (16.0%), West (1.3%)
- Born in another country: 583 (1.71% of population)
--- Africa (0.15%) , Asia (0.64%), Europe (0.23%), Latin America (0.63%), North America (0.00%), Oceania (0.06%)

#28. Floyd County

- Population: 15,766
- Born in Virginia: 11,604 (73.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,568 (22.6% of population)
--- Midwest (1.9%), Northeast (6.7%), South (11.5%), West (2.5%)
- Born in another country: 500 (3.17% of population)
--- Africa (0.18%) , Asia (0.27%), Europe (0.86%), Latin America (1.08%), North America (0.30%), Oceania (0.49%)

#27. Dinwiddie County

- Population: 28,686
- Born in Virginia: 21,173 (73.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 6,162 (21.5% of population)
--- Midwest (3.7%), Northeast (5.4%), South (10.0%), West (2.3%)
- Born in another country: 899 (3.13% of population)
--- Africa (0.01%) , Asia (0.37%), Europe (0.95%), Latin America (1.60%), North America (0.21%), Oceania (0.00%)

#26. Craig County

- Population: 5,103
- Born in Virginia: 3,777 (74.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,305 (25.6% of population)
--- Midwest (3.8%), Northeast (3.8%), South (16.4%), West (1.5%)
- Born in another country: 16 (0.31% of population)
--- Africa (0.00%) , Asia (0.00%), Europe (0.00%), Latin America (0.00%), North America (0.31%), Oceania (0.00%)

#25. Wythe County

- Population: 28,725
- Born in Virginia: 21,273 (74.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 6,984 (24.3% of population)
--- Midwest (2.6%), Northeast (5.4%), South (15.2%), West (1.2%)
- Born in another country: 328 (1.14% of population)
--- Africa (0.01%) , Asia (0.80%), Europe (0.11%), Latin America (0.22%), North America (0.00%), Oceania (0.00%)

#24. Covington

- Population: 5,653
- Born in Virginia: 4,239 (75.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,182 (20.9% of population)
--- Midwest (1.4%), Northeast (4.7%), South (12.0%), West (2.8%)
- Born in another country: 170 (3.01% of population)
--- Africa (0.00%) , Asia (0.96%), Europe (0.00%), Latin America (2.05%), North America (0.00%), Oceania (0.00%)

#23. Cumberland County

- Population: 9,869
- Born in Virginia: 7,408 (75.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,282 (23.1% of population)
--- Midwest (2.1%), Northeast (9.3%), South (8.3%), West (3.5%)
- Born in another country: 71 (0.72% of population)
--- Africa (0.00%) , Asia (0.44%), Europe (0.28%), Latin America (0.00%), North America (0.00%), Oceania (0.00%)

#22. Southampton County

- Population: 17,829
- Born in Virginia: 13,418 (75.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 4,043 (22.7% of population)
--- Midwest (2.6%), Northeast (6.6%), South (11.9%), West (1.5%)
- Born in another country: 226 (1.27% of population)
--- Africa (0.05%) , Asia (0.22%), Europe (0.80%), Latin America (0.14%), North America (0.06%), Oceania (0.00%)

#21. Bath County

- Population: 4,248
- Born in Virginia: 3,198 (75.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 904 (21.3% of population)
--- Midwest (0.7%), Northeast (3.7%), South (8.8%), West (8.0%)
- Born in another country: 87 (2.05% of population)
--- Africa (0.00%) , Asia (0.71%), Europe (0.38%), Latin America (0.68%), North America (0.28%), Oceania (0.00%)

#20. Surry County

- Population: 6,459
- Born in Virginia: 4,879 (75.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,389 (21.5% of population)
--- Midwest (3.9%), Northeast (7.8%), South (8.3%), West (1.5%)
- Born in another country: 163 (2.52% of population)
--- Africa (0.26%) , Asia (0.02%), Europe (2.24%), Latin America (0.00%), North America (0.00%), Oceania (0.00%)

#19. Essex County

- Population: 10,960
- Born in Virginia: 8,308 (75.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,267 (20.7% of population)
--- Midwest (1.3%), Northeast (8.5%), South (10.1%), West (0.7%)
- Born in another country: 153 (1.40% of population)
--- Africa (0.62%) , Asia (0.50%), Europe (0.15%), Latin America (0.11%), North America (0.00%), Oceania (0.02%)

#18. Sussex County

- Population: 11,202
- Born in Virginia: 8,514 (76.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,405 (21.5% of population)
--- Midwest (2.7%), Northeast (5.9%), South (11.5%), West (1.4%)
- Born in another country: 234 (2.09% of population)
--- Africa (0.10%) , Asia (0.21%), Europe (0.17%), Latin America (1.56%), North America (0.05%), Oceania (0.00%)

#17. Charlotte County

- Population: 11,953
- Born in Virginia: 9,121 (76.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,761 (23.1% of population)
--- Midwest (1.6%), Northeast (9.8%), South (11.2%), West (0.6%)
- Born in another country: 67 (0.56% of population)
--- Africa (0.06%) , Asia (0.26%), Europe (0.00%), Latin America (0.24%), North America (0.00%), Oceania (0.00%)

#16. Emporia

- Population: 5,408
- Born in Virginia: 4,136 (76.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,043 (19.3% of population)
--- Midwest (1.8%), Northeast (3.3%), South (14.1%), West (0.1%)
- Born in another country: 139 (2.57% of population)
--- Africa (0.39%) , Asia (0.00%), Europe (0.09%), Latin America (2.02%), North America (0.07%), Oceania (0.00%)

#15. Appomattox County

- Population: 15,814
- Born in Virginia: 12,108 (76.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,428 (21.7% of population)
--- Midwest (2.6%), Northeast (7.1%), South (8.5%), West (3.4%)
- Born in another country: 244 (1.54% of population)
--- Africa (0.10%) , Asia (0.16%), Europe (0.20%), Latin America (1.03%), North America (0.05%), Oceania (0.00%)

#14. Alleghany County

- Population: 15,030
- Born in Virginia: 11,510 (76.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,223 (21.4% of population)
--- Midwest (2.3%), Northeast (2.9%), South (15.1%), West (1.2%)
- Born in another country: 186 (1.24% of population)
--- Africa (0.02%) , Asia (0.23%), Europe (0.37%), Latin America (0.49%), North America (0.14%), Oceania (0.00%)

#13. Amherst County

- Population: 31,782
- Born in Virginia: 24,416 (76.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 6,561 (20.6% of population)
--- Midwest (3.1%), Northeast (6.9%), South (8.8%), West (1.8%)
- Born in another country: 583 (1.83% of population)
--- Africa (0.25%) , Asia (0.53%), Europe (0.34%), Latin America (0.65%), North America (0.04%), Oceania (0.03%)

#12. Russell County

- Population: 26,937
- Born in Virginia: 20,819 (77.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 5,861 (21.8% of population)
--- Midwest (3.9%), Northeast (1.2%), South (15.9%), West (0.7%)
- Born in another country: 218 (0.81% of population)
--- Africa (0.06%) , Asia (0.32%), Europe (0.03%), Latin America (0.25%), North America (0.14%), Oceania (0.00%)

#11. Pittsylvania County

- Population: 60,867
- Born in Virginia: 47,061 (77.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 12,522 (20.6% of population)
--- Midwest (2.2%), Northeast (5.6%), South (11.6%), West (1.2%)
- Born in another country: 978 (1.61% of population)
--- Africa (0.14%) , Asia (0.38%), Europe (0.08%), Latin America (1.02%), North America (0.00%), Oceania (0.00%)

#10. Buckingham County

- Population: 17,087
- Born in Virginia: 13,216 (77.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,489 (20.4% of population)
--- Midwest (2.0%), Northeast (7.1%), South (8.4%), West (2.8%)
- Born in another country: 246 (1.44% of population)
--- Africa (0.05%) , Asia (0.09%), Europe (0.15%), Latin America (1.15%), North America (0.00%), Oceania (0.00%)

#9. Smyth County

- Population: 30,539
- Born in Virginia: 23,762 (77.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 6,150 (20.1% of population)
--- Midwest (2.0%), Northeast (2.8%), South (14.0%), West (1.3%)
- Born in another country: 489 (1.60% of population)
--- Africa (0.00%) , Asia (0.27%), Europe (0.12%), Latin America (1.02%), North America (0.18%), Oceania (0.00%)

#8. Halifax County

- Population: 34,295
- Born in Virginia: 26,736 (78.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 6,706 (19.6% of population)
--- Midwest (3.2%), Northeast (5.6%), South (9.3%), West (1.5%)
- Born in another country: 655 (1.91% of population)
--- Africa (0.31%) , Asia (0.67%), Europe (0.34%), Latin America (0.57%), North America (0.00%), Oceania (0.03%)

#7. Page County

- Population: 23,862
- Born in Virginia: 18,621 (78.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 4,569 (19.1% of population)
--- Midwest (2.5%), Northeast (4.9%), South (9.9%), West (1.9%)
- Born in another country: 512 (2.15% of population)
--- Africa (0.16%) , Asia (0.53%), Europe (0.70%), Latin America (0.70%), North America (0.00%), Oceania (0.05%)

#6. Brunswick County

- Population: 16,336
- Born in Virginia: 12,749 (78.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,123 (19.1% of population)
--- Midwest (1.5%), Northeast (5.6%), South (11.3%), West (0.6%)
- Born in another country: 264 (1.62% of population)
--- Africa (0.07%) , Asia (0.08%), Europe (0.06%), Latin America (1.41%), North America (0.00%), Oceania (0.00%)

#5. Nottoway County

- Population: 15,338
- Born in Virginia: 12,002 (78.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,581 (16.8% of population)
--- Midwest (2.6%), Northeast (4.7%), South (8.7%), West (0.8%)
- Born in another country: 624 (4.07% of population)
--- Africa (1.43%) , Asia (0.47%), Europe (0.07%), Latin America (2.11%), North America (0.00%), Oceania (0.00%)

#4. Buchanan County

- Population: 21,374
- Born in Virginia: 16,819 (78.7% of population)
- Born in a different state: 4,127 (19.3% of population)
--- Midwest (2.3%), Northeast (1.0%), South (14.7%), West (1.3%)
- Born in another country: 346 (1.62% of population)
--- Africa (0.79%) , Asia (0.53%), Europe (0.21%), Latin America (0.09%), North America (0.00%), Oceania (0.00%)

#3. Amelia County

- Population: 12,970
- Born in Virginia: 10,232 (78.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,462 (19.0% of population)
--- Midwest (4.6%), Northeast (4.4%), South (8.3%), West (1.6%)
- Born in another country: 179 (1.38% of population)
--- Africa (0.00%) , Asia (0.00%), Europe (0.62%), Latin America (0.76%), North America (0.00%), Oceania (0.00%)

#2. Charles City County

- Population: 6,965
- Born in Virginia: 5,532 (79.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,219 (17.5% of population)
--- Midwest (2.5%), Northeast (6.4%), South (7.6%), West (1.1%)
- Born in another country: 154 (2.21% of population)
--- Africa (0.00%) , Asia (0.52%), Europe (0.66%), Latin America (0.80%), North America (0.23%), Oceania (0.00%)

#1. Dickenson County

- Population: 14,524
- Born in Virginia: 11,792 (81.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,627 (18.1% of population)
--- Midwest (3.8%), Northeast (1.3%), South (11.8%), West (1.2%)
- Born in another country: 59 (0.41% of population)
--- Africa (0.00%) , Asia (0.00%), Europe (0.25%), Latin America (0.10%), North America (0.06%), Oceania (0.00%)

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