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

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 Montana 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 2024 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 Montana residents live.

56. Ravalli County
- Population: 46,727
- Born in Montana: 16,068 (34.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 28,974 (62.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 633 (1.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 1,052 (2.3% of population)

55. Sanders County
- Population: 13,285
- Born in Montana: 4,571 (34.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 8,451 (63.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 39 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 224 (1.7% of population)

54. Park County
- Population: 17,710
- Born in Montana: 6,424 (36.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 10,638 (60.1% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 205 (1.2% of population)
- Born in another country: 443 (2.5% of population)

53. Gallatin County
- Population: 124,074
- Born in Montana: 45,341 (36.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 72,520 (58.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 1,138 (0.9% of population)
- Born in another country: 5,075 (4.1% of population)

52. Madison County
- Population: 9,223
- Born in Montana: 3,390 (36.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 5,480 (59.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 99 (1.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 254 (2.8% of population)

51. Carter County
- Population: 1,308
- Born in Montana: 535 (40.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 768 (58.7% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 0 (0.0% of population)
- Born in another country: 5 (0.4% of population)

50. Musselshell County
- Population: 5,152
- Born in Montana: 2,109 (40.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,896 (56.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 57 (1.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 90 (1.7% of population)

49. Mineral County
- Population: 4,959
- Born in Montana: 2,035 (41.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,809 (56.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 39 (0.8% of population)
- Born in another country: 76 (1.5% of population)

48. Lincoln County
- Population: 21,175
- Born in Montana: 8,791 (41.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 11,768 (55.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 69 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 547 (2.6% of population)

47. Flathead County
- Population: 110,695
- Born in Montana: 50,025 (45.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 56,490 (51.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 1,066 (1.0% of population)
- Born in another country: 3,114 (2.8% of population)

46. Carbon County
- Population: 11,116
- Born in Montana: 5,139 (46.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 5,846 (52.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 62 (0.6% of population)
- Born in another country: 69 (0.6% of population)

45. Missoula County
- Population: 120,672
- Born in Montana: 55,925 (46.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 60,129 (49.8% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 1,145 (0.9% of population)
- Born in another country: 3,473 (2.9% of population)

44. Broadwater County
- Population: 7,668
- Born in Montana: 3,611 (47.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,990 (52.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 5 (0.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 62 (0.8% of population)

43. Powder River County
- Population: 1,815
- Born in Montana: 894 (49.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 891 (49.1% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 5 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 25 (1.4% of population)

42. Granite County
- Population: 3,462
- Born in Montana: 1,710 (49.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,650 (47.7% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 26 (0.8% of population)
- Born in another country: 76 (2.2% of population)

41. Jefferson County
- Population: 12,774
- Born in Montana: 6,486 (50.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 6,086 (47.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 74 (0.6% of population)
- Born in another country: 128 (1.0% of population)

40. Stillwater County
- Population: 9,182
- Born in Montana: 4,663 (50.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 4,361 (47.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 41 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 117 (1.3% of population)

39. Wibaux County
- Population: 1,193
- Born in Montana: 606 (50.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 525 (44.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 0 (0.0% of population)
- Born in another country: 62 (5.2% of population)

38. Powell County
- Population: 7,053
- Born in Montana: 3,663 (51.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,187 (45.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 38 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 165 (2.3% of population)

37. Beaverhead County
- Population: 9,713
- Born in Montana: 5,088 (52.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 4,402 (45.3% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 68 (0.7% of population)
- Born in another country: 155 (1.6% of population)

36. Lewis and Clark County
- Population: 73,464
- Born in Montana: 38,573 (52.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 33,007 (44.9% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 510 (0.7% of population)
- Born in another country: 1,374 (1.9% of population)

35. Sweet Grass County
- Population: 3,720
- Born in Montana: 1,957 (52.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,686 (45.3% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 30 (0.8% of population)
- Born in another country: 47 (1.3% of population)

34. Lake County
- Population: 32,561
- Born in Montana: 17,240 (52.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 14,317 (44.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 246 (0.8% of population)
- Born in another country: 758 (2.3% of population)

33. Sheridan County
- Population: 3,669
- Born in Montana: 1,993 (54.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,493 (40.7% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 83 (2.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 100 (2.7% of population)

32. Golden Valley County
- Population: 899
- Born in Montana: 503 (56.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 378 (42.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 9 (1.0% of population)
- Born in another country: 9 (1.0% of population)

31. Dawson County
- Population: 8,827
- Born in Montana: 5,062 (57.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,657 (41.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 69 (0.8% of population)
- Born in another country: 39 (0.4% of population)

30. Meagher County
- Population: 2,007
- Born in Montana: 1,160 (57.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 811 (40.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 17 (0.8% of population)
- Born in another country: 19 (0.9% of population)

29. Cascade County
- Population: 84,606
- Born in Montana: 48,995 (57.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 32,352 (38.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 1,326 (1.6% of population)
- Born in another country: 1,933 (2.3% of population)

28. Petroleum County
- Population: 447
- Born in Montana: 260 (58.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 181 (40.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 2 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 4 (0.9% of population)

27. Wheatland County
- Population: 2,056
- Born in Montana: 1,202 (58.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 824 (40.1% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 0 (0.0% of population)
- Born in another country: 30 (1.5% of population)

26. Yellowstone County
- Population: 168,957
- Born in Montana: 99,031 (58.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 65,714 (38.9% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 964 (0.6% of population)
- Born in another country: 3,248 (1.9% of population)

25. Richland County
- Population: 11,235
- Born in Montana: 6,589 (58.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 4,182 (37.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 119 (1.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 345 (3.1% of population)

24. Toole County
- Population: 5,061
- Born in Montana: 3,134 (61.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,648 (32.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 64 (1.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 215 (4.2% of population)

23. Fergus County
- Population: 11,687
- Born in Montana: 7,245 (62.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 4,096 (35.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 93 (0.8% of population)
- Born in another country: 253 (2.2% of population)

22. Deer Lodge County
- Population: 9,597
- Born in Montana: 6,017 (62.7% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,447 (35.9% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 97 (1.0% of population)
- Born in another country: 36 (0.4% of population)

21. Treasure County
- Population: 732
- Born in Montana: 468 (63.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 238 (32.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 14 (1.9% of population)
- Born in another country: 12 (1.6% of population)

20. Teton County
- Population: 6,353
- Born in Montana: 4,063 (64.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,193 (34.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 71 (1.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 26 (0.4% of population)

19. Daniels County
- Population: 1,494
- Born in Montana: 959 (64.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 500 (33.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 0 (0.0% of population)
- Born in another country: 35 (2.3% of population)

18. Custer County
- Population: 11,961
- Born in Montana: 7,687 (64.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 4,084 (34.1% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 33 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 157 (1.3% of population)

17. Rosebud County
- Population: 8,165
- Born in Montana: 5,369 (65.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,606 (31.9% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 5 (0.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 185 (2.3% of population)

16. Fallon County
- Population: 2,760
- Born in Montana: 1,848 (67.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 852 (30.9% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 8 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 52 (1.9% of population)

15. Judith Basin County
- Population: 2,071
- Born in Montana: 1,392 (67.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 611 (29.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 21 (1.0% of population)
- Born in another country: 47 (2.3% of population)

14. Silver Bow County
- Population: 35,785
- Born in Montana: 24,891 (69.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 10,317 (28.8% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 138 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 439 (1.2% of population)

13. Prairie County
- Population: 1,250
- Born in Montana: 873 (69.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 305 (24.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 22 (1.8% of population)
- Born in another country: 50 (4.0% of population)

12. Valley County
- Population: 7,519
- Born in Montana: 5,270 (70.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,122 (28.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 36 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 91 (1.2% of population)

11. Pondera County
- Population: 6,035
- Born in Montana: 4,291 (71.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,614 (26.7% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 24 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 106 (1.8% of population)

10. Chouteau County
- Population: 5,906
- Born in Montana: 4,261 (72.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,452 (24.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 105 (1.8% of population)
- Born in another country: 88 (1.5% of population)

9. McCone County
- Population: 1,670
- Born in Montana: 1,213 (72.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 436 (26.1% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 0 (0.0% of population)
- Born in another country: 21 (1.3% of population)

8. Hill County
- Population: 16,155
- Born in Montana: 11,991 (74.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,907 (24.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 94 (0.6% of population)
- Born in another country: 163 (1.0% of population)

7. Phillips County
- Population: 4,221
- Born in Montana: 3,249 (77.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 840 (19.9% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 22 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 110 (2.6% of population)

6. Big Horn County
- Population: 12,891
- Born in Montana: 9,969 (77.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,813 (21.8% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 0 (0.0% of population)
- Born in another country: 109 (0.8% of population)

5. Garfield County
- Population: 1,094
- Born in Montana: 851 (77.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 243 (22.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 0 (0.0% of population)
- Born in another country: 0 (0.0% of population)

4. Roosevelt County
- Population: 10,526
- Born in Montana: 8,306 (78.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,112 (20.1% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 20 (0.2% of population)
- Born in another country: 88 (0.8% of population)

3. Liberty County
- Population: 1,952
- Born in Montana: 1,586 (81.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 302 (15.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 8 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 56 (2.9% of population)

2. Glacier County
- Population: 13,637
- Born in Montana: 11,128 (81.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,250 (16.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 152 (1.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 107 (0.8% of population)

1. Blaine County
- Population: 6,949
- Born in Montana: 5,893 (84.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 913 (13.1% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 28 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 115 (1.7% of population)