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

Publichall // Wikimedia Commons

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

In certain corners of the U.S., the only way you’ll ever be considered a local is if you were born there. Elsewhere, particularly in major metropolitan centers, the constant influx of new businesses, college students, and families can transform neighborhoods every few years and certainly decade over decade.

Americans change their addresses at higher rates than most other countries, but that “move, move, move” mentality may be shifting. In 2016, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that only 11.2% of respondents had moved within the last year. Additionally, 72% of Americans reported living in or close to the city they grew up in. To learn more about where people are staying put, Stacker compiled a list of counties with the most born-and-bred residents in Washington using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by the highest percentage of residents that were born in the state as of 2019.

Keep reading to discover which counties in your state have the most born-and-bred residents.

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Walter Siegmund // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Wahkiakum County

- Population: 4,268
- Born in Washington: 1,852 (43.4% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 2,209 (51.8% of population)
--- Midwest (8.8%), Northeast (3.0%), South (3.4%), West (36.4%)
- Born in another country: 201 (4.7% of population)
--- Africa (0.4%), Asia (1.9%), Europe (1.0%), Latin America (1.2%), North America (0.3%), Oceania (0.0%)

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Calvin Beale // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Garfield County

- Population: 2,230
- Born in Washington: 971 (43.5% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 1,184 (53.1% of population)
--- Midwest (7.4%), Northeast (1.3%), South (6.5%), West (37.9%)
- Born in another country: 54 (2.4% of population)
--- Africa (0.0%), Asia (2.3%), Europe (0.1%), Latin America (0.0%), North America (0.0%), Oceania (0.0%)

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Sam Beebe // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Pacific County

- Population: 21,688
- Born in Washington: 9,766 (45.0% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 10,164 (46.9% of population)
--- Midwest (9.1%), Northeast (3.6%), South (3.6%), West (30.5%)
- Born in another country: 1,483 (6.8% of population)
--- Africa (0.0%), Asia (0.6%), Europe (1.0%), Latin America (4.7%), North America (0.3%), Oceania (0.2%)

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Joe Mabel // Wikicommons

#27. Thurston County

- Population: 279,711
- Born in Washington: 129,559 (46.3% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 121,079 (43.3% of population)
--- Midwest (9.1%), Northeast (4.3%), South (9.1%), West (20.3%)
- Born in another country: 22,679 (8.1% of population)
--- Africa (0.2%), Asia (3.9%), Europe (1.3%), Latin America (2.1%), North America (0.4%), Oceania (0.2%)

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Neonstar // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Clallam County

- Population: 75,392
- Born in Washington: 36,699 (48.7% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 33,830 (44.9% of population)
--- Midwest (11.5%), Northeast (4.5%), South (6.3%), West (22.5%)
- Born in another country: 4,081 (5.4% of population)
--- Africa (0.1%), Asia (1.5%), Europe (1.6%), Latin America (1.3%), North America (0.9%), Oceania (0.1%)

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SounderBruce // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Pierce County

- Population: 877,013
- Born in Washington: 439,789 (50.1% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 332,881 (38.0% of population)
--- Midwest (7.9%), Northeast (3.7%), South (8.2%), West (17.2%)
- Born in another country: 86,037 (9.8% of population)
--- Africa (0.5%), Asia (4.4%), Europe (1.6%), Latin America (2.7%), North America (0.4%), Oceania (0.3%)

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SounderBruce // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Snohomish County

- Population: 798,808
- Born in Washington: 401,919 (50.3% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 256,461 (32.1% of population)
--- Midwest (7.5%), Northeast (3.0%), South (5.4%), West (15.9%)
- Born in another country: 128,430 (16.1% of population)
--- Africa (1.3%), Asia (7.8%), Europe (2.6%), Latin America (3.5%), North America (0.6%), Oceania (0.3%)

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Ilyaunfois // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Whitman County

- Population: 49,231
- Born in Washington: 24,909 (50.6% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 17,941 (36.4% of population)
--- Midwest (5.0%), Northeast (2.3%), South (5.1%), West (23.9%)
- Born in another country: 5,586 (11.3% of population)
--- Africa (1.1%), Asia (7.0%), Europe (1.7%), Latin America (1.3%), North America (0.2%), Oceania (0.0%)

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Squarestate7 // Wikicommons

#22. Walla Walla County

- Population: 60,365
- Born in Washington: 30,776 (51.0% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 22,646 (37.5% of population)
--- Midwest (6.8%), Northeast (2.2%), South (5.4%), West (23.0%)
- Born in another country: 6,079 (10.1% of population)
--- Africa (0.2%), Asia (1.4%), Europe (0.8%), Latin America (6.9%), North America (0.7%), Oceania (0.1%)

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Williamborg // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Franklin County

- Population: 92,009
- Born in Washington: 47,616 (51.8% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 22,353 (24.3% of population)
--- Midwest (3.0%), Northeast (1.5%), South (4.1%), West (15.6%)
- Born in another country: 20,896 (22.7% of population)
--- Africa (0.3%), Asia (1.2%), Europe (1.0%), Latin America (20.1%), North America (0.2%), Oceania (0.0%)

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Nick Kelly / Faithlife Corporation

#20. Whatcom County

- Population: 220,821
- Born in Washington: 114,602 (51.9% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 79,787 (36.1% of population)
--- Midwest (8.2%), Northeast (3.8%), South (5.1%), West (18.8%)
- Born in another country: 22,318 (10.1% of population)
--- Africa (0.2%), Asia (2.8%), Europe (1.9%), Latin America (2.7%), North America (2.4%), Oceania (0.1%)

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formulanone // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Benton County

- Population: 197,518
- Born in Washington: 104,182 (52.7% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 70,758 (35.8% of population)
--- Midwest (7.0%), Northeast (2.6%), South (6.1%), West (20.0%)
- Born in another country: 21,133 (10.7% of population)
--- Africa (0.1%), Asia (2.4%), Europe (1.3%), Latin America (6.4%), North America (0.4%), Oceania (0.0%)

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Ruthven78 // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Pend Oreille County

- Population: 13,377
- Born in Washington: 7,082 (52.9% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 5,654 (42.3% of population)
--- Midwest (9.8%), Northeast (1.8%), South (4.4%), West (26.3%)
- Born in another country: 489 (3.7% of population)
--- Africa (0.0%), Asia (0.7%), Europe (1.3%), Latin America (1.4%), North America (0.2%), Oceania (0.0%)

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Joe Mabel // Wikicommons

#17. Skagit County

- Population: 125,612
- Born in Washington: 67,196 (53.5% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 43,871 (34.9% of population)
--- Midwest (8.0%), Northeast (3.4%), South (5.4%), West (17.9%)
- Born in another country: 12,891 (10.3% of population)
--- Africa (0.1%), Asia (1.3%), Europe (1.5%), Latin America (6.6%), North America (0.7%), Oceania (0.1%)

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Joe Mabel // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Adams County

- Population: 19,594
- Born in Washington: 10,546 (53.8% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 4,161 (21.2% of population)
--- Midwest (2.9%), Northeast (1.4%), South (3.3%), West (13.6%)
- Born in another country: 4,798 (24.5% of population)
--- Africa (0.0%), Asia (0.4%), Europe (0.3%), Latin America (23.0%), North America (0.4%), Oceania (0.3%)

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Ron Reiring // Wikicommons

#15. Spokane County

- Population: 505,505
- Born in Washington: 272,694 (53.9% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 199,424 (39.5% of population)
--- Midwest (7.6%), Northeast (2.9%), South (5.5%), West (23.3%)
- Born in another country: 27,370 (5.4% of population)
--- Africa (0.3%), Asia (1.9%), Europe (1.7%), Latin America (0.9%), North America (0.4%), Oceania (0.2%)

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Sam Beebe // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Cowlitz County

- Population: 106,778
- Born in Washington: 57,776 (54.1% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 44,026 (41.2% of population)
--- Midwest (7.3%), Northeast (2.1%), South (4.7%), West (27.1%)
- Born in another country: 4,227 (4.0% of population)
--- Africa (0.1%), Asia (1.0%), Europe (0.5%), Latin America (1.9%), North America (0.3%), Oceania (0.1%)

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Irra // Shutterstock

#13. Grant County

- Population: 95,502
- Born in Washington: 52,336 (54.8% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 24,606 (25.8% of population)
--- Midwest (5.1%), Northeast (1.1%), South (3.6%), West (15.8%)
- Born in another country: 17,698 (18.5% of population)
--- Africa (0.1%), Asia (0.5%), Europe (1.3%), Latin America (16.2%), North America (0.4%), Oceania (0.0%)

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Ian Poellet // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Mason County

- Population: 63,804
- Born in Washington: 35,447 (55.6% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 24,014 (37.6% of population)
--- Midwest (7.3%), Northeast (4.0%), South (6.1%), West (20.0%)
- Born in another country: 3,620 (5.7% of population)
--- Africa (0.0%), Asia (0.8%), Europe (0.6%), Latin America (4.0%), North America (0.2%), Oceania (0.1%)

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John Stanton // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Columbia County

- Population: 3,992
- Born in Washington: 2,219 (55.6% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 1,463 (36.6% of population)
--- Midwest (6.8%), Northeast (2.7%), South (4.1%), West (23.1%)
- Born in another country: 297 (7.4% of population)
--- Africa (0.0%), Asia (1.4%), Europe (0.7%), Latin America (4.1%), North America (0.3%), Oceania (1.1%)

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Jennifer Gottwald // Wikicommons

#10. Chelan County

- Population: 76,229
- Born in Washington: 43,410 (56.9% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 22,396 (29.4% of population)
--- Midwest (6.4%), Northeast (3.1%), South (4.5%), West (15.2%)
- Born in another country: 9,832 (12.9% of population)
--- Africa (0.1%), Asia (0.5%), Europe (0.6%), Latin America (11.1%), North America (0.6%), Oceania (0.0%)

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BrandonHansen18 // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Stevens County

- Population: 44,655
- Born in Washington: 25,463 (57.0% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 17,404 (39.0% of population)
--- Midwest (7.3%), Northeast (2.7%), South (4.8%), West (24.1%)
- Born in another country: 1,386 (3.1% of population)
--- Africa (0.1%), Asia (0.7%), Europe (0.9%), Latin America (0.6%), North America (0.8%), Oceania (0.0%)

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Thayne Tuason // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Douglas County

- Population: 42,023
- Born in Washington: 24,273 (57.8% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 10,875 (25.9% of population)
--- Midwest (5.9%), Northeast (1.2%), South (3.0%), West (15.5%)
- Born in another country: 6,422 (15.3% of population)
--- Africa (0.1%), Asia (0.5%), Europe (0.8%), Latin America (13.4%), North America (0.3%), Oceania (0.1%)

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Kevmi // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Ferry County

- Population: 7,578
- Born in Washington: 4,409 (58.2% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 2,926 (38.6% of population)
--- Midwest (8.5%), Northeast (2.5%), South (4.6%), West (22.8%)
- Born in another country: 114 (1.5% of population)
--- Africa (0.0%), Asia (0.4%), Europe (0.6%), Latin America (0.1%), North America (0.3%), Oceania (0.1%)

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Steven Pavlov // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Lewis County

- Population: 78,145
- Born in Washington: 46,296 (59.2% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 26,938 (34.5% of population)
--- Midwest (7.4%), Northeast (2.2%), South (4.4%), West (20.4%)
- Born in another country: 4,049 (5.2% of population)
--- Africa (0.0%), Asia (0.7%), Europe (0.7%), Latin America (3.3%), North America (0.3%), Oceania (0.1%)

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Bouldernavigator // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Okanogan County

- Population: 41,842
- Born in Washington: 24,924 (59.6% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 12,148 (29.0% of population)
--- Midwest (6.8%), Northeast (2.2%), South (4.2%), West (15.5%)
- Born in another country: 4,408 (10.5% of population)
--- Africa (0.1%), Asia (0.8%), Europe (0.3%), Latin America (8.6%), North America (0.7%), Oceania (0.0%)

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Michael S. Shannon // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Yakima County

- Population: 249,697
- Born in Washington: 150,434 (60.2% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 51,122 (20.5% of population)
--- Midwest (4.0%), Northeast (1.0%), South (3.6%), West (11.8%)
- Born in another country: 46,708 (18.7% of population)
--- Africa (0.2%), Asia (0.7%), Europe (0.3%), Latin America (17.4%), North America (0.2%), Oceania (0.0%)

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MrX // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Kittitas County

- Population: 45,897
- Born in Washington: 29,103 (63.4% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 13,913 (30.3% of population)
--- Midwest (6.6%), Northeast (3.4%), South (4.6%), West (15.5%)
- Born in another country: 2,359 (5.1% of population)
--- Africa (0.1%), Asia (1.3%), Europe (0.6%), Latin America (2.4%), North America (0.5%), Oceania (0.2%)

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Joe Mabel // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Grays Harbor County

- Population: 72,779
- Born in Washington: 46,589 (64.0% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 21,963 (30.2% of population)
--- Midwest (6.7%), Northeast (1.7%), South (4.3%), West (17.4%)
- Born in another country: 3,494 (4.8% of population)
--- Africa (0.1%), Asia (1.0%), Europe (0.6%), Latin America (2.8%), North America (0.4%), Oceania (0.0%)

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Publichall // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Lincoln County

- Population: 10,574
- Born in Washington: 6,906 (65.3% of population)
- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 3,429 (32.4% of population)
--- Midwest (8.5%), Northeast (1.9%), South (5.0%), West (17.0%)
- Born in another country: 182 (1.7% of population)
--- Africa (0.0%), Asia (0.6%), Europe (0.4%), Latin America (0.4%), North America (0.2%), Oceania (0.1%)