County in every state with the most born-and-bred residents

- #1 county: Lowndes County (population: 10,236)
--- Born in Alabama: 9,247 (90.34% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 957 (9.35% of population)
--- Born in another country: 32 (0.31% of population)
- #2 county: Greene County (population: 8,426)
--- Born in Alabama: 7,610 (90.32% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 808 (9.59% of population)
--- Born in another country: 8 (0.09% of population)
- #3 county: Hale County (population: 14,887)
--- Born in Alabama: 13,149 (88.33% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 1,652 (11.10% of population)
--- Born in another country: 86 (0.58% of population)

Located in south-central Alabama, in the state’s Black Belt region, Lowndes County was established in 1830. The dark, nutrient-rich soil in the area has allowed the agriculture industry to flourish for the past 190 years, with many long-time residents growing cotton, corn, and potatoes. Lowndes County is also well-known for being at the forefront of the civil rights movement in the 1960s and is home to the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, the earliest incarnation of the Black Panthers.

- #1 county: Kusilvak Census Area (population: 8,198)
--- Born in Alaska: 7,778 (94.88% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 331 (4.04% of population)
--- Born in another country: 89 (1.09% of population)
- #2 county: Bethel Census Area (population: 18,040)
--- Born in Alaska: 15,808 (87.63% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 1,865 (10.34% of population)
--- Born in another country: 367 (2.03% of population)
- #3 county: Northwest Arctic Borough (population: 7,734)
--- Born in Alaska: 6,628 (85.70% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 1,009 (13.05% of population)
--- Born in another country: 97 (1.25% of population)

The Kusilvak Census Area might be the largest county-equivalent on our list, covering 19,673 square miles. The rural setting offers limited gainful employment options, which has led to a per-capita income of $12,578. Kusilvak is among the poorest counties in the entire United States.

- #1 county: Apache County (population: 71,522)
--- Born in Arizona: 53,037 (74.15% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 17,294 (24.18% of population)
--- Born in another country: 1,191 (1.67% of population)
- #2 county: Greenlee County (population: 9,504)
--- Born in Arizona: 6,512 (68.52% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 2,689 (28.29% of population)
--- Born in another country: 303 (3.19% of population)
- #3 county: Navajo County (population: 108,705)
--- Born in Arizona: 74,105 (68.17% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 31,436 (28.92% of population)
--- Born in another country: 3,164 (2.91% of population)

Once inhabited solely by Navajo and Apache tribes, Arizona’s Apache County is home to 25% of the state’s Native American residents. Reservations and protected lands, including the Petrified Forest National Park and the Painted Desert, cover a combined 87% of the county. However, the largest employer in the area is not, as you might imagine, the state, but the four hospitals that care for the thousands of locals.

- #1 county: Prairie County (population: 8,244)
--- Born in Arkansas: 7,078 (85.86% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 1,161 (14.08% of population)
--- Born in another country: 5 (0.06% of population)
- #2 county: Arkansas County (population: 18,124)
--- Born in Arkansas: 15,363 (84.77% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 2,626 (14.49% of population)
--- Born in another country: 135 (0.74% of population)
- #3 county: Dallas County (population: 7,432)
--- Born in Arkansas: 6,281 (84.51% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 1,086 (14.61% of population)
--- Born in another country: 65 (0.87% of population)

Des Arc, one of Prairie County’s seats, was the earliest settlement in the state of Arkansas with a group of Creole families arriving as early as 1810. Since its founding, the rich, flat land of Prairie County has been prime farmland, with cotton, rice, soybeans, and wheat being the area’s main crops. After 210 years, the county’s water supply, which has faithfully fed these crops, has begun to dry up, and the region is now tasked with finding ways to better manage its water so its agricultural legacy can endure.

- #1 county: Tuolumne County (population: 53,932)
--- Born in California: 39,574 (73.38% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 11,929 (22.12% of population)
--- Born in another country: 2,429 (4.50% of population)
- #2 county: Lassen County (population: 31,185)
--- Born in California: 22,738 (72.91% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 6,821 (21.87% of population)
--- Born in another country: 1,626 (5.21% of population)
- #3 county: Tehama County (population: 63,373)
--- Born in California: 46,165 (72.85% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 11,649 (18.38% of population)
--- Born in another country: 5,559 (8.77% of population)

In 1848, gold was discovered in Tuolumne County causing thousands of prospectors to flood the area in hopes of building their own fortunes. Located just 133 miles east of San Francisco, the county has built its entire economy off of its natural resources—from gold to timber, apple orchards to cattle ranches, and even tourism. This natural predisposition to prosperity combined with the average 325 days of sun each year, are surely both factors that lead many native residents to stick around.

- #1 county: Conejos County (population: 8,142)
--- Born in Colorado: 6,441 (79.11% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 1,496 (18.37% of population)
--- Born in another country: 205 (2.52% of population)
- #2 county: Cheyenne County (population: 2,039)
--- Born in Colorado: 1,445 (70.87% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 433 (21.24% of population)
--- Born in another country: 161 (7.90% of population)
- #3 county: Washington County (population: 4,840)
--- Born in Colorado: 3,179 (65.68% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 1,509 (31.18% of population)
--- Born in another country: 152 (3.14% of population)

Originally settled by Spanish speakers migrating north from Mexico, Conejos County derives its name from the Spanish word for rabbit (conejo) thanks to its large population of the furry mammals. The flat expanses of desert land in the county have kept it scarcely populated, but those who do live here primarily work in agriculture, the area’s biggest industry, growing everything from barley to cabbage to alfalfa. For many life-long residents, it’s the outdoor recreation opportunities, like camping, hiking, fishing, and hunting, that keep them around.

- #1 county: Litchfield County (population: 183,031)
--- Born in Connecticut: 119,453 (65.26% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 49,127 (26.84% of population)
--- Born in another country: 14,451 (7.90% of population)
- #2 county: Middlesex County (population: 163,368)
--- Born in Connecticut: 105,492 (64.57% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 45,381 (27.78% of population)
--- Born in another country: 12,495 (7.65% of population)
- #3 county: Tolland County (population: 151,269)
--- Born in Connecticut: 94,468 (62.45% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 46,099 (30.47% of population)
--- Born in another country: 10,702 (7.07% of population)

A stone’s throw from New York City, Litchfield County is a popular weekending spot for wealthy city dwellers looking for a bit of country calm. Once a farming region, LItchfield in the late 1700s became a cultural and commercial center with the nation’s first law school and the Litchfield Female Academy, one of the first schools for higher education for girls. Today, tourism and hospitality are the northern Connecticut county’s biggest industries.

- #1 county: New Castle County (population: 555,133)
--- Born in Delaware: 256,135 (46.14% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 237,213 (42.73% of population)
--- Born in another country: 61,785 (11.13% of population)
- #2 county: Kent County (population: 174,822)
--- Born in Delaware: 80,317 (45.94% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 84,600 (48.39% of population)
--- Born in another country: 9,905 (5.67% of population)
- #3 county: Sussex County (population: 219,540)
--- Born in Delaware: 89,662 (40.84% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 114,190 (52.01% of population)
--- Born in another country: 15,688 (7.15% of population)

New Castle County was founded in 1637 and is the oldest of Delaware's three counties. New Castle is now a National Landmark Historic Area and popular tourist attraction. However, that doesn’t mean that the county is stuck in the past—the vast majority of residents work in the modern industries of health care, education, and retail.

- #1 county: Baker County (population: 27,785)
--- Born in Florida: 19,926 (71.71% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 7,371 (26.53% of population)
--- Born in another country: 488 (1.76% of population)
- #2 county: Gadsden County (population: 46,017)
--- Born in Florida: 32,582 (70.80% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 10,995 (23.89% of population)
--- Born in another country: 2,440 (5.30% of population)
- #3 county: Calhoun County (population: 14,444)
--- Born in Florida: 9,982 (69.11% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 3,949 (27.34% of population)
--- Born in another country: 513 (3.55% of population)

Just over the Florida-Georgia line, Baker County is a true country county with plenty of elbow room. With an average of only 46 residents per square mile, the county’s legacy as an agricultural hub holds strong even as many modern-day residents find work in manufacturing, logistics and distribution, and aviation services. State and national forests and parks cover thousands of acres in the area, providing residents with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors.

- #1 county: Wheeler County (population: 7,939)
--- Born in Georgia: 7,015 (88.36% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 856 (10.78% of population)
--- Born in another country: 68 (0.86% of population)
- #2 county: Warren County (population: 5,346)
--- Born in Georgia: 4,682 (87.58% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 586 (10.96% of population)
--- Born in another country: 78 (1.46% of population)
- #3 county: Wilkinson County (population: 9,078)
--- Born in Georgia: 7,921 (87.25% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 1,008 (11.10% of population)
--- Born in another country: 149 (1.64% of population)

Wedged between the Oconee River, the Little Ocmulgee River, and the Ocmulgee River, Wheeler County was established in 1912. A densely forested area, the county originally hosted huge sawmilling and naval stores industries, but today the vast majority of residents work outside the county in different areas. Still, Wheeler provides a family-centric, small-town community feel, with plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation and Southern hospitality.

- #1 county: Kalawao County (population: 75)
--- Born in Hawaii: 48 (64.00% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 25 (33.33% of population)
--- Born in another country: 2 (2.67% of population)
- #2 county: Hawaii County (population: 197,658)
--- Born in Hawaii: 109,946 (55.62% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 64,194 (32.48% of population)
--- Born in another country: 23,518 (11.90% of population)
- #3 county: Kauai County (population: 71,377)
--- Born in Hawaii: 38,707 (54.23% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 20,294 (28.43% of population)
--- Born in another country: 12,376 (17.34% of population)

Home to less than 100 people, Kalawao County is the smallest county in the United States. Separated from neighboring Maui County by 2,000-foot sea cliffs, Kalawao was founded in 1866 in order to quarantine people suffering from leprosy. Today's residents are descendants of those who lived in Kalawao prior to a cure for the disease; and while the government has allowed them to remain in their community as long as they live, new move-ins aren't allowed. Eventually, officials plan to turn the entire area into a state park.

- #1 county: Bingham County (population: 45,551)
--- Born in Idaho: 30,793 (67.60% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 11,924 (26.18% of population)
--- Born in another country: 2,834 (6.22% of population)
- #2 county: Jefferson County (population: 27,969)
--- Born in Idaho: 18,191 (65.04% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 8,681 (31.04% of population)
--- Born in another country: 1,097 (3.92% of population)
- #3 county: Fremont County (population: 12,965)
--- Born in Idaho: 8,244 (63.59% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 4,068 (31.38% of population)
--- Born in another country: 653 (5.04% of population)

There are more Idaho Russet potatoes grown in Bingham County, Idaho, than in any other place in the entire world. That being said, it should come as no surprise, that Bingham County’s primary industry is agriculture, with life-long residents churning out 30% of the country’s entire potato crop. There is also ample opportunity for hiking, camping, hunting, and fishing in the wide-open southeastern county.

- #1 county: Shelby County (population: 21,832)
--- Born in Illinois: 19,733 (90.39% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 2,034 (9.32% of population)
--- Born in another country: 65 (0.30% of population)
- #2 county: Scott County (population: 5,047)
--- Born in Illinois: 4,445 (88.07% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 559 (11.08% of population)
--- Born in another country: 43 (0.85% of population)
- #3 county: Greene County (population: 13,218)
--- Born in Illinois: 11,607 (87.81% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 1,537 (11.63% of population)
--- Born in another country: 74 (0.56% of population)

Shelby County was named for Isaac Shelby, a soldier in the Revolutionary War and the eventual Governor of neighboring Kentucky. Located in the central part of the state, far from any major metropolitan hubs, Shelby County is fairly suburban, with residents working in health care, manufacturing, and retail trade.

- #1 county: Martin County (population: 10,210)
--- Born in Indiana: 8,841 (86.59% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 1,338 (13.10% of population)
--- Born in another country: 31 (0.30% of population)
- #2 county: Clay County (population: 26,268)
--- Born in Indiana: 22,315 (84.95% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 3,734 (14.22% of population)
--- Born in another country: 219 (0.83% of population)
- #3 county: Daviess County (population: 32,937)
--- Born in Indiana: 27,895 (84.69% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 4,137 (12.56% of population)
--- Born in another country: 905 (2.75% of population)

Formed in 1820, Martin County, Indiana has always been industrial—making everything from glass to mussel buttons to jukeboxes, and processing gypsum, a naturally occurring mineral in the soil. Today, almost 60% of the county’s land is owned by the government, as part of either the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division or Hoosier National Forest. When residents aren’t busy at work manufacturing goods, they spend a lot of time in the great outdoors, hiking, camping, and mountain biking.

- #1 county: Delaware County (population: 17,258)
--- Born in Iowa: 15,279 (88.53% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 1,888 (10.94% of population)
--- Born in another country: 91 (0.53% of population)
- #2 county: Butler County (population: 14,735)
--- Born in Iowa: 12,904 (87.57% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 1,668 (11.32% of population)
--- Born in another country: 163 (1.11% of population)
- #3 county: Carroll County (population: 20,344)
--- Born in Iowa: 17,651 (86.76% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 2,539 (12.48% of population)
--- Born in another country: 154 (0.76% of population)

Split off from Dubuque County in 1837, Delaware County is centrally located to several major urban hubs in Iowa, like Cedar Rapids and Waterloo. Its proximity to these more metropolitan cities means that many residents choose to commute for work while enjoying the lower cost of living and more open townships in Delaware County. Life-long residents have made it their mission to make the area less of a pass-through region and more of a destination by adding museums and attractions and improving parks and public spaces.

- #1 county: Osborne County (population: 3,603)
--- Born in Kansas: 2,930 (81.32% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 640 (17.76% of population)
--- Born in another country: 33 (0.92% of population)
- #2 county: Rush County (population: 3,102)
--- Born in Kansas: 2,501 (80.63% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 564 (18.18% of population)
--- Born in another country: 37 (1.19% of population)
- #3 county: Mitchell County (population: 6,222)
--- Born in Kansas: 5,015 (80.60% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 1,112 (17.87% of population)
--- Born in another country: 95 (1.53% of population)

Osborne County was officially organized in 1871, but it wasn’t until peace was made with the Native Americans and the Central Pacific Railroad arrived in 1879, that it really began to flourish. Today, mining, agriculture, forestry, and manufacturing dominate the local economy in this northern Kansas county.

- #1 county: Owsley County (population: 4,463)
--- Born in Kentucky: 4,045 (90.63% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 410 (9.19% of population)
--- Born in another country: 8 (0.18% of population)
- #2 county: Leslie County (population: 10,472)
--- Born in Kentucky: 9,316 (88.96% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 1,126 (10.75% of population)
--- Born in another country: 30 (0.29% of population)
- #3 county: Jackson County (population: 13,373)
--- Born in Kentucky: 11,636 (87.01% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 1,737 (12.99% of population)
--- Born in another country: (0.00% of population)

In 2016, Owsley County, a small Appalachian region established in 1843, was dubbed the poorest white county in the United States. With a high unemployment rate and very few industries with roots in the community, many younger residents are leaving to try their luck in larger, neighboring counties. As of 2017, the median age in Owsley was 41.8.

- #1 county: St. James Parish (population: 21,357)
--- Born in Louisiana: 20,085 (94.04% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 1,126 (5.27% of population)
--- Born in another country: 146 (0.68% of population)
- #2 county: St. Landry Parish (population: 83,449)
--- Born in Louisiana: 77,756 (93.18% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 4,690 (5.62% of population)
--- Born in another country: 1,003 (1.20% of population)
- #3 county: Assumption Parish (population: 22,714)
--- Born in Louisiana: 20,857 (91.82% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 1,527 (6.72% of population)
--- Born in another country: 330 (1.45% of population)

In St. James Parish, chemical plants cover large swaths of land, converting oil and gas into usable products and polluting the environment of the 21,000 locals who live among them. With the city planning to open dozens more in the coming months, residents, who are largely Black or African American, have begun to push back, demanding regulations before the county becomes “unlivable.” The pushback from older residents, who remember St. James as a quiet agricultural community, is especially strong.

- #1 county: Androscoggin County (population: 107,444)
--- Born in Maine: 79,207 (73.72% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 24,734 (23.02% of population)
--- Born in another country: 3,503 (3.26% of population)
- #2 county: Aroostook County (population: 68,269)
--- Born in Maine: 50,293 (73.67% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 14,970 (21.93% of population)
--- Born in another country: 3,006 (4.40% of population)
- #3 county: Somerset County (population: 50,710)
--- Born in Maine: 36,380 (71.74% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 13,503 (26.63% of population)
--- Born in another country: 827 (1.63% of population)

Twin cities Lewiston and Auburn in Androscoggin County together serve as the cultural and economic center of this region in Maine. Right in the middle of the cities are the Great Falls, which are the location of many of the community’s biggest events from the Fourth of July Celebration to the Hot Air Balloon Festival. When it comes to work, textile and shoe industries are surprisingly large employers in the county.

- #1 county: Dorchester County (population: 32,261)
--- Born in Maryland: 23,678 (73.40% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 7,475 (23.17% of population)
--- Born in another country: 1,108 (3.43% of population)
- #2 county: Allegany County (population: 71,977)
--- Born in Maryland: 52,680 (73.19% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 17,786 (24.71% of population)
--- Born in another country: 1,511 (2.10% of population)
- #3 county: Carroll County (population: 167,522)
--- Born in Maryland: 113,067 (67.49% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 48,106 (28.72% of population)
--- Born in another country: 6,349 (3.79% of population)

Boasting more shoreline than any other county in Maryland, the Chesapeake Bay plays a huge role in the lives of Dorchester County residents. A large number of folks find employment harvesting crabs, oysters, clams, and fish just off the coast, while others whip up seafood-inspired dishes for the thousands of tourists that flock to the county each year. Unfortunately for locals, the rising sea levels have been eating up much of the shoreline, forcing many of them to move further inland.

- #1 county: Plymouth County (population: 512,135)
--- Born in Massachusetts: 383,578 (74.90% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 80,756 (15.77% of population)
--- Born in another country: 47,801 (9.33% of population)
- #2 county: Franklin County (population: 70,935)
--- Born in Massachusetts: 47,706 (67.25% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 19,331 (27.25% of population)
--- Born in another country: 3,898 (5.50% of population)
- #3 county: Worcester County (population: 822,280)
--- Born in Massachusetts: 552,445 (67.18% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 171,677 (20.88% of population)
--- Born in another country: 98,158 (11.94% of population)

Plymouth County’s biggest claim to fame is, of course, the fact that it was the home of Plymouth Colony, the first European settlement in the United States. The county itself was created in 1685. Today, tourism is among the county’s biggest industries, as millions flock to the region each year to experience “America’s home town.”

- #1 county: Tuscola County (population: 53,250)
--- Born in Michigan: 48,215 (90.54% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 4,590 (8.62% of population)
--- Born in another country: 445 (0.84% of population)
- #2 county: Huron County (population: 31,543)
--- Born in Michigan: 28,440 (90.16% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 2,630 (8.34% of population)
--- Born in another country: 473 (1.50% of population)
- #3 county: Bay County (population: 104,786)
--- Born in Michigan: 93,998 (89.70% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 9,258 (8.84% of population)
--- Born in another country: 1,530 (1.46% of population)

One of only five counties in the “thumb” of Michigan, Tuscola County is pretty average as far as U.S. counties go. Many folks in this northern region work in manufacturing, retail, or health care, although tourism is a growing economic sector. Founded in 1840, the suburban area faces frigid winters each year.

- #1 county: Morrison County (population: 32,949)
--- Born in Minnesota: 28,740 (87.23% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 3,765 (11.43% of population)
--- Born in another country: 444 (1.35% of population)
- #2 county: Meeker County (population: 23,079)
--- Born in Minnesota: 19,647 (85.13% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 2,966 (12.85% of population)
--- Born in another country: 466 (2.02% of population)
- #3 county: Redwood County (population: 15,331)
--- Born in Minnesota: 12,827 (83.67% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 2,148 (14.01% of population)
--- Born in another country: 356 (2.32% of population)

Native Americans, Methodist missionaries, and military men were among the first peoples to call Morrison County, Minnesota home. These groups didn’t intermingle very easily, and it took several years of battle before they were able to peacefully coexist and begin building communities and industries. The area was heavily wooded, which led to timber and forestry being the first industries, although mining employs more people today.

- #1 county: Holmes County (population: 18,075)
--- Born in Mississippi: 16,619 (91.94% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 1,446 (8.00% of population)
--- Born in another country: 10 (0.06% of population)
- #2 county: Humphreys County (population: 8,539)
--- Born in Mississippi: 7,799 (91.33% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 589 (6.90% of population)
--- Born in another country: 151 (1.77% of population)
- #3 county: Sharkey County (population: 4,511)
--- Born in Mississippi: 4,115 (91.22% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 320 (7.09% of population)
--- Born in another country: 76 (1.68% of population)

More than 80% of residents in Holmes County are Black or African American, a holdover from when enslaved persons outnumbered free people two to one. Since its plantation era, the primary industry in the county has been agriculture. Holmes has struggled to produce more competitive, higher-paying industries, leaving 46.5% of its residents living in poverty.

- #1 county: Osage County (population: 13,619)
--- Born in Missouri: 11,951 (87.75% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 1,650 (12.12% of population)
--- Born in another country: 18 (0.13% of population)
- #2 county: Chariton County (population: 7,546)
--- Born in Missouri: 6,545 (86.73% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 971 (12.87% of population)
--- Born in another country: 30 (0.40% of population)
- #3 county: Washington County (population: 24,931)
--- Born in Missouri: 21,326 (85.54% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 3,547 (14.23% of population)
--- Born in another country: 58 (0.23% of population)

Although Osage County is only 611 square miles, it holds 1,000 farms which cover 305,000 acres. A record-setting flood in 1993 wiped out many of the farms in the area, driving farmers out of the Missouri River Valley permanently. Still, thousands remain, delivering a variety of crops straight "from our home to your home."

- #1 county: Blaine County (population: 6,727)
--- Born in Montana: 5,424 (80.63% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 1,240 (18.43% of population)
--- Born in another country: 63 (0.94% of population)
- #2 county: Glacier County (population: 13,699)
--- Born in Montana: 10,814 (78.94% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 2,687 (19.61% of population)
--- Born in another country: 198 (1.45% of population)
- #3 county: Big Horn County (population: 13,376)
--- Born in Montana: 10,506 (78.54% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 2,690 (20.11% of population)
--- Born in another country: 180 (1.35% of population)

Industry and culture in Blaine County are both centered around farming and ranching. Located just south of Canada’s Saskatchewan province, Native American history also plays a large role in the county, which is the site of the last major Native American battle in the United States. Composed of yawning, wide-open spaces, Blaine County is a haven for hunters and outdoorsmen.

- #1 county: Boone County (population: 5,313)
--- Born in Nebraska: 4,614 (86.84% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 664 (12.50% of population)
--- Born in another country: 35 (0.66% of population)
- #2 county: McPherson County (population: 454)
--- Born in Nebraska: 391 (86.12% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 63 (13.88% of population)
--- Born in another country: (0.00% of population)
- #3 county: Sherman County (population: 3,042)
--- Born in Nebraska: 2,580 (84.81% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 412 (13.54% of population)
--- Born in another country: 50 (1.64% of population)

Remarkably, before 1860 there were no white settlers in modern-day Boone County. Instead, Native Americans from the Sioux and Pawnee tribes used the land as a hunting ground. Today, there are hardly any Native Americans residing in the county (three in total, by a 2017 count) and most residents are farming for a living instead of hunting.

- #1 county: White Pine County (population: 9,737)
--- Born in Nevada: 4,116 (42.27% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 5,202 (53.43% of population)
--- Born in another country: 419 (4.30% of population)
- #2 county: Lander County (population: 5,746)
--- Born in Nevada: 2,400 (41.77% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 2,762 (48.07% of population)
--- Born in another country: 584 (10.16% of population)
- #3 county: Humboldt County (population: 16,904)
--- Born in Nevada: 6,985 (41.32% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 7,934 (46.94% of population)
--- Born in another country: 1,985 (11.74% of population)

Famous explorer Jedediah Smith in 1826 was likely the first settler to lay eyes on the land that would become White Pine County. However, it wasn’t until 1867 when silver was discovered in the area that other folks began pouring in. To this day, mining remains the region’s primary industry, although these days it’s copper, not silver, that’s being extracted.

- #1 county: Coos County (population: 32,038)
--- Born in New Hampshire: 19,243 (60.06% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 11,661 (36.40% of population)
--- Born in another country: 1,134 (3.54% of population)
- #2 county: Merrimack County (population: 149,452)
--- Born in New Hampshire: 79,297 (53.06% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 62,193 (41.61% of population)
--- Born in another country: 7,962 (5.33% of population)
- #3 county: Sullivan County (population: 43,125)
--- Born in New Hampshire: 22,555 (52.30% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 19,377 (44.93% of population)
--- Born in another country: 1,193 (2.77% of population)

Although Coos County covers 20% of New Hampshire’s landmass, only 2.5% of the state’s population calls the area home. Established in the early 1800s with just 3,000 original residents, the county has only grown by a factor of 11 over the past 200 years. A mountainous region, Coos County receives a lot of tourists (especially during the winter months) and participates heavily in logging and the manufacturing of paper goods.

- #1 county: Sussex County (population: 142,298)
--- Born in New Jersey: 99,291 (69.78% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 31,771 (22.33% of population)
--- Born in another country: 11,236 (7.90% of population)
- #2 county: Ocean County (population: 591,939)
--- Born in New Jersey: 398,053 (67.25% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 147,073 (24.85% of population)
--- Born in another country: 46,813 (7.91% of population)
- #3 county: Cumberland County (population: 153,400)
--- Born in New Jersey: 102,107 (66.56% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 35,266 (22.99% of population)
--- Born in another country: 16,027 (10.45% of population)

Sussex County is a part of the New York metropolitan area and is largely a commuter county, filled with folks who work in New York City but prefer the cheaper rent and ample space of a town that lies just over the water. In recent years, the county has seen a sharp drop in population, as younger generations move out in search of even cheaper rents, shorter commutes, and walkable towns.

- #1 county: Rio Arriba County (population: 39,307)
--- Born in New Mexico: 31,718 (80.69% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 6,148 (15.64% of population)
--- Born in another country: 1,441 (3.67% of population)
- #2 county: Guadalupe County (population: 4,382)
--- Born in New Mexico: 3,480 (79.42% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 832 (18.99% of population)
--- Born in another country: 70 (1.60% of population)
- #3 county: McKinley County (population: 72,849)
--- Born in New Mexico: 55,792 (76.59% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 15,317 (21.03% of population)
--- Born in another country: 1,740 (2.39% of population)

The English translation of Rio Arriba is “Upper River,” a fitting name for the county that lies at the top of the Rio Grande. The county has existed since the state was under Mexican rule, and was always less popular than Rio Abajo or the “Lower River” county, where the landed gentry set up camp.

- #1 county: Genesee County (population: 58,112)
--- Born in New York: 51,270 (88.23% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 5,677 (9.77% of population)
--- Born in another country: 1,165 (2.00% of population)
- #2 county: Wyoming County (population: 40,565)
--- Born in New York: 35,760 (88.15% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 3,975 (9.80% of population)
--- Born in another country: 830 (2.05% of population)
- #3 county: Fulton County (population: 53,743)
--- Born in New York: 46,870 (87.21% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 5,904 (10.99% of population)
--- Born in another country: 969 (1.80% of population)

Deriving its name from an Iroquois phrase meaning “the beautiful valley,” Genesee County truly is a picture-perfect region of upstate New York. Located midway between Buffalo, Rochester, and Niagara Falls, the quiet, rural area has an unusually large number of residents working in farming, fishing, and forestry.

- #1 county: Edgecombe County (population: 53,332)
--- Born in North Carolina: 44,699 (83.81% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 7,468 (14.00% of population)
--- Born in another country: 1,165 (2.18% of population)
- #2 county: Washington County (population: 12,156)
--- Born in North Carolina: 10,143 (83.44% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 1,706 (14.03% of population)
--- Born in another country: 307 (2.53% of population)
- #3 county: Bertie County (population: 19,644)
--- Born in North Carolina: 16,248 (82.71% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 3,222 (16.40% of population)
--- Born in another country: 174 (0.89% of population)

North Carolina has a long legacy of slavery, but it is also home to inspiring stories of perseverance. Princeville in Edgecomb County is the state’s first incorporated town established by formerly enslaved people, where many of their descendants still reside today. Established in 1885, the town remains at the forefront of civil rights work.

- #1 county: Benson County (population: 6,886)
--- Born in North Dakota: 6,161 (89.47% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 689 (10.01% of population)
--- Born in another country: 36 (0.52% of population)
- #2 county: Rolette County (population: 14,603)
--- Born in North Dakota: 12,973 (88.84% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 1,566 (10.72% of population)
--- Born in another country: 64 (0.44% of population)
- #3 county: Griggs County (population: 2,266)
--- Born in North Dakota: 1,917 (84.60% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 327 (14.43% of population)
--- Born in another country: 22 (0.97% of population)

Just over half of the Benson County population, some 55.7%, are Native American. This number isn’t surprising as the boundaries for the Spirit Lake Reservation, which was established in 1867, fall almost entirely in Benson County. A close-knit community, three separate bands of Native Americans now call the reservation and county home.

- #1 county: Holmes County (population: 43,859)
--- Born in Ohio: 40,655 (92.69% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 2,986 (6.81% of population)
--- Born in another country: 218 (0.50% of population)
- #2 county: Putnam County (population: 33,969)
--- Born in Ohio: 30,912 (91.00% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 2,653 (7.81% of population)
--- Born in another country: 404 (1.19% of population)
- #3 county: Coshocton County (population: 36,574)
--- Born in Ohio: 32,737 (89.51% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 3,610 (9.87% of population)
--- Born in another country: 227 (0.62% of population)

Home to the second-largest Amish community in the country, it’s estimated that 35,850 of Holmes County residents are members of the religious sect. In fact, members of the Amish church were among the first residents of the county back when it was established in 1824. A largely rural corner of Ohio, agriculture is the primary industry in the region followed by tourism.

- #1 county: Dewey County (population: 4,918)
--- Born in Oklahoma: 3,778 (76.82% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 976 (19.85% of population)
--- Born in another country: 164 (3.33% of population)
- #2 county: Caddo County (population: 29,342)
--- Born in Oklahoma: 22,297 (75.99% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 5,573 (18.99% of population)
--- Born in another country: 1,472 (5.02% of population)
- #3 county: Pawnee County (population: 16,428)
--- Born in Oklahoma: 12,447 (75.77% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 3,831 (23.32% of population)
--- Born in another country: 150 (0.91% of population)

Dewey County was once part of the Cheyenne-Arapaho Reservation, until 1892 when the government opened the land up to non-native settlers. Today, only 0.816% of the local population identifies as Native American. Regardless of race, members of the county have relied primarily on agriculture, mining, and oil to drive their economy in this largely rural area.

- #1 county: Gilliam County (population: 1,907)
--- Born in Oregon: 1,185 (62.14% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 683 (35.82% of population)
--- Born in another country: 39 (2.05% of population)
- #2 county: Sherman County (population: 1,605)
--- Born in Oregon: 979 (61.00% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 609 (37.94% of population)
--- Born in another country: 17 (1.06% of population)
- #3 county: Harney County (population: 7,228)
--- Born in Oregon: 4,336 (59.99% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 2,763 (38.23% of population)
--- Born in another country: 129 (1.78% of population)

Nestled just below Washington state, Gilliam County lies in the heart of the Columbia Basin wheat area. Largely an agricultural county, the region grows wheat, barley, and apples alongside beef cattle. In the 1920s, Gilliam was nearly double its current size in terms of residents, losing many residents who set out in search of better opportunities and has never fully bounced back.

- #1 county: Armstrong County (population: 66,331)
--- Born in Pennsylvania: 60,504 (91.22% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 5,519 (8.32% of population)
--- Born in another country: 308 (0.46% of population)
- #2 county: Elk County (population: 30,608)
--- Born in Pennsylvania: 27,763 (90.71% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 2,585 (8.45% of population)
--- Born in another country: 260 (0.85% of population)
- #3 county: Mifflin County (population: 46,362)
--- Born in Pennsylvania: 41,787 (90.13% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 4,226 (9.12% of population)
--- Born in another country: 349 (0.75% of population)

Pennsylvania’s mid-sized Armstrong County is named after John Armstrong, a major figure during the French and Indian War. The Battle of Kittanning, which took place during this war, is the area’s biggest claim to fame. Modern-day residents, no longer occupied with battling over land, now spend most of their time working in manufacturing, health care, and retail.

- #1 county: Kent County (population: 163,861)
--- Born in Rhode Island: 116,194 (70.91% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 37,603 (22.95% of population)
--- Born in another country: 10,064 (6.14% of population)
- #2 county: Washington County (population: 126,242)
--- Born in Rhode Island: 74,534 (59.04% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 45,709 (36.21% of population)
--- Born in another country: 5,999 (4.75% of population)
- #3 county: Providence County (population: 634,533)
--- Born in Rhode Island: 355,463 (56.02% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 161,143 (25.40% of population)
--- Born in another country: 117,927 (18.58% of population)

While all of Rhode Island’s counties were established before the Declaration of Independence was even signed, Kent County was the last of them all, established in 1750. The second-largest county in the state, Kent’s primary industries include the manufacturing of chemicals and wiring devices.

- #1 county: Williamsburg County (population: 31,794)
--- Born in South Carolina: 26,698 (83.97% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 4,580 (14.41% of population)
--- Born in another country: 516 (1.62% of population)
- #2 county: Union County (population: 27,644)
--- Born in South Carolina: 23,155 (83.76% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 4,318 (15.62% of population)
--- Born in another country: 171 (0.62% of population)
- #3 county: Marion County (population: 31,562)
--- Born in South Carolina: 26,192 (82.99% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 4,694 (14.87% of population)
--- Born in another country: 676 (2.14% of population)

Williamsburg County is one of the sole counties on our list with a majority Black population with 64.9% of residents reporting their race as Black or African American. This speaks to the county’s long history of slaveholding: by 1830, slaves outnumbered their white owners three to one. While it’s unsurprising that a county that relied so heavily on slave labor would join the confederacy, post-Civil War the county has perpetually elected leaders from the Democratic party, many of whom are people of color.

- #1 county: Buffalo County (population: 2,053)
--- Born in South Dakota: 1,857 (90.45% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 196 (9.55% of population)
--- Born in another country: (0.00% of population)
- #2 county: Ziebach County (population: 2,814)
--- Born in South Dakota: 2,472 (87.85% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 318 (11.30% of population)
--- Born in another country: 24 (0.85% of population)
- #3 county: Dewey County (population: 5,779)
--- Born in South Dakota: 4,937 (85.43% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 830 (14.36% of population)
--- Born in another country: 12 (0.21% of population)

Home to the Crow Creek Reservation, Buffalo County has large populations of both indigenous peoples and non-natives. This dynamic means that the region has a culturally diverse feel to it, in spite of its small population and a large percentage of born-and-bred residents. The county also has an incredibly young median age of 25.3 and an incredibly high poverty rate of 40.5%, which play a major role in the area’s overall feel.

- #1 county: Haywood County (population: 17,779)
--- Born in Tennessee: 14,941 (84.04% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 2,538 (14.28% of population)
--- Born in another country: 300 (1.69% of population)
- #2 county: Grundy County (population: 13,331)
--- Born in Tennessee: 10,835 (81.28% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 2,414 (18.11% of population)
--- Born in another country: 82 (0.62% of population)
- #3 county: Henderson County (population: 27,859)
--- Born in Tennessee: 22,319 (80.11% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 5,194 (18.64% of population)
--- Born in another country: 346 (1.24% of population)

Cotton production has been the main business of Haywood County since its earliest days. Today, farmers have expanded their fields to include wheat, soybeans, and corn. However, not everyone in Haywood County relies on agriculture to pay the bills—Tina Turner, the queen of rock 'n' roll, was born in Nutbush, one of the area’s smaller communities.

- #1 county: McMullen County (population: 662)
--- Born in Texas: 617 (93.20% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 30 (4.53% of population)
--- Born in another country: 15 (2.27% of population)
- #2 county: Jim Hogg County (population: 5,282)
--- Born in Texas: 4,866 (92.12% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 207 (3.92% of population)
--- Born in another country: 209 (3.96% of population)
- #3 county: Duval County (population: 11,355)
--- Born in Texas: 10,322 (90.90% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 349 (3.07% of population)
--- Born in another country: 684 (6.02% of population)

Once a cattle ranching region, McMullen County has largely shifted its industry to gas and oil fracking, increasing the amount of money flowing through its economy and bettering the quality of life for its residents. Over recent years, McMullen County has added three traffic lights, opened a medical clinic, and expanded charitable outreach for lower-income residents.

- #1 county: Emery County (population: 10,248)
--- Born in Utah: 8,220 (80.21% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 1,798 (17.54% of population)
--- Born in another country: 230 (2.24% of population)
- #2 county: Juab County (population: 10,948)
--- Born in Utah: 8,665 (79.15% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 2,061 (18.83% of population)
--- Born in another country: 222 (2.03% of population)
- #3 county: Duchesne County (population: 20,219)
--- Born in Utah: 15,961 (78.94% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 3,618 (17.89% of population)
--- Born in another country: 640 (3.17% of population)

Emery County holds the distinction of being the last county settled by Brigham Young, the famous Mormon leader, before his death in 1877. The religious community still dominates the area, which likely plays a large part in why so many born-and-bred residents choose to spend their entire lives in local cities like Castle Dale or Huntington. Mining, education, agriculture, and forestry are among the top industries in the county.

- #1 county: Franklin County (population: 49,025)
--- Born in Vermont: 36,034 (73.50% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 11,632 (23.73% of population)
--- Born in another country: 1,359 (2.77% of population)
- #2 county: Orleans County (population: 26,911)
--- Born in Vermont: 17,070 (63.43% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 8,704 (32.34% of population)
--- Born in another country: 1,137 (4.23% of population)
- #3 county: Rutland County (population: 59,273)
--- Born in Vermont: 35,212 (59.41% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 22,555 (38.05% of population)
--- Born in another country: 1,506 (2.54% of population)

Franklin County was established in 1792 and named after Benjamin Franklin. Lying just south of Canada, the region gets terrifically cold winters, which might be a deterrent for those who didn’t actually grow up in the county. Major industries in the county include maple syrup production and dairy farming.

- #1 county: Charles City County (population: 6,995)
--- Born in Virginia: 5,604 (80.11% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 1,276 (18.24% of population)
--- Born in another country: 115 (1.64% of population)
- #2 county: Russell County (population: 27,408)
--- Born in Virginia: 21,891 (79.87% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 5,343 (19.49% of population)
--- Born in another country: 174 (0.63% of population)
- #3 county: Dickenson County (population: 14,960)
--- Born in Virginia: 11,912 (79.63% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 2,984 (19.95% of population)
--- Born in another country: 64 (0.43% of population)

One of the oldest governmental units in the country, Charles City County was established in 1619 by the Virginia Company. Despite its long history, much of the county is undeveloped, and large portions are still used for agriculture as they have been for the past 400 years. In fact, many farms in the region have been recognized for their extreme productivity, producing more crops per acre than those anywhere else in the country.

- #1 county: Lincoln County (population: 10,435)
--- Born in Washington: 6,753 (64.71% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 3,511 (33.65% of population)
--- Born in another country: 171 (1.64% of population)
- #2 county: Grays Harbor County (population: 71,967)
--- Born in Washington: 46,420 (64.50% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 21,990 (30.56% of population)
--- Born in another country: 3,557 (4.94% of population)
- #3 county: Kittitas County (population: 44,825)
--- Born in Washington: 27,939 (62.33% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 14,519 (32.39% of population)
--- Born in another country: 2,367 (5.28% of population)

While Lincoln County wasn’t established until 1883, there’s ample evidence that it had been inhabited for hundreds of years prior thanks to the existence of a frequently used Native American trail that crosses through the region. The completion of the Northern Pacific Railroad and Fort Spokane hastened growth in the late 1800s, and many residents, now and then, spend their lives growing wheat or raising cattle. Lincoln also holds the distinction of being one of the smallest and most conservative counties in Washington state.

- #1 county: Wyoming County (population: 21,711)
--- Born in West Virginia: 19,431 (89.50% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 2,204 (10.15% of population)
--- Born in another country: 76 (0.35% of population)
- #2 county: Logan County (population: 33,801)
--- Born in West Virginia: 29,375 (86.91% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 4,339 (12.84% of population)
--- Born in another country: 87 (0.26% of population)
- #3 county: Lincoln County (population: 21,078)
--- Born in West Virginia: 18,304 (86.84% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 2,699 (12.80% of population)
--- Born in another country: 75 (0.36% of population)

A mountainous, forest-covered area, Wyoming County in West Virginia has a long legacy as a coal-mining region. Since its creation in 1850, the largest industries have always been mining, quarrying, oil, and gas extraction. While these fields provide fairly steady work, they aren’t often high-paying, and around one-fifth of the county's population lives in poverty.

- #1 county: Menominee County (population: 4,579)
--- Born in Wisconsin: 4,241 (92.62% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 310 (6.77% of population)
--- Born in another country: 28 (0.61% of population)
- #2 county: Shawano County (population: 41,009)
--- Born in Wisconsin: 35,382 (86.28% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 5,134 (12.52% of population)
--- Born in another country: 493 (1.20% of population)
- #3 county: Oconto County (population: 37,556)
--- Born in Wisconsin: 32,237 (85.84% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 4,787 (12.75% of population)
--- Born in another country: 532 (1.42% of population)

The smallest county in Wisconsin, Menominee County was created in 1959 after a dispute with the government led to the Menominee tribe losing their federal recognition. In the 1970s the tribe regained its status and the group’s reservation now coincides directly with the county. As a result, almost every Menominee County resident is also a member of the tribe with very few exceptions.

- #1 county: Fremont County (population: 40,076)
--- Born in Wyoming: 21,057 (52.54% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 18,524 (46.22% of population)
--- Born in another country: 495 (1.24% of population)
- #2 county: Washakie County (population: 8,129)
--- Born in Wyoming: 4,196 (51.62% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 3,823 (47.03% of population)
--- Born in another country: 110 (1.35% of population)
- #3 county: Converse County (population: 13,997)
--- Born in Wyoming: 7,125 (50.90% of population)
--- Born in another U.S. state or territory: 6,597 (47.13% of population)
--- Born in another country: 275 (1.96% of population)

Homesteaders began settling the area that would become Fremont County as early as the 1860s, taming the land alongside Shoshone and Arapaho tribes. Agriculture and the extraction of natural resources, including gold, uranium, and timber, have long been the leading industries in this semi-wild region. Although Fremont County established a large reservation for both Native tribes in the early 1900s, legal battles continue today regarding who has jurisdiction over some non-tribal lands that surround the county.