Fla. has a lot of residents born outside the state – but one in three (35.8%) is a true Floridian. Only Nevada has a lower percentage of state-born residents.
NEW YORK – In certain corners of the U.S., the only way you’ll ever be considered a local is if you were born there. Particularly in rural pockets, where generation after generation stays close to old family farms or businesses, even someone who moved to the area during childhood is often considered a transplant.
Elsewhere, in major metropolitan centers like New York City, it can feel like no one is originally from there. The constant influx of new businesses, college students, and families can transform neighborhoods every few years and certainly decade over decade.
Using the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey, Stacker ranked every U.S. state and Washington D.C. based on the percentage of the total population that was born in that state of residence.
Lowest percentage of state-born residents
51. Nevada
- 2019 population: 3,080,156
- Born in state of residence: 839,064 (27.24% of population)
- Born in other U.S. state: 1,575,292 (51.14% of population)
- Born in U.S. territory: 55,148 (1.79% of population)
- Born in foreign country: 610,652 (19.83% of population)
Nevada wins the gold for the states with the fewest residents remaining. It is heavily dependent on gaming and tourism, and just over a quarter of its residents can say they were born there. Apparently, what happens in Vegas most likely leaves Vegas.
50. Florida
- 2019 population: 21,477,737
- Born in state of residence: 7,688,623 (35.8% of population)
- Born in other U.S. state: 8,423,377 (39.22% of population)
- Born in U.S. territory: 839,309 (3.91% of population)
- Born in foreign country: 4,526,428 (21.07% of population)
Florida comes in second place for having the lowest percentage of born and bred residents. However, with the largest percentage of senior citizens of any state, it would most likely dominate any “best place to retire” list. With record numbers of tourists visiting the state, the economy is seemingly unaffected by Florida natives staying or leaving.
49. Washington, D.C.
- 2019 population: 705,749
- Born in state of residence: 262,594 (37.21% of population)
- Born in other U.S. state: 343,198 (48.63% of population)
- Born in U.S. territory: 14,624 (2.07% of population)
- Born in foreign country: 85,333 (12.09% of population)
It should come as no surprise that Washington, D.C., the political heart of the country, has such high numbers of transplants living there. Taken as a microcosm of the larger political population, Congress alone brings in 535 congressmen and congresswomen from across the country to live in D.C. Although when it comes to politics, it is better to not be born there: A Washington, D.C. native has never become president.
48. Arizona
- 2019 population: 7,278,717
- Born in state of residence: 2,901,217 (39.86% of population)
- Born in other U.S. state: 3,300,876 (45.35% of population)
- Born in U.S. territory: 100,323 (1.38% of population)
- Born in foreign country: 976,301 (13.41% of population)
Home to the Grand Canyon, Arizona is also home to a majority of people who were not born there. Arizona is among the top states in the country for concentrating solar power.
47. New Hampshire
- 2019 population: 1,359,711
- Born in state of residence: 552,277 (40.62% of population)
- Born in other U.S. state: 701,910 (51.62% of population)
- Born in U.S. territory: 18,618 (1.37% of population)
- Born in foreign country: 86,906 (6.39% of population)
Highest percentage of state-born residents
5. Pennsylvania
- 2019 population: 12,801,989
- Born in state of residence: 9,136,828 (71.37% of population)
- Born in other U.S. state: 2,506,217 (19.58% of population)
- Born in U.S. territory: 265,777 (2.08% of population)
- Born in foreign country: 893,167 (6.98% of population)
The Keystone State is big on pursuing happiness. A whopping 72% of Pennsylvania residents were also born there, but companies do not necessarily like to stay. The Tax Foundation has ranked Pennsylvania among the worst states to house corporate headquarters based on state business taxes.
4. Mississippi
- 2019 population: 2,976,149
- Born in state of residence: 2,127,634 (71.49% of population)
- Born in other U.S. state: 764,524 (25.69% of population)
- Born in U.S. territory: 20,074 (0.67% of population)
- Born in foreign country: 63,917 (2.15% of population)
Mississippi was found to have among the best quality of life in the country. Mississippi is also among the country’s most religious states.
3. Ohio
- 2019 population: 11,689,100
- Born in state of residence: 8,735,573 (74.73% of population)
- Born in other U.S. state: 2,293,328 (19.62% of population)
- Born in U.S. territory: 101,247 (0.87% of population)
- Born in foreign country: 558,952 (4.78% of population)
The Birthplace of Aviation currently leads the country in the manufacture of plastics and rubber, fabricated metals, and electrical equipment and appliances. Buckeyes’ votes really count: In almost every election since Johnson in 1964, whichever way Ohio voted is the way the election went.
2. Michigan
- 2019 population: 9,986,857
- Born in state of residence: 7,614,475 (76.24% of population)
- Born in other U.S. state: 1,588,849 (15.91% of population)
- Born in U.S. territory: 82,608 (0.83% of population)
- Born in foreign country: 700,925 (7.02% of population)
Michigan enjoys a robust economy overall. Mackinac Island regularly ranks among America’s top vacation spots.
1. Louisiana
- 2019 population: 4,648,794
- Born in state of residence: 3,607,397 (77.6% of population)
- Born in other U.S. state: 808,020 (17.38% of population)
- Born in U.S. territory: 36,802 (0.79% of population)
- Born in foreign country: 196,575 (4.23% of population)
Louisiana ranks low among the U.S. News and World Report’s 50 Best States list for a number of reasons, including poverty rate and median household income. Considering such data, it does call into question whether the Louisiana natives stay because they want to or because leaving is too costly.
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