Counties with the most born-and-bred residents in Missouri
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 Missouri 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 Missouri residents live.
50. Clinton County
- Population: 21,414
- Born in Missouri: 15,514 (72.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 5,443 (25.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 230 (1.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 227 (1.1% of population)
49. Carter County
- Population: 5,297
- Born in Missouri: 3,847 (72.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,313 (24.8% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 57 (1.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 80 (1.5% of population)
48. Henry County
- Population: 22,328
- Born in Missouri: 16,314 (73.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 5,679 (25.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 219 (1.0% of population)
- Born in another country: 116 (0.5% of population)
47. Macon County
- Population: 15,163
- Born in Missouri: 11,103 (73.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,881 (25.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 79 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 100 (0.7% of population)
46. Cole County
- Population: 77,032
- Born in Missouri: 56,542 (73.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 17,888 (23.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 392 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 2,210 (2.9% of population)
45. Caldwell County
- Population: 8,927
- Born in Missouri: 6,554 (73.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,229 (25.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 34 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 110 (1.2% of population)
44. Saline County
- Population: 23,231
- Born in Missouri: 17,059 (73.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 4,616 (19.9% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 199 (0.9% of population)
- Born in another country: 1,357 (5.8% of population)
43. Ray County
- Population: 23,145
- Born in Missouri: 17,072 (73.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 5,546 (24.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 201 (0.9% of population)
- Born in another country: 326 (1.4% of population)
42. Gentry County
- Population: 6,245
- Born in Missouri: 4,660 (74.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,503 (24.1% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 12 (0.2% of population)
- Born in another country: 70 (1.1% of population)
41. DeKalb County
- Population: 10,876
- Born in Missouri: 8,131 (74.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,519 (23.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 31 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 195 (1.8% of population)
40. Holt County
- Population: 4,240
- Born in Missouri: 3,178 (75.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,005 (23.7% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 7 (0.2% of population)
- Born in another country: 50 (1.2% of population)
39. Miller County
- Population: 25,269
- Born in Missouri: 19,024 (75.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 5,568 (22.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 297 (1.2% of population)
- Born in another country: 380 (1.5% of population)
38. Wayne County
- Population: 10,862
- Born in Missouri: 8,250 (76.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,534 (23.3% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 12 (0.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 66 (0.6% of population)
37. Reynolds County
- Population: 6,010
- Born in Missouri: 4,605 (76.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,366 (22.7% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 24 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 15 (0.2% of population)
36. Andrew County
- Population: 18,065
- Born in Missouri: 13,937 (77.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,822 (21.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 100 (0.6% of population)
- Born in another country: 206 (1.1% of population)
35. Scott County
- Population: 37,933
- Born in Missouri: 29,304 (77.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 8,246 (21.7% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 154 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 229 (0.6% of population)
34. Monroe County
- Population: 8,734
- Born in Missouri: 6,755 (77.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,861 (21.3% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 34 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 84 (1.0% of population)
33. Linn County
- Population: 11,852
- Born in Missouri: 9,167 (77.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,506 (21.1% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 39 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 140 (1.2% of population)
32. Moniteau County
- Population: 15,262
- Born in Missouri: 11,811 (77.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,887 (18.9% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 120 (0.8% of population)
- Born in another country: 444 (2.9% of population)
31. Lafayette County
- Population: 33,115
- Born in Missouri: 25,720 (77.7% of population)
- Born in a different state: 6,419 (19.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 230 (0.7% of population)
- Born in another country: 746 (2.3% of population)
30. Grundy County
- Population: 9,787
- Born in Missouri: 7,605 (77.7% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,998 (20.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 65 (0.7% of population)
- Born in another country: 119 (1.2% of population)
29. Howard County
- Population: 10,147
- Born in Missouri: 7,895 (77.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,078 (20.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 67 (0.7% of population)
- Born in another country: 107 (1.1% of population)
28. Warren County
- Population: 37,177
- Born in Missouri: 29,051 (78.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 7,584 (20.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 183 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 359 (1.0% of population)
27. Maries County
- Population: 8,450
- Born in Missouri: 6,617 (78.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,703 (20.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 78 (0.9% of population)
- Born in another country: 52 (0.6% of population)
26. Cooper County
- Population: 16,824
- Born in Missouri: 13,194 (78.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,448 (20.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 67 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 115 (0.7% of population)
25. Franklin County
- Population: 105,950
- Born in Missouri: 83,341 (78.7% of population)
- Born in a different state: 20,640 (19.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 519 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 1,450 (1.4% of population)
24. Iron County
- Population: 9,446
- Born in Missouri: 7,431 (78.7% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,814 (19.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 37 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 164 (1.7% of population)
23. Crawford County
- Population: 22,797
- Born in Missouri: 17,964 (78.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 4,442 (19.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 116 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 275 (1.2% of population)
22. Ralls County
- Population: 10,428
- Born in Missouri: 8,225 (78.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,149 (20.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 33 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 21 (0.2% of population)
21. Perry County
- Population: 18,976
- Born in Missouri: 14,968 (78.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,602 (19.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 85 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 321 (1.7% of population)
20. Shelby County
- Population: 5,986
- Born in Missouri: 4,722 (78.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,131 (18.9% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 57 (1.0% of population)
- Born in another country: 76 (1.3% of population)
19. Madison County
- Population: 12,729
- Born in Missouri: 10,058 (79.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,391 (18.8% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 107 (0.8% of population)
- Born in another country: 173 (1.4% of population)
18. Lincoln County
- Population: 63,057
- Born in Missouri: 49,904 (79.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 12,226 (19.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 270 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 657 (1.0% of population)
17. Randolph County
- Population: 24,365
- Born in Missouri: 19,341 (79.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 4,768 (19.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 92 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 164 (0.7% of population)
16. Jefferson County
- Population: 229,458
- Born in Missouri: 182,818 (79.7% of population)
- Born in a different state: 40,251 (17.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 1,124 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 5,265 (2.3% of population)
15. Livingston County
- Population: 14,364
- Born in Missouri: 11,469 (79.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,765 (19.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 17 (0.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 113 (0.8% of population)
14. St. Francois County
- Population: 66,999
- Born in Missouri: 53,547 (79.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 12,216 (18.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 222 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 1,014 (1.5% of population)
13. Audrain County
- Population: 24,548
- Born in Missouri: 19,657 (80.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 4,419 (18.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 130 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 342 (1.4% of population)
12. Stoddard County
- Population: 28,470
- Born in Missouri: 22,819 (80.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 5,452 (19.1% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 76 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 123 (0.4% of population)
11. Pike County
- Population: 17,711
- Born in Missouri: 14,208 (80.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,202 (18.1% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 40 (0.2% of population)
- Born in another country: 261 (1.5% of population)
10. New Madrid County
- Population: 15,731
- Born in Missouri: 12,652 (80.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,869 (18.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 57 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 153 (1.0% of population)
9. Gasconade County
- Population: 14,746
- Born in Missouri: 11,986 (81.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,581 (17.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 105 (0.7% of population)
- Born in another country: 74 (0.5% of population)
8. Mississippi County
- Population: 11,902
- Born in Missouri: 9,685 (81.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,156 (18.1% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 11 (0.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 50 (0.4% of population)
7. Montgomery County
- Population: 11,426
- Born in Missouri: 9,354 (81.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,936 (16.9% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 36 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 100 (0.9% of population)
6. Bollinger County
- Population: 10,559
- Born in Missouri: 8,673 (82.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,795 (17.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 39 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 52 (0.5% of population)
5. Washington County
- Population: 23,470
- Born in Missouri: 19,641 (83.7% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,586 (15.3% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 61 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 182 (0.8% of population)
4. Ste. Genevieve County
- Population: 18,571
- Born in Missouri: 15,569 (83.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,906 (15.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 24 (0.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 72 (0.4% of population)
3. Carroll County
- Population: 8,411
- Born in Missouri: 7,054 (83.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,326 (15.8% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 16 (0.2% of population)
- Born in another country: 15 (0.2% of population)
2. Chariton County
- Population: 7,390
- Born in Missouri: 6,231 (84.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,092 (14.8% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 18 (0.2% of population)
- Born in another country: 49 (0.7% of population)
1. Osage County
- Population: 13,402
- Born in Missouri: 11,814 (88.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,530 (11.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 13 (0.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 45 (0.3% of population)