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 Georgia 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 Georgia residents live.
50. Dougherty County
- Population: 83,091
- Born in Georgia: 63,730 (76.7% of population)
- Born in a different state: 16,927 (20.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 532 (0.6% of population)
- Born in another country: 1,902 (2.3% of population)
49. Miller County
- Population: 5,850
- Born in Georgia: 4,489 (76.7% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,200 (20.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 4 (0.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 157 (2.7% of population)
48. Cook County
- Population: 17,532
- Born in Georgia: 13,462 (76.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,215 (18.3% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 427 (2.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 428 (2.4% of population)
47. Talbot County
- Population: 5,742
- Born in Georgia: 4,414 (76.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,202 (20.9% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 120 (2.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 6 (0.1% of population)
46. Pulaski County
- Population: 9,939
- Born in Georgia: 7,650 (77.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,739 (17.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 229 (2.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 321 (3.2% of population)
45. Jones County
- Population: 28,673
- Born in Georgia: 22,141 (77.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 5,845 (20.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 310 (1.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 377 (1.3% of population)
44. Lamar County
- Population: 19,571
- Born in Georgia: 15,143 (77.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,877 (19.8% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 29 (0.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 522 (2.7% of population)
43. Laurens County
- Population: 49,798
- Born in Georgia: 38,585 (77.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 9,190 (18.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 420 (0.8% of population)
- Born in another country: 1,603 (3.2% of population)
42. Hancock County
- Population: 8,650
- Born in Georgia: 6,710 (77.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,747 (20.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 6 (0.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 187 (2.2% of population)
41. Tift County
- Population: 41,438
- Born in Georgia: 32,191 (77.7% of population)
- Born in a different state: 6,567 (15.8% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 242 (0.6% of population)
- Born in another country: 2,438 (5.9% of population)
40. Mitchell County
- Population: 21,058
- Born in Georgia: 16,403 (77.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,972 (18.9% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 58 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 625 (3.0% of population)
39. Worth County
- Population: 20,451
- Born in Georgia: 15,975 (78.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,892 (19.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 231 (1.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 353 (1.7% of population)
38. Polk County
- Population: 43,785
- Born in Georgia: 34,203 (78.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 6,623 (15.1% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 273 (0.6% of population)
- Born in another country: 2,686 (6.1% of population)
37. Butts County
- Population: 26,496
- Born in Georgia: 20,702 (78.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 5,276 (19.9% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 273 (1.0% of population)
- Born in another country: 245 (0.9% of population)
36. Bleckley County
- Population: 12,430
- Born in Georgia: 9,746 (78.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,480 (20.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 49 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 155 (1.2% of population)
35. Wilkes County
- Population: 9,549
- Born in Georgia: 7,488 (78.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,542 (16.1% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 160 (1.7% of population)
- Born in another country: 359 (3.8% of population)
34. Haralson County
- Population: 31,285
- Born in Georgia: 24,583 (78.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 6,058 (19.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 179 (0.6% of population)
- Born in another country: 465 (1.5% of population)
33. Dooly County
- Population: 10,984
- Born in Georgia: 8,631 (78.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,779 (16.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 105 (1.0% of population)
- Born in another country: 469 (4.3% of population)
32. Montgomery County
- Population: 8,640
- Born in Georgia: 6,790 (78.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,443 (16.7% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 161 (1.9% of population)
- Born in another country: 246 (2.8% of population)
31. Pierce County
- Population: 20,202
- Born in Georgia: 15,924 (78.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,856 (19.1% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 77 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 345 (1.7% of population)
30. Early County
- Population: 10,603
- Born in Georgia: 8,373 (79.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,080 (19.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 101 (1.0% of population)
- Born in another country: 49 (0.5% of population)
29. Evans County
- Population: 10,757
- Born in Georgia: 8,495 (79.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,515 (14.1% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 200 (1.9% of population)
- Born in another country: 547 (5.1% of population)
28. Pike County
- Population: 19,903
- Born in Georgia: 15,742 (79.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,705 (18.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 122 (0.6% of population)
- Born in another country: 334 (1.7% of population)
27. McDuffie County
- Population: 21,718
- Born in Georgia: 17,198 (79.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,962 (18.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 205 (0.9% of population)
- Born in another country: 353 (1.6% of population)
26. Ben Hill County
- Population: 17,089
- Born in Georgia: 13,535 (79.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,902 (17.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 184 (1.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 468 (2.7% of population)
25. Macon County
- Population: 11,864
- Born in Georgia: 9,408 (79.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,000 (16.9% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 55 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 401 (3.4% of population)
24. Dodge County
- Population: 19,805
- Born in Georgia: 15,724 (79.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,686 (18.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 26 (0.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 369 (1.9% of population)
23. Emanuel County
- Population: 23,026
- Born in Georgia: 18,288 (79.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 4,062 (17.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 72 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 604 (2.6% of population)
22. Wilcox County
- Population: 8,798
- Born in Georgia: 7,002 (79.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,638 (18.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 32 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 126 (1.4% of population)
21. Turner County
- Population: 8,939
- Born in Georgia: 7,118 (79.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,620 (18.1% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 34 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 167 (1.9% of population)
20. Monroe County
- Population: 29,664
- Born in Georgia: 23,633 (79.7% of population)
- Born in a different state: 5,254 (17.7% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 163 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 614 (2.1% of population)
19. Irwin County
- Population: 9,285
- Born in Georgia: 7,442 (80.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,578 (17.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 124 (1.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 141 (1.5% of population)
18. Meriwether County
- Population: 20,929
- Born in Georgia: 16,793 (80.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,864 (18.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 55 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 217 (1.0% of population)
17. Johnson County
- Population: 9,190
- Born in Georgia: 7,376 (80.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,693 (18.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 53 (0.6% of population)
- Born in another country: 68 (0.7% of population)
16. Schley County
- Population: 4,513
- Born in Georgia: 3,652 (80.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 792 (17.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 54 (1.2% of population)
- Born in another country: 15 (0.3% of population)
15. Screven County
- Population: 14,130
- Born in Georgia: 11,437 (80.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,430 (17.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 83 (0.6% of population)
- Born in another country: 180 (1.3% of population)
14. Sumter County
- Population: 29,061
- Born in Georgia: 23,529 (81.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 4,180 (14.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 108 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 1,244 (4.3% of population)
13. Webster County
- Population: 2,381
- Born in Georgia: 1,929 (81.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 373 (15.7% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 3 (0.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 76 (3.2% of population)
12. Crisp County
- Population: 19,790
- Born in Georgia: 16,084 (81.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,047 (15.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 43 (0.2% of population)
- Born in another country: 616 (3.1% of population)
11. Upson County
- Population: 28,029
- Born in Georgia: 22,914 (81.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 4,660 (16.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 41 (0.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 414 (1.5% of population)
10. Jefferson County
- Population: 15,341
- Born in Georgia: 12,738 (83.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,967 (12.8% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 102 (0.7% of population)
- Born in another country: 534 (3.5% of population)
9. Terrell County
- Population: 8,850
- Born in Georgia: 7,357 (83.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,322 (14.9% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 45 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 126 (1.4% of population)
8. Twiggs County
- Population: 7,803
- Born in Georgia: 6,545 (83.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,120 (14.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 33 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 105 (1.3% of population)
7. Jenkins County
- Population: 8,711
- Born in Georgia: 7,349 (84.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,064 (12.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 47 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 251 (2.9% of population)
6. Washington County
- Population: 19,849
- Born in Georgia: 16,907 (85.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,564 (12.9% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 149 (0.8% of population)
- Born in another country: 229 (1.2% of population)
5. Randolph County
- Population: 6,196
- Born in Georgia: 5,287 (85.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 884 (14.3% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 10 (0.2% of population)
- Born in another country: 15 (0.2% of population)
4. Wheeler County
- Population: 7,335
- Born in Georgia: 6,268 (85.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 935 (12.7% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 47 (0.6% of population)
- Born in another country: 85 (1.2% of population)
3. Wilkinson County
- Population: 8,747
- Born in Georgia: 7,602 (86.9% of population)
- Born in a different state: 975 (11.1% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 26 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 144 (1.6% of population)
2. Taylor County
- Population: 7,786
- Born in Georgia: 6,837 (87.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 764 (9.8% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 73 (0.9% of population)
- Born in another country: 112 (1.4% of population)
1. Warren County
- Population: 5,170
- Born in Georgia: 4,709 (91.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 446 (8.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 2 (0.0% of population)
- Born in another country: 13 (0.3% of population)
