These Montana Counties Have the Most Born-and-Bred Residents

Montana’s population has had overall consistent growth since 2010, but it looks like that may be slowing.  

According to Consumer Affairs, Montana saw a 23.65% decrease in people moving here in 2023, from the year before. That doesn’t mean there aren’t places that are continuing to see population increases, but overall things seem to be slowing down some. 

Montana’s Population Growth Is Slowing

People take pride in where they are from, especially in Montana. Outside Montana, the only state where I’ve met people who may be more proud is Texas. Almost every person I have ever met from Texas is incredibly proud of their state. 

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, almost half of the people who live in Montana aren’t from here. Stacker has taken the numbers and has ranked Montana’s counties with the highest population of born-and-bred residents, and some of the numbers are surprising. 

The Counties with the Most Born-and-Bred Residents

Out of Montana’s 56 counties, the county with the highest population of born-and-bred residents is Blaine County, with 84.3% of the residents being born in Montana, followed by Liberty County (83.2%), Glacier (80.7%), and Roosevelt (79.4%).

READ MORE: Surprising Montana Town Ranks Among Cheapest Housing Markets in U.S

The highest percentage of born-and-bred populations is found in some of the counties with the smallest populations. The counties with bigger cities and populations tend to offer more opportunities for people who are looking to move to Montana.  

Yellowstone County, with the highest population, is ranked 29th on the list with 58.8% of the population born in Montana. Missoula County, ranked 45, has 47% of the population born here, while Gallatin County is ranked at 53 with 37.2% of the population born and bred in Montana. 

The two counties that have the least number of people born and bred in Montana are Ravalli County (35.3%) and Sanders County (34.7%).  

The latest census numbers we have available are from 2023, but if the trends that we see continue, it won’t be long before we have more people moving to Montana than are being born in Montana.