Utah Counties That Embrace The Benefits Of Being Born And Bred Locally

You may recall it was the desire of George Bailey from It's A Wonderful Life to shake the dust of this “crummy town” from his shoes, leave Bedford Falls, and never look back. Similarly, some years ago when I was working a night job at a fast food restaurant, I worked with several younger people who also had the “can't wait to get out of this place” attitude.

I sometimes wonder if Bailey, or those younger people couldn't see the forest for the trees.

Full disclosure, I am not a born and bred Utahn. I grew up in a small mountain community in California. But with the 32 years I've spent here in southern Utah, the longest I have ever lived in one place, along with several years up on the Wasatch Front, there is not a place that is more home to me than Utah. Sure, I sometimes wax nostalgic on the community I grew up in, but this is home now, and likely will be to my last day.

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Interestingly, data from the Census Bureau for 2022 (latest year available) shows that 53.5% of all moves that year were within the same county. Although that number was down from the previous year, it seems to be an indication that people are staying closer to their roots.

The phrase "born and bred" refers to someone who has spent their entire life in a particular place, often their hometown or region. This concept carries several advantages, particularly in terms of personal identity, community ties, and local knowledge.

One of the primary advantages of being born and bred in a specific area is the strong sense of identity it fosters. Growing up in a consistent environment allows individuals to deeply connect with the cultural norms, traditions, and values of that place. This can lead to a profound sense of belonging and pride in one’s heritage, which in turn strengthens self-identity. People who are deeply rooted in their hometowns often have a clear understanding of who they are and where they come from, providing a solid foundation for their personal growth.

Another advantage is the development of close-knit community ties. When someone is born and raised in one location, they tend to build long-lasting relationships with family, friends, and neighbors. These bonds often extend across generations, creating a support network that can be relied upon in times of need. Such connections are not only emotionally fulfilling but also offer practical benefits, like easier access to local resources and opportunities.

Being born and bred in a particular place equips individuals with extensive local knowledge. This includes understanding the nuances of the local dialect, customs, and unwritten social rules that outsiders might find challenging to navigate. Moreover, it allows for a deep familiarity with the local environment, whether it’s knowing the best spots for leisure activities or understanding the local climate and geography.

So, what places here in Utah have the most born and bred populations? Stacker compiled a list of the counties in the state and ranked them by the percent of the county population that was born in Utah.

Summit County, yes the home of Park City and (sometimes) Mitt Romney, was the county with the least amount of Utah born residents with only 41.2%. On the other end of the scale was Juab County, where 80.3% of the county population was born in the Beehive State.

In Washington County, 52.8% of the population was born in Utah. Oh and of that 47.2% of the population that was not born in Utah, not as much as you think is coming from California, but more on that in another story.

Iron County has a little higher percentage of Utah born residents at 57.2%.

I do love to wander, and enjoy being out on an “adventure” as much as anyone. But in the end, I'm always glad to come home.

Probably not surprising, the 10 Utah counties with the highest percentages of Utah born residents are smaller, rural counties. You can see the list below.