LIST: Central Virginia localities with the most native residents

RICHMOND, Va. (STACKER) -- Which Central Virginia locality is the most homegrown? Here's a list of cities and counties in the region with the highest percentage of born-and-bred residents.

The original list, compiled by Stacker, was statewide and included 50 total localities. 8News has trimmed it down to just Central Virginia counties and cities, creating a top 16 for the region.

This lineup is a little different than the one 8News shared in 2024. While many of the same localities are still on the list, they've shuffled around a bit, with a different county now in the top spot. Additionally, one county fell off the list, allowing a new one to jump on.

Keep scrolling to see just how loyal the people in your county or city are to their home state.

#16. Prince Edward County

• Total population: 21,932
  • Born in Virginia: 15,443 (70.4% of population)
  • Born in a different state: 5,418 (24.7% of population)
  • Born in U.S. territories: 163 (0.7% of population)
  • Born in another country: 908 (4.1% of population)
• Original statewide ranking: #42
• Ranking on 8News' 2024 list: #15, moved down

#15. Greensville County

• Total population: 11,304
  • Born in Virginia: 7,994 (70.7% of population)
  • Born in a different state: 2,683 (23.7% of population)
  • Born in U.S. territories: 139 (1.2% of population)
  • Born in another country: 488 (4.3% of population)
• Original statewide ranking: #39
• Ranking on 8News' 2024 list: N/A, new addition

#14. Dinwiddie County

• Total population: 28,083
  • Born in Virginia: 19,900 (70.9% of population)
  • Born in a different state: 6,983 (24.9% of population)
  • Born in U.S. territories: 309 (1.1% of population)
  • Born in another country: 891 (3.2% of population)
• Original statewide ranking: #38
• Ranking on 8News' 2024 list: #11, moved down

#13. City of Emporia

• Total population: 5,633
  • Born in Virginia: 4,049 (71.9% of population)
  • Born in a different state: 1,236 (21.9% of population)
  • Born in U.S. territories: 124 (2.2% of population)
  • Born in another country: 224 (4.0% of population)
• Original statewide ranking: #36
• Ranking on 8News' 2024 list: #12, moved down

#12. Lunenburg County

• Total population: 11,990
  • Born in Virginia: 8,691 (72.5% of population)
  • Born in a different state: 2,864 (23.9% of population)
  • Born in U.S. territories: 34 (0.3% of population)
  • Born in another country: 401 (3.3% of population)
• Original statewide ranking: #32
• Ranking on 8News' 2024 list: #14, moved up

#11. King William County

• Total population: 18,232
  • Born in Virginia: 13,255 (72.7% of population)
  • Born in a different state: 4,354 (23.9% of population)
  • Born in U.S. territories: 210 (1.2% of population)
  • Born in another country: 413 (2.3% of population)
• Original statewide ranking: #29
• Ranking on 8News' 2024 list: #10, moved down

#10. Essex County

• Total population: 10,604
  • Born in Virginia: 7,750 (73.1% of population)
  • Born in a different state: 2,303 (21.7% of population)
  • Born in U.S. territories: 223 (2.1% of population)
  • Born in another country: 328 (3.1% of population)
• Original statewide ranking: #27
• Ranking on 8News' 2024 list: #9, moved down

#9. Buckingham County

• Total population: 16,914
  • Born in Virginia: 12,563 (74.3% of population)
  • Born in a different state: 3,924 (23.2% of population)
  • Born in U.S. territories: 146 (0.9% of population)
  • Born in another country: 281 (1.7% of population)
• Original statewide ranking: #24
• Ranking on 8News' 2024 list: #6, moved down

#8. Sussex County

• Total population: 10,793
  • Born in Virginia: 8,099 (75.0% of population)
  • Born in a different state: 2,498 (23.1% of population)
  • Born in U.S. territories: 84 (0.8% of population)
  • Born in another country: 112 (1.0% of population)
• Original statewide ranking: #22
• Ranking on 8News' 2024 list: #4, moved down

#7. King and Queen County

• Total population: 6,676
  • Born in Virginia: 5,012 (75.1% of population)
  • Born in a different state: 1,533 (23.0% of population)
  • Born in U.S. territories: 81 (1.2% of population)
  • Born in another country: 50 (0.7% of population)
• Original statewide ranking: #21
• Ranking on 8News' 2024 list: #8, moved up

#6. Brunswick County

• Total population: 15,868
  • Born in Virginia: 11,979 (75.5% of population)
  • Born in a different state: 3,323 (20.9% of population)
  • Born in U.S. territories: 184 (1.2% of population)
  • Born in another country: 382 (2.4% of population)
• Original statewide ranking: #16
• Ranking on 8News' 2024 list: #5, moved down

#5. Richmond County

• Total population: 9,047
  • Born in Virginia: 6,966 (77.0% of population)
  • Born in a different state: 1,680 (18.6% of population)
  • Born in U.S. territories: 0 (0.0% of population)
  • Born in another country: 401 (4.4% of population)
• Original statewide ranking: #12
• Ranking on 8News' 2024 list: #13, moved up

#4. Amelia County

• Total population: 13,342
  • Born in Virginia: 10,277 (77.0% of population)
  • Born in a different state: 2,849 (21.4% of population)
  • Born in U.S. territories: 53 (0.4% of population)
  • Born in another country: 163 (1.2% of population)
• Original statewide ranking: #11
• Ranking on 8News' 2024 list: #7, moved up

#3. Nottoway County

• Total population: 15,597
  • Born in Virginia: 12,102 (77.6% of population)
  • Born in a different state: 2,981 (19.1% of population)
  • Born in U.S. territories: 142 (0.9% of population)
  • Born in another country: 372 (2.4% of population)
• Original statewide ranking: #7
• Ranking on 8News' 2024 list: #3, no change

#2. Charles City County

• Total population: 6,686
  • Born in Virginia: 5,232 (78.3% of population)
  • Born in a different state: 1,219 (18.2% of population)
  • Born in U.S. territories: 72 (1.1% of population)
  • Born in another country: 163 (2.4% of population)
• Original statewide ranking: #5
• Ranking on 8News' 2024 list: #1, moved down

#1. Cumberland County

• Total population: 9,745
  • Born in Virginia: 7,749 (79.5% of population)
  • Born in a different state: 1,821 (18.7% of population)
  • Born in U.S. territories: 39 (0.4% of population)
  • Born in another country: 136 (1.4% of population)
• Original statewide ranking: #2
• Ranking on 8News' 2024 list: #2, moved up

Stacker compiled a list of counties with the most born-and-bred residents in Virginia using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by the highest percentage of residents who were born in the state according to the latest data, which is 2023 five-year estimates.