Where everybody knows your name

People born in Louisiana tend to never leave before they die here. Such is the cycle for 74% of the state's residents, which the Census Bureau says is the highest homegrown share in the nation.

Why it matters: Some level of state pride is great, and family matters here. But the reality is that few people not born here are choosing to move to Louisiana. The irony: Louisiana isn't just failing to attract newcomers—it also has one of the highest exodus rates in the country. Few arriving, many leaving. The result is a decidedly homegrown population.

By the numbers:

• Michigan (72%) and Ohio (71%) are the only other states above 70%
• Nationwide, just 49% of adults live in the state where they were born
• Nevada sits dead last at 17%—Louisiana's share is more than four times higher
• Florida, despite 18.9 million adult residents, counts fewer than 5 million as native-born (26%)
• Louisiana's favorite comparison states look like this: Mississippi (67%) has the fourth-highest homegrown rate, while Texas (50%) sits right at the magic middle mark

The bottom line: The Boot doesn't move much. Whether that's loyalty or lack of options depends on who you ask.