Colorado’s growing population of transplants has become a familiar story, with long-time locals feeling the effects of the influx that began in the 2000s and surged through the 2010s. Denver’s rapid growth sparked a wave of new residents drawn to the state’s appeal, which has fueled demand for housing and contributed to Colorado’s housing market challenges, with rent and home prices climbing.
Now, a recent study by Nexstar, published by FOX 31, reveals that only 41.11% of Colorado residents were born in-state—meaning more than half of the state’s population are transplants. The largest group of newcomers hails from California, comprising 10.22% of the population.
While Colorado ranks fifth for the lowest percentage of native-born residents, Nevada takes the top spot, with only 27.22% of its residents born there and a substantial 45.92% born in California. Meanwhile, Louisiana claims the highest percentage of residents born in-state, with 77.13% of its population remaining loyal to their birthplace. For Colorado, these numbers underscore its rapid transformation into a hotspot for people from across the nation.
