Ersys Logo Ersys Name
Ketchikan Gateway Borough – Ancestry

Picture of valves

Ancestry refers to the lineage or descent of a person, family, or group, tracing back through generations to identify their origins, heritage, and familial connections. It encompasses the genetic, cultural, and historical ties that link individuals to their forebears, shaping their identity and sense of belonging. Ancestry is a multifaceted concept, intertwining biology, genealogy, history, and culture, and it plays a significant role in how people understand themselves and their place in the world.

At its core, ancestry is rooted in genetics. Each individual inherits a unique combination of DNA from their parents, who in turn inherited their DNA from their own ancestors. This genetic material carries information about physical traits, predispositions to certain health conditions, and even behavioral tendencies. Advances in genetic testing, such as DNA analysis, have made it possible for individuals to trace their biological ancestry with remarkable precision. Companies like 23andMe and AncestryDNA offer services that analyze genetic markers to provide insights into a person's ethnic composition and geographic origins, often revealing surprising connections to distant relatives or previously unknown heritage.

Beyond genetics, ancestry is deeply tied to genealogy, the study of family history and lineage. Genealogical research involves constructing family trees, documenting relationships, and uncovering historical records such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, census data, and immigration documents. This process often reveals stories of migration, resilience, and adaptation, offering a window into the lives of ancestors and the challenges they faced. For many, genealogy is a way to honor their forebears and preserve their legacy for future generations.

Cultural ancestry is another critical dimension, encompassing the traditions, languages, customs, and values passed down through generations. It connects individuals to their ethnic or national heritage, shaping their cultural identity and worldview. For example, someone with Irish ancestry might celebrate St. Patrick's Day, learn traditional Irish dance, or explore the Gaelic language, while someone with Japanese ancestry might practice tea ceremonies, study calligraphy, or observe Obon festivals. Cultural ancestry fosters a sense of continuity and belonging, linking individuals to a broader community with shared experiences and values.

Historical ancestry delves into the broader context of a family's or group's past, including significant events, social conditions, and historical movements that shaped their lives. For instance, the transatlantic slave trade, the Irish Potato Famine, or the Jewish diaspora have profoundly influenced the ancestry of millions of people, leaving lasting imprints on their descendants' identities. Understanding historical ancestry often involves grappling with complex narratives of triumph and tragedy, resilience and oppression, and the interplay of individual and collective experiences.

Ancestry also has a deeply personal and emotional dimension. For many, exploring their ancestry is a journey of self-discovery, offering insights into who they are and where they come from. It can foster a sense of pride, connection, and continuity, as well as a deeper appreciation for the struggles and achievements of those who came before. At the same time, it can raise questions about identity, belonging, and the complexities of heritage, particularly for individuals with mixed or multicultural backgrounds.

In a globalized world, ancestry serves as a bridge between the past and the present, connecting individuals to their roots while also highlighting the interconnectedness of human history. It underscores the diversity and richness of human experience, reminding us that every person's story is part of a larger tapestry woven over centuries. Whether through genetic testing, genealogical research, cultural practices, or historical exploration, ancestry offers a profound way to understand ourselves and our place in the world.

A diversification score measures the diversity of ancestries in the county. As the value appoaches 100, ancestry diversity decreases and therefore increasing the risk of a lack of cultural diversity. The ancestry diversification score for this county is:

10.82

Most common ancestry not including "Unknown" is:

Native American

 
Ancestry Report Part I
DescriptionTotal Population American Native American Hawaiian Caribbean (Latino) Mexican Central American South American Other Hispanic African American Sub- Saharan Caribbean (Black)

Ketchikan Gateway Borough13,8823482,09323112418484664223819
Alaska (in 000's)740211021212283541254
National (in 000's)343,25113,8902,21362611,32738,8796,1814,6443,68725,8937,8527,174
Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area5,023531,9632341208226856
Wrangell City and Borough2,044413642243714013100
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Ketchikan Gateway Borough10.822.5115.080.170.813.010.350.330.460.160.270.14
Alaska9.852.9013.831.621.583.830.450.630.521.580.730.52
National7.834.050.640.183.3011.331.801.351.077.542.292.09
Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area22.441.0639.080.460.082.390.160.040.520.160.100.12
Wrangell City and Borough12.822.0117.810.101.171.810.680.000.640.050.000.00
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Ketchikan Gateway Borough 86.36109.0510.2251.2278.6376.2052.6089.1310.0637.3926.54
Alaska 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 139.414.6611.26209.50295.78396.86214.78207.65478.87312.48405.34
Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area 36.35282.6628.255.0662.3935.106.32100.0710.1113.6023.17
Wrangell City and Borough 69.10128.806.0474.5447.27150.940.00122.963.110.000.00
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Ketchikan Gateway Borough 61.952,338.2990.7924.4526.5819.2024.4942.922.1011.976.55
Alaska 71.732,144.28888.2747.7333.8125.2046.5648.1620.8832.0024.67
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area 26.076,060.93250.922.4121.098.842.9448.192.114.355.72
Wrangell City and Borough 49.572,761.8753.6235.5815.9838.030.0059.210.650.000.00
 
Ancestry Report Part II
DescriptionTotal Population Canadian British Dutch French German Italian Polish Scandi­navian Scotish/ Irish Spanish Other European

Ketchikan Gateway Borough13,88236878781449491431099241,05248336
Alaska (in 000's)74044057561073047324
National (in 000's)343,2511,35018,0691,8283,64224,7089,0274,6675,96920,6251,1409,563
Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area5,023221732639339341616325942107
Wrangell City and Borough2,044141219222083416512823114
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Ketchikan Gateway Borough10.820.266.320.561.046.841.030.796.667.580.352.42
Alaska9.850.485.380.640.967.551.320.884.026.320.413.21
National7.830.395.260.531.067.202.631.361.746.010.332.79
Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area22.440.443.440.520.786.750.680.323.255.160.842.13
Wrangell City and Borough12.820.685.920.441.0810.180.150.208.076.261.135.58
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Ketchikan Gateway Borough 53.95117.6487.45107.7090.5177.8089.20165.55119.8785.2975.29
Alaska 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 81.8497.9182.89110.1595.30198.63154.4643.2595.0481.9486.66
Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area 91.1264.0680.5680.6189.3651.1236.1980.7181.56206.2566.26
Wrangell City and Borough 142.50110.1168.53111.75134.7311.0922.23200.7899.05277.56173.48
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Ketchikan Gateway Borough 65.93120.15105.5197.7794.9739.1757.75382.79126.12104.0986.87
Alaska 122.20102.13120.6490.78104.9350.3464.74231.22105.22122.04115.39
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area 111.3565.4397.2073.1893.7625.7423.43186.6285.81251.7176.46
Wrangell City and Borough 174.13112.4682.68101.45141.375.5814.39464.24104.22338.74200.18
 
Ancestry Report Part III
DescriptionTotal Population Chinese Filipino Japanese Korean Vietnamese South Central Asian South East Asian Other Asian Middle Eastern Other Ancestry Unknown

Ketchikan Gateway Borough13,8829956128152614117132,5912,166
Alaska (in 000's)7402242411561131124
National (in 000's)343,2514,4613,0107931,5411,9135,4521,6431,2291,93147,32251,000
Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area5,02343531708001,191336
Wrangell City and Borough2,0440420100701495191
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Ketchikan Gateway Borough10.820.066.890.090.060.110.191.020.120.0918.6615.60
Alaska9.850.313.240.210.600.120.160.690.770.1417.7216.69
National7.831.300.880.230.450.561.590.480.360.5613.7914.86
Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area22.440.080.700.060.020.140.000.160.000.0023.716.69
Wrangell City and Borough12.820.002.050.000.050.000.000.340.000.0524.229.34
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Ketchikan Gateway Borough 21.11212.2842.109.5592.26119.42147.8016.0068.57105.3293.46
Alaska 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 423.2527.03112.4974.45475.811,012.7069.6546.79411.8377.7989.00
Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area 25.9321.4829.093.30118.990.0023.180.000.00133.7940.07
Wrangell City and Borough 0.0063.340.008.110.000.0049.830.0035.82136.6555.98
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Ketchikan Gateway Borough 4.99785.2337.4212.8319.3911.79212.2134.1916.65135.38105.01
Alaska 23.63369.9188.90134.3221.029.87143.58213.7424.28128.55112.36
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area 6.1379.4525.864.4325.010.0033.280.000.00171.9945.02
Wrangell City and Borough 0.00234.290.0010.900.000.0071.550.008.70175.6662.89


Sources: STI: PopStats, Circa April 2025