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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:

Most common ancestry not including "Unknown" is:

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

Naugatuck Valley Planning Region	457,836	8,795	661	124	61,704	4,371	4,131	10,742	3,592	23,818	6,950	11,139
Connecticut (in 000's)	3,682	78	6	1	382	63	54	116	31	192	73	102
National (in 000's)	343,251	13,890	2,213	626	11,327	38,879	6,181	4,644	3,687	25,893	7,852	7,174
Capitol Planning Region	993,393	17,852	1,339	208	125,545	10,086	6,954	20,051	7,981	59,219	24,110	35,815
Western Connecticut Planning Region	639,188	16,747	517	131	34,411	13,923	22,696	45,498	9,102	26,712	8,915	14,745
South Central Connecticut Planning Region	578,915	9,931	1,031	186	65,556	16,621	6,351	16,262	4,270	44,580	16,193	16,312
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region	332,284	5,422	340	47	51,287	8,781	10,569	13,342	3,699	23,497	11,153	16,662
Northwest Hills Planning Region	115,456	3,551	176	25	4,444	1,357	438	2,453	463	1,460	342	466

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Naugatuck Valley Planning Region	8.43	1.92	0.14	0.03	13.48	0.95	0.90	2.35	0.78	5.20	1.52	2.43
Connecticut	7.21	2.11	0.17	0.03	10.37	1.71	1.46	3.16	0.85	5.21	1.98	2.77
National	7.83	4.05	0.64	0.18	3.30	11.33	1.80	1.35	1.07	7.54	2.29	2.09
Capitol Planning Region	7.34	1.80	0.13	0.02	12.64	1.02	0.70	2.02	0.80	5.96	2.43	3.61
Western Connecticut Planning Region	6.98	2.62	0.08	0.02	5.38	2.18	3.55	7.12	1.42	4.18	1.39	2.31
South Central Connecticut Planning Region	7.63	1.72	0.18	0.03	11.32	2.87	1.10	2.81	0.74	7.70	2.80	2.82
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region	7.50	1.63	0.10	0.01	15.43	2.64	3.18	4.02	1.11	7.07	3.36	5.01
Northwest Hills Planning Region	8.98	3.08	0.15	0.02	3.85	1.18	0.38	2.12	0.40	1.26	0.30	0.40

Comparisons to State Norms	% to Total >= 150%		% to Total < 50%

Naugatuck Valley Planning Region		91.24	82.78	100.74	130.00	55.67	61.67	74.28	92.01	99.78	76.78	87.82
Connecticut		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		192.20	369.72	678.75	31.83	660.50	123.08	42.83	125.97	144.69	115.71	75.45
Capitol Planning Region		85.36	77.29	77.88	121.90	59.21	47.85	63.90	94.22	114.34	122.76	130.14
Western Connecticut Planning Region		124.44	46.38	76.23	51.93	127.02	242.69	225.35	167.00	80.16	70.55	83.27
South Central Connecticut Planning Region		81.48	102.12	119.50	109.23	167.42	74.98	88.93	86.50	147.70	141.48	101.71
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region		77.50	58.67	52.61	148.88	154.10	217.40	127.12	130.55	135.63	169.77	181.00
Northwest Hills Planning Region		146.08	87.41	80.54	37.13	68.54	25.93	67.26	47.03	24.26	14.98	14.57

Comparisons to National Norms	% to Total >= 150%		% to Total < 50%

Naugatuck Valley Planning Region		47.47	22.39	14.84	408.41	8.43	50.10	173.42	73.05	68.96	66.36	116.41
Connecticut		52.03	27.05	14.73	314.16	15.14	81.25	233.47	79.39	69.11	86.43	132.54
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Capitol Planning Region		44.41	20.90	11.47	382.97	8.96	38.87	149.19	74.80	79.02	106.10	172.50
Western Connecticut Planning Region		64.75	12.54	11.23	163.14	19.23	197.18	526.12	132.58	55.40	60.97	110.37
South Central Connecticut Planning Region		42.39	27.62	17.61	343.15	25.35	60.92	207.62	68.67	102.08	122.28	134.81
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region		40.32	15.87	7.75	467.72	23.33	176.63	296.78	103.64	93.74	146.73	239.91
Northwest Hills Planning Region		76.00	23.64	11.87	116.64	10.38	21.07	157.04	37.34	16.76	12.95	19.31

Ancestry Report Part II
Description	Total Population	Canadian	British	Dutch	French	German	Italian	Polish	Scandinavian	Scotish/ Irish	Spanish	Other European

Naugatuck Valley Planning Region	457,836	6,680	17,046	899	11,873	16,931	51,175	17,334	4,022	34,912	1,149	19,786
Connecticut (in 000's)	3,682	51	181	11	82	152	338	130	48	307	11	155
National (in 000's)	343,251	1,350	18,069	1,828	3,642	24,708	9,027	4,667	5,969	20,625	1,140	9,563
Capitol Planning Region	993,393	17,013	45,754	2,577	26,358	36,686	73,651	45,362	12,342	76,685	2,669	36,457
Western Connecticut Planning Region	639,188	3,320	32,630	2,513	5,495	29,512	54,754	13,523	8,546	53,057	2,842	34,294
South Central Connecticut Planning Region	578,915	4,542	23,033	1,401	6,718	20,863	69,239	16,527	5,373	45,086	1,295	19,664
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region	332,284	1,416	10,263	555	2,195	9,369	26,404	7,525	2,679	22,659	652	16,995
Northwest Hills Planning Region	115,456	2,447	10,139	468	4,123	7,639	13,425	5,019	2,752	13,904	317	6,296

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Naugatuck Valley Planning Region	8.43	1.46	3.72	0.20	2.59	3.70	11.18	3.79	0.88	7.63	0.25	4.32
Connecticut	7.21	1.40	4.93	0.30	2.23	4.12	9.18	3.54	1.30	8.34	0.29	4.20
National	7.83	0.39	5.26	0.53	1.06	7.20	2.63	1.36	1.74	6.01	0.33	2.79
Capitol Planning Region	7.34	1.71	4.61	0.26	2.65	3.69	7.41	4.57	1.24	7.72	0.27	3.67
Western Connecticut Planning Region	6.98	0.52	5.10	0.39	0.86	4.62	8.57	2.12	1.34	8.30	0.44	5.37
South Central Connecticut Planning Region	7.63	0.78	3.98	0.24	1.16	3.60	11.96	2.85	0.93	7.79	0.22	3.40
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region	7.50	0.43	3.09	0.17	0.66	2.82	7.95	2.26	0.81	6.82	0.20	5.11
Northwest Hills Planning Region	8.98	2.12	8.78	0.41	3.57	6.62	11.63	4.35	2.38	12.04	0.27	5.45

Comparisons to State Norms	% to Total >= 150%		% to Total < 50%

Naugatuck Valley Planning Region		104.42	75.59	65.55	116.10	89.84	121.73	107.07	67.58	91.44	87.08	102.99
Connecticut		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		28.15	106.88	177.79	47.50	174.87	28.64	38.45	133.76	72.06	115.27	66.40
Capitol Planning Region		122.57	93.51	86.60	118.79	89.72	80.74	129.14	95.57	92.57	93.23	87.46
Western Connecticut Planning Region		37.17	103.65	131.25	38.49	112.17	93.29	59.83	102.85	99.54	154.28	127.86
South Central Connecticut Planning Region		56.15	80.78	80.79	51.95	87.55	130.25	80.74	71.39	93.39	77.62	80.95
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region		30.50	62.71	55.76	29.57	68.50	86.54	64.05	62.02	81.78	68.09	121.89
Northwest Hills Planning Region		151.68	178.30	135.32	159.87	160.74	126.63	122.94	183.35	144.42	95.27	129.96

Comparisons to National Norms	% to Total >= 150%		% to Total < 50%

Naugatuck Valley Planning Region		370.93	70.73	36.87	244.43	51.37	425.01	278.47	50.52	126.91	75.55	155.11
Connecticut		355.24	93.56	56.25	210.53	57.18	349.15	260.08	74.76	138.78	86.75	150.61
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Capitol Planning Region		435.40	87.50	48.71	250.09	51.30	281.91	335.86	71.45	128.47	80.88	131.72
Western Connecticut Planning Region		132.05	96.98	73.82	81.03	64.14	325.72	155.61	76.89	138.15	133.85	192.57
South Central Connecticut Planning Region		199.46	75.58	45.44	109.38	50.06	454.77	209.98	53.38	129.61	67.34	121.91
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region		108.34	58.67	31.36	62.26	39.17	302.14	166.57	46.37	113.49	59.07	183.57
Northwest Hills Planning Region		538.82	166.82	76.11	336.58	91.92	442.13	319.73	137.08	200.42	82.65	195.72

Ancestry Report Part III
Description	Total Population	Chinese	Filipino	Japanese	Korean	Vietnamese	South Central Asian	South East Asian	Other Asian	Middle Eastern	Other Ancestry	Unknown

Naugatuck Valley Planning Region	457,836	3,611	1,355	126	963	853	5,678	1,618	818	2,475	62,980	59,525
Connecticut (in 000's)	3,682	41	15	4	11	9	74	13	8	21	479	443
National (in 000's)	343,251	4,461	3,010	793	1,541	1,913	5,452	1,643	1,229	1,931	47,322	51,000
Capitol Planning Region	993,393	11,007	2,888	730	3,093	3,758	33,223	3,097	1,905	5,374	129,139	114,465
Western Connecticut Planning Region	639,188	10,037	3,425	1,574	2,483	765	15,899	2,101	966	4,229	90,455	73,371
South Central Connecticut Planning Region	578,915	8,406	2,452	598	2,637	1,354	7,897	1,796	2,685	3,980	74,621	61,455
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region	332,284	2,151	1,286	255	776	1,492	5,430	2,193	981	2,556	39,446	30,207
Northwest Hills Planning Region	115,456	276	305	57	384	159	508	456	84	561	10,853	20,109

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Naugatuck Valley Planning Region	8.43	0.79	0.30	0.03	0.21	0.19	1.24	0.35	0.18	0.54	13.76	13.00
Connecticut	7.21	1.12	0.41	0.10	0.31	0.25	2.00	0.34	0.22	0.58	13.02	12.03
National	7.83	1.30	0.88	0.23	0.45	0.56	1.59	0.48	0.36	0.56	13.79	14.86
Capitol Planning Region	7.34	1.11	0.29	0.07	0.31	0.38	3.34	0.31	0.19	0.54	13.00	11.52
Western Connecticut Planning Region	6.98	1.57	0.54	0.25	0.39	0.12	2.49	0.33	0.15	0.66	14.15	11.48
South Central Connecticut Planning Region	7.63	1.45	0.42	0.10	0.46	0.23	1.36	0.31	0.46	0.69	12.89	10.62
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region	7.50	0.65	0.39	0.08	0.23	0.45	1.63	0.66	0.30	0.77	11.87	9.09
Northwest Hills Planning Region	8.98	0.24	0.26	0.05	0.33	0.14	0.44	0.39	0.07	0.49	9.40	17.42

Comparisons to State Norms	% to Total >= 150%		% to Total < 50%

Naugatuck Valley Planning Region		70.34	72.64	27.89	68.75	75.15	62.11	102.94	81.17	93.64	105.69	108.10
Connecticut		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		115.90	215.25	234.12	146.77	224.79	79.54	139.41	162.72	97.43	105.92	123.53
Capitol Planning Region		98.81	71.35	74.48	101.77	152.59	167.49	90.81	87.12	93.71	99.88	95.80
Western Connecticut Planning Region		140.04	131.51	249.59	126.97	48.28	124.57	95.74	68.66	114.61	108.73	95.44
South Central Connecticut Planning Region		129.49	103.96	104.70	148.88	94.34	68.31	90.36	210.72	119.09	99.03	88.26
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region		57.73	94.99	77.78	76.33	181.12	81.84	192.24	134.13	133.25	91.21	75.58
Northwest Hills Planning Region		21.32	64.84	50.04	108.71	55.55	22.03	115.04	33.05	84.17	72.22	144.81

Comparisons to National Norms	% to Total >= 150%		% to Total < 50%

Naugatuck Valley Planning Region		60.69	33.75	11.91	46.84	33.43	78.08	73.84	49.88	96.11	99.78	87.50
Connecticut		86.28	46.46	42.71	68.13	44.49	125.72	71.73	61.45	102.63	94.41	80.95
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Capitol Planning Region		85.26	33.15	31.81	69.34	67.88	210.56	65.14	53.54	96.18	94.29	77.55
Western Connecticut Planning Region		120.82	61.10	106.61	86.51	21.48	156.61	68.68	42.20	117.63	102.65	77.26
South Central Connecticut Planning Region		111.73	48.29	44.72	101.44	41.97	85.88	64.82	129.49	122.23	93.50	71.45
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region		49.81	44.13	33.22	52.01	80.57	102.89	137.89	82.43	136.76	86.11	61.18
Northwest Hills Planning Region		18.39	30.12	21.37	74.07	24.71	27.70	82.52	20.31	86.39	68.18	117.22

Sources: STI: PopStats, Circa April 2025

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