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South Central Connecticut Planning Region – Ancestry

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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:

7.63

Most common ancestry not including "Unknown" is:

Italian

 
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)

South Central Connecticut Planning Region578,9159,9311,03118665,55616,6216,35116,2624,27044,58016,19316,312
Connecticut (in 000's)3,682786138263541163119273102
National (in 000's)343,25113,8902,21362611,32738,8796,1814,6443,68725,8937,8527,174
Suffolk County1,537,29141,3833,138262122,40121,71894,28366,12930,80753,23821,15731,833
Capitol Planning Region993,39317,8521,339208125,54510,0866,95420,0517,98159,21924,11035,815
Naugatuck Valley Planning Region457,8368,79566112461,7044,3714,13110,7423,59223,8186,95011,139
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region332,2845,4223404751,2878,78110,56913,3423,69923,49711,15316,662
Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region178,6545,444230507,7981,2997552,4886354,5151,8591,847
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

South Central Connecticut Planning Region7.631.720.180.0311.322.871.102.810.747.702.802.82
Connecticut7.212.110.170.0310.371.711.463.160.855.211.982.77
National7.834.050.640.183.3011.331.801.351.077.542.292.09
Suffolk County7.762.690.200.027.961.416.134.302.003.461.382.07
Capitol Planning Region7.341.800.130.0212.641.020.702.020.805.962.433.61
Naugatuck Valley Planning Region8.431.920.140.0313.480.950.902.350.785.201.522.43
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region7.501.630.100.0115.432.643.184.021.117.073.365.01
Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region8.203.050.130.034.360.730.421.390.362.531.041.03
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

South Central Connecticut Planning Region 81.48102.12119.50109.23167.4274.9888.9386.50147.70141.48101.71
Connecticut 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 192.20369.72678.7531.83660.50123.0842.83125.97144.69115.7175.45
Suffolk County 127.86117.0463.3976.8082.38419.19136.18235.0266.4369.6174.75
Capitol Planning Region 85.3677.2977.88121.9059.2147.8563.9094.22114.34122.76130.14
Naugatuck Valley Planning Region 91.2482.78100.74130.0055.6761.6774.2892.0199.7876.7887.82
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region 77.5058.6752.61148.88154.10217.40127.12130.55135.63169.77181.00
Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region 144.7373.82104.1042.1042.4028.8844.0941.6848.4752.6337.32
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

South Central Connecticut Planning Region 42.3927.6217.61343.1525.3560.92207.6268.67102.08122.28134.81
Connecticut 52.0327.0514.73314.1615.1481.25233.4779.3969.1186.43132.54
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Suffolk County 66.5231.669.34241.2812.47340.57317.95186.5845.9160.1699.07
Capitol Planning Region 44.4120.9011.47382.978.9638.87149.1974.8079.02106.10172.50
Naugatuck Valley Planning Region 47.4722.3914.84408.418.4350.10173.4273.0568.9666.36116.41
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region 40.3215.877.75467.7223.33176.63296.78103.6493.74146.73239.91
Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region 75.3019.9715.34132.276.4223.47102.9333.0933.5045.4949.46
 
Ancestry Report Part II
DescriptionTotal Population Canadian British Dutch French German Italian Polish Scandi­navian Scotish/ Irish Spanish Other European

South Central Connecticut Planning Region578,9154,54223,0331,4016,71820,86369,23916,5275,37345,0861,29519,664
Connecticut (in 000's)3,6825118111821523381304830711155
National (in 000's)343,2511,35018,0691,8283,64224,7089,0274,6675,96920,6251,1409,563
Suffolk County1,537,2912,44935,1513,7887,67589,957201,78135,08313,776142,3888,05258,406
Capitol Planning Region993,39317,01345,7542,57726,35836,68673,65145,36212,34276,6852,66936,457
Naugatuck Valley Planning Region457,8366,68017,04689911,87316,93151,17517,3344,02234,9121,14919,786
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region332,2841,41610,2635552,1959,36926,4047,5252,67922,65965216,995
Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region178,6543,10513,7319534,45211,66522,3199,9104,78521,9027157,864
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

South Central Connecticut Planning Region7.630.783.980.241.163.6011.962.850.937.790.223.40
Connecticut7.211.404.930.302.234.129.183.541.308.340.294.20
National7.830.395.260.531.067.202.631.361.746.010.332.79
Suffolk County7.760.162.290.250.505.8513.132.280.909.260.523.80
Capitol Planning Region7.341.714.610.262.653.697.414.571.247.720.273.67
Naugatuck Valley Planning Region8.431.463.720.202.593.7011.183.790.887.630.254.32
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region7.500.433.090.170.662.827.952.260.816.820.205.11
Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region8.201.747.690.532.496.5312.495.552.6812.260.404.40
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

South Central Connecticut Planning Region 56.1580.7880.7951.9587.55130.2580.7471.3993.3977.6280.95
Connecticut 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 28.15106.88177.7947.50174.8728.6438.45133.7672.06115.2766.40
Suffolk County 11.4046.4282.2622.35142.16142.9464.5468.93111.07181.7590.54
Capitol Planning Region 122.5793.5186.60118.7989.7280.74129.1495.5792.5793.2387.46
Naugatuck Valley Planning Region 104.4275.5965.55116.1089.84121.73107.0767.5891.4487.08102.99
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region 30.5062.7155.7629.5768.5086.5464.0562.0281.7868.09121.89
Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region 124.38156.05178.08111.56158.62136.05156.87206.03147.01138.87104.90
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

South Central Connecticut Planning Region 199.4675.5845.44109.3850.06454.77209.9853.38129.6167.34121.91
Connecticut 355.2493.5656.25210.5357.18349.15260.0874.76138.7886.75150.61
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Suffolk County 40.5043.4446.2747.0681.29499.09167.8551.54154.15157.68136.36
Capitol Planning Region 435.4087.5048.71250.0951.30281.91335.8671.45128.4780.88131.72
Naugatuck Valley Planning Region 370.9370.7336.87244.4351.37425.01278.4750.52126.9175.55155.11
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region 108.3458.6731.3662.2639.17302.14166.5746.37113.4959.07183.57
Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region 441.85146.01100.17234.8890.71475.02407.99154.03204.03120.48157.99
 
Ancestry Report Part III
DescriptionTotal Population Chinese Filipino Japanese Korean Vietnamese South Central Asian South East Asian Other Asian Middle Eastern Other Ancestry Unknown

South Central Connecticut Planning Region578,9158,4062,4525982,6371,3547,8971,7962,6853,98074,62161,455
Connecticut (in 000's)3,682411541197413821479443
National (in 000's)343,2514,4613,0107931,5411,9135,4521,6431,2291,93147,32251,000
Suffolk County1,537,29116,8965,5119315,2641,34330,0832,4283,01610,647176,265200,052
Capitol Planning Region993,39311,0072,8887303,0933,75833,2233,0971,9055,374129,139114,465
Naugatuck Valley Planning Region457,8363,6111,3551269638535,6781,6188182,47562,98059,525
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region332,2842,1511,2862557761,4925,4302,1939812,55639,44630,207
Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region178,6541,6865121212443612,02952526380419,92623,862
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

South Central Connecticut Planning Region7.631.450.420.100.460.231.360.310.460.6912.8910.62
Connecticut7.211.120.410.100.310.252.000.340.220.5813.0212.03
National7.831.300.880.230.450.561.590.480.360.5613.7914.86
Suffolk County7.761.100.360.060.340.091.960.160.200.6911.4713.01
Capitol Planning Region7.341.110.290.070.310.383.340.310.190.5413.0011.52
Naugatuck Valley Planning Region8.430.790.300.030.210.191.240.350.180.5413.7613.00
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region7.500.650.390.080.230.451.630.660.300.7711.879.09
Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region8.200.940.290.070.140.201.140.290.150.4511.1513.36
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

South Central Connecticut Planning Region 129.49103.96104.70148.8894.3468.3190.36210.72119.0999.0388.26
Connecticut 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 115.90215.25234.12146.77224.7979.54139.41162.7297.43105.92123.53
Suffolk County 98.0187.9961.38111.9235.2498.0046.0089.13119.9788.09108.19
Capitol Planning Region 98.8171.3574.48101.77152.59167.4990.8187.1293.7199.8895.80
Naugatuck Valley Planning Region 70.3472.6427.8968.7575.1562.11102.9481.1793.64105.69108.10
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region 57.7394.9977.7876.33181.1281.84192.24134.13133.2591.2175.58
Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region 84.1670.3468.6544.6481.5156.8885.6066.8877.9685.69111.05
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

South Central Connecticut Planning Region 111.7348.2944.72101.4441.9785.8864.82129.49122.2393.5071.45
Connecticut 86.2846.4642.7168.1344.49125.7271.7361.45102.6394.4180.95
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Suffolk County 84.5740.8826.2276.2615.68123.2133.0054.78123.1383.1787.58
Capitol Planning Region 85.2633.1531.8169.3467.88210.5665.1453.5496.1894.2977.55
Naugatuck Valley Planning Region 60.6933.7511.9146.8433.4378.0873.8449.8896.1199.7887.50
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region 49.8144.1333.2252.0180.57102.89137.8982.43136.7686.1161.18
Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region 72.6132.6829.3230.4136.2671.5061.4041.1080.0180.9089.89


Sources: STI: PopStats, Circa April 2025