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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)

Chattooga County	25,334	6,481	45	0	78	295	841	22	31	1,508	455	436
Georgia (in 000's)	11,288	641	21	6	209	627	187	116	51	2,374	539	501
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
Floyd County	102,260	11,295	199	23	578	6,880	3,699	238	619	9,859	2,299	2,090
DeKalb County	73,675	10,135	620	15	675	6,795	4,500	142	212	516	327	173
Walker County	69,162	10,815	123	22	606	951	120	27	51	1,764	723	428
Cherokee County	26,535	4,495	112	1	15	325	17	47	26	511	334	201

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Chattooga County	16.55	25.58	0.18	0.00	0.31	1.16	3.32	0.09	0.12	5.95	1.80	1.72
Georgia	10.99	5.68	0.18	0.06	1.85	5.56	1.65	1.03	0.46	21.03	4.77	4.44
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
Floyd County	11.30	11.05	0.19	0.02	0.57	6.73	3.62	0.23	0.61	9.64	2.25	2.04
DeKalb County	16.34	13.76	0.84	0.02	0.92	9.22	6.11	0.19	0.29	0.70	0.44	0.23
Walker County	15.59	15.64	0.18	0.03	0.88	1.38	0.17	0.04	0.07	2.55	1.05	0.62
Cherokee County	18.95	16.94	0.42	0.00	0.06	1.22	0.06	0.18	0.10	1.93	1.26	0.76

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

Chattooga County		450.29	96.17	0.00	16.64	20.96	200.89	8.45	26.84	28.30	37.62	38.77
Georgia		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		71.23	349.10	323.17	178.32	203.89	108.98	131.61	235.55	35.87	47.92	47.08
Floyd County		194.42	105.36	39.83	30.54	121.11	218.90	22.64	132.75	45.84	47.09	46.04
DeKalb County		242.14	455.62	36.06	49.51	166.02	369.62	18.75	63.11	3.33	9.30	5.29
Walker County		275.24	96.29	56.33	47.35	24.75	10.50	3.80	16.17	12.13	21.90	13.94
Cherokee County		298.17	228.52	6.67	3.05	22.05	3.88	17.23	21.49	9.16	26.37	17.06

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

Chattooga County		632.18	27.55	0.00	9.33	10.28	184.34	6.42	11.39	78.91	78.51	82.34
Georgia		140.39	28.65	30.94	56.08	49.05	91.76	75.98	42.45	278.78	208.70	212.40
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Floyd County		272.95	30.18	12.33	17.13	59.40	200.87	17.20	56.36	127.81	98.28	97.79
DeKalb County		339.94	130.51	11.16	27.76	81.43	339.18	14.25	26.79	9.28	19.40	11.23
Walker County		386.42	27.58	17.43	26.55	12.14	9.63	2.89	6.87	33.81	45.70	29.61
Cherokee County		418.61	65.46	2.07	1.71	10.81	3.56	13.09	9.12	25.53	55.03	36.24

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

Chattooga County	25,334	2	2,662	66	42	656	106	16	41	1,343	4	220
Georgia (in 000's)	11,288	18	618	27	58	339	116	50	62	531	18	179
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
Floyd County	102,260	105	10,502	234	438	3,251	996	242	490	8,219	77	1,225
DeKalb County	73,675	14	4,843	301	539	2,106	306	183	272	4,724	32	613
Walker County	69,162	265	8,997	494	628	2,941	829	306	575	7,563	82	1,117
Cherokee County	26,535	57	2,524	139	146	1,025	249	69	94	2,202	6	286

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Chattooga County	16.55	0.01	10.51	0.26	0.17	2.59	0.42	0.06	0.16	5.30	0.02	0.87
Georgia	10.99	0.16	5.47	0.24	0.52	3.01	1.02	0.44	0.55	4.70	0.16	1.59
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
Floyd County	11.30	0.10	10.27	0.23	0.43	3.18	0.97	0.24	0.48	8.04	0.08	1.20
DeKalb County	16.34	0.02	6.57	0.41	0.73	2.86	0.42	0.25	0.37	6.41	0.04	0.83
Walker County	15.59	0.38	13.01	0.71	0.91	4.25	1.20	0.44	0.83	10.94	0.12	1.62
Cherokee County	18.95	0.21	9.51	0.52	0.55	3.86	0.94	0.26	0.35	8.30	0.02	1.08

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

Chattooga County		5.08	191.97	110.03	32.11	86.12	40.85	14.40	29.50	112.78	10.07	54.69
Georgia		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		253.05	96.17	224.93	205.47	239.40	256.78	309.89	316.91	127.83	211.82	175.45
Floyd County		66.06	187.63	96.65	82.95	105.73	95.10	53.94	87.33	170.99	48.02	75.44
DeKalb County		12.22	120.10	172.55	141.68	95.07	40.55	56.61	67.29	136.41	27.70	52.40
Walker County		246.50	237.67	301.68	175.84	141.42	117.03	100.84	151.52	232.65	75.60	101.70
Cherokee County		138.20	173.78	221.25	106.55	128.47	91.62	59.27	64.56	176.55	14.42	67.87

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

Chattooga County		2.01	199.61	48.92	15.63	35.97	15.91	4.65	9.31	88.23	4.75	31.17
Georgia		39.52	103.98	44.46	48.67	41.77	38.94	32.27	31.55	78.23	47.21	57.00
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Floyd County		26.10	195.10	42.97	40.37	44.17	37.03	17.41	27.56	133.76	22.67	43.00
DeKalb County		4.83	124.87	76.72	68.96	39.71	15.79	18.27	21.23	106.71	13.08	29.86
Walker County		97.41	247.12	134.12	85.58	59.07	45.58	32.54	47.81	181.99	35.69	57.97
Cherokee County		54.61	180.70	98.36	51.86	53.66	35.68	19.13	20.37	138.11	6.81	38.69

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

Chattooga County	25,334	9	0	2	11	12	0	4	23	15	3,886	6,022
Georgia (in 000's)	11,288	71	30	11	66	65	197	33	25	30	1,753	1,721
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
Floyd County	102,260	103	96	34	176	282	430	120	96	189	17,464	19,712
DeKalb County	73,675	0	54	3	2	39	24	7	66	18	13,337	22,082
Walker County	69,162	27	29	25	150	0	38	19	62	75	9,966	19,344
Cherokee County	26,535	0	2	0	0	18	0	15	13	0	4,851	8,755

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Chattooga County	16.55	0.04	0.00	0.01	0.04	0.05	0.00	0.02	0.09	0.06	15.34	23.77
Georgia	10.99	0.63	0.26	0.10	0.59	0.57	1.74	0.29	0.22	0.27	15.53	15.25
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
Floyd County	11.30	0.10	0.09	0.03	0.17	0.28	0.42	0.12	0.09	0.18	17.08	19.28
DeKalb County	16.34	0.00	0.07	0.00	0.00	0.05	0.03	0.01	0.09	0.02	18.10	29.97
Walker County	15.59	0.04	0.04	0.04	0.22	0.00	0.05	0.03	0.09	0.11	14.41	27.97
Cherokee County	18.95	0.00	0.01	0.00	0.00	0.07	0.00	0.06	0.05	0.00	18.28	32.99

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

Chattooga County		5.62	0.00	8.21	7.38	8.28	0.00	5.39	41.17	22.33	98.80	155.91
Georgia		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		205.52	334.50	240.24	76.28	97.36	91.11	163.28	162.41	212.12	88.80	97.45
Floyd County		15.93	35.81	34.58	29.23	48.18	24.12	40.03	42.57	69.70	110.00	126.43
DeKalb County		0.00	27.95	4.24	0.46	9.25	1.87	3.24	40.62	9.21	116.60	196.59
Walker County		6.17	15.99	37.60	36.84	0.00	3.15	9.37	40.65	40.90	92.81	183.45
Cherokee County		0.00	2.87	0.00	0.00	11.85	0.00	19.28	22.21	0.00	117.75	216.41

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

Chattooga County		2.73	0.00	3.42	9.67	8.50	0.00	3.30	25.35	10.53	111.26	159.98
Georgia		48.66	29.90	41.62	131.10	102.71	109.76	61.24	61.57	47.14	112.62	102.61
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Floyd County		7.75	10.70	14.39	38.33	49.48	26.47	24.52	26.21	32.86	123.88	129.74
DeKalb County		0.00	8.36	1.76	0.60	9.50	2.05	1.99	25.01	4.34	131.31	201.72
Walker County		3.00	4.78	15.65	48.30	0.00	3.46	5.74	25.03	19.28	104.52	188.24
Cherokee County		0.00	0.86	0.00	0.00	12.17	0.00	11.81	13.68	0.00	132.61	222.06

Sources: STI: PopStats, Circa April 2025

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