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Knox County – 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:

13.23

Most common ancestry not including "Unknown" is:

German

 
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)

Knox County48,7532,6956593062,141164712772,332999614
Illinois (in 000's)12,7843341632601,81196109661,099348291
National (in 000's)343,25113,8902,21362611,32738,8796,1814,6443,68725,8937,8527,174
Peoria County180,4436,592335596336,9631,19738990120,3426,4585,025
Henry County48,1232,75760112512,802341774748123129
Fulton County32,7352,6785846361311273970317458
Warren County16,1621,21821121151,45145168526518160
Mercer County15,3291,08322324422029126855
Stark County5,35929990149024203400
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Knox County13.235.530.130.020.634.390.340.150.574.782.051.26
Illinois8.322.610.120.022.0314.170.750.850.528.602.722.28
National7.834.050.640.183.3011.331.801.351.077.542.292.09
Peoria County10.063.650.190.030.353.860.660.220.5011.273.582.78
Henry County12.355.730.120.020.525.820.070.040.151.550.260.27
Fulton County17.418.180.180.010.191.870.030.080.122.150.530.18
Warren County13.607.540.130.070.718.980.280.100.531.641.120.37
Mercer County17.917.070.140.020.162.750.000.190.080.440.030.03
Stark County16.205.580.170.000.261.680.450.040.000.630.000.00
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Knox County 211.40106.9779.8330.8630.9944.8017.10110.1455.6375.3255.26
Illinois 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 154.75517.34789.18162.2779.93239.84158.89208.2187.7384.0891.71
Peoria County 139.71148.96141.4017.2527.2388.3525.3296.79131.11131.55122.19
Henry County 219.09100.0498.8525.6541.099.414.1529.8118.089.3911.76
Fulton County 312.86142.1652.849.4613.224.489.6923.0924.9819.547.77
Warren County 288.20104.25321.1034.9963.3637.0811.63101.9519.0741.1616.29
Mercer County 270.19115.1584.647.7019.430.0022.2215.175.161.201.43
Stark County 213.37134.750.0012.8511.8559.654.380.007.380.000.00
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Knox County 136.6020.6810.1219.0238.7718.6810.7652.9063.4189.5860.26
Illinois 64.6219.3312.6761.63125.1041.6962.9448.03113.98118.94109.04
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Peoria County 90.2828.7917.9210.6334.0736.8415.9346.49149.44156.46133.24
Henry County 141.5719.3412.5315.8151.413.922.6114.3220.6011.1712.83
Fulton County 202.1627.486.705.8316.531.876.1011.0928.4723.248.48
Warren County 186.2320.1540.6921.5679.2615.467.3248.9721.7448.9617.76
Mercer County 174.5922.2610.724.7424.310.0013.987.295.881.431.56
Stark County 137.8826.050.007.9214.8324.872.760.008.410.000.00
 
Ancestry Report Part II
DescriptionTotal Population Canadian British Dutch French German Italian Polish Scandi­navian Scotish/ Irish Spanish Other European

Knox County48,753403,7913365205,3216302593,1244,55337837
Illinois (in 000's)12,78420481691061,20736442323378922459
National (in 000's)343,2511,35018,0691,8283,64224,7089,0274,6675,96920,6251,1409,563
Peoria County180,44316111,1741,1991,65722,9743,0551,6183,27513,7462364,532
Henry County48,123793,3696092,6717,2367737003,5774,088811,250
Fulton County32,735543,4083463404,9547491886872,7975744
Warren County16,162231,0221122131,7972041318451,4330191
Mercer County15,329201,2001893962,180163691,1181,47626256
Stark County5,359862874781,1097047221635065
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Knox County13.230.087.780.691.0710.911.290.536.419.340.081.72
Illinois8.320.163.770.540.839.442.853.311.826.170.183.59
National7.830.395.260.531.067.202.631.361.746.010.332.79
Peoria County10.060.096.190.660.9212.731.690.901.817.620.132.51
Henry County12.350.167.001.275.5515.041.611.457.438.490.172.60
Fulton County17.410.1610.411.061.0415.132.290.572.108.540.022.27
Warren County13.600.146.320.691.3211.121.260.815.238.870.001.18
Mercer County17.910.137.831.232.5814.221.060.457.299.630.171.67
Stark County16.200.1511.721.381.4620.691.310.884.1211.850.001.21
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Knox County 51.94206.51128.12129.16115.5745.3816.06351.63151.3543.3547.79
Illinois 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 248.99139.8099.00128.4876.2392.3641.1195.4297.38189.7777.56
Peoria County 56.48164.46123.52111.20134.8259.4627.1199.60123.4674.7169.91
Henry County 103.92185.92235.25672.13159.2356.4143.98407.89137.6896.1572.31
Fulton County 104.42276.49196.49125.78160.2680.3517.37115.16138.488.7363.27
Warren County 90.08167.94128.82159.59117.7444.3324.51286.90143.700.0032.90
Mercer County 82.59207.90229.20312.83150.6037.3413.61400.22156.0596.8946.49
Stark County 94.50311.22256.70176.26219.1445.8726.52226.30192.040.0033.76
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Knox County 20.86147.72129.41100.53151.6249.1339.07368.51155.4222.8561.62
Illinois 40.1671.53101.0177.83131.19108.27243.24104.80102.6952.70128.94
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Peoria County 22.68117.64124.7786.55176.8864.3865.95104.38126.7839.3790.15
Henry County 41.74132.99237.63523.14208.8961.08106.99427.47141.3850.6793.23
Fulton County 41.94197.77198.4797.90210.2487.0042.24120.69142.204.6081.58
Warren County 36.18120.13130.13124.22154.4647.9959.62300.68147.560.0042.42
Mercer County 33.17148.71231.52243.49197.5740.4333.11419.44160.2551.0659.94
Stark County 37.95222.62259.29137.19287.4949.6764.51237.16197.200.0043.53
 
Ancestry Report Part III
DescriptionTotal Population Chinese Filipino Japanese Korean Vietnamese South Central Asian South East Asian Other Asian Middle Eastern Other Ancestry Unknown

Knox County48,7536483136491162161455,28513,889
Illinois (in 000's)12,7841371301860272914933751,5811,775
National (in 000's)343,2514,4613,0107931,5411,9135,4521,6431,2291,93147,32251,000
Peoria County180,4431,9327861303236033,7881762511,41623,07335,444
Henry County48,12380542121614115184,30612,166
Fulton County32,73535203107139252,74611,185
Warren County16,1623218599082216201,6934,656
Mercer County15,329040234267251,0395,453
Stark County5,359025000002303751,520
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Knox County13.230.130.170.030.010.100.240.040.130.0910.8428.49
Illinois8.321.071.010.140.470.212.270.390.260.5912.3713.89
National7.831.300.880.230.450.561.590.480.360.5613.7914.86
Peoria County10.061.070.440.070.180.332.100.100.140.7812.7919.64
Henry County12.350.170.110.000.020.030.030.000.030.048.9525.28
Fulton County17.410.110.010.000.010.030.020.040.030.088.3934.17
Warren County13.600.200.110.370.060.000.051.370.040.1210.4828.81
Mercer County17.910.000.030.000.150.030.010.040.050.166.7835.57
Stark County16.200.000.470.000.000.000.000.000.040.567.0028.36
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Knox County 12.2916.7818.582.6246.8510.4611.1847.8215.6987.66205.17
Illinois 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 121.6886.44160.9195.48259.7869.82124.24136.8995.61111.49107.00
Peoria County 100.2542.9350.1938.06155.7892.2825.3253.16133.40103.40141.46
Henry County 15.5611.062.905.3015.501.280.5411.916.3672.36182.07
Fulton County 10.010.600.001.9514.240.9410.3110.5112.9867.84246.07
Warren County 18.5410.98254.3011.840.002.18354.9614.1921.0484.71207.47
Mercer County 0.002.570.0031.9012.160.5710.1617.4527.7254.81256.19
Stark County 0.0045.980.000.000.000.000.0014.2695.1656.59204.27
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Knox County 10.1019.4111.542.7418.0414.989.0034.9316.4178.63191.74
Illinois 82.18115.6862.15104.7438.49143.2380.4973.05104.5989.7093.46
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Peoria County 82.3849.6731.1939.8659.97132.1720.3838.84139.5292.75132.20
Henry County 12.7912.791.805.555.971.830.438.706.6564.90170.15
Fulton County 8.230.700.002.045.481.358.307.6813.5860.85229.97
Warren County 15.2312.70158.0412.400.003.12285.6910.3722.0075.98193.89
Mercer County 0.002.980.0033.414.680.828.1812.7529.0049.16239.42
Stark County 0.0053.190.000.000.000.000.0010.4299.5350.76190.90


Sources: STI: PopStats, Circa April 2025