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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)

Lake County	10,734	409	40	0	17	108	2	0	5	18	7	0
Minnesota (in 000's)	5,840	149	55	3	30	230	37	36	21	191	160	40
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
St. Louis County	200,671	4,721	3,977	60	463	1,998	588	366	264	2,161	945	540
Douglas County	44,218	1,471	693	16	151	498	6	15	132	382	106	72
Ashland County	16,248	418	1,800	8	113	265	0	14	25	90	11	17
Bayfield County	16,880	385	1,606	2	98	150	18	16	41	62	13	5
Cook County	5,546	138	429	1	60	14	15	19	26	13	2	8

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Lake County	17.41	3.81	0.37	0.00	0.16	1.01	0.02	0.00	0.05	0.17	0.07	0.00
Minnesota	10.33	2.55	0.95	0.05	0.52	3.94	0.64	0.61	0.36	3.26	2.73	0.69
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
St. Louis County	13.77	2.35	1.98	0.03	0.23	1.00	0.29	0.18	0.13	1.08	0.47	0.27
Douglas County	13.23	3.33	1.57	0.04	0.34	1.13	0.01	0.03	0.30	0.86	0.24	0.16
Ashland County	11.33	2.57	11.08	0.05	0.70	1.63	0.00	0.09	0.15	0.55	0.07	0.10
Bayfield County	11.23	2.28	9.51	0.01	0.58	0.89	0.11	0.09	0.24	0.37	0.08	0.03
Cook County	11.86	2.49	7.74	0.02	1.08	0.25	0.27	0.34	0.47	0.23	0.04	0.14

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

Lake County		149.50	39.25	0.00	30.58	25.54	2.91	0.00	13.11	5.14	2.39	0.00
Minnesota		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		158.77	67.91	393.55	637.16	287.50	280.84	221.03	302.20	231.15	83.72	304.22
St. Louis County		92.31	208.72	64.48	44.55	25.27	45.70	29.80	37.02	33.00	17.23	39.17
Douglas County		130.52	165.05	78.04	65.94	28.59	2.12	5.54	83.99	26.47	8.77	23.70
Ashland County		100.94	1,166.71	106.19	134.28	41.40	0.00	14.08	43.29	16.97	2.48	15.23
Bayfield County		89.49	1,001.99	25.55	112.10	22.56	16.63	15.48	68.34	11.25	2.82	4.31
Cook County		97.63	814.65	38.89	208.89	6.41	42.18	55.97	131.90	7.18	1.32	21.00

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

Lake County		94.16	57.79	0.00	4.80	8.88	1.03	0.00	4.34	2.22	2.85	0.00
Minnesota		62.98	147.26	25.41	15.69	34.78	35.61	45.24	33.09	43.26	119.45	32.87
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
St. Louis County		58.14	307.36	16.38	6.99	8.79	16.27	13.48	12.25	14.28	20.59	12.87
Douglas County		82.21	243.06	19.83	10.35	9.94	0.75	2.51	27.79	11.45	10.48	7.79
Ashland County		63.57	1,718.12	26.98	21.08	14.40	0.00	6.37	14.33	7.34	2.96	5.01
Bayfield County		56.36	1,475.55	6.49	17.59	7.85	5.92	7.01	22.61	4.87	3.37	1.42
Cook County		61.49	1,199.66	9.88	32.78	2.23	15.02	25.32	43.65	3.11	1.58	6.90

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

Lake County	10,734	147	524	119	155	1,771	164	200	3,351	730	18	378
Minnesota (in 000's)	5,840	30	206	47	91	1,106	69	128	850	336	11	201
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
St. Louis County	200,671	1,708	8,269	1,183	3,836	28,236	5,847	6,385	49,471	12,341	246	10,618
Douglas County	44,218	522	1,892	242	1,210	6,008	826	2,175	9,169	3,166	106	1,680
Ashland County	16,248	220	623	91	187	3,092	238	792	2,224	892	1	854
Bayfield County	16,880	123	918	159	399	2,919	220	709	3,123	1,088	34	1,054
Cook County	5,546	66	324	55	134	912	56	119	1,200	461	0	216

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Lake County	17.41	1.37	4.88	1.11	1.44	16.50	1.53	1.86	31.22	6.80	0.17	3.52
Minnesota	10.33	0.52	3.53	0.81	1.56	18.94	1.18	2.18	14.55	5.75	0.19	3.44
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
St. Louis County	13.77	0.85	4.12	0.59	1.91	14.07	2.91	3.18	24.65	6.15	0.12	5.29
Douglas County	13.23	1.18	4.28	0.55	2.74	13.59	1.87	4.92	20.74	7.16	0.24	3.80
Ashland County	11.33	1.35	3.83	0.56	1.15	19.03	1.46	4.87	13.69	5.49	0.01	5.26
Bayfield County	11.23	0.73	5.44	0.94	2.36	17.29	1.30	4.20	18.50	6.45	0.20	6.24
Cook County	11.86	1.19	5.84	0.99	2.42	16.44	1.01	2.15	21.64	8.31	0.00	3.89

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

Lake County		264.30	138.14	137.59	92.79	87.12	129.48	85.35	214.51	118.19	87.43	102.48
Minnesota		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		75.91	148.97	66.10	68.18	38.01	222.87	62.28	11.95	104.42	173.19	81.08
St. Louis County		164.26	116.61	73.17	122.84	74.30	246.92	145.74	169.40	106.88	63.91	153.98
Douglas County		227.83	121.08	67.92	175.84	71.75	158.30	225.31	142.48	124.43	124.98	110.56
Ashland County		261.31	108.51	69.51	73.96	100.49	124.13	223.27	94.05	95.41	3.21	152.95
Bayfield County		140.63	153.90	116.91	151.89	91.32	110.45	192.39	127.13	112.01	105.01	181.71
Cook County		229.67	165.32	123.08	155.26	86.84	85.57	98.28	148.67	144.46	0.00	113.34

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

Lake County		348.16	92.74	208.17	136.10	229.21	58.09	137.04	1,795.36	113.18	50.48	126.39
Minnesota		131.73	67.13	151.30	146.67	263.08	44.87	160.57	836.96	95.77	57.74	123.34
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
St. Louis County		216.39	78.28	110.70	180.17	195.47	110.79	234.03	1,417.77	102.35	36.90	189.91
Douglas County		300.12	81.28	102.77	257.92	188.76	71.03	361.78	1,192.51	119.16	72.16	136.37
Ashland County		344.23	72.84	105.17	108.48	264.37	55.70	358.52	787.18	91.37	1.85	188.65
Bayfield County		185.25	103.31	176.87	222.79	240.23	49.56	308.93	1,063.99	107.27	60.63	224.11
Cook County		302.55	110.98	186.22	227.73	228.45	38.39	157.82	1,244.34	138.34	0.00	139.79

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

Lake County	10,734	0	2	0	2	15	7	0	14	3	475	2,053
Minnesota (in 000's)	5,840	31	14	4	16	30	56	50	96	21	564	931
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
St. Louis County	200,671	395	171	29	252	237	423	155	341	348	13,592	40,505
Douglas County	44,218	113	25	6	2	111	49	20	53	47	3,172	10,082
Ashland County	16,248	3	6	2	17	0	49	10	14	8	1,570	2,594
Bayfield County	16,880	16	7	0	10	0	8	3	17	8	1,431	2,238
Cook County	5,546	4	7	0	1	6	14	2	8	11	546	679

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Lake County	17.41	0.00	0.02	0.00	0.02	0.14	0.07	0.00	0.13	0.03	4.43	19.13
Minnesota	10.33	0.54	0.24	0.08	0.28	0.51	0.97	0.85	1.64	0.36	9.67	15.94
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
St. Louis County	13.77	0.20	0.09	0.01	0.13	0.12	0.21	0.08	0.17	0.17	6.77	20.18
Douglas County	13.23	0.26	0.06	0.01	0.00	0.25	0.11	0.05	0.12	0.11	7.17	22.80
Ashland County	11.33	0.02	0.04	0.01	0.10	0.00	0.30	0.06	0.09	0.05	9.66	15.97
Bayfield County	11.23	0.09	0.04	0.00	0.06	0.00	0.05	0.02	0.10	0.05	8.48	13.26
Cook County	11.86	0.07	0.13	0.00	0.02	0.11	0.25	0.04	0.14	0.20	9.84	12.24

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

Lake County		0.00	7.92	0.00	6.64	27.59	6.75	0.00	7.96	7.85	45.79	120.00
Minnesota		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		241.10	372.94	306.03	160.04	110.04	164.48	55.98	21.85	157.89	142.64	93.22
St. Louis County		36.52	36.24	19.15	44.75	23.32	21.83	9.03	10.37	48.68	70.08	126.64
Douglas County		47.41	24.04	17.98	1.61	49.57	11.48	5.29	7.31	29.84	74.22	143.06
Ashland County		3.43	15.70	16.31	37.29	0.00	31.23	7.20	5.26	13.82	99.98	100.17
Bayfield County		17.58	17.63	0.00	21.11	0.00	4.91	2.08	6.14	13.30	87.71	83.18
Cook County		13.38	53.67	0.00	6.43	21.36	26.14	4.22	8.80	55.68	101.86	76.82

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

Lake County		0.00	2.12	0.00	4.15	25.08	4.11	0.00	36.42	4.97	32.10	128.73
Minnesota		41.48	26.81	32.68	62.49	90.88	60.80	178.63	457.65	63.34	70.11	107.27
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
St. Louis County		15.15	9.72	6.26	27.97	21.19	13.27	16.14	47.44	30.83	49.13	135.85
Douglas County		19.66	6.45	5.87	1.01	45.05	6.98	9.45	33.47	18.90	52.03	153.46
Ashland County		1.42	4.21	5.33	23.30	0.00	18.99	12.86	24.06	8.75	70.09	107.45
Bayfield County		7.29	4.73	0.00	13.19	0.00	2.98	3.71	28.12	8.43	61.49	89.23
Cook County		5.55	14.39	0.00	4.02	19.41	15.89	7.53	40.27	35.26	71.41	82.40

Sources: STI: PopStats, Circa April 2025

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