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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
DescriptionTotal Population American Native American Hawaiian Caribbean (Latino) Mexican Central American South American Other Hispanic African American Sub- Saharan Caribbean (Black)

Hunterdon County132,0504,0469784,6002,0972,3452,1204911,744631806
New Jersey (in 000's)9,570185122988236261471121661250276
National (in 000's)343,25113,8902,21362611,32738,8796,1814,6443,68725,8937,8527,174
Bucks County651,90625,39759713618,52010,5434,2345,1792,21813,4585,7334,950
Morris County526,43910,92143710326,3158,85413,19127,1374,8897,9673,8054,348
Mercer County396,7734,82944910235,0825,43325,81014,0785,51842,34915,23015,806
Somerset County360,1986,0513237220,0707,50812,39116,9323,61618,7556,1077,323
Warren County111,8933,30182276,1331,2091,3963,4738093,7071,187945
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Hunterdon County8.453.060.070.013.481.591.781.610.371.320.480.61
New Jersey6.771.940.120.0210.322.462.734.921.266.912.612.89
National7.834.050.640.183.3011.331.801.351.077.542.292.09
Bucks County9.183.900.090.022.841.620.650.790.342.060.880.76
Morris County7.492.070.080.025.001.682.515.150.931.510.720.83
Mercer County6.831.220.110.038.841.376.503.551.3910.673.843.98
Somerset County7.151.680.090.025.572.083.444.701.005.211.702.03
Warren County8.332.950.070.025.481.081.253.100.723.311.060.84
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Hunterdon County 158.1859.7628.8633.7564.5365.0032.6329.4819.1218.2921.13
New Jersey 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 208.91524.57869.2631.97460.2665.9127.5085.16109.2187.5672.35
Bucks County 201.1374.5099.3827.5265.7223.7716.1526.9829.8933.6626.28
Morris County 107.1067.5393.2048.4368.3491.71104.7873.6421.9127.6728.59
Mercer County 62.8392.06122.4685.6655.64238.0972.12110.27154.52146.93137.90
Somerset County 86.7372.9595.2253.9884.70125.9195.5579.6075.3864.9070.38
Warren County 152.3159.62114.9453.1043.9145.6663.0957.3347.9640.6129.24
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Hunterdon County 75.7211.393.32105.5614.0298.61118.6634.6217.5120.8929.20
New Jersey 47.8719.0611.50312.7821.73151.72363.63117.4291.57114.20138.22
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Bucks County 96.2714.2011.4386.0914.2836.0758.7231.6827.3738.4436.33
Morris County 51.2612.8710.72151.4814.85139.14381.0186.4620.0631.6039.52
Mercer County 30.0817.5514.09267.9412.09361.23262.25129.48141.49167.80190.60
Somerset County 41.5113.9110.95168.8518.40191.03347.4493.4769.0274.1297.27
Warren County 72.9011.3713.22166.109.5469.28229.4167.3143.9246.3740.41
 
Ancestry Report Part II
DescriptionTotal Population Canadian British Dutch French German Italian Polish Scandi­navian Scotish/ Irish Spanish Other European

Hunterdon County132,0504028,3691,2571,26114,63015,8035,5951,96215,9947218,667
New Jersey (in 000's)9,5701324435414217522385663633348
National (in 000's)343,2511,35018,0691,8283,64224,7089,0274,6675,96920,6251,1409,563
Bucks County651,9061,67740,4433,3965,22984,43155,12424,6815,11291,3872,08941,962
Morris County526,4391,23320,0853,7973,22133,81760,99616,4965,89949,1412,90226,038
Mercer County396,77357111,2571,2511,97815,04122,18710,2912,24119,18685712,565
Somerset County360,1986049,1251,3431,57214,94024,17810,5492,64519,6851,51414,031
Warren County111,8932185,7341,35492811,82712,6284,3381,38711,6286566,104
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Hunterdon County8.450.306.340.950.9511.0811.974.241.4912.110.556.56
New Jersey6.770.142.550.360.434.397.862.480.596.650.343.64
National7.830.395.260.531.067.202.631.361.746.010.332.79
Bucks County9.180.266.200.520.8012.958.463.790.7814.020.326.44
Morris County7.490.233.820.720.616.4211.593.131.129.330.554.95
Mercer County6.830.142.840.320.503.795.592.590.564.840.223.17
Somerset County7.150.172.530.370.444.156.712.930.735.470.423.90
Warren County8.330.195.121.210.8310.5711.293.881.2410.390.595.46
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Hunterdon County 217.43248.64261.52220.61252.12152.23170.64252.06182.19160.14180.52
New Jersey 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 280.93206.52146.31245.11163.8033.4654.75294.9990.3897.4376.63
Bucks County 183.73243.38143.12185.30294.72107.56152.47133.03210.8693.99177.03
Morris County 167.28149.68198.16141.35146.18147.39126.19190.09140.41161.68136.03
Mercer County 102.78111.3086.62115.1786.2671.13104.4595.8272.7463.3587.10
Somerset County 119.7699.39102.43100.8294.3985.39117.94124.5782.20123.28107.14
Warren County 139.15201.04332.45191.60240.53143.56156.13210.29156.32171.95150.04
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Hunterdon County 77.40120.40178.7590.01153.91455.04311.6485.45201.58164.37235.57
New Jersey 35.6048.4268.3540.8061.05298.91182.6333.90110.64102.64130.50
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Bucks County 65.40117.8597.8275.60179.92321.52278.4645.10233.3096.46231.03
Morris County 59.5472.48135.4457.6789.24440.56230.4764.44155.35165.95177.52
Mercer County 36.5953.9059.2046.9952.66212.62190.7732.4880.4865.02113.66
Somerset County 42.6348.1370.0141.1357.62255.23215.4142.2390.95126.53139.81
Warren County 49.5397.35227.2278.17146.84429.12285.1571.29172.95176.49195.80
 
Ancestry Report Part III
DescriptionTotal Population Chinese Filipino Japanese Korean Vietnamese South Central Asian South East Asian Other Asian Middle Eastern Other Ancestry Unknown

Hunterdon County132,0501,137678283021673,09216827994715,01816,588
New Jersey (in 000's)9,57017212416103234733323841,309928
National (in 000's)343,2514,4613,0107931,5411,9135,4521,6431,2291,93147,32251,000
Bucks County651,9065,2151,4242913,2261,49518,9781,0981,7674,05467,563100,299
Morris County526,43914,3334,3737213,3621,12131,8031,2981,4504,87976,19355,314
Mercer County396,7739,9063,0119842,99048228,6699971,4112,37755,01028,825
Somerset County360,19817,0385,8676472,45787640,2431,1511,2802,38358,11430,808
Warren County111,8934321,16125862539471079769312,35016,671
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Hunterdon County8.450.860.510.020.230.132.340.130.210.7211.3712.56
New Jersey6.771.801.300.171.080.244.940.350.240.8813.689.70
National7.831.300.880.230.450.561.590.480.360.5613.7914.86
Bucks County9.180.800.220.040.490.232.910.170.270.6210.3615.39
Morris County7.492.720.830.140.640.216.040.250.280.9314.4710.51
Mercer County6.832.500.760.250.750.127.230.250.360.6013.867.26
Somerset County7.154.731.630.180.680.2411.170.320.360.6616.138.55
Warren County8.330.391.040.020.080.230.850.100.090.6211.0414.90
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Hunterdon County 47.8239.5612.7321.2652.6247.4036.4787.2481.2783.11129.54
New Jersey 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 72.1867.58138.6441.74231.8632.15137.22147.8863.74100.75153.22
Bucks County 44.4316.8326.7945.9995.4158.9348.29111.9170.4775.74158.66
Morris County 151.2164.0182.2059.3688.60122.2870.69113.72105.02105.77108.36
Mercer County 138.6558.47148.8570.0450.54146.2672.04146.8367.89101.3274.92
Somerset County 262.70125.51107.8163.40101.19226.1591.61146.7274.97117.9188.20
Warren County 21.4479.9513.417.1494.0817.1327.4135.7970.1880.66153.65
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Hunterdon County 66.2558.549.1850.9322.69147.4226.5858.99127.5082.4984.55
New Jersey 138.55147.9872.13239.6043.13311.0572.8867.62156.8999.2565.26
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Bucks County 61.5524.9119.33110.2041.15183.2935.1975.68110.5675.17103.55
Morris County 209.4994.7259.29142.2238.21380.3551.5176.90164.77104.9870.72
Mercer County 192.1086.53107.37167.8221.80454.9252.5099.29106.51100.5748.90
Somerset County 363.96185.7277.76151.9143.64703.4266.7699.22117.62117.0357.57
Warren County 29.71118.319.6717.1240.5753.2919.9824.20110.1180.06100.28


Sources: STI: PopStats, Circa April 2025

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