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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)

Salem County	65,825	2,320	158	12	4,665	1,495	213	206	308	5,742	1,550	1,588
New Jersey (in 000's)	9,570	185	12	2	988	236	261	471	121	661	250	276
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
New Castle County	590,585	10,654	896	131	28,561	25,675	3,722	5,336	2,587	97,728	26,622	22,809
Gloucester County	311,787	6,587	304	80	14,923	3,449	2,144	2,626	586	21,314	5,366	5,541
Kent County	194,236	9,359	836	103	8,216	3,333	1,456	1,403	619	33,980	8,026	7,797
Cumberland County	156,917	2,837	981	16	30,281	17,836	2,873	1,565	1,850	16,682	5,176	4,819

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Salem County	9.48	3.52	0.24	0.02	7.09	2.27	0.32	0.31	0.47	8.72	2.35	2.41
New Jersey	6.77	1.94	0.12	0.02	10.32	2.46	2.73	4.92	1.26	6.91	2.61	2.89
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
New Castle County	8.71	1.80	0.15	0.02	4.84	4.35	0.63	0.90	0.44	16.55	4.51	3.86
Gloucester County	9.52	2.11	0.10	0.03	4.79	1.11	0.69	0.84	0.19	6.84	1.72	1.78
Kent County	10.67	4.82	0.43	0.05	4.23	1.72	0.75	0.72	0.32	17.49	4.13	4.01
Cumberland County	10.14	1.81	0.63	0.01	19.30	11.37	1.83	1.00	1.18	10.63	3.30	3.07

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

Salem County		181.96	195.28	86.84	68.66	92.29	11.84	6.36	37.10	126.29	90.13	83.51
New Jersey		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		208.91	524.57	869.26	31.97	460.26	65.91	27.50	85.16	109.21	87.56	72.35
New Castle County		93.13	123.43	105.66	46.85	176.66	23.07	18.37	34.73	239.56	172.55	133.69
Gloucester County		109.07	79.32	122.22	46.37	44.95	25.17	17.12	14.90	98.97	65.88	61.52
Kent County		248.75	350.16	252.60	40.98	69.73	27.44	14.68	25.27	253.26	158.17	138.96
Cumberland County		93.34	508.61	48.57	186.96	461.88	67.01	20.27	93.48	153.91	126.26	106.31

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

Salem County		87.10	37.23	9.99	214.76	20.05	17.97	23.13	43.56	115.64	102.94	115.42
New Jersey		47.87	19.06	11.50	312.78	21.73	151.72	363.63	117.42	91.57	114.20	138.22
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
New Castle County		44.58	23.53	12.16	146.55	38.38	35.00	66.78	40.78	219.36	197.06	184.78
Gloucester County		52.21	15.12	14.06	145.04	9.77	38.19	62.25	17.50	90.62	75.24	85.03
Kent County		119.07	66.75	29.06	128.18	15.15	41.63	53.39	29.67	231.91	180.64	192.06
Cumberland County		44.68	96.96	5.59	584.78	100.35	101.67	73.72	109.77	140.93	144.20	146.93

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

Salem County	65,825	97	4,805	301	534	6,483	4,531	1,270	668	6,840	74	1,601
New Jersey (in 000's)	9,570	13	244	35	41	421	752	238	56	636	33	348
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
New Castle County	590,585	875	28,612	1,982	3,020	31,892	27,529	12,767	3,739	45,382	1,650	12,590
Gloucester County	311,787	512	16,651	923	2,087	27,492	41,715	8,922	2,117	42,074	840	8,840
Kent County	194,236	474	9,819	930	1,136	11,125	5,251	2,288	1,190	12,212	351	3,677
Cumberland County	156,917	24	4,550	246	596	6,490	9,426	1,680	526	6,064	202	2,128

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Salem County	9.48	0.15	7.30	0.46	0.81	9.85	6.88	1.93	1.01	10.39	0.11	2.43
New Jersey	6.77	0.14	2.55	0.36	0.43	4.39	7.86	2.48	0.59	6.65	0.34	3.64
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
New Castle County	8.71	0.15	4.84	0.34	0.51	5.40	4.66	2.16	0.63	7.68	0.28	2.13
Gloucester County	9.52	0.16	5.34	0.30	0.67	8.82	13.38	2.86	0.68	13.49	0.27	2.84
Kent County	10.67	0.24	5.06	0.48	0.58	5.73	2.70	1.18	0.61	6.29	0.18	1.89
Cumberland County	10.14	0.02	2.90	0.16	0.38	4.14	6.01	1.07	0.34	3.86	0.13	1.36

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

Salem County		105.25	286.38	125.63	187.41	224.12	87.56	77.70	172.16	156.30	32.97	66.89
New Jersey		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		280.93	206.52	146.31	245.11	163.80	33.46	54.75	294.99	90.38	97.43	76.63
New Castle County		105.82	190.06	92.20	118.13	122.88	59.30	87.06	107.40	115.59	81.94	58.63
Gloucester County		117.29	209.52	81.33	154.64	200.65	170.19	115.24	115.19	202.98	79.02	77.98
Kent County		174.29	198.32	131.54	135.11	130.34	34.39	47.44	103.93	94.57	53.00	52.07
Cumberland County		10.92	113.76	43.07	87.75	94.12	76.41	43.12	56.87	58.13	37.76	37.30

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

Salem County		37.46	138.67	85.86	76.46	136.82	261.73	141.91	58.36	172.94	33.84	87.30
New Jersey		35.60	48.42	68.35	40.80	61.05	298.91	182.63	33.90	110.64	102.64	130.50
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
New Castle County		37.67	92.03	63.02	48.20	75.02	177.24	159.00	36.41	127.89	84.10	76.51
Gloucester County		41.75	101.45	55.59	63.09	122.50	508.73	210.47	39.05	224.58	81.10	101.76
Kent County		62.04	96.03	89.91	55.12	79.57	102.79	86.64	35.23	104.64	54.40	67.95
Cumberland County		3.89	55.08	29.44	35.80	57.46	228.41	78.75	19.28	64.31	38.75	48.67

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

Salem County	65,825	69	175	47	68	39	138	26	60	107	7,278	12,357
New Jersey (in 000's)	9,570	172	124	16	103	23	473	33	23	84	1,309	928
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
New Castle County	590,585	7,903	3,187	629	1,736	1,489	19,090	812	876	2,768	86,512	70,824
Gloucester County	311,787	1,204	2,051	208	797	514	3,532	781	591	1,430	37,452	48,134
Kent County	194,236	414	1,006	125	415	266	1,830	345	124	578	33,250	32,302
Cumberland County	156,917	51	225	137	165	0	1,263	72	154	325	20,106	17,571

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Salem County	9.48	0.10	0.27	0.07	0.10	0.06	0.21	0.04	0.09	0.16	11.06	18.77
New Jersey	6.77	1.80	1.30	0.17	1.08	0.24	4.94	0.35	0.24	0.88	13.68	9.70
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
New Castle County	8.71	1.34	0.54	0.11	0.29	0.25	3.23	0.14	0.15	0.47	14.65	11.99
Gloucester County	9.52	0.39	0.66	0.07	0.26	0.16	1.13	0.25	0.19	0.46	12.01	15.44
Kent County	10.67	0.21	0.52	0.06	0.21	0.14	0.94	0.18	0.06	0.30	17.12	16.63
Cumberland County	10.14	0.03	0.14	0.09	0.11	0.00	0.80	0.05	0.10	0.21	12.81	11.20

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

Salem County		5.82	20.49	42.86	9.60	24.65	4.24	11.32	37.63	18.42	80.80	193.59
New Jersey		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		72.18	67.58	138.64	41.74	231.86	32.15	137.22	147.88	63.74	100.75	153.22
New Castle County		74.32	41.58	63.93	27.32	104.90	65.43	39.42	61.24	53.11	107.05	123.67
Gloucester County		21.45	50.69	40.04	23.76	68.59	22.93	71.81	78.26	51.97	87.79	159.21
Kent County		11.84	39.91	38.63	19.86	56.98	19.07	50.92	26.36	33.72	125.10	171.50
Cumberland County		1.81	11.05	52.40	9.77	0.00	16.29	13.15	40.52	23.47	93.64	115.48

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

Salem County		8.07	30.31	30.91	23.01	10.63	13.20	8.25	25.45	28.90	80.20	126.35
New Jersey		138.55	147.98	72.13	239.60	43.13	311.05	72.88	67.62	156.89	99.25	65.26
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
New Castle County		102.96	61.53	46.11	65.46	45.24	203.51	28.73	41.41	83.33	106.25	80.71
Gloucester County		29.71	75.01	28.88	56.93	29.58	71.32	52.34	52.92	81.54	87.13	103.90
Kent County		16.40	59.06	27.86	47.58	24.57	59.32	37.11	17.82	52.91	124.17	111.93
Cumberland County		2.50	16.35	37.80	23.42	0.00	50.68	9.59	27.40	36.82	92.94	75.36

Sources: STI: PopStats, Circa April 2025

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