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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)

Graham County	8,431	2,309	618	6	5	203	10	22	2	44	4	6
North Carolina (in 000's)	11,200	744	103	7	215	628	210	100	53	1,546	385	326
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
Blount County	142,652	14,404	302	23	822	3,659	928	225	466	2,306	712	613
Monroe County	49,530	6,400	162	2	229	1,733	68	44	106	545	138	156
Macon County	39,003	4,470	159	6	685	2,684	126	192	103	178	149	37
Cherokee County	31,332	5,703	361	0	362	475	68	27	98	325	73	60
Swain County	14,728	2,640	4,014	11	107	498	0	74	6	102	31	27

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Graham County	16.87	27.39	7.33	0.07	0.06	2.41	0.12	0.26	0.02	0.52	0.05	0.07
North Carolina	9.68	6.64	0.92	0.06	1.92	5.61	1.88	0.90	0.47	13.80	3.44	2.91
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
Blount County	17.42	10.10	0.21	0.02	0.58	2.56	0.65	0.16	0.33	1.62	0.50	0.43
Monroe County	18.91	12.92	0.33	0.00	0.46	3.50	0.14	0.09	0.21	1.10	0.28	0.31
Macon County	13.38	11.46	0.41	0.02	1.76	6.88	0.32	0.49	0.26	0.46	0.38	0.09
Cherokee County	15.06	18.20	1.15	0.00	1.16	1.52	0.22	0.09	0.31	1.04	0.23	0.19
Swain County	16.15	17.93	27.25	0.07	0.73	3.38	0.00	0.50	0.04	0.69	0.21	0.18

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

Graham County		412.24	794.15	110.22	3.09	42.93	6.32	29.11	5.05	3.78	1.38	2.45
North Carolina		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		60.91	69.86	282.62	171.76	201.97	95.99	150.93	228.76	54.67	66.52	71.91
Blount County		151.99	22.94	24.97	29.99	45.74	34.68	17.60	69.58	11.71	14.51	14.79
Monroe County		194.50	35.44	6.25	24.06	62.39	7.32	9.91	45.58	7.97	8.10	10.84
Macon County		172.51	44.17	23.82	91.41	122.71	17.22	54.92	56.25	3.31	11.11	3.26
Cherokee County		273.98	124.83	0.00	60.14	27.03	11.57	9.61	66.62	7.52	6.78	6.59
Swain County		269.82	2,952.73	115.67	37.81	60.29	0.00	56.05	8.68	5.02	6.12	6.31

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

Graham County		676.78	1,136.82	39.00	1.80	21.26	6.59	19.29	2.21	6.92	2.07	3.40
North Carolina		164.17	143.15	35.38	58.22	49.51	104.17	66.25	43.71	182.92	150.32	139.06
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Blount County		249.52	32.83	8.84	17.46	22.65	36.12	11.66	30.41	21.43	21.82	20.56
Monroe County		319.31	50.73	2.21	14.01	30.89	7.62	6.57	19.93	14.59	12.18	15.07
Macon County		283.21	63.22	8.43	53.22	60.76	17.94	36.38	24.59	6.05	16.70	4.54
Cherokee County		449.80	178.69	0.00	35.01	13.38	12.05	6.37	29.12	13.75	10.19	9.16
Swain County		442.96	4,226.84	40.93	22.02	29.85	0.00	37.14	3.79	9.18	9.20	8.77

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

Graham County	8,431	0	452	26	23	333	87	31	73	972	5	97
North Carolina (in 000's)	11,200	28	790	41	76	543	179	74	81	720	22	225
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
Blount County	142,652	453	13,849	848	1,530	10,171	1,929	1,170	1,432	16,500	229	3,083
Monroe County	49,530	121	3,801	257	504	3,170	410	294	264	4,898	19	765
Macon County	39,003	100	4,135	329	572	2,318	976	313	468	5,299	47	793
Cherokee County	31,332	114	3,410	220	429	2,103	532	214	327	3,532	0	466
Swain County	14,728	26	860	52	64	286	52	58	67	1,046	55	183

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Graham County	16.87	0.00	5.36	0.31	0.27	3.95	1.03	0.37	0.87	11.53	0.06	1.15
North Carolina	9.68	0.25	7.06	0.36	0.68	4.84	1.60	0.66	0.73	6.43	0.20	2.01
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
Blount County	17.42	0.32	9.71	0.59	1.07	7.13	1.35	0.82	1.00	11.57	0.16	2.16
Monroe County	18.91	0.24	7.67	0.52	1.02	6.40	0.83	0.59	0.53	9.89	0.04	1.54
Macon County	13.38	0.26	10.60	0.84	1.47	5.94	2.50	0.80	1.20	13.59	0.12	2.03
Cherokee County	15.06	0.36	10.88	0.70	1.37	6.71	1.70	0.68	1.04	11.27	0.00	1.49
Swain County	16.15	0.18	5.84	0.35	0.43	1.94	0.35	0.39	0.45	7.10	0.37	1.24

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

Graham County		0.00	75.96	84.81	40.00	81.54	64.53	55.45	119.32	179.39	30.05	57.35
North Carolina		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		156.27	74.59	146.45	155.57	148.61	164.46	205.04	239.62	93.50	168.33	138.89
Blount County		126.16	137.56	163.48	157.27	147.20	84.56	123.69	138.34	179.98	81.35	107.74
Monroe County		97.05	108.74	142.69	149.21	132.13	51.76	89.52	73.45	153.88	19.44	77.00
Macon County		101.86	150.22	231.97	215.05	122.69	156.48	121.02	165.35	211.41	61.06	101.36
Cherokee County		144.55	154.21	193.10	200.77	138.57	106.18	103.00	143.82	175.41	0.00	74.14
Swain County		70.13	82.74	97.10	63.72	40.09	22.08	59.39	62.69	110.51	189.23	61.94

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

Graham County		0.00	101.85	57.91	25.71	54.87	39.24	27.04	49.79	191.87	17.85	41.29
North Carolina		63.99	134.07	68.28	64.28	67.29	60.80	48.77	41.73	106.96	59.41	72.00
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Blount County		80.73	184.43	111.62	101.09	99.05	51.42	60.33	57.73	192.50	48.33	77.57
Monroe County		62.11	145.78	97.43	95.91	88.91	31.48	43.66	30.65	164.58	11.55	55.44
Macon County		65.18	201.40	158.39	138.23	82.56	95.15	59.02	69.01	226.11	36.28	72.97
Cherokee County		92.50	206.75	131.85	129.05	93.24	64.56	50.24	60.02	187.61	0.00	53.38
Swain County		44.88	110.93	66.30	40.96	26.98	13.42	28.97	26.16	118.20	112.42	44.60

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

Graham County	8,431	0	0	0	39	0	13	0	6	55	1,007	1,983
North Carolina (in 000's)	11,200	55	31	8	24	37	151	30	29	34	1,790	1,915
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
Blount County	142,652	260	87	94	158	7	221	266	139	191	15,773	49,802
Monroe County	49,530	34	34	2	0	26	3	45	66	28	7,504	17,702
Macon County	39,003	83	0	67	1	56	25	10	55	57	4,288	10,222
Cherokee County	31,332	2	36	13	0	20	0	1	99	10	3,871	8,381
Swain County	14,728	0	0	0	0	0	2	12	41	21	2,340	2,053

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Graham County	16.87	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.46	0.00	0.15	0.00	0.07	0.65	11.94	23.52
North Carolina	9.68	0.49	0.28	0.08	0.21	0.33	1.34	0.27	0.26	0.30	15.99	17.10
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
Blount County	17.42	0.18	0.06	0.07	0.11	0.00	0.15	0.19	0.10	0.13	11.06	34.91
Monroe County	18.91	0.07	0.07	0.00	0.00	0.05	0.01	0.09	0.13	0.06	15.15	35.74
Macon County	13.38	0.21	0.00	0.17	0.00	0.14	0.06	0.03	0.14	0.15	10.99	26.21
Cherokee County	15.06	0.01	0.11	0.04	0.00	0.06	0.00	0.00	0.32	0.03	12.35	26.75
Swain County	16.15	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.01	0.08	0.28	0.14	15.89	13.94

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

Graham County		0.00	0.00	0.00	216.53	0.00	11.46	0.00	27.68	214.78	74.72	137.58
North Carolina		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		263.73	318.45	307.88	210.19	169.70	118.10	180.19	139.29	185.18	86.25	86.91
Blount County		36.99	22.14	87.83	51.84	1.49	11.52	70.20	37.89	44.08	69.17	204.21
Monroe County		13.93	24.93	5.38	0.00	15.99	0.45	34.20	51.82	18.61	94.78	209.06
Macon County		43.18	0.00	228.97	1.20	43.72	4.77	9.65	54.84	48.12	68.78	153.30
Cherokee County		1.30	41.72	55.30	0.00	19.44	0.00	1.20	122.88	10.51	77.29	156.47
Swain County		0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	1.01	30.67	108.26	46.94	99.39	81.54

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

Graham County		0.00	0.00	0.00	103.01	0.00	9.71	0.00	19.87	115.98	86.64	158.30
North Carolina		37.92	31.40	32.48	47.58	58.93	84.68	55.50	71.79	54.00	115.95	115.06
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Blount County		14.02	6.95	28.53	24.67	0.88	9.75	38.96	27.21	23.80	80.20	234.97
Monroe County		5.28	7.83	1.75	0.00	9.42	0.38	18.98	37.20	10.05	109.89	240.54
Macon County		16.37	0.00	74.37	0.57	25.76	4.04	5.36	39.37	25.98	79.75	176.39
Cherokee County		0.49	13.10	17.96	0.00	11.45	0.00	0.67	88.22	5.67	89.62	180.03
Swain County		0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.85	17.02	77.72	25.35	115.24	93.82

Sources: STI: PopStats, Circa April 2025

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