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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)

Orange County	30,141	2,431	104	6	99	169	30	52	149	67	35	26
Vermont (in 000's)	652	43	2	0	5	5	1	3	2	4	3	1
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
Grafton County	93,271	4,188	174	27	1,341	640	341	76	277	650	168	158
Washington County	60,080	3,029	119	20	326	580	101	123	486	363	86	128
Windsor County	57,616	3,543	111	13	450	350	145	124	206	210	100	69
Addison County	38,279	4,124	78	8	235	517	79	212	144	124	99	111
Caledonia County	30,693	2,241	87	15	212	340	6	44	26	124	49	49

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Orange County	11.88	8.07	0.35	0.02	0.33	0.56	0.10	0.17	0.49	0.22	0.12	0.09
Vermont	10.19	6.60	0.28	0.02	0.84	0.72	0.17	0.44	0.29	0.61	0.42	0.22
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
Grafton County	10.14	4.49	0.19	0.03	1.44	0.69	0.37	0.08	0.30	0.70	0.18	0.17
Washington County	10.63	5.04	0.20	0.03	0.54	0.97	0.17	0.20	0.81	0.60	0.14	0.21
Windsor County	11.22	6.15	0.19	0.02	0.78	0.61	0.25	0.22	0.36	0.36	0.17	0.12
Addison County	9.65	10.77	0.20	0.02	0.61	1.35	0.21	0.55	0.38	0.32	0.26	0.29
Caledonia County	12.60	7.30	0.28	0.05	0.69	1.11	0.02	0.14	0.08	0.40	0.16	0.16

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

Orange County		122.16	124.53	80.59	39.33	78.14	57.92	38.86	172.40	36.22	27.71	38.48
Vermont		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		61.29	232.71	738.79	395.10	1,578.53	1,048.02	304.72	374.58	1,229.24	545.97	932.47
Grafton County		68.01	67.33	117.20	172.14	95.63	212.77	18.35	103.57	113.56	42.99	75.58
Washington County		76.36	71.49	134.77	64.97	134.54	97.83	46.11	282.11	98.45	34.16	95.05
Windsor County		93.14	69.53	91.35	93.51	84.66	146.46	48.47	124.69	59.39	41.42	53.43
Addison County		163.18	73.54	84.61	73.50	188.23	120.11	124.74	131.19	52.79	61.73	129.37
Caledonia County		110.59	102.30	197.85	82.70	154.38	11.38	32.29	29.54	65.83	38.10	71.22

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

Orange County		199.31	53.51	10.91	9.95	4.95	5.53	12.75	46.02	2.95	5.08	4.13
Vermont		163.16	42.97	13.54	25.31	6.34	9.54	32.82	26.70	8.14	18.32	10.72
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Grafton County		110.96	28.93	15.86	43.57	6.06	20.30	6.02	27.65	9.24	7.87	8.10
Washington County		124.59	30.72	18.24	16.44	8.52	9.34	15.13	75.31	8.01	6.26	10.19
Windsor County		151.96	29.88	12.36	23.67	5.36	13.98	15.91	33.29	4.83	7.59	5.73
Addison County		266.23	31.60	11.45	18.60	11.92	11.46	40.93	35.02	4.29	11.31	13.87
Caledonia County		180.43	43.96	26.78	20.93	9.78	1.09	10.60	7.89	5.36	6.98	7.64

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

Orange County	30,141	1,764	5,046	171	1,840	1,656	969	508	602	3,760	15	1,285
Vermont (in 000's)	652	38	85	4	42	39	28	13	14	85	2	26
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
Grafton County	93,271	4,541	13,091	585	6,251	5,560	3,728	1,875	2,148	12,564	362	3,707
Washington County	60,080	3,407	8,645	295	3,899	3,569	3,134	963	1,315	8,947	404	2,328
Windsor County	57,616	2,117	10,178	458	3,232	3,797	2,468	1,544	1,724	7,799	282	2,113
Addison County	38,279	2,653	5,328	591	2,166	2,300	1,155	590	916	4,552	150	1,505
Caledonia County	30,693	1,975	4,135	145	2,189	1,267	861	430	613	4,283	49	902

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Orange County	11.88	5.85	16.74	0.57	6.10	5.49	3.21	1.69	2.00	12.47	0.05	4.26
Vermont	10.19	5.76	13.03	0.68	6.52	6.03	4.34	2.05	2.22	13.04	0.31	3.96
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
Grafton County	10.14	4.87	14.04	0.63	6.70	5.96	4.00	2.01	2.30	13.47	0.39	3.97
Washington County	10.63	5.67	14.39	0.49	6.49	5.94	5.22	1.60	2.19	14.89	0.67	3.87
Windsor County	11.22	3.67	17.67	0.79	5.61	6.59	4.28	2.68	2.99	13.54	0.49	3.67
Addison County	9.65	6.93	13.92	1.54	5.66	6.01	3.02	1.54	2.39	11.89	0.39	3.93
Caledonia County	12.60	6.43	13.47	0.47	7.13	4.13	2.81	1.40	2.00	13.95	0.16	2.94

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

Orange County		101.68	128.52	83.25	93.65	91.11	74.03	82.20	89.90	95.66	15.92	107.66
Vermont		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		6.83	40.41	78.15	16.28	119.37	60.56	66.31	78.27	46.08	106.24	70.36
Grafton County		84.59	107.75	92.03	102.81	98.86	92.04	98.05	103.66	103.30	124.13	100.36
Washington County		98.53	110.47	72.05	99.55	98.51	120.12	78.18	98.52	114.20	215.06	97.85
Windsor County		63.84	135.62	116.64	86.05	109.29	98.64	130.70	134.68	103.80	156.54	92.61
Addison County		120.42	106.86	226.55	86.80	99.64	69.48	75.18	107.71	91.19	125.33	99.28
Caledonia County		111.80	103.43	69.32	109.41	68.46	64.60	68.33	89.90	107.01	51.06	74.21

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

Orange County		1,487.88	318.03	106.53	575.38	76.33	122.24	123.96	114.86	207.61	14.98	153.02
Vermont		1,463.23	247.45	127.97	614.42	83.77	165.12	150.80	127.77	217.03	94.12	142.13
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Grafton County		1,237.75	266.63	117.77	631.68	82.81	151.98	147.86	132.44	224.18	116.84	142.65
Washington County		1,441.68	273.35	92.20	611.68	82.53	198.34	117.89	125.87	247.84	202.43	139.08
Windsor County		934.13	335.58	149.27	528.72	91.55	162.87	197.10	172.08	225.28	147.34	131.63
Addison County		1,761.99	264.41	289.91	533.33	83.47	114.73	113.37	137.62	197.91	117.96	141.11
Caledonia County		1,635.90	255.93	88.71	672.21	57.35	106.66	103.04	114.86	232.24	48.06	105.48

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

Orange County	30,141	29	31	8	9	29	37	5	9	36	2,604	6,560
Vermont (in 000's)	652	3	1	0	1	1	3	1	1	3	64	127
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
Grafton County	93,271	1,035	220	110	276	196	869	221	153	530	9,530	17,679
Washington County	60,080	87	109	5	74	23	114	42	83	296	5,586	11,394
Windsor County	57,616	128	10	14	27	15	188	98	83	103	4,583	11,334
Addison County	38,279	285	38	43	79	46	68	31	51	125	3,575	6,301
Caledonia County	30,693	53	99	20	6	0	17	2	27	129	2,641	7,657

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Orange County	11.88	0.10	0.10	0.03	0.03	0.10	0.12	0.02	0.03	0.12	8.64	21.76
Vermont	10.19	0.39	0.16	0.06	0.15	0.14	0.51	0.19	0.11	0.41	9.82	19.50
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
Grafton County	10.14	1.11	0.24	0.12	0.30	0.21	0.93	0.24	0.16	0.57	10.22	18.95
Washington County	10.63	0.14	0.18	0.01	0.12	0.04	0.19	0.07	0.14	0.49	9.30	18.96
Windsor County	11.22	0.22	0.02	0.02	0.05	0.03	0.33	0.17	0.14	0.18	7.95	19.67
Addison County	9.65	0.74	0.10	0.11	0.21	0.12	0.18	0.08	0.13	0.33	9.34	16.46
Caledonia County	12.60	0.17	0.32	0.07	0.02	0.00	0.06	0.01	0.09	0.42	8.60	24.95

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

Orange County		24.87	62.89	44.36	20.40	70.46	23.91	8.78	26.34	28.92	87.94	111.63
Vermont		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		335.89	536.25	386.05	306.80	408.14	309.41	253.43	315.91	136.19	140.33	76.20
Grafton County		286.79	144.22	197.11	202.18	153.90	181.50	125.46	144.68	137.59	104.00	97.21
Washington County		37.43	110.93	13.91	84.15	28.04	36.96	37.02	121.85	119.29	94.64	97.27
Windsor County		57.42	10.61	40.61	32.02	19.07	63.56	90.06	127.06	43.29	80.96	100.89
Addison County		192.42	60.70	187.74	141.01	88.01	34.61	42.88	117.51	79.07	95.06	84.42
Caledonia County		44.63	197.22	108.90	13.36	0.00	10.79	3.45	77.59	101.76	87.58	127.95

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

Orange County		7.40	11.73	11.49	6.65	17.26	7.73	3.47	8.34	21.23	62.67	146.48
Vermont		29.77	18.65	25.90	32.59	24.50	32.32	39.46	31.65	73.43	71.26	131.23
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Grafton County		85.38	26.89	51.06	65.90	37.71	58.66	49.50	45.80	101.03	74.11	127.57
Washington County		11.14	20.69	3.60	27.43	6.87	11.95	14.61	38.57	87.59	67.44	127.64
Windsor County		17.09	1.98	10.52	10.44	4.67	20.54	35.54	40.22	31.78	57.70	132.40
Addison County		57.29	11.32	48.63	45.96	21.56	11.18	16.92	37.20	58.06	67.74	110.79
Caledonia County		13.29	36.78	28.21	4.35	0.00	3.49	1.36	24.56	74.72	62.41	167.90

Sources: STI: PopStats, Circa April 2025

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