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Spokane County – Ancestry

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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:

11.25

Most common ancestry not including "Unknown" is:

German

 
Ancestry Report Part I
DescriptionTotal Population American Native American Hawaiian Carribean Mexican Central American South American Other Hispanic British Dutch French German Italian

Spokane County558,12325,4846,3653,9093,17524,7001,3411,1045,69646,4935,39810,27272,50715,044
Washington (in 000's)7,90323887615981665398752172109681138
National (in 000's)340,98116,5892,16560710,91237,9175,6004,1394,87718,3212,0964,23427,00610,025
Kootenai County187,9177,5981,8971906196,8294853191,40219,7382,1003,41829,0655,497
Whitman County48,7171,8242821242042,4072254524203,4574575726,1431,085
Bonner County53,1023,265337461471,131361283305,2886269477,5741,505
Stevens County48,6794,8442,41882501,312361093534,0254898016,477819
Pend Oreille County14,3736084058663583641221,4222192352,173241
Lincoln County11,9552,93718712312780131117291131191,935165
Benewah County10,347490807122330300408471471101,505186
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Spokane County11.254.571.140.700.574.430.240.201.028.330.971.8412.992.70
Washington9.653.011.100.770.7510.330.820.501.106.600.911.388.611.75
National10.644.870.640.183.2011.121.641.211.435.370.611.247.922.94
Kootenai County12.734.041.010.100.333.630.260.170.7510.501.121.8215.472.93
Whitman County10.343.740.580.250.424.940.460.930.867.100.941.1712.612.23
Bonner County12.846.150.630.090.282.130.070.240.629.961.181.7814.262.83
Stevens County10.969.954.970.170.102.700.070.220.738.271.001.6513.311.68
Pend Oreille County12.804.232.820.060.462.490.250.030.859.891.521.6415.121.68
Lincoln County14.1124.571.560.100.262.330.000.110.936.100.951.0016.191.38
Benewah County13.104.747.800.120.222.930.000.000.398.191.421.0614.551.80
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Spokane County 151.84103.3591.3475.7042.8429.4139.8392.88126.27106.10133.71150.87154.15
Washington 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 161.7957.5523.20425.84107.64201.03244.41130.1781.4467.4390.2291.97168.14
Kootenai County 134.4691.4913.1943.8335.1831.5934.1867.90159.21122.59132.14179.62167.29
Whitman County 124.5152.4633.1955.7247.8356.54186.8178.46107.56102.9085.30146.43127.37
Bonner County 204.4757.5111.3036.8420.628.3048.5356.56150.94129.32129.56165.64162.08
Stevens County 330.92450.1621.9713.6726.099.0545.0966.00125.33110.20119.55154.5296.22
Pend Oreille County 140.67255.367.2661.1024.1130.665.6077.25149.96167.15118.79175.5795.89
Lincoln County 816.99141.7613.0934.5122.510.0021.9084.5092.43103.6972.32187.9678.93
Benewah County 157.49706.8215.1229.5828.350.000.0035.18124.08155.8577.24168.91102.81
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Spokane County 93.85179.59393.7517.7839.8014.6316.3071.35155.04157.34148.20164.0391.68
Washington 61.81173.77431.0923.4892.9049.7440.9176.82122.79148.30110.84108.7359.48
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Kootenai County 83.11158.9756.8410.2932.6815.7213.9852.16195.49181.80146.47195.2999.50
Whitman County 76.9691.16143.0913.0944.4328.1276.4460.28132.07152.6194.55159.2175.75
Bonner County 126.3899.9448.708.6519.154.1319.8643.45185.34191.78143.61180.0996.40
Stevens County 204.54782.2494.703.2124.244.5018.4550.70153.89163.42132.50168.0057.23
Pend Oreille County 86.95443.7431.2914.3522.4015.252.2959.35184.14247.88131.66190.8957.03
Lincoln County 504.97246.3356.438.1020.910.008.9664.92113.49153.7780.16204.3646.94
Benewah County 97.341,228.2465.206.9526.330.000.0027.03152.36231.1285.61183.6561.14
 
Ancestry Report Part II
DescriptionTotal Population Polish Scandi­navian Scotish Irish Other European Chinese Japanese Korean South Central Asian South East Asian Other Asian Middle Eastern Other Ancestry Unknown

Spokane County558,1235,26735,37356,39925,2971,2991,0861,3271,6665,0112,0772,61578,083121,135
Washington (in 000's)7,90367458563356160437915624449431,5031,210
National (in 000's)340,9815,2116,56222,89210,8864,3408331,7585,3296,0541,4412,14472,84556,198
Kootenai County187,9171,93112,13718,7516,8741471186616459827626021,86945,569
Whitman County48,7173113,1963,7952,2961,743150255836678984088,9998,300
Bonner County53,1024043,4925,8332,533703927375863745,97713,135
Stevens County48,6794933,4764,2202,2891734581880109296,4739,568
Pend Oreille County14,3731541,0601,32344711232321613291,8783,497
Lincoln County11,955729197833017100204210101,0432,108
Benewah County10,34775458852297080550331,6402,504
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Spokane County11.250.946.3410.114.530.230.190.240.300.900.370.4713.9921.70
Washington9.650.855.807.134.502.020.541.001.973.090.610.5419.0215.31
National10.641.531.926.713.191.270.240.521.561.780.420.6321.3616.48
Kootenai County12.731.036.469.983.660.080.060.040.090.320.150.1411.6424.25
Whitman County10.340.646.567.794.713.580.310.521.721.390.200.8418.4717.04
Bonner County12.840.766.5810.984.770.130.070.050.070.110.120.1411.2624.74
Stevens County10.961.017.148.674.700.030.070.120.040.160.220.0613.3019.66
Pend Oreille County12.801.077.379.203.110.080.160.160.010.110.090.2013.0724.33
Lincoln County14.110.607.696.552.520.060.080.000.170.350.080.088.7217.63
Benewah County13.100.724.438.232.870.000.080.000.050.050.000.3215.8524.20
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Spokane County 111.20109.36141.76100.6211.5335.8123.7915.1529.0560.5486.8973.55141.77
Washington 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 180.0733.2194.1870.8763.0544.9851.5979.3357.4568.77116.61112.31107.66
Kootenai County 121.08111.45139.9881.203.8811.563.514.4310.3023.8925.6661.18158.40
Whitman County 75.22113.20109.28104.62177.2456.6752.3887.1245.0332.73155.3197.11111.29
Bonner County 89.65113.47154.09105.896.5313.525.093.543.5319.3025.8459.17161.57
Stevens County 119.33123.22121.61104.381.7312.8611.921.885.3236.4311.0569.91128.39
Pend Oreille County 126.25127.26129.1369.043.7929.4516.010.713.6014.7137.4268.69158.93
Lincoln County 70.96132.6591.8855.892.9015.400.008.4911.3713.6115.5145.87115.18
Benewah County 85.4176.38115.5163.720.0014.230.002.451.560.0059.1483.33158.08
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Spokane County 61.75329.35150.51141.9718.2979.6246.1219.1050.5788.0374.5165.49131.69
Washington 55.53301.16106.18141.10158.60222.30193.85126.05174.07145.4185.7589.0492.89
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Kootenai County 67.24335.63148.63114.576.1525.696.815.5817.9234.7422.0054.47147.13
Whitman County 41.77340.92116.03147.62281.10125.98101.54109.8178.3847.59133.1886.47103.37
Bonner County 49.78341.73163.61149.4110.3630.059.864.466.1528.0722.1652.69150.08
Stevens County 66.27371.07129.12147.282.7428.5823.112.379.2652.979.4762.24119.26
Pend Oreille County 70.11383.25137.1097.416.0165.4831.040.896.2721.4032.0961.16147.62
Lincoln County 39.41399.4797.5578.864.6034.230.0010.7119.7919.7913.3040.84106.99
Benewah County 47.43230.02122.6589.910.0031.640.003.092.720.0050.7274.19146.84


Sources: STI: PopStats