Cherokee Dispossession Through Claimant Self-Declaration: Assessing Cherokee Heritage Claims in the 2020 U.S. Census

Abstract

Despite extensive and multigenerational efforts by the three federally recognized Cherokee tribes to educate the larger public about the sovereign right and authority of Cherokee governments to determine affiliation, well over a million unaffiliated and unsubstantiated American claimants still declare Cherokee heritage in official records, deforming public understanding and reinforcing dangerously anti-Native racial logics. This article considers the problems associated with the “Cherokee” population categories in the 2020 U.S. census, its relationship to genealogical stereotypes in mainstream family history research, its dangers to Cherokee nationhood, and its consequences for Indian Country as a whole.

1. Introduction

Assertions of ancestral heritage—whether real or imagined—are not synonymous with cultural or political belonging. In genealogical discussions in the U.S. and Canada, mainstream ideas about “ancestry,” “heritage,” “descent,” and “identity” can be complicated for Indigenous peoples, especially as such notions are so often individualistic and deformed by stereotypes that are disconnected from the deep communal commitments and political concerns that inform Indigenous experience. These ideas become particularly vexing when affirmed by people claiming Indigenous heritage without providing substantiation of or evidentiary support for legitimate Indigenous relations. Popular genealogy in these countries treats Indigenous affiliation as claimed biological affinity to groups conceived of largely as ethnocultural appreciation clubs, rather than confirmable relations to the robust political kinship orders, distinctive histories, sovereign and self-determining governments, legal systems, ontologies, territories, relational networks, languages, and cultural practices of sovereign tribal nations.

In other words, most Americans think of Indigeneity as a cultural difference and ethno-racial distinction rather than a legal and political one, whereas American Indian nations have consistently argued the reverse, as Gilio-Whitaker (2025) argues: “legitimate claims to Native American identity are a function of tribal sovereignty and the nation-to-nation relationship between federally recognized tribes and the US,” a focus that “disavows discourses about Indianness as a racial classification to reinforce the political nature of Native American identity” (pp. xvi–xvii).1 Politics define Indigenous distinction as much as kinship and culture, and culture for Indigenous peoples is inextricably connected to the socio-political structures that sustain it. In settler colonial countries with long histories of violence against Indigenous nations as nations and sovereign political orders, however, the mainstream insistence on shallow stereotypes of “culture” and loose ethnic association can only serve to hollow out the substance of Indigenous nationhood while injecting self-serving colonial misrepresentations in its place.

Ethnicity-based affiliation claims rarely emerge from or engage with the reciprocal protocols and practices of belonging observed by Indigenous nations; instead, these claims depend on long-cherished, but almost always vague, settler family stories of Native heritage that are generally not and cannot be verified. In effect, they are trust claims built on unstable foundations. There is a substantial body of scholarship on the complexities of Indigenous identity and belonging that extend far beyond the scope of this article (see Deloria 1998; TallBear 2013; Adams 2016; Leroux 2018; Andersen 2024); what is important here is the fact that, as collective polities, Indigenous nations retain the sovereign right to determine their own membership/citizenship, and while individual affirmation of connection is important, it is generally informed by, engaged with, and dependent on the reciprocal claim from the community, rather than standing apart from it. For American Indian tribal nations, a claim to ancestry or heritage is rarely adequate on its own to determine belonging, as it is a unidirectional claim disengaged from reciprocal community input.

There are perhaps no Indigenous peoples in the U.S. more impacted by this widespread misunderstanding and misrepresentation than Cherokees—namely, the three federally recognized Cherokee tribes that represent the politically and culturally distinct Cherokee people: the Cherokee Nation and United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina.2 For the purposes of this discussion, I follow the lead of these governments in defining formal citizenship as the baseline for identifying as Cherokee. While citizenship is not the only important aspect of Cherokee belonging—language, religion, cultural practice, upbringing in tribal territory, political participation, blood quantum, and other sociocultural factors are also meaningful in different ways for each tribe—it remains a reliable foundation for what could be reasonably understood as verifiable Cherokee affiliation, which is a core and increasingly important measure given the many heritage claimants without any confirmable historical or contemporary relationship to the tribes.

This is not simply a theoretical concern. The combined citizenry of the three federally recognized Cherokee tribal nations is over 460,000, yet the 2020 U.S. census data revealed that over 1.5 million people self-identified as Cherokee (How the Native American Population Changed Since the Last Census 2021). That leaves at least 1 million people making formal claims to Cherokee heritage through official federal enumeration processes that do not reflect the citizenship or descendancy criteria of the three Cherokee tribes; are disengaged from our extensive historical, political, and genealogical archive; do not reflect lived kinship and confirmable relations; or are not recognized in accordance with our sovereign political rights to determine our own protocols and practices of belonging. (Individuals asserting claims without verified connections are hereafter understood to be in the category of unsubstantiated or even false claimants, distinct from confirmed descendants whose legitimate relations can be credibly verified even if they do not meet the standard for tribal citizenship). This article considers unreciprocated claimant self-declaration as an implicitly dispossessive practice that is firmly instrumentalized and reinforced by the U.S. census, especially in its administrative reification of romanticized, imprecise, and even manifestly fraudulent claimant-centered “Cherokee” population categories.

As problematic claimant self-identification happens in many spaces—social media posts, online genealogy forums, news comment pages, university classrooms, local government meetings, community events, etc.—why focus on the U.S. census? As a statistical baseline for myriad federal and state administrative processes, from Congressional representation to federal grant funding, health and education infrastructure planning, roads, highways, and transportation assessment, as well as other forms of resource allocation, the census is a vital tool for resource distribution and political access across a diverse population dispersed over a vast geographic region. It is also, as Paul Schor observes, a classification tool that reflects dominant ideas about belonging, while also informing and influencing those ideas. He states, “the population does not preexist the census…the census participates in the production of the national community defined by the inclusion of some and the exclusion of others (Schor 2017).” Indeed, “the administrative categories of the census, though they lack the force of legal norms, nonetheless had a leading role in the measurement and definition of the American population and its composition.”3 Attending to the ways that the category of “Cherokee” is defined in the census is to understand how Americans conceive of and appropriate that category more broadly, often in opposition to the ways Cherokees conceive of it.

There is no question that changing social, political, and historical circumstances impact how people self-identify, as well as how they are identified by others, and rhetorics of “race” in the U.S. have always been vexed. Yet the census has never existed in a vacuum; it is only one of multiple tools and classification regimes that both Native and non-Native people have used to document relations, kinship ties, and descent. As such, while we can and should exercise caution when analyzing census data and not over-determine its objectivity (nor even that of other forms of record keeping), it remains a vital tool in understanding broad patterns and implications, especially when we place it into conversation with these other records. This is especially the case with Cherokee data, which provides particularly informative insights about changing cultural contexts and associated community values and practices around belonging, in both their continuities and their disruptions.

As Thornton (1990), Garroutte (2003), the now-questionable Sturm (2010), (Tribal Alliance Against Frauds 2025), and other scholars have noted for decades, “Cherokee” remains the catch-all category for non-Native claims to Indigeneity in the United States, and the troubling trends they observed have only increased over time.4 This has been evident in all iterations of the census since 1970, when specific tribal affiliation was first collected in the general American census rather than the Native-specific censuses (Thornton 2017; Bennett 2020).5 In spite of increased recent scrutiny of identity appropriation, pretendianism, and ethnic fraud in the U.S., Canada, and other settler colonial nation-states, the problem is only becoming more entrenched, especially as unreliable online genealogy and sloppy DNA analysis become more ubiquitous weapons in the claimant arsenal.6 While “Cherokee” is the most widely cited Native heritage in the United States, the yawning gap between recognized Cherokee tribal citizens and non-Cherokee heritage claimants with a family story but without verifiable Cherokee relations has grown exponentially with every U.S. census, as discussed below.

All three tribes use formal Cherokee population rolls compiled in the early twentieth century—based in part on an extensive documentary archive (in English and Cherokee) dating at least to the early 1800s—as the genealogical foundation for current-day citizenship; in other words, at minimum, you must be able to prove lineal descent from an ancestor listed on those rolls.7 In the case of the Cherokee Nation, there are no additional requirements beyond verified descent, but for both the United Keetoowah Band and Eastern Band, there are additional blood quantum restrictions (1/4 and 1/16th, respectively); although in the latter there are ways for legitimate descendancy to be formally recognized, even if the threshold for citizenship is not met.8

Despite widespread claimant beliefs that these rolls were wholly the product of colonial authorities or hopelessly flawed and incomplete, tribal leaders have consistently upheld their reliability as a baseline for confirmable relations; recognizing that all forms of record keeping have their shortcomings, these rolls are further supplemented by other forms of important documentation (such as prior citizenship rolls, treaty lists, censuses, legal testimonies, agency and missionary records, etc.) that confirm and affirm persistent relations across time and space. Importantly, many of these records were compiled by Cherokee authorities themselves, dating back to the early nineteenth century. They ensured that their people were accurately accounted for and documented, as keeping track of kin was of existential importance to collective continuity, ongoing relations, and assertion of territorial rights and resources. In addition, the three tribes have many deeply informed, culturally grounded, and experienced genealogists and researchers—both Cherokees and non-Cherokee allies—with the skillsets and training to assess these various documents with competence and care.

None of this is to say that even legitimate belonging in tribal nations is uncomplicated, or that expressions of sovereignty are never partial, inequitable, or actively discriminatory. Certainly the institutionalized chattel enslavement and the subsequent disenfranchisement of generations of Cherokee Freedmen in the Cherokee Nation exemplify the need for critical engagement of the terms and structures of belonging. While Freedmen are now recognized and enfranchised Cherokee Nation citizens, their struggle to fully realize their treaty-protected rights continues today. To acknowledge that complicated reality, however, is not the same thing as to dismiss the vital sovereign right of tribes over issues of belonging—rather, it is to insist on the political and relational obligations of the community to embody that right justly, and to understand that Freedmen kin are not arguing for the stripping away of tribal sovereignty but for its honorable and ethical application. Sovereignty is a dynamic, ongoing practice; contestation from within is also an important principle of its dignity-affirming embodiment. Freedmen share history and kinship with other Cherokees, and these connections are firmly documented and have a long and vibrant history that Freedmen scholars and others continue to articulate in community and in the academy. Unfortunately, some unsubstantiated non-Freedman claimants have attempted to appropriate the Freedmen struggle to bolster otherwise manifestly untenable family stories. (For more on Freedmen history among Cherokees and other southeastern tribal nations, see Miles and Holland 2006; Naylor 2008; Roberts 2021).

Even with these important complexities and contexts firmly taken into consideration, quantitative and qualitative evidence alike lead to the same observation: only a small fraction of today’s Cherokee heritage claimants—on the census or otherwise—would be confirmable descendants or have verifiable relations to any of the tribes; most such claims in the U.S. are therefore entirely aspirational but wholly unsubstantiated. While this article considers the implications of the latest U.S. census figures, other sources offer aligned and equally sobering data. For example, the Cherokee Nation Research Center (CNRC) in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, holds perhaps the most extensive archive available for Cherokee genealogy, and its staff members field hundreds of inquiries annually from Cherokee tribal citizens as well as members of the general public invested in claims to Cherokee heritage. Assisting confirmed or presumptive Cherokee descendants with genealogical research is part of the CNRC’s service mandate, functioning in part to relieve pressure on the Cherokee Nation’s tribal registration staff, who would otherwise be fielding many of these queries in addition to their many other important duties. Since 2022, the CNRC has tracked research request data and the number of confirmed Cherokee descendants who are eligible for Cherokee Nation citizenship versus those deemed ineligible. The results are consistent and illuminating: In 2022, CNRC staff undertook 1433 research requests for descendancy claimants, and they found only 8 verifiable descendants eligible for Cherokee Nation citizenship, or 0.6% of the total. In 2023, there were 1504 research requests and 47 eligible descendants (3%). The pattern continued in 2024: 1068 research requests and 25 eligible descendants (2.3%). In total, from 2022 to 2024, there were 4005 research requests and 80 confirmed Cherokee Nation descendants, resulting in a combined average 2% citizenship eligibility rate (Mulcare and Norris 2023).9

As the Cherokee Nation has the most inclusive tribal citizenship eligibility criteria out of all three Cherokee tribes due to its absence of a required blood quantum minimum—totals for the other two would thus be significantly smaller—the consistency of CNRC data across the three-year assessment period indicates that these results are generally reliable and likely reflective of observed patterns nationally, especially as they align with other data to be discussed. Even after taking into account descendants of the very small and generally known number of legitimate Cherokees who were not included on the final Dawes Roll or subsequently amended enrollment lists but present in earlier records, it is clear that the vast majority of Cherokee heritage claimants have no demonstrable eligibility for citizenship in any of the three tribes nor verifiable Cherokee ancestry of any kind. Regardless of the data source, the number of Cherokee citizens and confirmed citizenship-eligible descendants is overwhelmingly smaller than that of unsubstantiated claimants, most realistically in the 3–7% range.

But why are Cherokees the focus of these self-identification claims from people with no substantive evidence to support them, and why are these claims largely made (though not exclusively) by otherwise white-identified Americans? Why the investments in these unanchored family fairy tales by public figures as varied as Democratic senator Elizabeth Warren, NFL star and failed Republican politician Herschel Walker, actors Johnny Depp and Blake Lively, porn star Hyapatia Lee (a.k.a. Vicki Lynch, who now claims to be the “Blessed Woman” of a fraudulent Cherokee group in Indiana), and so many others? Some of the many theories regarding this phenomenon are as follows: the nineteenth-century prominence of mixed-race Anglo-Cherokee Christians in national legal and political debates as examples of a “civilized” Indian tribe untainted by the association with “savagery,” thus making it easier for claimants to assert Native connections without losing the social and economic privileges of whiteness; internalized shame (especially in the U.S. Southeast) over the manifestly unjust ethnic cleansing and expulsion of Cherokees, in which claims of Cherokee heritage minimized cognitive dissonance over the generations (what Tuck and Yang (2012) refer to as “settler moves to innocence”10); a generalized lack of familiarity with Native diversity, wherein a family story of Native heritage links to common Cherokee tropes; white “Lost Cause” Confederate southerner conflation of anti-federal government resentments with the manifestly unjust dispossession of Cherokees; active misrepresentation for mercenary purposes; among many others (Cornsilk [2015] 2018; Day 2016; Hilleary 2018; Smithers 2015; Viren 2021).11 Despite the omnipresence of Cherokees in these claimant cases, the simple truth is that, by any metric aside from the vagaries of self-declaration (and even taking into account the most reasonable inclusive definitions of what it is to be Cherokee), most people who say they are Cherokee simply are not, no matter how deeply invested they are in their family story of Cherokee heritage. Such claims and arguments are simply not supported by historical, genealogical, demographic, or relational realities.

2. Cherokee Affiliation and the U.S. Census: Context

Cherokee self-identification in the U.S. census is a fascinating albeit troubling case in exponential expansion, clearly far beyond even the most robust immigration rates or any natural process of population increase. As Cherokee Nation demographer Russell Thornton notes, there is no specific tribal data in the general census “for the separate decades between 1930 and 1970”; the 1970 U.S. census permitted identification of specific tribal affiliation, and 66,150 respondents self-identified as Cherokee. However, “only about 35 percent of those enumerated as Cherokees in the 1970 census were actually members of one of the three Cherokee tribes.”12 Ten years later in 1980, the general U.S. self-identification numbers had risen to 232,344, which was a 251% increase compared to the prior census, and in 1990, that number rose to 369,035 (58% over prior).

The 2000 census was the first to allow for identifying multiple ethnicities and racial affiliations, and the number jumped again by 98% to 729,533, which would have included those for whom “Cherokee” was either primary identity or part of a multiracial self-identification. The 2010 Cherokee census figures jumped again to 1,060,786, and in 2020 they rose to 1,535,021—a 45% increase for each enumeration period—whereas the general U.S. population increased by only 9.7% from 2000 to 2010, and by 7.4% from 2010 to 2020. By taking these numbers together, over the fifty years from 1970 to 2020, Cherokee identification on the U.S. census increased by an astonishing 2221%. (Compare this value to the general American population increase over the same period, from 203,392,031 to 331,449,281, or 63%). This dramatic disparity can only be attributed to significant nationwide changes in the context, conditions, and motivations of self-reporting, although the reasons for these changes for Cherokees in particular require further research and analysis (Kushner 2025).13

While much of the discussion about the category of “Cherokee” used in the census is focused on individual claimants, another important part of this discussion is claimant groups that claim to be Cherokee tribes, as there are at least fifteen such groups consistently represented in the 2020 census results. In the early 2000s, under the administration of Principal Chief Chad Smith, the Cherokee Nation formed a Fraudulent Indian Task force that compiled a list of over 200 groups that publicly asserted a pseudo-tribal “Cherokee” status, including a few that currently hold state recognition. (In the U.S., formal Native American matters are almost entirely a federal concern, but some states have assumed and initiated official recognition processes of small claimant groups for reasons ranging from sincere commitment to addressing past injustices to more mercenary political purposes, but the processes and their reliability vary from state to state.) At least 40 of the claimant groups either had submitted petitions for federal recognition or had expressed their intention to do so, although to date, few have proceeded and none have succeeded. Indeed, many had no evidentiary requirement for Cherokee heritage, relying entirely on self-identification for claims to Cherokee heritage.14 These group claims to Cherokee tribal status are as concerning as those of individuals, if not more so, as they indicate a more organized investment in gaining access to legitimate Cherokee rights, resources, and representation in the public sphere.

3. Classification and Coding

It is necessary to address the specifics of the census figures, as much is revealed in the state-by-state details. Yet, context for how that data is collected and interpreted is necessary to understand what it actually reveals. As of 2025, the U.S. census defines an American Indian or Alaska Native as “A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America) and who maintains tribal affiliation or community attachment….Respondents who identified themselves [as such] were asked to report their enrolled or principal tribe. Therefore, tribal data in tabulations reflect the written entries reported on the questionnaires.” Importantly, “The information on tribe is based on self-identification and therefore does not reflect any designation of federally or state-recognized tribe.”15 Furthermore, the listed data does not distinguish between a state-recognized tribe or an affiliation group; all these categories are self-declared and self-reported in the census, even those of the three federally recognized tribes. As such, enumerated figures do not accurately reflect official citizenship numbers of the three federally recognized tribes, and in all cases are likely an undercount. Discussing materials provided to her by Cherokee Nation authorities, Sturm (2010) lists 15 state-recognized Cherokee “tribes” and 238 “self-identified Cherokee organizations”; the latter numbers have undoubtedly increased since then.16 Some of the groups listed in the data below are included among the state-recognized groups identified by Cherokee Nation researchers, while others are more recent claimant organizations not included in those previously collected materials.

The 2020 U.S. census could be completed through a paper form or online. For both the paper and electronic versions, respondents were instructed to write or type in their specific tribal affiliations. According to Census Bureau technical documentation, race and ethnicity affiliation coding is performed in two ways:

(1) automated coding where a write-in response is automatically coded if it matches a write-in response already contained in a database known as the “master file,” and (2) expert coding, which took place when a write-in response did not match an entry already on the master file and was sent to expert coders familiar with the subject matter. During the coding process, subject-matter specialists reviewed and coded written entries from all write-in lines available on the race question.

Based on a telephone conversation with a statistician from the Population Division of the Racial Statistics Branch of the Census Bureau, only about 2% of responses were sent on to subsequent expert coding, so the overwhelming number of self-declared responses explicitly specify the claimed tribe or pseudo-tribal group. The groups listed as Cherokee in the accompanying data are a combination of directly submitted responses and Bureau labels based on existing data designations from prior censuses and surveys in the classification list, and this would explain the consistency of named groups across the U.S. The Bureau of the Census updated their information based on “the annual Federal Register notice entitled ‘Indian Entities Recognized and Eligible to Receive Services from the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs,” Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, issued by OMB, and through consultation with American Indian or Alaska Native communities and leaders” (United States Census Bureau 2023; italics added).17

The Bureau includes state-recognized tribes as “statistical entities” for census inclusion, particularly in “state designated tribal statistical areas,” which are “statistical entities for state-recognized American Indian tribes that do not have a state-recognized land base (reservation)” and “encompass a compact and contiguous area that contains a concentration of people who identify with a state-recognized American Indian tribe and in which there is a structured or organized tribal activity.”18 According to Sturm’s 2010 figures, there were seven additional state-recognized “Cherokee” tribes not designated as a distinctive group on the 2020 census. The “communities and leaders” consulted for purposes of census coding are typically associated with federally and state-recognized tribes, not self-identified Native organizations.

Cherokee citizens who reside outside of the United States are not enumerated in the census unless living abroad for U.S. military service.

4. Reading Notes for Census Data

On the 2020 U.S. census data noted below, results are calculated as follows:

(a) Alone: If respondents listed Cherokee as their only racial/ethnic group designation, they are considered in the category “alone” and designated with an (a). This is the minimum number of people who identified as specifically Cherokee.

(c) Alone or in any combination: If respondents listed Cherokee as their only racial ethnic group designation or listed Cherokee along with other racial/ethnic affiliation(s), they are categorized as (c) “alone or in any combination.” This number includes (a) figures, so it is the maximum total number of people who identified as specifically Cherokee. (In a few anomalous cases, the reported (a) figure is more than that of (c), but the actual amounts are invariably single digits and too small to be statistically significant.)

• An underline designates the three federally recognized Cherokee Native tribal nations: the Cherokee Nation, United Keetoowah Band, and Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
• Italics indicate groups listed in either category (alone/combination) but with zero respondents to both (presumably these groups were cited in previous censuses). As a result, not all groups are listed in both categories for each state.
• Calculations: % difference determined by dividing total CN/EBCI/UKB combination figure (c) by total Cherokee generic Cherokee combination (also c). Because these are the total numbers and cited as such by U.S. census researchers themselves, the combination figures (rather than “Detailed American Indian and Alaska Native Alone” [a] figures) are most accurate for the broadest assessment of claims to Cherokee heritage in the 2020 U.S. census.
• In addition to the federally recognized Cherokee Nation, United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians, and Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the 2020 census identified the following fifteen groups as “Cherokee”:

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  Cherokee (generic)

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  Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians (state-recognized, Alabama)

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  Cherokee Alabama

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  Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina

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  Cherokee of Georgia (state-recognized, Georgia)

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  Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama (state-recognized, Alabama)

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  Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama (state-recognized, Alabama)

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  Four Winds Cherokee (state-recognized, Louisiana)

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  Georgia Eastern Cherokee (state-recognized, Georgia)

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  Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas

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  Piedmont American Indian Association—Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA)

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  Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee

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  Southeastern Cherokee Council

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  United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation (state-recognized, Alabama)

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  White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee

Not all these non-federally recognized groups are represented in every state, but all appear in multiple states, and some have substantial affiliation numbers, especially those with state recognition.

• Many states have a group called “Southeastern Indians” that is likely the same South-Eastern Indian Nation or Southeastern Indian Nation identified by the Cherokee Nation Fraudulent Indian Task Force in 2011 (Cherokee Nation Fraudulent Indian Task Force 2008). (It is challenging to find online information about this group, given its very generic name.) As the specific affiliation is not clear in the census data, it is not included below; inclusion would not make a significant difference in overall percentage totals although it would add a few hundred to the unsubstantiated claimant category.

5. State-by-State Census Figures (Including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico)

5.1. ALABAMA

Cherokee is by far the most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Alabama; it is four times more common than Muscogee (Creek) Nation, which comes in second.

Cherokee (generic): 4263 (a); 36,390 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 33 (a); 64 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 134 (a); 727 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 5 (a); 31 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 176 (a); 589 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 21 (a); 43 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 220 (a); 409 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 45 (a); 133 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 2415 (a); 4810 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 6 (a); 6 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 1 (a); 11 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 1 (a); 9 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 2 (a); 0 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 1 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 0 (a); 3 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 202 (a); 375 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 4 (a); 12 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 2 (c)

TOTAL ALABAMA

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 225 (a); 734 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 7303 (a); 72,881 (c).

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  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 3040 (a); 6491 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 1% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Alabama.

5.2. ALASKA

Cherokee is the sixth most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Alaska; the first five are all Alaska Native communities. Alaska is one of the few states where Cherokee is not in the top five.

Cherokee (generic): 538 (a); 4856 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 2 (a); 14 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 0 (a); 13 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 2 (a); 9 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 90 (a); 347 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 1 (a); 3 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 1 (a); 3 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 17 (a); 39 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 2 (a); 11 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 3 (a); 4 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 3 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 0 (a); 0 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 3 (a); 0 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 0 (a); 1 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 1 (c)

TOTAL ALASKA

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 107 (a); 387 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 577 (a); 4917 (c).

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  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 14 (a); 61 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 8% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Alaska.

5.3. ARIZONA

Cherokee is the second most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Arizona, substantially behind the Navajo Nation.

Cherokee (generic): 2223 (a); 23806 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intertribal Indians: 10 (a); 22 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 10 (a); 20 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 1 (a); 5 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 357 (a); 1292 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 2 (a); 17 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 3 (a); 13 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 43 (a); 136 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 21 (a); 42 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 8 (a); 28 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 0 (a); 1 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 0 (a); 0 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 2 (a); 6 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 8 (a); 17 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 1 (a); 2 (c)

TOTAL ARIZONA

• Declared CN, EBCI, UKB: 408 (a); 1445 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 2281 (a); 23,962 (c).

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  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 58 (a); 156 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 6% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Arizona.

5.4. ARKANSAS

Cherokee is by far the most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Arkansas, around five times more frequent than second-ranked Choctaw.

Cherokee (generic): 8036 (a); 42,839 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intertribal Indians: 3 (a); 0 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 3 (a); 6 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 2 (a); 11 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 914 (a); 2814 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 3 (a); 12 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 18 (a); 69 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 8 (a); 15 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 4 (a); 11 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 1 (a); 1 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 43 (a); 168 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 1 (a); 0 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 4 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 0 (a); 1 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 13 (a); 13 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 31 (a); 47 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 26 (c)

TOTAL ARKANSAS

• Declared CN, EBCI, UKB: 963 (a); 2930 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 8117 (a); 43,107 (c).

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  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 81 (a); 268 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 7% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Arkansas.

5.5. CALIFORNIA

Cherokee is the second most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in California; it is half the frequency of first-ranked Aztec.

Cherokee (generic): 13,621 (a); 126,202 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intertribal Indians: 28 (a); 119 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 22 (a); 125 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 9 (a); 78 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 1631 (a); 6408 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 8 (a); 77 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 7 (a); 29 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 95 (a); 421 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 32 (a); 88 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 10 (a); 15 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 9 (a); 0 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 0 (a); 183 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 1 (a); 2 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 1 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 0 (a); 0 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 2 (a); 0 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 8 (a); 37 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

TOTAL CALIFORNIA

• Declared CN, EBCI, UKB: 1734 (a); 6866 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 13,748 (a); 126,919 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 128 (a); 717 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 5.4% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in California.

5.6. COLORADO

Cherokee is the most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Colorado, at nearly twice the frequency of the Navajo Nation, which is second.

Cherokee (generic): 3270 (a); 29,433 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 1 (a); 10 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 0 (a); 27 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 4 (a); 0 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 389 (a); 1495 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 11 (a); 23 9c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 2 (a); 5 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 41 (a); 132 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 8 (a); 26 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 3 (a); 7 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 19 (a); 61 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 0 (a); 3 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 1 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 0 (a); 3 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 7 (a); 13 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 2 (a); 4 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 2 (c)

TOTAL COLORADO

• Declared CN, EBCI, UKB: 432 (a); 1631 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 3523 (a); 29,614 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 55 (a); 181 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 5.5% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Colorado.

5.7. CONNECTICUT

Cherokee is the most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Connecticut, followed by Taino.

Cherokee (generic): 350 (a); 5146 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 5 (a); 5 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 0 (a); 6 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 0 (a); 21 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 13 (a); 101 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 0 (a); 7 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 5 (a); 46 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 5 (a); 8 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 0 (a); 5 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 1 (a); 1 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 2 (a); 3 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 0 (a); 0 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Indians in Oklahoma: 0 (a); 1 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 3 (c)

TOTAL CONNECTICUT

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 18 (a); 148 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 363 (a); 5205 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 13 (a); 59 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 3% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Connecticut.

5.8. DELAWARE

Cherokee is by far the most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Delaware, about three times more frequent than the Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation of Montana, which holds second position.

Cherokee (generic): 335 (a); 3845 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 1 (a); 11 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 0 (a); 18 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 9 (a); 61 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 0 (a); 6 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 1 (a); 14 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 0 (a); 3 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 3 (a); 4 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 0 (a); 1 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 1 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Indians in Oklahoma: 0 (a); 2 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 1 (c)

TOTAL DELAWARE

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 10 (a); 77 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 339 (a); 3890 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 4 (a); 45 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 2% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Delaware.

5.9. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Cherokee is the most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in the District of Columbia, nearly double the second group (Maya).

Cherokee (generic): 100 (a); 1362 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 3 (a); 8 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 1 (a); 1 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 19 (a); 85 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 0 (a); 2 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 0 (a); 1 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 8 (a); 18 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 3 (a); 0 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 1 (a); 0 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 0 (a); 1 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 0 (a); 0 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 1 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 0 (a); 0 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 1 (a); 2 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 2 (a); 0 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 1 (a); 1 (c)

TOTAL DC

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 29 (a); 103 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 110 (a); 1379 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 10 (a); 17 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 7.5% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in the District of Columbia.

5.10. FLORIDA

Cherokee is by far the most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Florida, four times the frequency of Taino at second place.

Cherokee (generic): 6687 (a); 73,900 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 22 (a); 76 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 16 (a); 128 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 6 (a); 107 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 398 (a); 1386 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 27 (a); 114 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 14 (a); 37 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 124 (a); 427 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 0 (a); 137 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 12 (a); 22 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 3 (a); 11 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 10 (a); 34 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 0 (a); 4 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 6 (a); 12 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 11 (a); 30 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 7 (a); 18 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 8 (a); 21 (c)

TOTAL FLORIDA

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 529 (a); 1831 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 6822 (a); 74,633 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 135 (a); 733 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 2.5% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Florida.

5.11. GEORGIA

Cherokee is the most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Georgia, about four times the frequency of Aztec, which is second.

Cherokee (generic): 4292 (a); 59,807 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 17 (a); 65 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 8 (a); 97 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 8 (a); 59 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 226 (a); 1066 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 53 (a); 377 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 16 (a); 35 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 176 (a); 472 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 34 (a); 112 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 0 (a); 2 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 14 (a); 48 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 6 (a); 24 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 1 (a); 2 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 1 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 3 (a); 3 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 18 (a); 31 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 9 (a); 22 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 1 (a); 11 (c)

TOTAL GEORGIA

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 411 (a); 1560 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 4471 (a); 64,139 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 179 (a); 867 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 2.4% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Georgia.

5.12. HAWAI‘I

Cherokee is the most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Hawai‘i, followed by the Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Reservation of Montana. These numbers are significantly smaller than Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, which are in a separate census category.

Cherokee (generic): 332 (a); 9930 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 1 (a); 2 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 0 (a); 5 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 1 (a); 0 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 16 (a); 221 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 0 (a); 1 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 4 (a); 0 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 4 (a); 22 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 2 (a); 0 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 0 (a); 2 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 0 (a); 5 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 0 (a); 1 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 0 (a); 2 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 1 (a); 0 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 0 (a); 1 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

TOTAL HAWAI‘I

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 20 (a); 264 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 341 (a); 9948 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 9 (a); 18 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 2.7% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Hawai‘i.

5.13. IDAHO

Cherokee is the most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Idaho, just over twice the frequency of Shoshone–Bannock Tribes of the Fort Hall Reservation, which is second.

Cherokee (generic): 961 (a); 9,538 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intertribal Indians: 1 (a); 15 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 0 (a); 12 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 0 (a); 4 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 114 (a); 463 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 2 (a); 5 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 1 (a); 1 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 14 (a); 41 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 0 (a); 2 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 0 (a); 1 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 1 (a); 0 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 0 (a); 2 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 0 (a); 4 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 0 (a); 1 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 0 (a); 0 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

TOTAL IDAHO

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 128 (a); 504 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 966 (a); 9585 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 5 (a); 47 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 5% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Idaho.

5.14. ILLINOIS

Cherokee is the second most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Illinois, just around 20% fewer than Aztec, which is first.

Cherokee (generic): 2540 (a); 39,022 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 3 (a); 27 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 1 (a); 23 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 0 (a); 30 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 164 (a); 848 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 2 (a); 15 9c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 0 (a); 12 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 22 (a); 133 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 1 (a); 3 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 0 (a); 12 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 8 (a); 28 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 1 (a); 1 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 2 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 0 (a); 0 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 9 (a); 25 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 0 (a); 9 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 2 (c)

TOTAL ILLINOIS

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 186 (a); 990 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 2565 (a); 39,211 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 25 (a); 180 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 2.5% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Illinois.

5.15. INDIANA

Cherokee is the most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Indiana, nearly four times the frequency of the Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation of Montana, which is second.

Cherokee (generic): 2441 (a); 34,940 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 10 (a); 39 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 5 (a); 28 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 4 (a); 39 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 111 (a); 505 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 2 (a); 11 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 7 (a); 15 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 31 (a); 115 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 10 (a); 26 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 0 (a); 1 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 0 (a); 14 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 2 (a); 0 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 1 (a); 3 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 0 (a); 13 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians of Oklahoma: 1 (a); 2 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 1 (a); 1 (c)

TOTAL INDIANA

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 143 (a); 622 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 2483 (a); 35,130 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 42 (a); 190 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 1.8% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Indiana.

5.16. IOWA

Cherokee is by far the most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Iowa, roughly three times that of the Sioux, in second place.

Cherokee (generic): 527 (a); 8502 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 2 (a); 19 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 1 (a); 1 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 0 (a); 5 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 47 (a); 227 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 1 (a); 2 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 0 (a); 20 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 2 (a); 12 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 2 (a); 27 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 0 (a); 0 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 0 (a); 0 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 1 (a); 0 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 7 (a); 9 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

TOTAL IOWA

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 54 (a); 256 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 536 (a); 8568 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 9 (a); 66 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 3% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Iowa.

5.17. KANSAS

Cherokee is overwhelmingly the most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Kansas, roughly six times that of Choctaw, in second place.

Cherokee (generic): 4496 (a); 27,845 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intertribal Indians: 4 (a); 0 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 3 (a); 6 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 0 (a); 16 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 658 (a); 2264 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 1 (a); 15 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 4 (a); 8 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 23 (a); 88 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 4 (a); 6 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 3 (a); 5 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 0 (a); 1 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 23 (a); 128 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 0 (a); 0 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 3 (a); 7 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 0 (a); 3 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 8 (a); 12 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 3 (a); 5 (c)

TOTAL KANSAS

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 689 (a); 2364 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 4544 (a); 28,045 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 48 (a); 200 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 8% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Kansas. This number is higher than the national average, likely because southern Kansas borders the Cherokee Nation reservation and northeast Oklahoma.

5.18. KENTUCKY

Cherokee is overwhelmingly the most commonly claimed American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Kentucky, over six times more than the Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation of Montana, which is second.

Cherokee (generic): 2,227 (a); 31,725 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intertribal Indians: 9 (a); 26 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 2 (a); 18 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 2 (a); 29 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 109 (a); 407 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 2 (a): 8 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 1 (a); 16 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 34 (a); 129 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 5 (a); 17 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 4 (a); 15 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 3 (a); 3 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 1 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 0 (a); 5 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 11 (a); 16 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 0 (a); 10 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 3 (a); 4 (c)

TOTAL KENTUCKY

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 143 (a); 546 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 2269 (a); 31,883 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 42 (a); 158 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 1.7% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Louisiana.

5.19. LOUISIANA

Cherokee is the most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Louisiana, about a third more than the United Houma Nation, which is second.

Cherokee (generic): 1726 (a); 14,514 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 8 (a); 18 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 0 (a); 15 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 1 (a); 7 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 118 (a); 379 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 0 (a); 1 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 5 (a); 9 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 15 (a); 45 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 19 (a); 35 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 310 (a); 631 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 0 (a); 2 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 0 (a); 2 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 1 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 9 (a); 17 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 2 (a); 2 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 6 (c)

TOTAL LOUISIANA

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 135 (a); 426 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 2078 (a); 15,258 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 352 (a); 744 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 2.8% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Louisiana.

5.20. MAINE

Cherokee is the third most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Maine, about 2/3 of Micmac, which is first, and just under the Passamaquoddy Tribe, which is second.

Cherokee (generic): 218 (a); 2,227 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 0 (a); 1 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 0 (a); 2 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 0 (a); 4 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 8 (a); 55 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 3 (a); 0 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 0 (a); 1 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 0 (a); 6 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 2 (a); 0 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 0 (a); 1 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 3 (a); 5 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 2 (a); 2 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 1 (a); 3 (c)

Southern Cherokee Council: 0 (a); 1 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 0 (a); 0 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 0 (a); 0 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 2 (c)

TOTAL MAINE

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 8 (a); 61 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 229 (a); 2249 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 11 (a); 22 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 2.8% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Maine.

5.21. MARYLAND

Cherokee is the most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Maine, over twice as frequently as Maya, which is second.

Cherokee (generic): 1582 (a); 21,604 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 8 (a); 22 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 0 (a); 10 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 3 (a); 32 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 66 (a); 455 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 2 (a); 22 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 0 (a); 1 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 34 (a); 134 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 1 (a); 9 (a)

Four Winds Cherokee: 0 (a); 2 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 1 (a); 0 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 0 (a); 11 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 1 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 0 (a); 0 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 4 (a); 29 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 5 (a); 7 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 2 (c)

TOTAL MARYLAND

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 105 (a); 596 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 1601 (a); 21,744 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 19 (a); 141 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 2.8% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Maryland.

5.22. MASSACHUSETTS

Cherokee is the most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Massachusetts; Maya and Taino come in second and third, respectively.

Cherokee (generic): 554 (a); 7176 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 1 (a); 1 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 0 (a); 9 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 0 (a); 3 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 32 (a); 193 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 1 (a); 3 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 0 (a); 1 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 8 (a); 55 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 0 (a); 1 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 0 (a); 5 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 0 (a); 1 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 3 (a); 0 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 1 (a); 2 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 0 (a); 1 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 1 (c)

TOTAL MASSACHUSETTS

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 40 (a); 249 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 560 (a); 7203 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 6 (a); 27 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 3.4% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Massachusetts.

5.23. MICHIGAN

Cherokee is the most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Michigan, roughly 30% more than Chippewa, which stands at second.

Cherokee (generic): 2484 (a); 35,487 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 3 (a); 31 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 7 (a); 39 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 5 (a); 31 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 116 (a); 636 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 3 (a); 3 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 44 (a); 171 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 15 (a); 65 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 8 (a); 25 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 0 (a); 0 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 3 (a); 9 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 2 (a); 30 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 7 (a); 12 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 4 (c)

TOTAL MICHIGAN

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 167 (a); 819 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 2530 (a); 35,724 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 46 (a); 237 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 2.3% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Michigan.

5.24. MINNESOTA

Cherokee is the second most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Minnesota, roughly 1/3 that of Chippewa, which is in first place.

Cherokee (generic): 438 (a); 7580 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 0 (a); 7 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 0 (a); 7 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 77 (a); 316 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 1 (a); 6 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 1 (a); 0 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 25 (a); 74 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 3 (a); 4 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 0 (a); 1 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 2 (a); 0 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 0 (a); 0 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 3 (a); 8 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 1 (a); 2 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 2 (c)

TOTAL MINNESOTA

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 103 (a); 392 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 448 (a); 7615 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 10 (a); 35 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 5% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Minnesota.

5.25. MISSISSIPPI

Cherokee is the most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Mississippi, about 20% more than Choctaw, in second place.

Cherokee (generic): 2505 (a); 9393 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 4 (a); 11 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 2 (a); 14 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 3 (a); 9 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 53 (a); 192 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 1 (a); 7 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 2 (a); 5 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 5 (a); 25 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 10 (a); 26 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 1 (a); 0 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 2 (a); 7 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 0 (a); 1 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 1 (a); 0 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 0 (a); 0 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 0 (a); 7 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 3 (a); 3 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 3 (c)

TOTAL MISSISSIPPI

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 61 (a); 445 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 2531 (a); 9483 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 26 (a); (c) 90.

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 4.6% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Mississippi.

5.26. MISSOURI

Cherokee is the most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Missouri, almost five times that of the second-largest group, the Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation of Montana.

Cherokee generic: 6591 (a); 57,143 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 1 (a); 31 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 3 (a); 35 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 3 (a); 19 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 814 (a); 2639 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 2 (a); 17 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 3 (a); 10 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 62 (a); 174 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 6 (a); 19 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 5 (a); 8 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 0 (a); 4 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 97 (a); 314 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 0 (a); 1 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 2 (a); 5 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 0 (a); 0 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 15 (a); 37 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 9 (a); 28 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 2 (a); 14 (c)

TOTAL MISSOURI

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 885 (a); 2841 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 6730 (a); 57,657 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 139 (a); 514 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 5% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Missouri.

5.27. MONTANA

Cherokee is the eighth most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Montana, with the Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation of Montana holding the first spot. Montana is one of the very few states where Cherokee is not even in the top five.

Cherokee generic: 356 (a); 3922 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intertribal Indians: 2 (a); 2 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 1 (a); 9 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 0 (a); 6 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 28 (a); 174 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 0 (a); 1 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 0 (a); 2 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 9 (a); 31 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 0 (a); 3 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 1 (a); 0 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 2 (a); 2 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 1 (a); 20 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 1 (a); 0 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Southern Cherokee Council: 0 (a); 0 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 0 (a); 0 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

TOTAL MONTANA

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 37 (a); 205 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 364 (a); 3967 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 8 (a); 45 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 5% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Montana.

5.28. NEBRASKA

Cherokee is the most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Nebraska, about 20% higher than the second-place Omaha Tribe of Nebraska.

Cherokee generic: 424 (a); 5395 (b)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 1 (a); 0 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 0 (a); 1 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 46 (a); 223 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 0 (a); 8 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 0 (a); 2 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 13 (a); 29 (c)

Echota Tribe of Alabama: 1 (a): 6 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 0 (a); 3 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 1 (a); 0 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 0 (a); 0 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 0 (a); 0 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 1 (a); 2 (c)

TOTAL NEBRASKA

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 59 (a); 252 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 428 (a); 5417 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 4 (a); 22 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 4.6% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Nebraska.

5.29. NEVADA

Cherokee is the most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Nevada, about 20% higher than Aztec, in second place.

Cherokee generic: 1285 (a); 12,395 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 0 (a); 10 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 2 (a); 13 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 4 (a); 8 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 131 (a); 544 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 0 (a); 8 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 0 (a); 3 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 9 (a); 47 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 5 (a); 11 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 1 (a); 0 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 6 (a); 19 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 2 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 0 (a); 0 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 0 (a); 5 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 2 (a); 7 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 2 (c)

TOTAL NEVADA

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 142 (a); 598 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 1303 (a); 12,476 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 18 (a); 81 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 4.7% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Nevada.

5.30. NEW HAMPSHIRE

Cherokee is the most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in New Hampshire, nearly double that of the Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation of Montana, in second place.

Cherokee generic: 150 (a); 2136 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 0 (a); 2 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 3 (a); 4 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 11 (a); 64 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 0 (a); 1 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 0 (a); 2 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 4 (a); 14 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 0 (a); 3 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 0 (a); 1 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 0 (a); 2 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 0 (a); 2 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 0 (a); 0 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 0 (a); 2 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

TOTAL NEW HAMPSHIRE

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 15 (a); 80 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 153 (a); 2153 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 3 (a); 17 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 3.7% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in New Hampshire.

5.31. NEW JERSEY

Cherokee is the most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in New Jersey, about 20% higher than Aztec, which is at number two.

Cherokee generic: 895 (a); 13,940 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 1 (a); 14 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 4 (a); 11 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 4 (a); 33 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 31 (a); 240 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 0 (a); 7 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 1 (a); 2 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 11 (a); 98 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 0 (a); 3 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 0 (a); 2 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 1 (a); 43 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 1 (a); 9 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 0 (a); 1 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 1 (a); 0 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 9 (a); 25 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 0 (a); 4 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 4 (c)

TOTAL NEW JERSEY

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 42 (a); 342 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 917 (a); 14,095 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 22 (a); 154 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 2.4% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in New Jersey.

5.32. NEW MEXICO

Cherokee is the third most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in New Mexico, but it remains only about 6% that of first-place Navajo Nation.

Cherokee generic: 921 (a); 7239 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intertribal Indians: 4 (a); 11 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 0 (a); 5 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 0 (a); 7 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 135 (a); 444 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 0 (a); 4 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 44 (a); 77 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 0 (a); 3 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 0 (a); 4 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 0 (a); 4 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 0 (a); 9 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 1 (a); 1 (a)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 0 (a); 1 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 1 (a); 5 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 1 (a); 5 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 1 (c)

TOTAL NEW MEXICO

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 180 (a); 526 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 927 (a); 7294 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 6 (a); 55 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 7.2% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in New Mexico.

5.33. NEW YORK

Cherokee is the third most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in New York State, just after Aztec (first) and Taino (second).

Cherokee generic: 2215 (a); 25,727 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 7 (a); 26 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 6 (a); 27 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 25 (a); 64 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 79 (a); 548 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 4 (a); 19 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 6 (a); 9 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 26 (a); 130 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 2 (a); 14 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 1 (a); 0 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 8 (a); 97 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 5 (a); 8 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 0 (a); 1 (a)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 1 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 0 (a); 0 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 17 (a); 47 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 0 (a); 5 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 6 (c)

TOTAL NEW YORK

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 105 (a); 683 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 2296 (a); 25,949 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 81 (a); 319 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 2.6% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in New York State.

5.34. NORTH CAROLINA

Cherokee is the most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in North Carolina, followed closely by the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina.

Cherokee generic: 7696 (a); 69,776 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 5 (a); 48 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 8 (a); 33 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 16 (a); 98 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 244 (a); 1010 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 1 (a); 55 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 4 (a); 15 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 6202 (a); 7631 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 17 (a); 43 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 4 (a); 0 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 0 (a); 2 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 7 (a); 23 (a)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 6 (a); 8 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 0 (a); 7 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 7 (a); 34 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 7 (a); 13 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 2 (a); 3 (c)

TOTAL NORTH CAROLINA

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 6453 (a); 8654 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 7773 (a); 70,118 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 77 (a); 369 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 12.3% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in North Carolina. This is considerably higher than the national average, largely due to the Eastern Band reservation and core population being in the state.

5.35. NORTH DAKOTA

Cherokee is the seventh most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in North Dakota, with Chippewa, Sioux, and Three Affiliated Tribes in the six top spots. It is one of the few states where Cherokee is not in the top five.

Cherokee generic: 112 (a); 1309 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 3 (a); 0 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 3 (a); 3 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 25 (a); 77 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 1 (a); 1 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 0 (a); 1 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 9 (a); 22 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 1 (a); 0 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 1 (a); 3 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 0 (a); 0 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 1 (a); 1 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

TOTAL NORTH DAKOTA

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 35 (a); 100 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 121 (a); 1317 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 9 (a); 8 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 7.6% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in North Dakota.

5.36. OHIO

Cherokee is far and away the most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Ohio, over three times the second-place Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation of Montana.

Cherokee generic: 4182 (a); 66,489 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 13 (a); 59 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 13 (a); 52 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 13 (a); 59 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 169 (a); 813 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 9 (a); 34 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 4 (a); 30 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 53 (a); 251 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 6 (a); 18 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 0 (a); 4 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 0 (a); 2 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 4 (a); 9 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 1 (a); 2 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 0 (a); 6 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 0 (a); 47 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 1 (a); 9 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 1 (a); 5 (c)

TOTAL OHIO

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 223 (a); 1073 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 4234 (a); 71,469 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 64 (a); 327 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 1.5% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Ohio.

5.37. OKLAHOMA

Cherokee is by far the most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Oklahoma, nearly three times that of Choctaw at second.

Cherokee generic: 90,773 (a); 203,803 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 31 (a); 68 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 5 (a); 27 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 11 (a); 28 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 20,526 (a); 34,335 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 8 (a); 42 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 15 (a); 42 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 179 (a); 362 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 21 (a); 45 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 6 (a); 12 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 141 (a); 640 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 9 (a); 9 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 1 (a); 2 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 1 (a); 0 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 3 (a); 9 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 889 (a); 1251 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 2 (a); 28 (c)

TOTAL OKLAHOMA

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 21,594 (a); 35,948 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 91,027 (a); 204,755 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 254 (a); 952 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 17.6% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Oklahoma. This is significantly higher than the national average due to the core populations of the Cherokee Nation and United Keetoowah Band being in the state. Oklahoma is the state with the highest number of Cherokee citizens compared to non-citizen claimants, followed by North Carolina.

5.38. OREGON

Cherokee is the most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Oregon, three times that of the second-place Aztec.

Cherokee generic: 2684 (a); 26,819 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 3 (a); 14 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 3 (a); 19 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 2 (a); 10 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 387 (a); 1485 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 3 (a); 17 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 8 (a); 12 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 39 (a); 158 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 3 (a); 9 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 0 (a); 9 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 17 (a); 61 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 0 (a); 0 (c)

Sac River Band of Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 1 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 0 (a); 3 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 2 (a); 9 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 1 (a); 5 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 8 (c)

TOTAL OREGON

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 427 (a); 1648 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 2725 (a); 26,991 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 41 (a); 172 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 6% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Oregon.

5.39. PENNSYLVANIA

Cherokee is the most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Pennsylvania at three times the number of the second-place Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation of Montana.

Cherokee generic: 2136 (a); 33,299 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 15 (a); 40 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 1 (a); 35 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 2 (a); 42 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 82 (a); 522 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 1 (a); 11 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 0 (a); 5 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 32 (a); 168 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 3 (a); 8 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 0 (a); 6 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 0 (a); 26 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 2 (a); 18 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 0 (a); 1 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 1 (a); 1 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 0 (a); 1 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 0 (a); 9 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 0 (a); 16 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 1 (a); 14 (c)

TOTAL PENNSYLVANIA

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 114 (a); 706 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 2162 (a); 33,516 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 26 (a); 217 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 2% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Pennsylvania.

5.40. PUERTO RICO

Cherokee is the tenth most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Puerto Rico, but still less than 1/10th of 1% of the total, which is largely Taino; so few as to be almost a rounding error.

Cherokee generic: 12 (a); 99 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 3 (a); 5 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 0 (a); 2 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 1 (a); 0 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 1 (a); 0 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 0 (a); 3 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 1 (a); 0 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 0 (a); 1 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 0 (a); 0 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians: 0 (a); 0 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee; 0 (a); 0 (c)

TOTAL PUERTO RICO

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 3 (a); 5 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 15 (a); 105 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 3 (a); 6 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 4.8% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Puerto Rico.

5.41. RHODE ISLAND

Cherokee is the third most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Rhode Island, after Narragansett and Maya, first and second, respectively.

Cherokee generic: 120 (a); 1509 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 0 (a); 0 (a)

Cherokee Alabama: 0 (a); 1 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 2 (a); 4 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 7 (a); 38 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 0 (a); 1 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 0 (a); 0 (a)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 4 (a); 6 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 3 (a); 0 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 2 (a); 2 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 0 (a); 4 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 3 (a); 0 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 0 (a); 2 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 1 (a); 0 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 2 (c)

TOTAL RHODE ISLAND

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 12 (a); 44 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 130 (a); 1525 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 10 (a); 16 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 3% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Rhode Island.

5.42. SOUTH CAROLINA

Cherokee is overwhelmingly the most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage declared in South Carolina, roughly eight times that of second-place Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation of Montana.

Cherokee generic: 2817 (a); 32,273 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 7 (a); 23 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 4 (a); 12 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 12 (a); 117 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 111 (a); 494 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 4 (a); 27 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 2 (a); 8 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 105 (a); 316 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 9 (a); 33 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 3 (a); 5 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 1 (a); 5 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 43 (a); 69 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 0 (a); 0 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 16 (a); 30 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 0 (a); 8 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 7 (c)

TOTAL SOUTH CAROLINA

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 216 (a); 818 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 2918 (a); 32,609 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 101 (a); 336 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 2.5% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in South Carolina.

5.43. SOUTH DAKOTA

Cherokee affiliation declaration is the tenth most common tribal affiliation in South Dakota, far below that of Oglala Sioux, which was reported 14 times more frequently.

Cherokee generic: 120 (a); 1555 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 0 (a); 1 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 1 (a); 1 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 2 (a); 2 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 18 (a); 89 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 0 (a); 2 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 0 (a); 2 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 12 (a); 24 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 0 (a); 1 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 4 (a); 4 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 1 (a); 1 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 0 (a); 0 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 1 (a); 3 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

TOTAL SOUTH DAKOTA

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 31 (a); 116 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 128 (a); 1569 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 8 (a); 14 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 14% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in South Dakota.

5.44. TENNESSEE

Cherokee is overwhelmingly the most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Tennessee, twelve times that of second-place Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation of Montana.

Cherokee generic: 4115 (a); 59,725 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 7 (a); 0 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 9 (a); 56 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 8 (a); 61 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 218 (a); 1201 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 5 (a); 38 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 31 (a); 56 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 185 (a); 546 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 84 (a); 238 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 1 (a); 4 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 2 (a); 0 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 9 (a); 26 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 13 (a); 22 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 0 (a); 3 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 38 (a); 74 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 6 (a); 7 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 5 (c)

TOTAL TENNESSEE

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 409 (a); 1754 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 4322 (a); 60,308 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 207 (a); 583 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 3% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Tennessee.

5.45. TEXAS

Cherokee is the most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Texas, about 25% more than second-place Aztec.

Cherokee generic: 14,285 (a); 114,574 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 23 (a); 103 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 20 (a); 109 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 0 (a); 40 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 1711 (a); 5807 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 1 (a); 0 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 20 (a); 40 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 99 (a); 338 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 54 (a); 133 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 35 (a); 74 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 1 (a); 6 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 48 (a); 0 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 0 (a); 0 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 2 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 0 (a); 5 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 2 (a); 25 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 11 (a); 33 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 3 (a); 29 (c)

TOTAL TEXAS

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 1821 (a); 6178 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 14,492 (a); 115,140 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 207 (a); 566 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 5.3% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Texas.

5.46. UTAH

Cherokee is the second most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Utah, about a third of first-place Navajo Nation.

Cherokee generic: 574 (a); 7216 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 0 (a); 9 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 0 (a); 7 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 0 (a); 2 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 73 (a); 334 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 2 (a); 3 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 3 (a); 0 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 9 (a); 55 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 0 (a); 1 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 1 (a); 2 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missiouri and Arkansas: 0 (a); 9 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 1 (a); 0 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 1 (a); 6 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokees in Oklahoma: 1 (a); 3 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

TOTAL UTAH

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 83 (a); 392 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 582 (a); 7255 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 8 (a); 39 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 5.4% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Utah.

5.47. VERMONT

Cherokee is the second most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Vermont, after the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi.

Cherokee generic: 113 (a); 1292 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 0 (a); 1 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 1 (a); 3 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 1 (a); 0 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 8 (a); 37 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 2 (a); 2 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 0 (a); 1 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee; 0 (a); 1 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 2 (a); 0 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 0 (a); 0 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 0 (a); 0 (c)

TOTAL VERMONT

• Declared CN and ECBI (UKB not present in VT data): 8 (a); 37 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 119 (a); 1300 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 6 (a); 8 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 2.8% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Vermont.

5.48. VIRGINIA

Cherokee is the most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage declared in Virginia, over four times as frequent as second-place Maya.

Cherokee generic: 2766 (a); 39,131 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 10 (a); 26 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 1 (a); 13 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 7 (a); 44 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 171 (a); 904 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 6 (a); 21 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 0 (a); 7 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 77 (a); 282 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 10 (a); 29 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 0 (a); 4 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 0 (a); 7 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 4 (a); 19 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 0 (a); 0 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 1 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 0 (a); 8 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 6 (a); 28 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 1 (a); 13 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 1 (a); 4 (c)

TOTAL VIRGINIA

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 249 (a); 1199 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 2811 (a); 39,342 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 45 (a); 211 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 3% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Virginia.

5.49. WASHINGTON

Cherokee is the most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Washington State, just over twice the frequency of second place Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Reservation of Montana.

Cherokee generic: 2868 (a); 34,216 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 14 (a); 31 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 5 (a); 24 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 4 (a); 22 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 387 (a); 1889 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 5 (a); 20 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 11 (a); 11 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 51 (a); 247 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 0 (a); 19 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 0 (a); 1 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 0 (a); 1 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 1 (a); 0 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 8 (a); 0 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 0 (a); 2 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 0 (a); 0 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 8 (a); 11 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 8 (a); 14 (c)

White River Band of Chickamauga-Cherokee: 1 (a); 9 (c)

TOTAL WASHINGTON

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 446 (a); 2150 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 2925 (a); 34,367 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 57 (a); 151 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 6.2% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Washington State.

5.50. WEST VIRGINIA

Cherokee is the most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in West Virginia, roughly four times the frequency of second place Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Reservation of Montana.

Cherokee generic: 884 (a); 12,817 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 2 (a); 6 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 2 (a); 4 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 0 (a); 9 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 27 (a); 124 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 0 (a); 2 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 2 (a); 5 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 8 (a); 47 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 5 (a); 5 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 1 (a); 0 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 0 (a); 2 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 2 (a); 2 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 1 (a); 1 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 3 (a); 0 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 2 (a); 4 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 0 (a); 1 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 2 (a); 2 (c)

TOTAL WEST VIRGINIA

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 35 (a); 172 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 906 (a); 12,859 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 22 (a); 42 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 1.3% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in West Virginia.

5.51. WISCONSIN

Cherokee is the third most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Wisconsin, after Chippewa (first) and Menominee Indian Tribe (second).

Cherokee generic: 621 (a); 9855 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 2 (a); 13 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 1 (a); 9 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 0 (a); 20 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 39 (a); 241 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 0 (a); 9 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 0 (a); 2 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 12 (a); 60 (c)

Echota Tribe of Alabama: 2 (a); 2 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 0 (a); 3 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 1 (a); 1 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 14 (a); 29 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 0 (a); 1 (c)

Sac River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 2 (c)

Southeastern Cherokee Council: 0 (a); 0 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 1 (a); 4 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 2 (a); 3 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 0 (a); 2 (c)

TOTAL WISCONSIN

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 53 (a); 304 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 642 (a); 9952 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 21 (a); 97 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 3% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Wisconsin.

5.52. WYOMING

Cherokee is the second most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage in Wyoming after the Northern Arapaho Tribe.

Cherokee generic: 244 (a); 2654 (c)

Cher-O-Creek Intratribal Indians: 0 (a); 5 (c)

Cherokee Alabama: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Cherokee Bear Clan of South Carolina: 0 (a); 1 (c)

Cherokee Nation: 31 (a); 108 (c)

Cherokee of Georgia: 0 (a); 2 (c)

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama: 2 (a); 2 (c)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: 2 (a); 25 (c)

Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Four Winds Cherokee: 0 (a); 0 (c)

Georgia Eastern Cherokee: 0 (a); 3 (c)

Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas: 1 (a); 7 (c)

Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation SC (PAIA): 2 (a); 0 (c)

Southern Cherokee Council: 0 (a); 0 (c)

United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation: 1 (a); 0 (c)

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma: 0 (a); 0 (c)

White River Band of the Chickamauga-Cherokee: 1 (a); 2 (c)

TOTAL WYOMING

• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB: 33 (a); 133 (c).
• Cherokee heritage claimants: 251 (a); 2676 (c).

  ○

  Individuals specifically identifying as members of non-recognized Cherokee claimant groups: 7 (a); 22 (c).

• % Difference: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee Tribal citizens (c) are roughly 5% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in Wyoming.

6. Cherokee Nation Population: State-by-State Figures 2024

While placing 2020 U.S. census figures alongside 2024 Cherokee Nation population figures does not allow for an entirely accurate comparison, it nevertheless shows how radically out of proportion general U.S. claims are in comparison to tribal citizenship figures, especially given that the Cherokee Nation population is larger now than it was in 2020. Even with those larger current numbers, Cherokee Nation citizenship figures pale in comparison to those of non-citizen claimants in the 2020 U.S. census. (I was unable to access official comparable figures for the Eastern Band or United Keetoowah Band, but given that the Cherokee Nation is by far the largest of the three federally recognized tribes, the point stands.) As of 21 August 2024, according to the Cherokee Nation, 2024 state-by-state citizen population breakdown is as follows:

ALABAMA: 1323	NEBRASKA: 1026
ALASKA: 1576	NEVADA: 2488
ARIZONA: 7443	NEW HAMPSHIRE: 130
ARKANSAS: 19,851	NEW JERSEY: 305
CALIFORNIA: 27,972	NEW MEXICO: 2539
COLORADO: 6,944	NEW YORK: 873
CONNECTICUT: 279	NORTH CAROLINA: 2050
DELAWARE: 111	NORTH DAKOTA: 236
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: 115	OHIO: 1217
FLORIDA: 4443	OKLAHOMA: 283,227
GEORGIA: 2456	OREGON: 6691
HAWAII: 338	PENNSYLVANIA: 694
IDAHO: 2432	RHODE ISLAND: 75
ILLINOIS: 1869	SOUTH CAROLINA: 1040
INDIANA: 1015	SOUTH DAKOTA: 482
IOWA: 771	TENNESSEE: 2300
KANSAS: 16,251	TEXAS: 29,401
KENTUCKY: 769	UTAH: 1953
LOUISIANA: 1538	VERMONT: 77
MAINE: 157	VIRGINIA: 1891
MARYLAND: 751	WASHINGTON: 7514
MASSACHUSETTS: 468	WEST VIRGINIA: 222
MICHIGAN: 1293	WISCONSIN: 734
MINNESOTA: 934	WYOMING: 624
MISSISSIPPI: 722	Outside of USA/NO ADDRESS: 2356
MISSOURI: 13,314
MONTANA: 921	TOTAL 8/21/2024 CHEROKEE NATION POPULATION: 466,181

In 2013, the Cherokee Nation had approximately 320,000 citizens; in 2018, that number was 365,000, a five-year growth rate of roughly 14% (Chavez 2018).19 In 2024, the population stood at 466,181, marking a 27.7% increase. That significant jump from 2018 is almost entirely attributed to dramatic enrollment during the COVID-19 pandemic, a population growth phenomenon experienced by other tribes by previously unenrolled but confirmable relations seeking access to COVID relief funds, medical care, and other resources (Kaur 2021).20 Regardless of the disparities or the tribal population growth, and even without the addition of EBCI and UKB citizen numbers, the data is clear: in every single U.S. state and territory, unsubstantiated Cherokee claimants vastly outnumber confirmed and tribally recognized Cherokee citizens.

7. Preliminary Data Analysis

• Number of U.S. states and enumerated territories in which Cherokees are the most commonly declared American Indian and Alaska Native heritage: 35 (including District of Columbia), or roughly 69%.
• Declared CN, ECBI, UKB in the 2020 U.S. census (c): 93,204.
• Unconfirmed/unrecognized Cherokee heritage claimants across the U.S. (c): 1,568,473.

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  Total claimants identifying as members of non-federally recognized “Cherokee” groups on census: 5808 (a); 17,063 (c).

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  States with the largest numbers of non-federally recognized “Cherokee” claimant group members: Alabama, Oklahoma, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Florida, California, Tennessee, Texas.

• Nationwide % difference average: According to 2020 self-reported U.S. census data, total declared Cherokee tribal citizens (c) were roughly 7% of the number of non-citizen Cherokee heritage claimants in the United States.

In 2020, the combined citizenship total of the Cherokee Nation, the Eastern Band, and the United Keetoowah Band was an estimated 450,000; however, as noted above, the combination self-identified figure for the three tribal nations from the U.S. census was only 93,204, a difference of around 357,000 not clearly accounted for in the existing categories. It is most likely that many who identified in the generic “Cherokee” category were CN/EBCI/UKB citizens and make up part of the remainder, even though the census category explicitly asked for “name of enrolled or principal tribe(s).” We might speculate on reasons for this phenomenon: citizens who identified with cultural group rather than specific tribal nation; citizens whose primary identification is indeed just broadly Cherokee without further distinction; citizens who are hesitant to name their specific community; culturally and politically disconnected citizens who may not actually know their specific community (e.g., “paper citizens”); etc. It is also possible that non-citizens might have declared affiliation with one of the three federally recognized tribes, although given the significant negative gap between actual citizen numbers as reported by the tribes themselves and those on the census, this is unlikely to have been a major issue.

Subtracting the difference between citizen numbers and U.S. census enumerated citizens (~357,000) from the 2020 total of Cherokee heritage claimants (1,568,473) leaves us with approximately 1,211,473. Therefore, the maximum revised percent difference would stand at 34%. Even expanding our range to the most exaggeratedly aspirational figures (and thus not accounting for statistical error, missing information on how citizens self-identified, whether all Cherokee citizens are identified in the census and how they did so, representation of citizen minors in the data, differentiation between citizen-specific and generic Cherokee figures, willingness of claimants to assert Cherokee heritage in informal contexts but not in official documents, etc.), this would still mean that at very best 2/3 of those claiming Cherokee heritage in the U.S. are unsubstantiated claimants (66%), among them thousands of members of illegitimate “Cherokee” groups masquerading as legitimate tribal nations. Given the other data and caveats considered throughout this study, the actual disparity between the two number sets is almost certainly closer to the 7% figure rather than the highly unrealistic 34%.

Leaving a bit of room for statistical error and some number of verifiably enrollable descendants not included in tribal citizenship figures, we can therefore state with confidence that between 90 and 97% of people who claim Cherokee heritage cannot verify that claim in relation to any legitimate Cherokee tribal polity historically or today. Given the substantial Cherokee documentary archive and research holdings that Cherokee authorities have collected, utilized, and maintained for the better part of two centuries to determine kinship and affiliation, unsubstantiated settler family stories are both inadequate and unethical grounds for asserting Cherokee identity or claims to tribal belonging.

8. Initial Implications and Future Research Directions

Much more extensive quantitative as well as qualitative research is required to analyze and address these issues, but at minimum, more robust formal institutional mechanisms to prevent unsubstantiated and false claims (in census data and elsewhere), along with increasing financial and reputational disincentives, are required to stem the extractive tide. Academia and the arts are two areas where these interventions are most urgently needed (especially in terms of hiring and grant distribution), but business, natural resource management, health care, and child and family services are others.

More work is required to improve the coding criteria used by U.S. census analysis and “subject-matter specialists” to determine Cherokee affiliation designations. State-recognized tribal groups are consulted along with federally recognized tribes for census enumeration, and as more self-identified groups push for state recognition, census results will be further compromised. This is more obscure data but remains meaningful, as inclusion in federal census results offers a formal validation and visibility that reinforces problematic and false claims to Cherokee identity and representation in other political and social arenas. Similarly, more substantial research is needed to parse out the distinctions between Cherokee citizenship numbers (including those of citizens 18 and under) and self-reported citizen numbers in the census given the significant disparity.

As one of the anonymous reviewers of this article helpfully pointed out, much could be learned through more extensive and more granular analysis of collected census data, such as gendered differences in reporting, urban vs. rural self-identification, issues of internal migration across and between censuses and geographical changes associated with self-designation, etc. It would also be useful to see what differences there are in the ways that Cherokee self-identification compares with other tribal self-identification across census data—has “Aztec” increased at the same rate, for example, or is “Cherokee” unique in its over-representation in the data across the decades? Although beyond the scope of this article, this work would certainly enhance a diagnostic analysis of Cherokee heritage claims and expand our understanding of how unsubstantiated claimants self-identify across time and thereby offer helpful insights into how class, gender, geography, and population density inform emergent claims to Cherokee identity outside of a tribally specific context. In addition, given the distinctive histories and political contexts of Freedmen and other Afro-Native people in relation to issues of Cherokee belonging, and the impacts of white supremacy, colorism, and anti-Blackness on Cherokee communities from the nineteenth century onward, deeper research is needed into the specifics of multiracial Cherokee identification: for example, how many confirmable descendants as well as claimants otherwise identify as white, African American, Asian American, etc.? Such focused attention would offer a useful starting point for comparative analysis of the contexts of legitimate multiracial descendants and those of unsubstantiated claimants from diverse backgrounds.

There is a deeply entrenched mythology in non-Native genealogical circles about the unreliability of the Dawes Roll and other Cherokee enrollment records, how they were created, and how (in)accurate they are, largely from claimants dissatisfied with not finding their aspirational ancestors in Cherokee records. More comprehensive study and discussion of these documents and other Cherokee archives used by community-informed genealogists and affiliated researchers to assess and confirm historical relations is necessary in firmly addressing claimant misunderstandings and confronting deliberate misrepresentations of these rolls and other important documents in the Cherokee archive.

The Cherokee claimant case could be usefully compared with a few others in the census data, including Choctaws and Blackfeet. Choctaws, like Cherokees, have three federally recognized Tribes and multiple claimant groups; the Choctaw Nation, like the Cherokee Nation, determines citizenship through lineal descent only, whereas the other two (Jena Band and Mississippi Band) require a minimum blood quantum, just as do the Eastern Band and United Keetoowah Band of Cherokees. Generic Choctaw claims, however, are much closer to the citizenship numbers than in the Cherokee case. Blackfeet descendancy claims are surprisingly extensive across the U.S., especially in the South; 297,899 Americans claimed Blackfeet heritage, even though the Blackfeet Nation in Montana is a small northern plains tribal nation with a citizenry of just over 17,000 (roughly 6% of the total claims). There is a murky multiracial mythology in the southern U.S. of “Blackfeet” Afro-Native heritage that echoes stories by many Cherokee heritage claimants of varied backgrounds, with similar “hidden heritage” tropes and presumptions of an archival and documentary absence that often belies the actual record (Dunham 1999).21 The two are not infrequently associated in amateur online genealogy discussion groups, with the term “Blackfoot Cherokee” appearing as a supposed subgroup of Cherokees. Other genealogists and researchers have argued that the southeastern term “Blackfoot” refers to the non-federally recognized Saponi people (Carter n.d.; Welburn 2001).22 Much of the current popular commentary on mixed-race communities in the South has conflated ethnocultural distinction with tribal belonging as if distant Indigenous heritage and dynamic Indigenous nationhood are the same thing, but the distinctions are significant and meaningful.

9. Closing Comments

One of the common responses to Cherokee critiques of false heritage claimants is the following question: why does it really matter? Are there perhaps more important issues to deal with? The above data offer some insights into the reasons this issue is not only vitally important but, indeed, essential to the survival of Cherokee tribal nations. Dina Gilio-Whitaker makes the stakes grimly clear:

In recent decades a well-funded anti-Indian movement, primarily driven by the religious political right, has mobilized expressly to dismantle tribal sovereignty. This movement uses various strategies with one key argument: American Indian people are unconstitutionally given special rights based on their race, violating the Constitution’s equal protection clause, which prohibits discrimination based on race.

As the movement has grown it has become an existential threat to tribal communities still struggling to survive the onslaught of four hundred years of colonial invasion. A core strategy is to drive legal cases to the U.S. Supreme Court, a dangerous venue for litigating Indian rights in the past few decades, given the court’s track record of eroding tribal rights and its current demographic makeup.23

Cherokees have always insisted on our distinctiveness as Cherokees; not as a measure of racial difference or quaint ethnic color, not as individual assertions of difference but as separate political, legal, and social orders recognized by international law and made manifest in persistent nation-to-nation relations with the U.S. federal government and other Indigenous polities. That distinctiveness is inherent in our sovereignty as collectively self-determining nations. To conflate the two or, worse, to subsume Cherokee sovereignty into settler categories of American ethnic difference is both contrary to actual Cherokee culture and history and a betrayal of the political commitments and material sacrifices of generations of our people working to ensure our tribes’ continuity into the future in spite of American attempts to eliminate our nationhood as much as our populations.

The U.S. census is one tool through which American racial categories are made manifest, entrenched, and perpetuated. It naturalizes these arbitrary categories as a normative logic that informs and deforms public policy, political representation, resource distribution, legal precedent, land rights, etc. These issues do not simply impact Cherokees; all sovereign Native American nations are imperiled by racializing ideologies, although the specifics of the Cherokee case are noteworthy for the extensive documentary archive we can bring to the discussion. When over 90–97% of people claiming Cherokee identity have no relation to Cherokee tribal nations, then public understanding of Cherokee people is dramatically distorted. And while that is a misfortune for the public, it is a growing catastrophe for Cherokees, especially in the current political moment of increasingly public hostility to tribal nationhood.

By privileging individualistic self-declaration and unsubstantiated genealogical claims over collective tribal nationhood and verified relations, by making claimant stories parallel in value to tribal citizen kinship, by categorizing self-declared and state-recognized “Cherokee tribes” alongside federally recognized Cherokee tribal nations as having equally legitimate standing, and by placing hobby group membership and tribal citizenship as functional equals, the U.S. census and its racializing presumptions continue to displace and dispossess actual Cherokee people and inflict real, material, and lasting violence on genuine Cherokee communities. But we cannot hope to effectively confront these issues without pulling back the curtain and seeing the pulverizing engine of settler colonialism and its mangling administrative machinery at work. This paper and its analysis are just one small part of that larger effort in our tribal nations and among our scholars, artists, knowledge holders, and leaders to shift the public discourse of Cherokee “identity” away from ethnic difference to one of sovereign Cherokee nationhood. Our nations—and their collective survival—quite literally depend on it.