Ancestry for Des Moines County, IA - ERSys®
Ersys Logo Ersys Name
Des Moines County – Ancestry

Picture of valves

Ancestry refers to the lineage or descent of a person, family, or group, tracing back through generations to identify their origins, heritage, and familial connections. It encompasses the genetic, cultural, and historical ties that link individuals to their forebears, shaping their identity and sense of belonging. Ancestry is a multifaceted concept, intertwining biology, genealogy, history, and culture, and it plays a significant role in how people understand themselves and their place in the world.

At its core, ancestry is rooted in genetics. Each individual inherits a unique combination of DNA from their parents, who in turn inherited their DNA from their own ancestors. This genetic material carries information about physical traits, predispositions to certain health conditions, and even behavioral tendencies. Advances in genetic testing, such as DNA analysis, have made it possible for individuals to trace their biological ancestry with remarkable precision. Companies like 23andMe and AncestryDNA offer services that analyze genetic markers to provide insights into a person's ethnic composition and geographic origins, often revealing surprising connections to distant relatives or previously unknown heritage.

Beyond genetics, ancestry is deeply tied to genealogy, the study of family history and lineage. Genealogical research involves constructing family trees, documenting relationships, and uncovering historical records such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, census data, and immigration documents. This process often reveals stories of migration, resilience, and adaptation, offering a window into the lives of ancestors and the challenges they faced. For many, genealogy is a way to honor their forebears and preserve their legacy for future generations.

Cultural ancestry is another critical dimension, encompassing the traditions, languages, customs, and values passed down through generations. It connects individuals to their ethnic or national heritage, shaping their cultural identity and worldview. For example, someone with Irish ancestry might celebrate St. Patrick's Day, learn traditional Irish dance, or explore the Gaelic language, while someone with Japanese ancestry might practice tea ceremonies, study calligraphy, or observe Obon festivals. Cultural ancestry fosters a sense of continuity and belonging, linking individuals to a broader community with shared experiences and values.

Historical ancestry delves into the broader context of a family's or group's past, including significant events, social conditions, and historical movements that shaped their lives. For instance, the transatlantic slave trade, the Irish Potato Famine, or the Jewish diaspora have profoundly influenced the ancestry of millions of people, leaving lasting imprints on their descendants' identities. Understanding historical ancestry often involves grappling with complex narratives of triumph and tragedy, resilience and oppression, and the interplay of individual and collective experiences.

Ancestry also has a deeply personal and emotional dimension. For many, exploring their ancestry is a journey of self-discovery, offering insights into who they are and where they come from. It can foster a sense of pride, connection, and continuity, as well as a deeper appreciation for the struggles and achievements of those who came before. At the same time, it can raise questions about identity, belonging, and the complexities of heritage, particularly for individuals with mixed or multicultural backgrounds.

In a globalized world, ancestry serves as a bridge between the past and the present, connecting individuals to their roots while also highlighting the interconnectedness of human history. It underscores the diversity and richness of human experience, reminding us that every person's story is part of a larger tapestry woven over centuries. Whether through genetic testing, genealogical research, cultural practices, or historical exploration, ancestry offers a profound way to understand ourselves and our place in the world.

A diversification score measures the diversity of ancestries in the county. As the value appoaches 100, ancestry diversity decreases and therefore increasing the risk of a lack of cultural diversity. The ancestry diversification score for this county is:

15.16

Most common ancestry not including "Unknown" is:

German

 
Ancestry Report Part I
DescriptionTotal Population American Native American Hawaiian Caribbean (Latino) Mexican Central American South American Other Hispanic African American Sub- Saharan Caribbean (Black)

Des Moines County38,4672,29871221439455648741,365357338
Iowa (in 000's)3,267138951516129710724015
National (in 000's)343,25113,8902,21362611,32738,8796,1814,6443,68725,8937,8527,174
Lee County32,3792,0854164699015020473240146
Henry County19,7111,14162112086279317903409574
Mercer County15,3291,08322324422029126855
Louisa County10,69354690131,5712035942117
Henderson County6,1175645711930082122
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Des Moines County15.165.970.180.060.372.460.150.120.193.550.930.88
Iowa12.524.230.270.170.464.920.890.220.322.211.240.45
National7.834.050.640.183.3011.331.801.351.077.542.292.09
Lee County17.796.440.130.020.143.060.050.000.061.460.740.45
Henry County15.385.790.310.061.063.180.470.090.461.720.480.38
Mercer County17.917.070.140.020.162.750.000.190.080.440.030.03
Louisa County16.595.110.080.000.1214.690.190.030.550.390.100.07
Henderson County20.789.220.080.110.181.520.000.000.130.340.030.03
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Des Moines County 141.2068.1034.3181.0349.9716.2955.5461.06160.8274.97196.20
Iowa 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 95.65237.92109.49719.30230.38201.48602.19340.91341.89184.79466.70
Lee County 152.2046.7211.1230.9762.195.180.0019.6166.2159.88100.68
Henry County 136.82116.0633.48230.0264.7052.7938.39144.9278.1838.9383.83
Mercer County 166.9952.9611.7434.1355.990.0084.2024.8520.102.637.28
Louisa County 120.6931.060.0026.50298.8220.9312.49175.1317.808.3114.62
Henderson County 217.9330.1668.6639.2030.920.000.0041.5115.562.647.30
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Des Moines County 147.6328.6331.3411.2721.698.089.2217.9147.0440.5742.04
Iowa 104.5542.0391.3313.9043.4149.6316.6129.3329.2554.1221.43
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Lee County 159.1319.6410.154.3126.992.570.005.7519.3732.4021.57
Henry County 143.0548.7830.5831.9828.0826.206.3742.5122.8721.0717.96
Mercer County 174.5922.2610.724.7424.310.0013.987.295.881.431.56
Louisa County 126.1813.050.003.68129.7110.392.0751.375.214.503.13
Henderson County 227.8512.6862.715.4513.420.000.0012.184.551.431.56
 
Ancestry Report Part II
DescriptionTotal Population Canadian British Dutch French German Italian Polish Scandi­navian Scotish/ Irish Spanish Other European

Des Moines County38,467492,6274694088,1353552341,5753,11440763
Iowa (in 000's)3,2675204733670537211872745100
National (in 000's)343,2511,35018,0691,8283,64224,7089,0274,6675,96920,6251,1409,563
Lee County32,379232,0671923018,0292511049323,10715647
Henry County19,711891,2661742284,4422111798351,7047252
Mercer County15,329201,2001893962,180163691,1181,47626256
Louisa County10,693871174791,59533232048020111
Henderson County6,117847868459479130290611099
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Des Moines County15.160.136.831.221.0621.150.920.614.098.100.101.98
Iowa12.520.166.242.241.1121.591.140.655.738.390.153.05
National7.830.395.260.531.067.202.631.361.746.010.332.79
Lee County17.790.076.380.590.9324.800.780.322.889.600.052.00
Henry County15.380.456.420.881.1622.541.070.914.248.640.041.28
Mercer County17.910.137.831.232.5814.221.060.457.299.630.171.67
Louisa County16.590.076.650.690.7414.920.310.221.917.500.001.04
Henderson County20.780.137.811.110.7415.481.490.494.749.990.001.62
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Des Moines County 78.02109.5054.5395.8697.9680.7393.9071.5096.4568.4565.05
Iowa 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 240.9284.4023.8295.8933.34230.07209.8730.3671.59218.6791.37
Lee County 43.51102.3626.5284.02114.8667.8149.5850.26114.3330.5065.53
Henry County 276.55102.9839.48104.54104.3993.64140.1873.97103.0023.3841.92
Mercer County 79.91125.5255.14233.4865.8793.0269.48127.35114.72111.6554.77
Louisa County 45.82106.6130.9566.7769.0927.0033.2033.3189.360.0034.04
Henderson County 80.10125.3049.7266.4971.71130.1475.7182.78119.010.0053.07
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Des Moines County 32.38129.73228.9499.97293.7935.0944.74235.47134.7331.3071.19
Iowa 41.51118.48419.87104.29299.9143.4747.65329.35139.6845.73109.45
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Lee County 18.06121.27111.3587.62344.4829.4823.62165.54159.7013.9571.72
Henry County 114.79122.01165.76109.02313.0740.7066.79243.62143.8710.6945.89
Mercer County 33.17148.71231.52243.49197.5740.4333.11419.44160.2551.0659.94
Louisa County 19.02126.31129.9569.63207.2211.7315.82109.72124.820.0037.26
Henderson County 33.25148.45208.7469.34215.0756.5736.07272.65166.240.0058.09
 
Ancestry Report Part III
DescriptionTotal Population Chinese Filipino Japanese Korean Vietnamese South Central Asian South East Asian Other Asian Middle Eastern Other Ancestry Unknown

Des Moines County38,467446802901527120743,73310,754
Iowa (in 000's)3,267126179191688310720
National (in 000's)343,2514,4613,0107931,5411,9135,4521,6431,2291,93147,32251,000
Lee County32,37910461149171626192,8569,635
Henry County19,7113846176013198971,8115,421
Mercer County15,329040234267251,0395,453
Louisa County10,6932001711196501,2633,287
Henderson County6,1170201011363292,394
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Des Moines County15.160.110.180.000.080.000.400.020.310.199.7027.96
Iowa12.520.360.190.040.230.270.590.500.250.259.4822.04
National7.831.300.880.230.450.561.590.480.360.5613.7914.86
Lee County17.790.030.140.000.040.030.050.050.080.068.8229.76
Henry County15.380.190.230.090.030.000.071.000.050.049.1927.50
Mercer County17.910.000.030.000.150.030.010.040.050.166.7835.57
Louisa County16.590.020.000.000.010.070.101.830.050.0011.8130.74
Henderson County20.780.000.030.000.020.000.020.020.050.105.3839.14
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Des Moines County 31.9393.060.0033.380.0067.373.66124.9078.44102.35126.83
Iowa 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 362.77461.68623.66198.84204.04270.8096.34143.40229.35145.4167.40
Lee County 8.6274.798.3419.1510.188.959.9532.1523.9393.03134.99
Henry County 53.81122.85232.8613.480.0011.24202.1918.2814.4896.90124.77
Mercer County 0.0013.740.0066.449.552.227.8818.2866.5071.49161.38
Louisa County 5.220.000.004.1423.9717.54368.9418.720.00124.58139.45
Henderson County 0.0017.210.007.240.002.793.2919.6440.0056.73177.55
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Des Moines County 8.8020.160.0016.790.0024.883.8087.1034.2070.39188.16
Iowa 27.5721.6616.0350.2949.0136.93103.8069.7443.6068.77148.36
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Lee County 2.3816.201.349.634.993.3110.3222.4210.4363.98200.28
Henry County 14.8326.6137.346.780.004.15209.8712.756.3166.64185.10
Mercer County 0.002.980.0033.414.680.828.1812.7529.0049.16239.42
Louisa County 1.440.000.002.0811.756.48382.9613.060.0085.67206.89
Henderson County 0.003.730.003.640.001.033.4213.6917.4439.01263.41


Sources: STI: PopStats, Circa April 2025