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Marion County – Ancestry

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

13.54

Most common ancestry not including "Unknown" is:

Dutch

 
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)

Marion County34,2001,65252179361059331494134
Iowa (in 000's)3,267138951516129710724015
National (in 000's)343,25113,8902,21362611,32738,8796,1814,6443,68725,8937,8527,174
Polk County523,77515,7861,0152693,16136,0687,8811,5941,68119,72612,5534,153
Warren County57,1413,2667619791,4561831086922014869
Jasper County38,1822,8731312910064926879443020226
Mahaska County22,0561,5533117693672403315613357
Lucas County8,686698500147116351522
Monroe County7,3634099217614011333
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Marion County13.544.830.150.050.271.780.010.030.100.440.120.10
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
Polk County9.673.010.190.050.606.891.500.300.323.772.400.79
Warren County13.975.720.130.030.142.550.320.190.120.390.260.12
Jasper County13.587.520.340.080.261.700.700.020.251.130.530.07
Mahaska County14.307.040.140.080.311.660.110.000.150.710.600.26
Lucas County15.478.040.060.000.001.690.130.730.060.170.020.02
Monroe County18.585.550.120.030.011.030.190.000.010.180.040.04
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Marion County 114.1756.1029.8259.2736.281.6411.7130.6319.759.6822.20
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
Polk County 71.2471.5030.81131.55140.06168.35135.45101.87170.69193.61177.05
Warren County 135.0949.0819.9530.1451.8335.8384.1338.3317.4520.9226.96
Jasper County 177.85126.6045.5757.0934.5778.538.1678.1451.0442.7415.21
Mahaska County 166.4251.8646.2568.1933.8412.170.0047.4932.0648.7157.71
Lucas County 189.9321.240.000.0034.4214.17322.8318.277.831.865.14
Monroe County 131.2945.1016.302.9620.9921.270.004.318.003.299.10
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Marion County 119.3723.5827.248.2415.750.811.958.985.785.244.76
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
Polk County 74.4830.0528.1418.2960.8083.5522.4929.8849.92104.7737.94
Warren County 141.2420.6318.224.1922.5017.7813.9711.245.1011.325.78
Jasper County 185.9453.2141.627.9415.0138.981.3622.9214.9323.133.26
Mahaska County 174.0021.8042.249.4814.696.040.0013.939.3826.3612.36
Lucas County 198.588.930.000.0014.947.0353.615.362.291.011.10
Monroe County 137.2718.9614.890.419.1110.560.001.262.341.781.95
 
Ancestry Report Part II
DescriptionTotal Population Canadian British Dutch French German Italian Polish Scandi­navian Scotish/ Irish Spanish Other European

Marion County34,200312,9425,8313915,5546041351,3342,693591,200
Iowa (in 000's)3,2675204733670537211872745100
National (in 000's)343,2511,35018,0691,8283,64224,7089,0274,6675,96920,6251,1409,563
Polk County523,77572635,5698,1204,52579,5909,3823,54827,65943,5381,16418,732
Warren County57,141745,3631,34278011,5651,2842963,0935,8901662,299
Jasper County38,182272,8623,3853997,0843432071,7023,59235891
Mahaska County22,05642,1902,5761902,954151667021,77136764
Lucas County8,68621,0311571051,588141263401,01644179
Monroe County7,36314641246561,012178772301,0470255
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Marion County13.540.098.6017.051.1416.241.770.393.907.870.173.51
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
Polk County9.670.146.791.550.8615.201.790.685.288.310.223.58
Warren County13.970.139.392.351.3720.242.250.525.4110.310.294.02
Jasper County13.580.077.508.871.0418.550.900.544.469.410.092.33
Mahaska County14.300.029.9311.680.8613.390.680.303.188.030.163.46
Lucas County15.470.0211.871.811.2118.281.620.303.9111.700.512.06
Monroe County18.580.198.713.340.7613.742.421.053.1214.220.003.46
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Marion County 55.52137.93762.50103.3375.22154.4960.9368.1193.82113.56115.06
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
Polk County 84.90108.8969.3378.0870.39156.69104.5792.2199.04146.29117.28
Warren County 79.32150.49105.03123.3793.75196.5779.9694.52122.81191.23131.94
Jasper County 43.31120.19396.4894.4585.9478.5883.6977.84112.0960.3476.52
Mahaska County 11.11159.21522.3277.8662.0459.8946.1955.5895.67107.44113.59
Lucas County 14.10190.3280.84109.2684.69142.0046.2168.35139.36333.4567.58
Monroe County 116.46139.59149.4268.7463.67211.48161.4354.55169.420.00113.57
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Marion County 23.04163.423,201.52107.76225.6167.1529.03224.32131.0551.93125.94
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
Polk County 35.24129.01291.1181.43211.1068.1149.82303.69138.3466.90128.36
Warren County 32.92178.30441.00128.66281.1785.4438.10311.29171.5587.45144.41
Jasper County 17.98142.391,664.7198.49257.7534.1639.88256.35156.5727.5983.76
Mahaska County 4.61188.622,193.1081.19186.0626.0322.01183.04133.6349.14124.33
Lucas County 5.85225.49339.41113.94253.9861.7222.02225.11194.67152.4973.97
Monroe County 48.34165.38627.3671.69190.9491.9276.92179.64236.650.00124.30
 
Ancestry Report Part III
DescriptionTotal Population Chinese Filipino Japanese Korean Vietnamese South Central Asian South East Asian Other Asian Middle Eastern Other Ancestry Unknown

Marion County34,200236006401241411692,1728,122
Iowa (in 000's)3,267126179191688310720
National (in 000's)343,2514,4613,0107931,5411,9135,4521,6431,2291,93147,32251,000
Polk County523,7752,4661,2511391,4733,9205,2667,0883,4281,45964,98095,865
Warren County57,14146778928762676654,41014,403
Jasper County38,18259386101128451122,9599,668
Mahaska County22,0565388021019122441,5846,326
Lucas County8,68604310021236172,440
Monroe County7,363030000023233812,646
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Marion County13.540.070.180.000.190.000.360.410.050.036.3523.75
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
Polk County9.670.470.240.030.280.751.011.350.650.2812.4118.30
Warren County13.970.080.130.010.160.150.010.050.130.117.7225.21
Jasper County13.580.150.100.020.030.030.070.010.130.037.7525.32
Mahaska County14.300.020.170.360.100.000.000.410.100.207.1828.68
Lucas County15.470.000.500.010.000.000.020.010.020.037.1028.09
Monroe County18.580.000.040.000.000.000.000.000.310.315.1735.94
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Marion County 18.7792.350.0082.860.0061.8282.9818.7310.7366.98107.74
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
Polk County 131.42125.7371.65124.53274.02171.41272.38262.03113.58130.8583.03
Warren County 22.4770.9437.8071.2955.751.799.1653.2546.3881.40114.35
Jasper County 43.1352.3942.4311.6010.5512.502.1153.4812.8281.74114.87
Mahaska County 6.3390.70979.3242.160.000.7783.0539.9381.3575.75130.11
Lucas County 0.00260.6131.080.000.003.932.329.2214.0874.92127.44
Monroe County 0.0021.450.000.000.000.000.00125.06127.3754.58163.03
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Marion County 5.1720.000.0041.670.0022.8386.1413.064.6846.07159.84
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
Polk County 36.2327.2311.4962.63134.3063.30282.74182.7349.5289.99123.18
Warren County 6.1915.376.0635.8627.320.669.5137.1320.2255.98169.65
Jasper County 11.8911.356.805.835.174.622.1937.295.5956.21170.42
Mahaska County 1.7419.64157.0321.200.000.2986.2027.8535.4752.09193.04
Lucas County 0.0056.454.980.000.001.452.416.436.1451.52189.06
Monroe County 0.004.650.000.000.000.000.0087.2155.5437.53241.87


Sources: STI: PopStats, Circa April 2025