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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Most common ancestry not including "Unknown" is:

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

Dodge County	21,358	773	37	1	36	822	94	71	72	105	15	46
Minnesota (in 000's)	5,840	149	55	3	30	230	37	36	21	191	160	40
National (in 000's)	343,251	13,890	2,213	626	11,327	38,879	6,181	4,644	3,687	25,893	7,852	7,174
Olmsted County	167,442	4,193	378	79	1,014	6,338	498	1,058	773	5,169	5,384	802
Rice County	69,747	1,681	283	9	129	5,288	700	292	463	2,009	2,296	205
Goodhue County	48,345	1,272	523	36	121	1,186	393	44	113	407	220	101
Mower County	41,122	1,357	59	291	156	3,779	566	149	594	500	1,003	86
Steele County	37,659	1,124	54	20	138	2,858	102	16	109	557	642	175

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Dodge County	15.79	3.62	0.17	0.00	0.17	3.85	0.44	0.33	0.34	0.49	0.07	0.22
Minnesota	10.33	2.55	0.95	0.05	0.52	3.94	0.64	0.61	0.36	3.26	2.73	0.69
National	7.83	4.05	0.64	0.18	3.30	11.33	1.80	1.35	1.07	7.54	2.29	2.09
Olmsted County	10.38	2.50	0.23	0.05	0.61	3.79	0.30	0.63	0.46	3.09	3.22	0.48
Rice County	10.63	2.41	0.41	0.01	0.18	7.58	1.00	0.42	0.66	2.88	3.29	0.29
Goodhue County	16.07	2.63	1.08	0.07	0.25	2.45	0.81	0.09	0.23	0.84	0.46	0.21
Mower County	10.89	3.30	0.14	0.71	0.38	9.19	1.38	0.36	1.44	1.22	2.44	0.21
Steele County	12.97	2.98	0.14	0.05	0.37	7.59	0.27	0.04	0.29	1.48	1.70	0.46

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

Dodge County		142.00	18.24	10.10	32.54	97.69	68.64	54.31	94.85	15.06	2.57	31.35
Minnesota		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		158.77	67.91	393.55	637.16	287.50	280.84	221.03	302.20	231.15	83.72	304.22
Olmsted County		98.25	23.77	101.75	116.93	96.08	46.38	103.22	129.89	94.59	117.68	69.72
Rice County		94.56	42.73	27.83	35.71	192.44	156.52	68.39	186.77	88.26	120.48	42.78
Goodhue County		103.23	113.93	160.59	48.33	62.27	126.78	14.87	65.76	25.80	16.65	30.41
Mower County		129.47	15.11	1,526.14	73.25	233.26	214.65	59.19	406.42	37.26	89.27	30.44
Steele County		117.11	15.10	114.53	70.75	192.63	42.24	6.94	81.44	45.32	62.39	67.64

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

Dodge County		89.44	26.87	2.57	5.11	33.98	24.44	24.57	31.39	6.52	3.07	10.30
Minnesota		62.98	147.26	25.41	15.69	34.78	35.61	45.24	33.09	43.26	119.45	32.87
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Olmsted County		61.88	35.01	25.85	18.35	33.42	16.52	46.70	42.98	40.92	140.56	22.92
Rice County		59.56	62.93	7.07	5.60	66.94	55.73	30.94	61.80	38.18	143.91	14.06
Goodhue County		65.02	167.78	40.81	7.58	21.66	45.14	6.73	21.76	11.16	19.89	10.00
Mower County		81.55	22.25	387.79	11.50	81.13	76.43	26.78	134.49	16.12	106.63	10.01
Steele County		73.76	22.24	29.10	11.10	67.00	15.04	3.14	26.95	19.61	74.52	22.23

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

Dodge County	21,358	226	857	152	275	5,006	126	215	3,935	1,220	14	654
Minnesota (in 000's)	5,840	30	206	47	91	1,106	69	128	850	336	11	201
National (in 000's)	343,251	1,350	18,069	1,828	3,642	24,708	9,027	4,667	5,969	20,625	1,140	9,563
Olmsted County	167,442	654	7,015	1,645	1,765	32,459	1,587	2,416	19,306	10,091	604	5,775
Rice County	69,747	326	2,553	631	1,145	13,383	634	913	8,279	3,878	242	3,927
Goodhue County	48,345	120	1,824	272	561	12,022	424	671	9,987	3,055	21	1,071
Mower County	41,122	75	1,345	365	504	7,636	130	328	5,918	2,197	4	965
Steele County	37,659	101	1,320	396	402	8,207	343	567	6,039	2,040	97	1,928

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Dodge County	15.79	1.06	4.01	0.71	1.29	23.44	0.59	1.01	18.42	5.71	0.07	3.06
Minnesota	10.33	0.52	3.53	0.81	1.56	18.94	1.18	2.18	14.55	5.75	0.19	3.44
National	7.83	0.39	5.26	0.53	1.06	7.20	2.63	1.36	1.74	6.01	0.33	2.79
Olmsted County	10.38	0.39	4.19	0.98	1.05	19.39	0.95	1.44	11.53	6.03	0.36	3.45
Rice County	10.63	0.47	3.66	0.90	1.64	19.19	0.91	1.31	11.87	5.56	0.35	5.63
Goodhue County	16.07	0.25	3.77	0.56	1.16	24.87	0.88	1.39	20.66	6.32	0.04	2.22
Mower County	10.89	0.18	3.27	0.89	1.23	18.57	0.32	0.80	14.39	5.34	0.01	2.35
Steele County	12.97	0.27	3.51	1.05	1.07	21.79	0.91	1.51	16.04	5.42	0.26	5.12

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

Dodge County		204.22	113.55	88.33	82.74	123.77	49.99	46.11	126.60	99.27	34.17	89.11
Minnesota		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		75.91	148.97	66.10	68.18	38.01	222.87	62.28	11.95	104.42	173.19	81.08
Olmsted County		75.38	118.56	121.93	67.74	102.37	80.32	66.09	79.23	104.73	188.06	100.37
Rice County		90.21	103.58	112.28	105.49	101.32	77.03	59.96	81.56	96.63	180.89	163.85
Goodhue County		47.90	106.77	69.83	74.57	131.31	74.32	63.57	141.94	109.82	22.65	64.47
Mower County		35.20	92.56	110.16	78.76	98.06	26.79	36.54	98.89	92.85	5.07	68.29
Steele County		51.76	99.19	130.51	68.60	115.08	77.18	68.96	110.19	94.14	134.29	148.98

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

Dodge County		269.01	76.23	133.64	121.36	325.61	22.43	74.04	1,059.55	95.07	19.73	109.90
Minnesota		131.73	67.13	151.30	146.67	263.08	44.87	160.57	836.96	95.77	57.74	123.34
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Olmsted County		99.30	79.59	184.48	99.35	269.30	36.04	106.13	663.08	100.30	108.59	123.79
Rice County		118.83	69.54	169.88	154.73	266.56	34.56	96.28	682.64	92.53	104.45	202.08
Goodhue County		63.10	71.67	105.65	109.37	345.46	33.35	102.08	1,188.02	105.17	13.08	79.51
Mower County		46.37	62.13	166.67	115.52	257.97	12.02	58.67	827.64	88.92	2.93	84.23
Steele County		68.18	66.59	197.45	100.61	302.75	34.63	110.74	922.22	90.15	77.54	183.75

Ancestry Report Part III
Description	Total Population	Chinese	Filipino	Japanese	Korean	Vietnamese	South Central Asian	South East Asian	Other Asian	Middle Eastern	Other Ancestry	Unknown

Dodge County	21,358	0	16	1	29	0	2	18	45	11	1,469	5,015
Minnesota (in 000's)	5,840	31	14	4	16	30	56	50	96	21	564	931
National (in 000's)	343,251	4,461	3,010	793	1,541	1,913	5,452	1,643	1,229	1,931	47,322	51,000
Olmsted County	167,442	2,039	537	170	394	1,742	2,345	2,560	838	1,331	17,588	28,895
Rice County	69,747	327	79	80	212	280	66	183	261	53	7,376	11,564
Goodhue County	48,345	28	6	13	84	24	41	52	116	41	3,455	10,041
Mower County	41,122	147	141	5	41	172	166	1,504	31	19	4,230	6,659
Steele County	37,659	9	10	4	79	48	20	29	96	74	2,920	7,135

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Dodge County	15.79	0.00	0.07	0.00	0.14	0.00	0.01	0.08	0.21	0.05	6.88	23.48
Minnesota	10.33	0.54	0.24	0.08	0.28	0.51	0.97	0.85	1.64	0.36	9.67	15.94
National	7.83	1.30	0.88	0.23	0.45	0.56	1.59	0.48	0.36	0.56	13.79	14.86
Olmsted County	10.38	1.22	0.32	0.10	0.24	1.04	1.40	1.53	0.50	0.79	10.50	17.26
Rice County	10.63	0.47	0.11	0.11	0.30	0.40	0.09	0.26	0.37	0.08	10.58	16.58
Goodhue County	16.07	0.06	0.01	0.03	0.17	0.05	0.08	0.11	0.24	0.08	7.15	20.77
Mower County	10.89	0.36	0.34	0.01	0.10	0.42	0.40	3.66	0.08	0.05	10.29	16.19
Steele County	12.97	0.02	0.03	0.01	0.21	0.13	0.05	0.08	0.25	0.20	7.75	18.95

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

Dodge County		0.00	31.86	6.20	48.39	0.00	0.97	9.86	12.85	14.46	71.16	147.32
Minnesota		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		241.10	372.94	306.03	160.04	110.04	164.48	55.98	21.85	157.89	142.64	93.22
Olmsted County		225.91	136.38	134.51	83.86	205.43	145.03	178.82	30.53	223.14	108.68	108.27
Rice County		86.98	48.16	151.97	108.33	79.27	9.80	30.69	22.83	21.33	109.42	104.03
Goodhue County		10.74	5.28	35.63	61.92	9.80	8.78	12.58	14.64	23.81	73.94	130.31
Mower County		66.32	145.81	16.11	35.53	82.59	41.80	427.78	4.60	12.97	106.43	101.60
Steele County		4.43	11.29	14.07	74.76	25.17	5.50	9.01	15.55	55.16	80.22	118.87

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

Dodge County		0.00	8.54	2.03	30.24	0.00	0.59	17.61	58.83	9.16	49.89	158.03
Minnesota		41.48	26.81	32.68	62.49	90.88	60.80	178.63	457.65	63.34	70.11	107.27
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Olmsted County		93.70	36.57	43.95	52.40	186.68	88.17	319.43	139.73	141.33	76.19	116.14
Rice County		36.07	12.91	49.66	67.69	72.04	5.96	54.82	104.48	13.51	76.71	111.59
Goodhue County		4.46	1.42	11.64	38.69	8.91	5.34	22.47	66.99	15.08	51.84	139.79
Mower County		27.51	39.10	5.26	22.20	75.05	25.42	764.14	21.05	8.21	74.61	108.99
Steele County		1.84	3.03	4.60	46.72	22.87	3.34	16.09	71.17	34.94	56.24	127.52

Sources: STI: PopStats, Circa April 2025

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