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Jasper 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:

14.05

Most common ancestry not including "Unknown" is:

German

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

Jasper County38,2132,596126271957583131192,7263,8504767,223348
Iowa (in 000's)3,251141951316121713194804074138
National (in 000's)340,98116,5892,16560710,91237,9175,6004,1394,87718,3212,0964,23427,00610,025
Polk County513,34418,1439942562,44535,9424,7341,4252,39134,0049,8325,02283,83310,162
Story County98,5922,404188293472,8763473783696,3301,6231,03920,3471,140
Marshall County40,4491,517149403998,306386281782,0474583506,510231
Marion County34,1802,000521693562125652,5105,5884405,788467
Mahaska County22,0281,501281454364170632,0872,8692253,263194
Poweshiek County18,8881,00239195431673321191,2588513283,622150
Tama County17,1085981,1292931,706622297171331103,61574
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Jasper County14.056.790.330.070.511.980.010.030.317.1310.081.2518.900.91
Iowa13.594.340.270.160.404.940.630.210.415.962.471.2422.801.17
National10.644.870.640.183.2011.121.641.211.435.370.611.247.922.94
Polk County11.433.530.190.050.487.000.920.280.476.621.920.9816.331.98
Story County12.712.440.190.030.352.920.350.380.376.421.651.0520.641.16
Marshall County13.243.750.370.100.9920.530.950.070.445.061.130.8716.090.57
Marion County13.785.850.150.050.271.640.040.010.197.3416.351.2916.931.37
Mahaska County13.936.810.130.060.251.650.080.000.299.4713.021.0214.810.88
Poweshiek County14.235.300.210.100.291.670.390.170.636.664.511.7419.180.79
Tama County13.063.506.600.010.549.970.360.010.174.190.780.6421.130.43
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Jasper County 156.41123.9444.21128.3840.171.2416.5975.30119.67407.64100.2782.9177.60
Iowa 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 112.01238.68111.30805.08225.21260.30591.83345.8590.1424.8799.9734.74250.51
Polk County 81.3772.7831.20119.82141.80146.17135.34112.63111.1277.4978.7571.63168.67
Story County 56.1471.6718.4088.5459.0855.79186.9390.50107.7166.6184.8390.5298.52
Marshall County 86.35138.4661.88248.16415.88151.2633.75106.4184.9045.8169.6570.6048.66
Marion County 134.7257.1829.2968.4533.305.567.1345.98123.19661.48103.6374.28116.42
Mahaska County 156.8847.7839.7761.6733.4712.230.0069.16158.94526.9782.2264.9875.04
Poweshiek County 122.1477.6162.9471.9233.8861.2682.60152.35111.73182.30139.7984.1167.67
Tama County 80.482,480.527.31136.76201.9657.445.7040.9970.3131.4551.7692.6936.86
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Jasper County 139.6451.9339.7215.9517.840.482.8021.77132.771,639.04100.31238.6630.98
Iowa 89.2841.9089.8512.4244.4038.4216.9028.91110.94402.08100.03287.8539.92
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Polk County 72.6530.4928.0414.8862.9656.1522.8732.56123.28311.5878.78206.2067.33
Story County 50.1230.0316.5411.0026.2321.4331.5926.17119.50267.8084.86260.5739.33
Marshall County 77.0958.0155.5930.82184.6658.115.7030.7794.19184.2069.68203.2119.42
Marion County 120.2723.9626.328.5014.792.141.2113.30136.682,659.64103.66213.8146.47
Mahaska County 140.0620.0235.737.6614.864.700.0020.00176.332,118.8282.25187.0329.96
Poweshiek County 109.0432.5256.558.9315.0523.5313.9644.05123.96732.96139.84242.1227.01
Tama County 71.851,039.256.5716.9989.6822.070.9611.8578.00126.4751.78266.8014.71
 
Ancestry Report Part II
DescriptionTotal Population Polish Scandi­navian Scotish Irish Other European Chinese Japanese Korean South Central Asian South East Asian Other Asian Middle Eastern Other Ancestry Unknown

Jasper County38,2131951,5663,73791520433595044203,4169,694
Iowa (in 000's)3,2512319928210410171826158369725
National (in 000's)340,9815,2116,56222,89210,8864,3408331,7585,3296,0541,4412,14472,84556,198
Polk County513,3443,95929,56143,61219,4721,7262321,1524,4399,6817,1181,80679,372102,031
Story County98,59284010,0287,6213,0422,641428051,1691,10729744012,47820,665
Marshall County40,4491841,7442,160923169020208434768555,6807,505
Marion County34,1802091,3853,07484980743115497112,5258,165
Mahaska County22,0281106812,176535453741638351,8255,748
Poweshiek County18,8881028592,158760884786781710371,8024,981
Tama County17,1081105901,0691,32420484711002,1923,463
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Jasper County14.050.514.109.782.390.050.010.090.150.130.120.058.9425.37
Iowa13.590.706.128.673.210.320.040.220.560.810.450.2511.3622.29
National10.641.531.926.713.191.270.240.521.561.780.420.6321.3616.48
Polk County11.430.775.768.503.790.340.050.220.861.891.390.3515.4619.88
Story County12.710.8510.177.733.092.680.040.821.191.120.300.4512.6620.96
Marshall County13.240.454.315.342.280.420.000.050.511.071.900.1414.0418.55
Marion County13.780.614.058.992.480.020.000.220.090.450.280.037.3923.89
Mahaska County13.930.503.099.882.430.020.240.030.020.740.040.168.2826.09
Poweshiek County14.230.544.5511.434.020.470.250.460.410.090.050.209.5426.37
Tama County13.060.643.456.257.740.120.020.050.270.010.060.0012.8120.24
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Jasper County 73.3566.93112.8274.5116.3227.5339.8527.4116.1925.7020.6978.68113.81
Iowa 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 219.6531.4377.4699.35396.79642.76237.86277.42219.6694.36248.61188.0373.94
Polk County 110.8594.0598.01118.04104.82118.86103.54153.51233.31309.50139.09136.0889.17
Story County 122.46166.1289.1896.01835.09112.03376.74210.49138.9167.24176.44111.3994.03
Marshall County 65.3870.4261.6171.01130.250.0022.8191.29132.74423.8153.76123.5983.24
Marion County 87.8966.18103.7677.307.300.0099.8916.1055.7463.3512.7265.02107.17
Mahaska County 71.7750.49113.9775.585.66632.7714.663.2291.548.1162.8272.92117.07
Poweshiek County 77.6274.28131.81125.21145.24654.42210.0873.3111.1311.8277.4583.97118.31
Tama County 92.4156.3272.09240.8336.4461.4921.5848.770.7213.050.00112.7790.81
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Jasper County 33.39212.96145.6675.004.114.2816.759.887.3727.248.3241.84153.92
Iowa 45.53318.19129.11100.6525.2015.5642.0436.0545.52105.9840.2253.18135.24
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Polk County 50.47299.25126.54118.8126.4218.4943.5355.33106.21328.0155.9572.38120.60
Story County 55.75528.56115.1496.64210.4617.43158.3875.8763.2471.2670.9759.24127.18
Marshall County 29.77224.0679.5471.4732.830.009.5932.9160.43449.1521.6265.73112.58
Marion County 40.01210.57133.9677.801.840.0042.005.8025.3867.135.1234.58144.94
Mahaska County 32.68160.65147.1476.071.4398.456.161.1641.688.5925.2738.78158.33
Poweshiek County 35.34236.33170.18126.0336.61101.8188.3226.435.0712.5231.1544.66160.01
Tama County 42.07179.2193.07242.409.189.579.0717.580.3313.830.0059.98122.82


Sources: STI: PopStats