The Provo-Orem metrpolitan area led the nation in volunteerism between 2004 and 2007, according to a new report, and researchers say the area's deep religious roots are the reason.

The Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency in charge of national service programs, reports that 63.8 percent of local residents over 16 give service each year, more than double the national average of 27.2 percent. The nearest challenger is Iowa City, with a rate of 45.1. Nearly 80 percent of volunteer efforts locally were considered "religious," which includes unpaid service in any capacity in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said spokeswoman Siobhan Dugan.

"If somebody sang in the choir or ushered, yes, that's counted, but religious organizations in general and across the country offer volunteer opportunities to members of their congregations," she said. "When you have an area with a lot of people who are actively religious, they're going to volunteer more. That affects the overall numbers."

In its first year being included in the rankings, Provo also earned the top position for the number of hours volunteered per resident with 132.4. The national average was 36.1. That number impressed researchers, Dugan said.

"It's very high," she said. "In Los Angeles, for example, the volunteer hours per capita were 29.2."

Dugan said a pair of other factors also contributed to Utah County's dominance this year: a large group of college students -- statistically a demographic that's eager to serve -- and an active baby boomer population. While researchers anticipate that baby boomers will become a prominent volunteering force as they start retiring in large numbers, the Provo-Orem area is ahead of the curve, she said. In the four-year span studied, 73.5 percent of boomers volunteered each year.

"That's extraordinary," she said.

Provo Mayor Lewis K. Billings said the ranking reflects the general disposition of area residents.

"The overall nature of a community is a reflection of the people who live there," he said. "The people of this community tend to be people who care about others and who actively seek to enrich their own lives through service."

Bill Hulterstrom, president of United Way of Utah County, said there may be some traces of the Old West pioneer spirit that drives people here to serve others.

"I think there's an independent spirit that helps create that level of volunteerism," he said. "As a community, we really believe that we can make a difference."

Hulterstrom said the report will help his organization identify weaknesses in local volunteerism and focus its efforts to address those. Areas that need increased effort include child care and helping families become financially stable, he said.

"These numbers give us a chance to look at the qualitative beyond the quantitative," he said. "It gives a chance to try to increase the quality of volunteerism, the impact that's created by volunteerism, and not just focus on the numbers."

Utah topped the list of states for the third year with 43.9 percent of residents volunteering, continuing its dominance since CNCS began tracking volunteerism. Salt Lake City was second on the list of large cities behind the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, and Ogden took fourth place among mid-sized cities.

• Ace Stryker can be reached at 344-2556 or at astryker@heraldextra.com.