In this article, we will take a look at the 25 most diverse cities in the U.S. to retire in. If you want to see more cities in this selection, go to the 10 Most Diverse Cities in the U.S. to Retire In.
The Demographic Dilemma
In 2021, the USA witnessed a historic-low population growth of 0.16% - the lowest numeric growth since the Influenza Pandemic and World War I. The first full year of the pandemic had resulted in a 19.7% spike in mortality, the largest witnessed in 100 years. This spike was followed by a 1% increase in the birth rate, rather a baby blip than a boom. Finally, international migration tipped by 50%, causing the final blow to population growth. As such, population declines coupled with average age increases have the potential to disrupt labor markets, slow down economic growth, and even threaten the sustainability of social security and pension systems.
It must be noted here that the U.S. population did experience a tepid 0.38% increase between July 2021 and July 2022. However, a major portion of this increase came from net immigration from abroad. Legal immigration was up by almost 86%, adding over 1 million people to the population. Net international migration, as such, has been the primary driver of growth in the population. The figures imply that international migrants must sufficiently compensate for declining population rates in the U.S. if it is to remain stabilized.
In the U.S., fertility rates are also well below the replacement rate, a rate defining the level of fertility needed to sustain population levels. An average of 2.1 births per woman is considered the average replacement rate in the U.S. However, replacement rate is well below the actual average of 1.6 children each. Several reasons are accountable for this decline, such as the inability to find the right spouse, career and lifestyle barriers, and unaffordability. These reasons have, in turn, increased the median age of women giving birth to 30 years (from 27 years) in 2020. These staggering figures greatly emphasize the need for international migration to sustain population levels in the United States.
With zero migration, the population in the States would begin declining in size by the year 2035 and have devastating impacts on the economy. One of these impacts is already evident in a declining population growth rate of prime-age working people. The figure stands at a mere 0.2%, one-tenth of the figure that was about 40 years ago. While the baby boomer retirement wave is also a cause for the decline in the prime-age working population, the root cause is definitely the long-term demographic dilemma faced in the country.
Role of Diversification
The United States is the number one migration destination for immigrants around the world. Race-ethnic population estimates conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau reveal that, on average, 4 out of 10 Americans now identify with an ethnic group or race that isn't white. Moreover, 2020 saw the number of foreign-born essential workers increase to 19.8 million workers. 1 in 5 of these workers has been working in the food supply chain, sustaining food supply even amidst the pandemic crisis. These immigrants also played a dominant role in the healthcare services sector, primarily in the same crisis. 22% of nursing assistants, 29% of physicians, and 38% of home health aides were immigrants.
These people have also been primary drivers of economic growth in the United States. A report by the American Community Survey (ACS) highlights that immigrants spending power amounts to $1.3 trillion. Moreover, the immigrant population is mostly of prime-working age. This demographic is highly essential to balance out the older native population. Since most of the projected job growth in the U.S. is primarily in the STEM fields, these immigrants will most likely fill in the skills gap.
As such, there are many companies that value the role of diversification and inclusion within their workplaces. Some examples of diverse companies in the U.S. include Microsoft, Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN), and Johnson & Johnson, to name a few. Accenture (NYSE:ACN) has been ranked number one on the Refinitiv Index of the World's Most Diverse and Inclusive Companies. The most notable features in terms of diversity and inclusion at Accenture (NYSE:ACN) are pay equity, gender equity, and LGBTIQ+ Visibility.
All immigrants who are nearing retirement or have retired prefer homes that celebrate diversity or have people of their culture living near them. For this purpose, we have created a list of the 25 most diverse cities in the U.S to retire in:
25 Most Diverse Cities in the U.S. to Retire In
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Methodology
For our list of the 25 most diverse cities in the U.S., we have used WalletHub’s list of most diverse cities in the U.S. 501 cities were studied on five major diversity categories of household diversity, religious diversity, economic diversity, socioeconomic diversity, and cultural diversity. Cities were then assessed based on their total scores and ranked in ascending order.
Here are the 25 most diverse cities in the U.S. to retire in:
25. Sandy Springs, Georgia
Diversity Score: 70.69
Sandy Springs ranks number 25th on our list of most diverse cities in the U.S. With wonderful city parks and an ethnically diverse population; Sandy Springs offers a lot to retirees. The largest ethnic groups found in Sandy Springs are White (72.9%), Hispanics (21.5%), and Asians (4.2%).
24. Nashville, Tennessee
Diversity Score: 70.73
Nashville, Texas, is one of the friendliest and most ethnically diverse cities to retire in. Home to 689,000 people, the population in the city is declining at a rate of -1.51% annually. The major ethnic groups found here are White (62.3%), Blacks or African Americans (27.35%), Asians (3.64%), and 3.67% other groups.
23. Bridgeport, Connecticut
Diversity Score: 70.78
Bridgeport is one of the most populous cities in Connecticut. It is also one of the most diverse cities that more than 145,000 people call home. Major ethnic groups found here are Black or African American (31.8%), White (Hispanic) (18.7%), White (Non-Hispanic) (19.3%), Other (Hispanic) (15.7%), and other groups (4.46%).
22. Stamford, Connecticut
Diversity Score: 70.83
Stamford is the third largest city in Connecticut. This place is one of the most ethnically diverse cities to retire to, considering it has over 52% of people of color residing in it. Moreover, 34% of the residents are foreign-born, and over 75 different languages are spoken throughout the city.
21. Fort Worth, Texas
Diversity Score: 70.93
Fort Worth is the fifth most populated city in Texas that is home to over 935,000 people. The largest ethnic groups found in Fort Worth are White (37%), Hispanics (35.3%), Black (18.5%), and Asians (5%). Other than English, the most common languages spoken in the city are Spanish and French.
20. Aurora, Illinois
Diversity Score: 70.96
Housing over 200,000 residents, Aurora is another diverse city to consider for retirement. 42.7% of its population is Latino, 56.4% are White, 10.5% are Black, and 9.3% are Asian. In Aurora, 45.35% of the population speaks a language other than English. The rest, 54.65%, speak English only.
19. Oakland, California
Diversity Score: 70.98
With a population of more than 423,000 people, Oakland is another ethnically diverse city in the States. Five of the largest ethnic groups found in Oakland are Black or African American (22.2%), White (Non-Hispanic) (28.5%), Asian (15.6%), Other (16.8%), and White (Hispanic) (5.83%).
18. Yonkers, New York
Diversity Score: 71
Yonkers, New York, is a suburb sitting on the majestic Hudson River. Nearly 200,000 people call it home. In one of the most diverse cities in the States, over 46% of households speak a foreign language, while 31% of residents are foreign-born. The racial makeup of the city is 40% Hispanics, 35.4% Whites, and 15.6% Blacks.
17. Chicago, Illinois
Diversity Score: 71.25
The lively city of Chicago is another diverse city housing 2.7 million people. English and Spanish are the most common languages spoken in the city, followed by Chinese, Polish, Tagalog, Arabic, and Urdu. Major ethnic groups found in the city are Black or African American (28.8%), White (Non-Hispanic) (33.3%), White (Hispanic) (14.4%), Other (10.3%), and Asian (6.75%).
16. Danbury, Connecticut
Diversity Score: 71.3
The cosmopolitan city of Danbury in Connecticut offers a diverse culture to retirees with its population of more than 84,000 people. 57.94% of residents in Danbury speak only English, while 42.06% speak Spanish and other languages. The major ethnic groups in Danbury are White (Non-Hispanic) (52.1%), White (Hispanic) (8.99%), Other (14.7%), Asian (6.12%), and Black or African American (8.18%).
15. Long Beach, California
Diversity Score: 71.32
The coastal city and port of Long Beach, California, hones a population of more than 462,000 people. The ethnic breakdown of this diverse city is as follows: White (Non-Hispanic) (28.1%), Other (16.9%), White (Hispanic) (21.3%), Black or African American (12.1%), and Asian (12.5%). 54.4% of the residents speak English, while 33.92% speak Spanish.
14. Clifton, New Jersey
Diversity Score: 71.36
The large, booming town of Clifton in New Jersey offers historic sites, nature parks, and culturally diverse people to socialize with. It is home to over 89,460 people, with Whites, Hispanics, and Asians dominating the city. The population is declining in the city at -0.74% annually. There are 65.43% Whites, 9.38% Asians, 4.87% African Americans, and 13.59% other groups.
13. Rockville, Maryland
Diversity Score: 71.41
This Maryland City near Washington is the state's oldest city, and many diverse ethnic groups thrive here. Home to 68,200 people, 84.2% of the people are U.S. residents. Major ethnic groups include White (Non-Hispanic) (48.7%), Asian 19.5%, White (Hispanic) (7.42%), Black or African American (10.6%), and Other (Hispanic) (5.49%).
12. Tampa, Florida
Diversity Score: 71.42
Tampa ranks at number 12th in diversity, with the majority of the population being White (Non-Hispanic) (44%). Overall, the population of the city is 396,000, and 91.4% of these people are U.S. residents. Other major ethnic groups in the city are Black or African American (21.8%), Asian (4. 42%), White (Hispanic) (17.5%), and other groups (4.38%).
11. Orlando, Florida
Diversity Score: 71.46
Orlando boasts diversity through its various multicultural festivals, art galleries, museums, restaurants, and local businesses. The city has a population of more than 285,000 people, out of which, 86.8% are U.S. residents. The largest ethnic groups found in Orlando are White (Non-Hispanic) 36%, Black or African Americans (23.3%), Two or More Races (5.49%), White (Hispanic) (21.4%), and Other Hispanics (4.75%).
