In this article, we will list the 25 most racially diverse states in the US. If you want to skip our discussion about diversity in the US, go to 11 Most Racially Diverse States in the US.
The United States is becoming increasingly diverse. Current projections suggest that non-Hispanic whites will make less than 50% of the population by 2044. However, Americans still express differing views about racial and ethnic diversity in the country.
A national survey by the Pew Research Center found that 64% of US adults perceive the long-term growth of racial and ethnic diversity as neither good nor bad for the country. Only about 24% of the population look at the increasing diversity positively, whereas a significant minority of 11% of Americans view it negatively.
Despite a significant portion of Americans viewing diversity negatively, most are satisfied with the racial mix of their area. A nationally representative survey by the Pew Research Center found the proportion of such adults to be 66%. The survey also found that while white, black, and Hispanic adults generally view racial and ethnic diversity positively, Black Americans place higher value on workspace diversity and school integration.
School Integration is defined as the belief that children should go to racially and ethnically mixed schools even if that means that some students have to go to schools outside their communities. In this regard, 54% of respondents in the survey prefer that their children attend local schools, while 42% advocate for racially and ethically mixed schools.
As of today, the United States is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world. It is essential to understand that ethnic diversity and racial diversity, although sometimes used interchangeably, differ slightly from one another. In simple words, race refers to physical characteristics that people share (skin color, hair texture, and facial features), whereas ethnicity is more about cultural factors (language, religion, traditions). However, the two are closely related as people who share ethnicity often share race.
Circling back to the ethnic diversity of the United States, at about 49%, it has one of the highest ethnic fractionalization in the world. Ethnic fractionalization refers to the probability that two people selected at random belong to different ethnicities. So, there is a 49% chance that two people selected at random in the United States will belong to a different ethnicity. This diversity is immensely important for the United States as we will discuss below.
Diversity, population growth, and immigrant flow are crucial for all economies, let alone the United States. This is evidenced by the positive impact on France's GDP when the overall accessibility for minorities and women was improved. These three factors are even more important for the United States.
In 2021, the country saw a historically low population growth. Whatever slight increase occurred in population is attributed mainly to migrant workers. The country has an aging population, therefore immigrant flow and the subsequent diversity and population growth are vital if it has to retain and grow its prime-age working population. In addition, increased diversity in the workforce enhances competitiveness, encourages active participation from marginalized groups, and expands the general pool of expertise in the workforce population.
As it happens, giant corporations in the United States, such as Apple (NASDAQ:APPL), seem to realize that diversity is good for business and are actively working to prevent racism. The company committed $100 million to its Racial Justice Initiative. In 2021, Apple (NASDAQ:APPL) announced the launch of several projects as part of this initiative. Apple (NASDAQ:APPL) also announced a new Apple Developer Academy in Detroit, which aims at helping African Americans acquire coding skills.
With that backdrop, let's look at the 25 most racially diverse states in the US.
25 Most Racially Diverse States in the US
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Methodology
To curate our list of the 25 most racially diverse states in the US, we looked at the racial and ethnic diversity index by the US Census Bureau as data for racial diversity was not available separately. The index considers both racial and ethnic diversity and is expressed in percentage terms. The higher this percentage, the more diverse the state is.
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25 - Colorado
Diversity Index - 52.3%
Colorado is one of the most racially diverse states in the US. It has experienced significant demographic shifts over the years and the state has a growing Hispanic population. In 2019, Hispanics made up 22% of the state's population. In addition, the state also has a considerable African American and Native-American population. However, it is worth noting that the Arapahoe, Denver, and Adams counties are the most diverse areas within Colorado.
24 - Alabama
Diversity Index - 53.1%
Alabama has a significant representation of various ethnic groups despite its population being predominantly White. African Americans make up a notable portion of the state's population at 12.4%. Hispanics account for 18.7% of the state's population, whereas Asians account for 6% of its population. In addition, the state has a rich native American heritage with tribes like Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Creek residing in it.
23 - South Carolina
Diversity Index - 54.6%
South Carolina is 23rd on our list of the 25 most racially diverse states in the US. While White individuals make up more than 60% of its population, Hispanics contribute to more than 18%. African Americans and Asians make up 12.4% and 6% of the total population of South Carolina. The demographics in South Carolina have shifted considerably over the centuries. Descendents of African slaves were initially in majority but later the influx of white Americans and the Great Migration of African Americans to northern industrial cities left it with a White majority.
22 - Connecticut
Diversity Index - 55.7%
Connecticut has a growing ethnic and racial diversity with significant changes over the recent years. However, some towns of the state feature greater diversity compared to others. These include municipalities like New Haven, East Hartford, Waterbury, and Bridgeport.
21 - Mississippi
Diversity Index - 55.9%
Mississippi is 21st on our racial diversity by state list. The state has a growing diversity and its diversity index has increased steadily since the 1950's. According to data analyzed by USA Today, the state is expected to reach a diversity index score of 61% in the next 50 years. It is worth noting that the southern part of the state has seen a significant surge in racial diversity with a notably growing Mexican and Asian population.
20 - Washington
Diversity Index - 55.9%
Washington is one of the most racially diverse states in the US. The state has a considerable Hispanic and Asian population. Hispanics account for more than 12%, whereas Asians account for more than 9% of the total population. In addition, African Americans and Native Americans account for 3.8% and 3.9% of the total population respectively.
19 - North Carolina
Diversity Index - 57.9%
North Carolina has a significant racial and ethnic diversity. Black Americans are the largest Racial minority at more than 18%, whereas Hispanics account for more than 9% of the total population. In addition, around 3% of the total population in the state accounts for Asians, and more than 3% accounts for Native Americans.
18 - Louisiana
Diversity Index - 58.6%
Louisiana is 18th on our list of the 25 most racially diverse states in the US. It has a diverse racial landscape with a more than 58% chance that two people selected at random will belong to a different race or ethnicity. The state is also known for its rich cultural heritage and diverse population, with a significant representation of White, Black or African American, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American individuals.
17 - Oklahoma
Diversity Index - 59.5%
Oklahoma has a significant representation of racial minorities, making it one of the most racially diverse states in the US. Hispanics make up almost 18% of the total population, whereas black Americans account for more than 12%.
16 - Delaware
Diversity Index - 59.6%
Delaware is 16th on our list of the 25 most racially diverse states in the US. It has a significant mixture of people of different races living in close proximity to one another. There is almost a 60% chance that two people selected at random in Delaware will belong to a different race or ethnicity.
15 - Illinois
Diversity Index - 60.3%
Illinois is one of the most racially diverse states in the US. Over the years, the racial diversity of the state has evolved. In 1980, the population of the state was predominantly white with a 78% proportion. However, today, whites account for 60% of the total population. Blacks, Latinos, and Asians account for 14%, 18%, and 5% of the total population.
14 - Virginia
Diversity Index - 60.5%
Virginia has a growing diversity with a significant growth in bi or multi-racial residents. More than 4.7% of the state's residents identify as multi-racial, double what it was ten years ago. African Americans account for the most significant minority in Virginia at around 18.7%.
13 - Arizona
Diversity Index - 61.5%
Arizona is one of the states with the largest proportion of the multi-racial population at around 10%. It is also projected to become a majority-minority state by 2027 based on the current demographic trends.
12 - Alaska
Diversity Index - 62.8%
Alaska is 12th on our list of the most racially diverse states in the US. It has a changing demographic landscape with a mix of different racial and ethnic groups. There is a more than 62% chance that two people selected at random in Alaska will belong to a different race or ethnicity.
