25 SHARES 
 
 The American narrative is a story of diversity. Our history tells of many different peoples coming together from every walk of life to form what is today a complex tapestry of backgrounds. 
 
 And our story will continue to advance that narrative in the decades to come. The U.S. Census Bureau predicts that by 2044 the U.S. will no longer have a single ethnic majority, currently non-Hispanic whites, and will grow increasingly more diverse in the years to follow. 
 
 But U.S. diversity spans more than just racial lines. In many states, the population reflects a mix of not just races and ethnicities but also cultures, religions, economic statuses, educational backgrounds and other characteristics. These groups come together in everyday life, influencing and experiencing one another. However, some elements of society aren’t as diverse as others. For example, there are only 24 women among the CEOs of fortune 500 companies, and around 73% of those companies’ senior executives are white. 
 
 Some U.S. states promote diversity more than others. In order to determine where idea and identity exchanges have occurred at the highest level — and where the population is relatively more homogeneous — WalletHub compared the 50 states across six key diversity categories. For a more local perspective on America’s ever-expanding diversity, we also conducted our analysis at the city level. Read on for our findings, expert commentary from a panel of researchers and a full description of our methodology. 
 
 Main Findings 
 
 Most & Least Diverse States in the U.S. 
 
 Overall Rank 
 
 (1 = Most Diverse) State Total Score ‘Socioeconomic Diversity’ Rank ‘Cultural Diversity’ Rank ‘Economic Diversity’ Rank ‘Household Diversity’ Rank ‘Religious Diversity’ Rank ‘Political Diversity’ Rank 1 California 70.89 3 1 11 5 32 6 2 Texas 70.00 13 4 13 14 6 28 3 Hawaii 69.69 15 3 4 13 34 11 4 New Jersey 69.38 5 7 39 26 19 12 5 New York 69.21 8 8 37 6 21 2 6 New Mexico 69.13 34 5 5 4 22 22 7 Maryland 68.64 1 10 26 10 30 9 8 Florida 68.18 29 6 34 7 38 3 9 Nevada 68.00 27 2 44 2 45 32 10 Illinois 67.93 11 12 38 23 7 4 11 Arizona 67.81 23 9 25 8 41 21 12 Virginia 67.71 4 14 16 33 25 16 13 Georgia 67.45 20 13 18 9 16 26 14 Connecticut 67.08 6 15 45 27 27 9 15 Alaska 66.49 19 11 1 30 44 47 16 Delaware 66.46 14 17 40 15 35 1 17 Colorado 66.25 7 18 28 36 40 13 18 Washington 66.02 10 16 12 35 43 15 19 Massachusetts 65.88 2 19 50 22 33 39 20 North Carolina 65.82 26 20 29 20 26 24 21 Rhode Island 65.67 12 21 49 11 36 5 22 Oklahoma 65.46 42 22 6 19 18 37 23 Louisiana 65.25 45 25 14 3 3 46 24 South Carolina 65.20 37 23 20 12 14 38 25 Kansas 64.92 21 27 24 40 11 8 26 Nebraska 64.24 25 33 22 42 4 19 27 Alabama 64.04 46 28 17 16 12 43 28 Minnesota 63.95 16 36 43 43 5 20 29 Mississippi 63.93 49 26 10 1 14 49 30 Pennsylvania 63.87 24 32 48 32 10 17 31 Oregon 63.81 22 24 21 29 48 28 32 Tennessee 63.73 41 31 23 18 20 41 33 Arkansas 63.43 48 29 15 25 24 35 34 Idaho 63.15 43 35 8 48 13 47 35 South Dakota 63.13 36 42 9 44 2 34 36 North Dakota 62.84 28 44 7 49 1 23 37 Michigan 62.84 32 34 47 24 31 7 38 Missouri 62.83 31 39 35 30 17 24 39 Wisconsin 62.74 30 40 41 39 9 31 40 Indiana 62.57 39 37 46 28 29 13 41 Wyoming 62.49 33 38 2 47 37 42 42 Ohio 62.14 38 41 42 17 28 28 43 Utah 61.91 18 30 30 50 49 50 44 Iowa 61.88 35 46 31 45 8 35 45 Kentucky 61.54 47 45 27 21 23 18 46 Montana 60.95 44 43 3 46 39 45 47 New Hampshire 60.78 9 47 36 41 46 26 48 Vermont 59.78 17 48 33 38 47 40 49 Maine 58.40 40 49 32 37 50 33 50 West Virginia 58.29 50 50 19 34 42 44 
 
 Detailed Findings 
 
 State ‘Household-Income Diversity’ Rank ‘Educational-Attainment Diversity’ Rank ‘Racial & Ethnic Diversity’ Rank ‘Linguistic Diversity’ Rank ‘Birthplace Diversity’ Rank ‘Industry Diversity’ Rank ‘Occupational Diversity’ Rank ‘Worker-Class Diversity’ Rank ‘Marital-Status Diversity’ Rank ‘Generational Diversity’ Rank ‘Household-Type Diversity’ Rank ‘Household-Size Diversity’ Rank ‘Religious Diversity’ Rank ‘Political Diversity’ Rank Alabama 47 29 22 47 43 22 10 22 6 14 10 47 47 43 Alaska 1 44 13 17 4 17 22 1 35 49 30 4 4 47 Arizona 30 18 11 8 3 13 33 28 15 4 13 11 11 21 Arkansas 48 43 26 37 29 31 3 16 11 5 24 44 44 35 California 14 2 2 1 23 3 36 17 31 45 11 2 2 6 Colorado 8 8 24 16 5 4 45 33 39 47 36 10 10 14 Connecticut 5 7 21 12 19 44 47 35 30 11 25 19 19 9 Delaware 13 19 16 22 9 35 40 41 18 7 14 22 22 1 Florida 37 22 9 7 2 16 31 37 3 1 12 42 42 3 Georgia 31 12 10 21 16 5 28 27 14 44 7 14 14 27 Hawaii 3 26 1 9 14 19 30 4 38 2 33 3 3 11 Idaho 38 45 41 28 13 7 9 12 49 32 49 16 16 47 Illinois 16 11 12 11 38 24 35 47 32 30 21 15 15 4 Indiana 33 41 35 32 39 42 5 50 24 29 26 23 23 13 Iowa 25 48 45 35 44 32 13 32 45 8 45 39 39 35 Kansas 27 21 30 23 25 27 29 19 42 26 39 27 27 8 Kentucky 46 33 43 46 41 30 7 34 10 20 20 37 37 18 Louisiana 45 30 15 33 50 10 6 26 2 43 2 30 30 46 Maine 35 39 50 42 35 47 21 15 26 21 38 48 48 33 Maryland 2 4 5 15 8 37 49 6 25 35 9 8 8 9 Massachusetts 12 1 25 10 30 50 50 38 29 42 23 13 13 39 Michigan 32 36 29 30 49 43 18 48 23 23 19 29 29 7 Minnesota 10 23 38 24 40 34 41 43 48 25 43 20 20 20 Mississippi 50 34 18 49 46 29 2 10 1 27 1 31 31 49 Missouri 36 32 36 43 37 28 24 40 19 12 28 32 32 24 Montana 40 42 46 48 18 9 25 3 34 15 44 49 49 45 Nebraska 23 31 37 26 32 12 23 25 46 28 41 24 24 19 Nevada 26 35 4 6 1 46 15 45 4 33 5 7 7 32 New Hampshire 4 17 47 34 15 36 43 31 41 40 48 21 21 26 New Jersey 7 5 7 4 17 25 46 39 37 9 29 6 6 12 New Mexico 44 16 8 2 12 33 26 2 5 17 4 25 25 22 New York 18 3 6 5 33 45 44 21 21 36 3 9 9 2 North Carolina 39 14 17 25 21 26 27 29 17 16 16 33 33 24 North Dakota 15 47 44 44 34 11 11 8 47 46 46 40 40 23 Ohio 34 38 34 40 48 38 20 46 13 13 15 38 38 28 Oklahoma 41 37 19 29 27 2 8 13 16 31 22 26 26 37 Oregon 28 20 31 19 10 18 34 20 20 19 34 18 18 28 Pennsylvania 22 25 32 27 47 39 32 49 22 6 27 34 34 17 Rhode Island 19 9 27 13 24 49 38 44 8 38 6 28 28 5 South Carolina 42 24 20 38 22 20 12 24 7 10 8 46 46 38 South Dakota 29 46 40 41 36 14 16 9 44 24 40 45 45 34 Tennessee 43 27 28 39 28 23 14 23 12 22 18 35 35 41 Texas 21 10 3 3 26 1 19 30 28 48 17 5 5 30 Utah 11 28 33 20 31 8 37 36 50 50 50 1 1 50 Vermont 20 13 49 45 20 48 42 11 27 39 42 43 43 40 Virginia 6 6 14 18 11 21 48 7 33 34 32 17 17 16 Washington 9 15 23 14 7 6 39 18 36 41 37 12 12 15 West Virginia 49 49 48 50 42 40 4 14 9 3 31 50 50 44 Wisconsin 24 40 39 31 45 41 17 42 40 18 35 36 36 31 Wyoming 17 50 42 36 6 15 1 5 43 37 47 41 41 42 
 
 Ask the Experts 
 
 Diversity can have profound effects on communities. For insight on such outcomes and advice on achieving social integration, we asked a panel of experts to share their thoughts on the following key questions: 
 
 What are the pros and cons of living in a diverse state? What impact does diversity have on social innovation and social cohesion? What about violence and social unrest? What can policymakers do to encourage integration across neighborhoods? How can states take advantage of their diversity in order to increase economic growth? 
 
 Methodology 
 
 In order to determine the most and least diverse states in America, WalletHub compared the 50 states across six key dimensions: 1) Socio-economic Diversity, 2) Cultural Diversity, 3) Economic Diversity, 4) Household Diversity, 5) Religious Diversity and 6) Political Diversity. 
 
 We evaluated those dimensions using 14 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights and subcomponents. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale. 
 
 Finally, we determined each state’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its overall score and used the resulting scores to rank-order the states. A total score of 100 represents the most diverse state. 
 
 We conducted our analysis using the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index method, which is a commonly accepted measure of market concentration that also works effectively as a general-purpose measure of diversity (e.g., race/ethnicity, occupations, languages, nationalities). 
 
 Socioeconomic Diversity - Total Points: 20 Household-Income Diversity: Weight - Double Weight (~13.33 Points) $34,999 or Less 
 
 $35,000 - $49,999 
 
 $50,000 - $74,999 
 
 $75,000 - $99,999 
 
 $100,000 - $149,999 
 
 $150,000 or more Educational-Attainment Diversity: Weight - Full Weight (~6.67 Points) No high school diploma 
 
 High school diploma and perhaps some college or an associate’s degree 
 
 Bachelor’s degree 
 
 Graduate or professional degree Cultural Diversity - Total Points: 20 Racial & Ethnic Diversity: Weight - Triple Weight (~10.00 Points) Hispanic or Latino 
 
 White (not Hispanic or Latino) 
 
 Black or African American (not Hispanic or Latino) 
 
 Asian (not Hispanic or Latino) 
 
 Other (American Indian and Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander, some other race alone, two or more races and not Hispanic or Latino) Linguistic Diversity: Weight - Double Weight (~6.67 Points) English 
 
 Spanish 
 
 Other Indo-European Languages 
 
 Asian & Pacific-Islander Languages 
 
 Other Languages Birthplace Diversity: Weight - Full Weight (~3.33 Points) In State of Residence 
 
 Northeast Region 
 
 Midwest Region 
 
 South Region 
 
 West Region 
 
 U.S. Territory & Abroad (if born to American parent(s)) 
 
 Foreign Nation Economic Diversity - Total Points: 20 Industry Diversity: Weight - Triple Weight (~12.00 Points) 
 
 Note: Considers the civilian employed population aged 16 and older Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting, and Mining 
 
 Construction 
 
 Manufacturing 
 
 Wholesale Trade 
 
 Retail Trade 
 
 Transportation and Warehousing, and Utilities 
 
 Information 
 
 Finance and Insurance, and Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 
 
 Professional, Scientific, and Management, and Administrative and Waste-Management Services 
 
 Educational Services, and Health Care and Social Assistance 
 
 Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation, and Accommodation and Food Services 
 
 Other Services (excluding Public Administration) 
 
 Public Administration Occupational Diversity: Weight - Full Weight (~4.00 Points) 
 
 Note: Considers the civilian employed population aged 16 and older Management, Business, Science, and Arts Occupations 
 
 Service Occupations 
 
 Sales and Office Occupations 
 
 Natural-Resources, Construction, and Maintenance Occupations 
 
 Production, Transportation, and Material-Moving Occupations Worker-Class Diversity: Weight - Full Weight (~4.00 Points) 
 
 Note: Considers the civilian employed population aged 16 and older Private Wage and Salary Workers 
 
 Government Workers 
 
 Self-Employed Workers (operating their own, unincorporated businesses) 
 
 Note: Includes “people who worked for profit or fees in their own unincorporated business, professional practice, or trade or who operated a farm,” according to the U.S. Census Bureau. 
 
 Unpaid Family Workers Household Diversity - Total Points: 20 Marital-Status Diversity: Weight - Full Weight (~5.00 Points) Never Married 
 
 Married (excluding separated) 
 
 Divorced 
 
 Separated 
 
 Widowed Generational Diversity: Weight - Full Weight (~5.00 Points) Post-Millennials (Generation Z): born after 2000 
 
 Millennials: Ages 16 to 35 (born 1981-2000) 
 
 Generation X: Ages 36 to 51 (born 1965-1980) 
 
 Baby Boomers: Ages 52 to 70 (born 1946-1964) 
 
 Silent Generation & Greatest Generation: Ages 71 & Older (born before 1946) Household-Type Diversity: Weight - Full Weight (~5.00 Points) Family Households with Married Couples 
 
 Male-Headed Family Households (no spouse present) 
 
 Female-Headed Family Households (no spouse present) 
 
 Nonfamily Households Household-Size Diversity: Weight - Full Weight (~5.00 Points) Two-Person Family Households 
 
 Three-Person Family Households 
 
 Four-Person Family Households 
 
 Five-Person Family Households 
 
 Six-Person Family Households 
 
 Seven-Person or More Family Households 
 
 One-Person Nonfamily Households 
 
 Two-Person Nonfamily Households 
 
 Three-Person Nonfamily Households 
 
 Four-Person Nonfamily Households 
 
 Five-Person Nonfamily Households 
 
 Six-Person Nonfamily Households 
 
 Seven-Person or More Nonfamily Households Religious Diversity - Total Points: 10 Evangelical Protestant 
 
 Mainline Protestant 
 
 Black Protestant 
 
 Catholic 
 
 Orthodox Christian 
 
 Muslim 
 
 Buddhist 
 
 Hindu 
 
 Jewish 
 
 Unaffiliated 
 
 Other Political Diversity - Total Points: 10 Conservative 
 
 Moderate 
 
 Liberal 
 
 Unclaimed 
 
 
 
 
 
 Videos for News Use: 
 
 Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected from the U.S. Census Bureau, ARDA and AVA. 
 
 Image: Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock.com 
 
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 We used science and data to determine which States have the most racial diversity. 
 
 If you were to draw a line down the middle of the contiguous United States, you’d find a surprising difference in the diversity of the populous. 
 
 So, we did draw that line, determine the diversity of every state in America, and came out surprised. 
 
 Here’s a look: 
 
 
 
 Click to enlarge 
 
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 The Southern States of the Union are, with some exceptions, a lot more diverse than the Northern States. The single most diverse state? That would be Hawaii, followed in a distant second by California. 
 
 Using the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI), a standard measure of inequality, we ranked each state from most diverse to least diverse. The top ten most diverse are as follows: 
 
 And the least diverse: 
 
 You can compare the breakdown of race in each state in the following chart that ranks each state from most diverse to least diverse. 
 
 
 
 Click to enlarge 
 
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 We found it interesting that Texas is such a staunchly Republican state given its level of diversity. Its diversity is a major reason why many pundits believe Texas will soon go blue. 
 
 But enough about politics, let’s take a dive into the science behind the maps and graphs. 
 
 How We Determined The Most Diverse States In America 
 
 We decided to look at racial diversity across America using the most recently available data — the 2011-2015 American Community Survey data from the US Census. Specifically, we looked at table B03002: HISPANIC OR LATINO ORIGIN BY RACE. Here are the actual categories as defined by the Census: 
 
 White alone* 
 
 Black or African American alone* 
 
 American Indian and Alaska Native alone* 
 
 Asian alone* 
 
 Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone* 
 
 Some other race alone* 
 
 Two or more races* 
 
 Hispanic or Latino 
 
 * Not hispanic or latino 
 
 We then calculated the HHI for each state by taking the percent of each of the above for the state, squaring them, and then adding it together. This left us with scores ranging from 2429 (Hawaii) to 8822 (Maine). 
 
 Finally, we ranked each state based on the HHI with a lower score being more diverse than a high score. Hawaii took the distinction of being the most diverse, while Maine was the least diverse state. 
 
 Detailed List Of The Most Diverse States 
 
 Rank State HHI 1 Hawaii 2,429 2 California 3,196 3 Texas 3,552 4 Nevada 3,595 5 Maryland 3,777 6 New York 3,835 7 New Mexico 3,859 8 New Jersey 3,876 9 Florida 3,953 10 Georgia 4,008 11 Arizona 4,156 12 Alaska 4,213 13 Illinois 4,401 14 Virginia 4,497 15 Louisiana 4,581 16 Delaware 4,619 17 North Carolina 4,663 18 Mississippi 4,689 19 Oklahoma 4,773 20 South Carolina 4,857 21 Alabama 5,113 22 Connecticut 5,119 23 Washington 5,240 24 Colorado 5,243 25 Arkansas 5,708 26 Massachusetts 5,713 27 Rhode Island 5,784 28 Tennessee 5,891 29 Michigan 5,984 30 Kansas 6,106 31 Oregon 6,149 32 Pennsylvania 6,262 33 Utah 6,511 34 Missouri 6,589 35 Ohio 6,606 36 Indiana 6,610 37 Nebraska 6,649 38 Minnesota 6,756 39 Wisconsin 6,873 40 South Dakota 7,014 41 Idaho 7,044 42 Wyoming 7,237 43 Kentucky 7,395 44 North Dakota 7,620 45 Montana 7,621 46 Iowa 7,684 47 New Hampshire 8,374 48 West Virginia 8,581 49 Vermont 8,771 50 Maine 8,822 
 
 For more reading, check out:
– The same three states leading the country in racial diversity also lead the pack when it comes to socioeconomic, cultural, economic, household, religious, and political diversity, according to WalletHub. The site considered a host of metrics from race and language to educational attainment for its ranking of all 50 US states. The five most and least diverse of the bunch, with a score out of 100: