The overall racial and ethnic diversity of the United States has increased since 2010, according to 2020 Census analyses. But what makes the U.S. more diverse? Simply having more people of different backgrounds is not necessarily diversity as groups of different ethnicities or racial backgrounds can live in separate neighborhoods. To better represent diversity, therefore, the Census developed an index that measures the chance that two people chosen at random will be from different race and ethnicity groups.
24/7 Wall St. used the idea to determine more specifically the most diverse neighborhoods in the U.S. Reviewing five-year data on race and ethnicity from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey, neighborhoods were ranked based on the probability that two residents picked at random will be of different race or ethnicity. Racial and ethnic groups include white, Black or African American, American Indian and Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander, Hispanic or Latino, some other race alone, and two or more races.
The West region dominates the list, with 29 of the neighborhoods in cities in California alone, including 10 in Sacramento and five in Oakland. Seven more neighborhoods on the list are in cities in Washington state and three in cities in Alaska. Next, the Northeast has the most neighborhoods on the list, with seven in New York state cities, one in Massachusetts, and one in Pennsylvania. Finally, the Midwest has two cities on the list. (Also see: The Top City to Live in Each State.)
While diversity might often give the impression of diversity in housing, most of the neighborhoods on the list have expensive homes. Based on Zillow data, only 10 neighborhoods, including the two in Minnesota, the three in Schenectady, New York, and the three in Alaska have typical home values less than the U.S. typical home value in November 2023 of $342,099. On the other hand, in 28 neighborhoods, typical home prices are above $500,000, including one with prices about $1 million.
Full Methodology
To determine the most diverse neighborhoods, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed five-year data on race and ethnicity from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey. Neighborhoods were ranked based on the probability that two residents picked at random will be of different race or ethnicity. Racial and ethnic groups include white, Black or African American, American Indian and Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander, Hispanic or Latino, some other race alone, and two or more races. The probability that any two residents picked at random will belong to a different racial or ethnic category is equivalent to the sum of the squares of each group’s share of the population, subtracted from 1. The same method is used in the USA Today Diversity Index as well as the racial and ethnic diversity index of the Disseminating Diversity Working Group of the Census Bureau.
Data on population by race and ethnicity were aggregated from the census tract level to the neighborhood level using 2022 census tract boundary definitions from the U.S. Census Bureau and 2017 neighborhood boundary definitions from Zillow. Census tracts with at least 50% spatial overlap within the neighborhood boundary were included in population aggregation. Data on estimated median home value is the November 2023 Zillow Home Value Index, a measure of typical home values for homes in the 35th to 65th percentile range.
50. Village 11 in Sacramento, California
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 76.1%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: White (32.3%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $529,180
- Est. total population in 2022: 4,900
49. Dower in Lakewood, Washington
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 76.1%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: Black or African American (31.5%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $470,947
- Est. total population in 2022: 3,239
48. Meadowview in Sacramento, California
Source: dszc / E+ via Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 76.2%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: Hispanic or Latino (35.3%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $390,273
- Est. total population in 2022: 34,794
47. Village 2 in Sacramento, California
Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 76.2%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: White (30.9%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $570,640
- Est. total population in 2022: 5,401
46. Robla in Sacramento, California
Source: dougtone / Flickr
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 76.3%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: Hispanic or Latino (31.5%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $424,355
- Est. total population in 2022: 7,961
45. Allendale in Oakland, California
Source: Melpomenem / iStock via Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 76.3%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: Hispanic or Latino (36.4%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $632,262
- Est. total population in 2022: 4,675
44. Southside Park in Sacramento, California
Source: JasonDoiy / iStock via Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 76.3%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: White (34.8%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $575,309
- Est. total population in 2022: 1,436
43. Mckinley in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Source: Davel5957 / E+ via Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 76.3%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: Black or African American (34.9%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $194,775
- Est. total population in 2022: 4,480
42. Hoover-Foster in Oakland, California
Source: kenlund / Flickr
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 76.3%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: Black or African American (31.8%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $696,100
- Est. total population in 2022: 5,326
41. Western Addition in San Francisco, California
Source: kenlund / Flickr
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 76.3%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: White (30.0%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $1,030,217
- Est. total population in 2022: 11,432
40. Spanos Park West in Stockton, California
Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 76.3%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: Hispanic or Latino (30.2%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $581,391
- Est. total population in 2022: 4,960
39. Creekside – Wagner in Stockton, California
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 76.4%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: Hispanic or Latino (35.3%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $463,312
- Est. total population in 2022: 11,776
38. South White Rock in Rancho Cordova, California
Source: SevenMaps / Shutterstock.com
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 76.4%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: Hispanic or Latino (33.1%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $431,276
- Est. total population in 2022: 1,467
37. Eastside-ENACT in Tacoma, Washington
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 76.4%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: White (38.8%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $403,414
- Est. total population in 2022: 29,343
36. Tuxedo in Oakland, California
Source: DianeBentleyRaymond / iStock via Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 76.4%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: Black or African American (28.0%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $670,727
- Est. total population in 2022: 1,927
35. Longfellow in Oakland, California
Source: alacatr / iStock via Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 76.5%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: White (33.4%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $819,367
- Est. total population in 2022: 6,257
34. North Central in San Mateo, California
Source: SpVVK / iStock via Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 76.6%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: White (31.0%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $690,752
- Est. total population in 2022: 5,452
33. Northeast in Anchorage, Alaska
Source: yenwen / E+ via Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 76.6%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: White (41.4%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $308,726
- Est. total population in 2022: 28,515
32. Broadmoor in San Leandro, California
Source: ma.ya / Shutterstock.com
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 76.6%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: Hispanic or Latino (30.8%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $886,315
- Est. total population in 2022: 4,260
31. El Cerrito in San Diego, California
Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 76.8%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: White (30.2%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $733,484
- Est. total population in 2022: 5,433
30. Glenwood Meadows in Sacramento, California
Source: dszc / E+ via Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 76.9%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: Hispanic or Latino (37.9%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $404,937
- Est. total population in 2022: 3,653
29. Crestwood in Yonkers, New York
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 76.9%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: Black or African American (29.8%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $831,840
- Est. total population in 2022: 4,014
28. Briarwood in Queens, New York
Source: StockByM / iStock via Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 76.9%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: Asian (28.1%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $386,213
- Est. total population in 2022: 29,795
27. Reservoir Hill in Oakland, California
Source: DianeBentleyRaymond / iStock via Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 77.0%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: Hispanic or Latino (31.4%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $655,731
- Est. total population in 2022: 1,853
26. Thomas Dale in Saint Paul, Minnesota
Source: Gian Lorenzo Ferretti Photography / E+ via Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 77.0%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: Asian (28.6%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $214,349
- Est. total population in 2022: 14,778
25. Upper B Street in Hayward, California
Source: Sundry Photography / iStock via Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 77.2%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: Hispanic or Latino (33.7%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $749,623
- Est. total population in 2022: 3,134
24. Z’berg Park in Sacramento, California
Source: Brandon Williams / iStock via Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 77.2%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: Hispanic or Latino (28.2%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $552,693
- Est. total population in 2022: 2,130
23. Mont Pleasant in Schenectady, New York
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 77.3%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: White (35.0%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $169,060
- Est. total population in 2022: 9,340
22. Downtown in Los Angeles, California
Source: adamkaz / E+ via Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 77.3%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: Asian (26.0%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $611,825
- Est. total population in 2022: 50,976
21. Ridgeview-Webster in San Diego, California
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 77.4%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: Hispanic or Latino (30.6%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $683,314
- Est. total population in 2022: 5,042
20. Downtown in San Leandro, California
Source: Todd Sanchez / iStock via Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 77.4%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: Hispanic or Latino (31.1%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $722,876
- Est. total population in 2022: 8,433
19. Faulkner in Malden, Massachusetts
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 77.5%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: Asian (30.0%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $531,098
- Est. total population in 2022: 4,116
18. Oxford Circle in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Source: Pgiam / E+ via Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 77.5%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: Hispanic or Latino (28.4%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $218,408
- Est. total population in 2022: 52,753
17. West Hill in Kent, Washington
Source: gmc3101 / iStock via Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 77.5%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: White (33.1%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $554,987
- Est. total population in 2022: 4,224
16. The Lakes in Kent, Washington
Source: gmc3101 / iStock via Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 77.6%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: White (32.6%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $431,810
- Est. total population in 2022: 2,803
15. Greenhaven in Sacramento, California
Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 77.7%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: White (28.7%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $603,142
- Est. total population in 2022: 9,182
14. Dunlap in Seattle, Washington
Source: chinaface / E+ via Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 77.8%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: Asian (29.7%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $562,982
- Est. total population in 2022: 2,285
13. Brown Square in Rochester, New York
Source: Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 77.9%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: White (27.1%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: N/A
- Est. total population in 2022: 1,559
12. Central State Street in Schenectady, New York
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 77.9%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: Black or African American (31.3%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $164,347
- Est. total population in 2022: 3,399
11. Vallejo Heights in Vallejo, California
Source: DEREK556 / Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 78.2%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: Hispanic or Latino (25.4%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $441,858
- Est. total population in 2022: 4,532
10. Hayward Highland in Hayward, California
Source: Sundry Photography / iStock via Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 78.4%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: Hispanic or Latino (27.0%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $1,175,604
- Est. total population in 2022: 5,556
9. Marina Bay in Richmond, California
Source: Doug Ash / iStock via Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 78.4%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: Hispanic or Latino (25.9%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $593,266
- Est. total population in 2022: 2,584
8. Alderbrook in Federal Way, Washington
Source: SevenMaps / Shutterstock.com
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 78.6%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: White (30.1%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $595,317
- Est. total population in 2022: 4,535
7. Woodbine in Sacramento, California
Source: photoquest7 / iStock via Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 79.0%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: Hispanic or Latino (26.9%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $386,576
- Est. total population in 2022: 3,720
6. South Ozone Park in Queens, New York
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 79.3%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: Asian (30.7%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $671,736
- Est. total population in 2022: 80,076
5. Pacific Ridge in Des Moines, Washington
Source: gmc3101 / iStock via Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 79.3%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: White (27.2%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $302,773
- Est. total population in 2022: 3,859
4. Valley High-North Laguna in Sacramento, California
Source: Manny Chavez / iStock via Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 79.4%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: Asian (28.2%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $444,595
- Est. total population in 2022: 42,943
3. Vale and Hamilton Hill in Schenectady, New York
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 80.0%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: Black or African American (28.8%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $128,544
- Est. total population in 2022: 6,397
2. Russian Jack Park in Anchorage, Alaska
Source: yenwen / E+ via Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 81.9%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: Asian (26.8%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $220,145
- Est. total population in 2022: 12,629
1. Mountain View in Anchorage, Alaska
Source: RobsonAbbott / iStock via Getty Images
- Likelihood that two random residents are different race or ethnicity: 82.0%
- Most prevalent race or ethnicity group: Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander (22.4%)
- Est. typical home Value, Nov 2023: $237,601
- Est. total population in 2022: 6,009
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