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Most diverse counties in New York
The United States has a longstanding reputation as being a melting pot (or salad bowl), with its diversity manifesting itself across many different demographics. However, some places across the country are notably more heterogeneous than others.
Stacker compiled a list of the most diverse counties in New York using data from using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by the highest Simpson’s diversity index score. Simpson’s diversity index measures community diversity on a scale of 0 (least diverse) to 1 (most diverse), more on the calculation can be read here.
Think you know which counties in your home state might be the most diverse? Keep reading to see if your predictions are correct.
Marduk // Wikimedia Commons
#50. Steuben County
– Index: 0.103
– Total population: 96,422
– White: 94.7% (91,286)
– Black or African American: 1.7% (1,623)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (103)
– Asian: 1.5% (1,480)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (3)
– 2 or more races: 1.5% (1,465)
– Some other Race: 0.5% (462) 
Stef Ko // Shutterstock
#49. Cortland County
– Index: 0.103
– Total population: 47,865
– White: 94.6% (45,302)
– Black or African American: 1.9% (928)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (107)
– Asian: 0.8% (364)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (7)
– 2 or more races: 1.9% (921)
– Some other Race: 0.5% (236) 
Colgate University // Wikimedia Commons
#48. Madison County
– Index: 0.104
– Total population: 71,205
– White: 94.6% (67,360)
– Black or African American: 1.8% (1,268)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.5% (339)
– Asian: 0.9% (638)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (79)
– 2 or more races: 1.7% (1,212)
– Some other Race: 0.4% (309) 
Beyond My Ken // Wikimedia Commons
#47. Fulton County
– Index: 0.108
– Total population: 53,646
– White: 94.4% (50,640)
– Black or African American: 2.1% (1,119)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (209)
– Asian: 0.8% (417)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (7)
– 2 or more races: 1.5% (810)
– Some other Race: 0.8% (444) 
UpstateNYer // Wikimedia Commons
#46. Washington County
– Index: 0.122
– Total population: 61,616
– White: 93.6% (57,686)
– Black or African American: 3.2% (1,969)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (196)
– Asian: 0.6% (371)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (7)
– 2 or more races: 1.4% (869)
– Some other Race: 0.8% (518) 
Kenneth Sponsler // Shutterstock
#45. Otsego County
– Index: 0.126
– Total population: 59,972
– White: 93.4% (56,036)
– Black or African American: 2.2% (1,303)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (92)
– Asian: 1.4% (814)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (6)
– 2 or more races: 2.2% (1,291)
– Some other Race: 0.7% (430) 
Andre Carrotflower // Wikimedia Commons
#44. Wayne County
– Index: 0.135
– Total population: 90,519
– White: 92.9% (84,123)
– Black or African American: 2.8% (2,543)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (148)
– Asian: 0.8% (725)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (105)
– 2 or more races: 2.1% (1,915)
– Some other Race: 1.1% (960) 
tomtsya// Shutterstock
#43. Essex County
– Index: 0.136
– Total population: 37,459
– White: 92.9% (34,788)
– Black or African American: 3.2% (1,194)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (93)
– Asian: 0.3% (103)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (7)
– 2 or more races: 2.1% (768)
– Some other Race: 1.4% (506) 
P199 // Wikimedia Commons
#42. St. Lawrence County
– Index: 0.137
– Total population: 108,913
– White: 92.8% (101,115)
– Black or African American: 2.4% (2,654)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.8% (831)
– Asian: 1.0% (1,100)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (60)
– 2 or more races: 1.9% (2,059)
– Some other Race: 1.0% (1,094) 
PhotoItaliaStudio // Shutterstock
#41. Saratoga County
– Index: 0.139
– Total population: 228,502
– White: 92.7% (211,792)
– Black or African American: 1.7% (3,992)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (508)
– Asian: 2.9% (6,697)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (41)
– 2 or more races: 1.9% (4,277)
– Some other Race: 0.5% (1,195) 
Benjamin D. Esham (bdesham) // Wikimedia Commons
#40. Livingston County
– Index: 0.140
– Total population: 63,591
– White: 92.6% (58,916)
– Black or African American: 2.9% (1,813)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (146)
– Asian: 1.3% (830)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (30)
– 2 or more races: 1.7% (1,065)
– Some other Race: 1.2% (791) 
Daniel Case // Wikimedia Commons
#39. Ontario County
– Index: 0.142
– Total population: 109,511
– White: 92.6% (101,371)
– Black or African American: 2.5% (2,769)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (388)
– Asian: 1.4% (1,501)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (36)
– 2 or more races: 1.7% (1,864)
– Some other Race: 1.4% (1,582) 
Andre Carrotflower // Wikimedia Commons
#38. Chautauqua County
– Index: 0.148
– Total population: 128,496
– White: 92.2% (118,515)
– Black or African American: 2.6% (3,338)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (410)
– Asian: 0.6% (723)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (82)
– 2 or more races: 2.0% (2,585)
– Some other Race: 2.2% (2,843) 
Daniel Case // Wikimedia Commons
#37. Genesee County
– Index: 0.153
– Total population: 57,808
– White: 91.9% (53,142)
– Black or African American: 2.1% (1,214)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.8% (490)
– Asian: 0.8% (455)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 2.7% (1,536)
– Some other Race: 1.7% (971) 
Pubdog // Wikimedia Commons
#36. Cattaraugus County
– Index: 0.154
– Total population: 77,121
– White: 91.9% (70,859)
– Black or African American: 1.4% (1,116)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 3.2% (2,485)
– Asian: 0.8% (610)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 2.1% (1,581)
– Some other Race: 0.6% (470) 
PQK // Shuterstock
#35. Cayuga County
– Index: 0.155
– Total population: 77,425
– White: 91.8% (71,056)
– Black or African American: 4.3% (3,303)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (106)
– Asian: 0.6% (441)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (5)
– 2 or more races: 2.5% (1,910)
– Some other Race: 0.8% (604) 
Kenneth C. Zirkel // Wikimedia Commons
#34. Wyoming County
– Index: 0.160
– Total population: 40,305
– White: 91.5% (36,882)
– Black or African American: 4.1% (1,669)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.5% (203)
– Asian: 0.4% (167)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 2.0% (815)
– Some other Race: 1.4% (569) 
marjobani // Wikimedia Commons
#33. Seneca County
– Index: 0.166
– Total population: 34,390
– White: 91.2% (31,355)
– Black or African American: 5.1% (1,744)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (143)
– Asian: 0.8% (285)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (8)
– 2 or more races: 1.6% (543)
– Some other Race: 0.9% (312) 
Richard Cavalleri // Shutterstock
#32. Clinton County
– Index: 0.171
– Total population: 80,583
– White: 90.9% (73,237)
– Black or African American: 4.3% (3,447)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (221)
– Asian: 1.4% (1,133)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (15)
– 2 or more races: 1.4% (1,123)
– Some other Race: 1.7% (1,407) 
Felix Lipov // Shutterstock
#31. Greene County
– Index: 0.193
– Total population: 47,424
– White: 89.6% (42,486)
– Black or African American: 5.8% (2,758)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.6% (304)
– Asian: 1.0% (497)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (3)
– 2 or more races: 1.9% (895)
– Some other Race: 1.0% (481) 
Daniel Case // Wikimedia Commons
#30. Columbia County
– Index: 0.205
– Total population: 60,371
– White: 89.0% (53,725)
– Black or African American: 4.5% (2,741)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (34)
– Asian: 1.8% (1,084)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 2.7% (1,658)
– Some other Race: 1.9% (1,129) 
Jimmy Emerson // Wikimedia Commons
#29. Orleans County
– Index: 0.206
– Total population: 40,904
– White: 88.9% (36,345)
– Black or African American: 5.8% (2,383)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (136)
– Asian: 0.6% (250)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 2.4% (993)
– Some other Race: 1.9% (797) 
Lvklock // Wikimedia Commons
#28. Chemung County
– Index: 0.219
– Total population: 84,895
– White: 88.1% (74,766)
– Black or African American: 6.3% (5,324)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (250)
– Asian: 1.3% (1,135)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (12)
– 2 or more races: 3.3% (2,798)
– Some other Race: 0.7% (610) 
Mihai_Andritoiu // Shutterstock
#27. Niagara County
– Index: 0.233
– Total population: 210,820
– White: 87.2% (183,860)
– Black or African American: 7.0% (14,806)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 1.0% (2,074)
– Asian: 1.1% (2,337)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (62)
– 2 or more races: 2.8% (5,998)
– Some other Race: 0.8% (1,683) 
Jwilson855 // Wikimedia Commons
#26. Montgomery County
– Index: 0.234
– Total population: 49,302
– White: 87.2% (42,970)
– Black or African American: 2.2% (1,091)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (73)
– Asian: 0.7% (362)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 2.8% (1,387)
– Some other Race: 6.9% (3,419) 
James Kirkikis // Shutterstock
#25. Putnam County
– Index: 0.240
– Total population: 98,787
– White: 86.9% (85,846)
– Black or African American: 3.1% (3,030)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (203)
– Asian: 2.1% (2,039)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (23)
– 2 or more races: 2.1% (2,056)
– Some other Race: 5.7% (5,590) 
Wangkun Jia // Shutterstock
#24. Jefferson County
– Index: 0.249
– Total population: 112,842
– White: 86.4% (97,448)
– Black or African American: 6.1% (6,932)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.5% (564)
– Asian: 1.8% (1,983)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.2% (249)
– 2 or more races: 3.8% (4,341)
– Some other Race: 1.2% (1,325) 
Matt H. Wade // Wikimedia Commons
#23. Rensselaer County
– Index: 0.253
– Total population: 159,185
– White: 86.1% (137,002)
– Black or African American: 6.5% (10,268)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (228)
– Asian: 2.7% (4,282)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (13)
– 2 or more races: 3.6% (5,717)
– Some other Race: 1.1% (1,675) 
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#22. Broome County
– Index: 0.263
– Total population: 193,188
– White: 85.5% (165,108)
– Black or African American: 5.7% (10,918)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (348)
– Asian: 4.3% (8,389)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (75)
– 2 or more races: 3.3% (6,292)
– Some other Race: 1.1% (2,058) 
Nina Alizada // Shutterstock
#21. Oneida County
– Index: 0.266
– Total population: 229,959
– White: 85.3% (196,219)
– Black or African American: 6.0% (13,771)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (542)
– Asian: 4.0% (9,304)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (70)
– 2 or more races: 3.0% (6,790)
– Some other Race: 1.4% (3,263) 
Fred Hsu // Wikimedia Commons
#20. Ulster County
– Index: 0.279
– Total population: 178,665
– White: 84.5% (151,001)
– Black or African American: 6.0% (10,780)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (395)
– Asian: 1.9% (3,396)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (102)
– 2 or more races: 4.2% (7,476)
– Some other Race: 3.1% (5,515) 
Mwanner // Wikimedia Commons
#19. Franklin County
– Index: 0.308
– Total population: 50,477
– White: 82.7% (41,726)
– Black or African American: 5.7% (2,863)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 7.1% (3,609)
– Asian: 0.6% (280)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.2% (111)
– 2 or more races: 1.6% (831)
– Some other Race: 2.1% (1,057) 
Tim Hettler from New York, NY, USA // Wikimedia Commons
#18. Suffolk County
– Index: 0.339
– Total population: 1.5 million
– White: 80.7% (1,196,719)
– Black or African American: 7.8% (116,018)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (4,212)
– Asian: 3.9% (58,204)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (418)
– 2 or more races: 2.3% (33,829)
– Some other Race: 5.0% (74,432) 
Lewis Liu // Shutterstock
#17. Tompkins County
– Index: 0.343
– Total population: 102,642
– White: 80.2% (82,359)
– Black or African American: 3.8% (3,859)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (224)
– Asian: 9.7% (9,964)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (57)
– 2 or more races: 4.4% (4,513)
– Some other Race: 1.6% (1,666) 
littlenySTOCK // Shutterstock
#16. Onondaga County
– Index: 0.351
– Total population: 462,872
– White: 79.6% (368,328)
– Black or African American: 11.4% (52,912)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.6% (2,568)
– Asian: 3.7% (17,041)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (162)
– 2 or more races: 3.6% (16,871)
– Some other Race: 1.1% (4,990) 
Eric Richards // Wikimedia Commons
#15. Sullivan County
– Index: 0.351
– Total population: 75,116
– White: 79.8% (59,949)
– Black or African American: 8.0% (5,990)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (196)
– Asian: 1.7% (1,265)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 4.6% (3,433)
– Some other Race: 5.7% (4,283) 
Colin D. Young // Shutterstock
#14. Dutchess County
– Index: 0.373
– Total population: 293,754
– White: 78.2% (229,746)
– Black or African American: 10.5% (30,970)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (934)
– Asian: 3.5% (10,413)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (155)
– 2 or more races: 3.5% (10,314)
– Some other Race: 3.8% (11,222) 
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#13. Erie County
– Index: 0.374
– Total population: 919,355
– White: 77.8% (715,409)
– Black or African American: 13.5% (123,742)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.5% (4,634)
– Asian: 3.6% (32,793)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (289)
– 2 or more races: 2.4% (22,139)
– Some other Race: 2.2% (20,349) 
Paul Brady Photography // Shutterstock
#12. Monroe County
– Index: 0.397
– Total population: 743,341
– White: 76.0% (564,617)
– Black or African American: 15.3% (113,808)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (3,040)
– Asian: 3.6% (27,115)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (290)
– 2 or more races: 2.9% (21,606)
– Some other Race: 1.7% (12,865) 
UpstateNYer // Wikimedia Commons
#11. Schenectady County
– Index: 0.402
– Total population: 154,859
– White: 76.3% (118,130)
– Black or African American: 10.1% (15,590)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (359)
– Asian: 4.7% (7,228)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (84)
– 2 or more races: 4.8% (7,389)
– Some other Race: 3.9% (6,079) 
Wangkun Jia // Shutterstock
#10. Albany County
– Index: 0.411
– Total population: 306,968
– White: 75.3% (231,246)
– Black or African American: 12.4% (38,035)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (494)
– Asian: 6.6% (20,192)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (129)
– 2 or more races: 4.2% (12,787)
– Some other Race: 1.3% (4,085) 
Roman Babakin // Shutterstock
#9. Richmond County
– Index: 0.429
– Total population: 474,893
– White: 74.1% (352,034)
– Black or African American: 10.3% (48,958)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (1,026)
– Asian: 9.3% (44,246)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (219)
– 2 or more races: 2.3% (10,862)
– Some other Race: 3.7% (17,548) 
Mwanner // Wikimedia Commons
#8. Orange County
– Index: 0.430
– Total population: 380,085
– White: 74.1% (281,683)
– Black or African American: 11.0% (41,779)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (1,482)
– Asian: 2.7% (10,280)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (298)
– 2 or more races: 3.5% (13,477)
– Some other Race: 8.2% (31,086) 
Felix Lipov // Shutterstock
#7. Rockland County
– Index: 0.475
– Total population: 324,422
– White: 70.7% (229,240)
– Black or African American: 12.3% (39,845)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (524)
– Asian: 5.9% (19,099)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (27)
– 2 or more races: 2.7% (8,694)
– Some other Race: 8.3% (26,993) 
littlenySTOCK // Shutterstock
#6. Nassau County
– Index: 0.508
– Total population: 1.4 million
– White: 68.0% (922,873)
– Black or African American: 11.7% (158,857)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (3,912)
– Asian: 9.7% (130,971)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (402)
– 2 or more races: 3.0% (41,106)
– Some other Race: 7.3% (98,388) 
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#5. Westchester County
– Index: 0.547
– Total population: 968,890
– White: 64.3% (622,855)
– Black or African American: 14.9% (144,053)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (3,594)
– Asian: 6.0% (58,140)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (251)
– 2 or more races: 3.1% (29,968)
– Some other Race: 11.4% (110,029) 
pisaphotography // Shutterstock
#4. New York County
– Index: 0.629
– Total population: 1.6 million
– White: 56.5% (922,033)
– Black or African American: 14.8% (240,993)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (6,178)
– Asian: 12.2% (198,833)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (888)
– 2 or more races: 4.6% (74,668)
– Some other Race: 11.5% (188,400) 
Victor Moussa // Shutterstock
#3. Kings County
– Index: 0.683
– Total population: 2.6 million
– White: 43.7% (1,132,426)
– Black or African American: 32.2% (833,683)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (8,604)
– Asian: 11.9% (307,081)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (1,232)
– 2 or more races: 3.2% (81,786)
– Some other Race: 8.7% (225,162) 
Gryffindor // Wikimedia Commons
#2. Bronx County
– Index: 0.706
– Total population: 1.4 million
– White: 22.0% (315,533)
– Black or African American: 35.2% (504,814)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.7% (10,116)
– Asian: 3.7% (52,989)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (1,385)
– 2 or more races: 3.9% (55,868)
– Some other Race: 34.4% (494,363) 
Bjoertvedt // Wikimedia Commons
#1. Queens County
– Index: 0.735
– Total population: 2.3 million
– White: 38.3% (875,191)
– Black or African American: 18.3% (418,429)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.5% (10,326)
– Asian: 25.5% (583,459)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (1,078)
– 2 or more races: 3.6% (82,764)
– Some other Race: 13.8% (316,141)
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