Most diverse counties in Michigan

Written by:
October 16, 2021
P199 // Wikimedia Commons

Most diverse counties in Michigan

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 Michigan 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.

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Doug Coldwell // Wikimedia Commons

#50. Mason County

- Index: 0.101
- Total population: 28,954
- White: 94.8% (27,438)
- Black or African American: 0.9% (261)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 1.0% (285)
- Asian: 0.6% (167)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 2.1% (607)
- Some other Race: 0.7% (196)
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Andrew Jameson // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Bay County

- Index: 0.103
- Total population: 104,104
- White: 94.7% (98,568)
- Black or African American: 1.7% (1,796)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (362)
- Asian: 0.6% (606)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 2.3% (2,395)
- Some other Race: 0.4% (377)
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rossograph // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Montcalm County

- Index: 0.103
- Total population: 63,413
- White: 94.6% (60,014)
- Black or African American: 2.2% (1,387)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.5% (332)
- Asian: 0.4% (224)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (58)
- 2 or more races: 1.8% (1,165)
- Some other Race: 0.4% (233)
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rossograph // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Oceana County

- Index: 0.105
- Total population: 26,416
- White: 94.6% (24,986)
- Black or African American: 1.1% (293)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 1.0% (255)
- Asian: 0.2% (63)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (5)
- 2 or more races: 1.8% (467)
- Some other Race: 1.3% (347)
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Bobak Ha'Eri // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Menominee County

- Index: 0.110
- Total population: 23,074
- White: 94.3% (21,756)
- Black or African American: 0.3% (73)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 2.3% (531)
- Asian: 0.4% (94)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 2.6% (597)
- Some other Race: 0.1% (23)

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Charles W. Chapman // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Monroe County

- Index: 0.111
- Total population: 149,727
- White: 94.2% (141,090)
- Black or African American: 2.4% (3,568)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (372)
- Asian: 0.6% (864)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (11)
- 2 or more races: 2.1% (3,166)
- Some other Race: 0.4% (656)
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rossograph // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Branch County

- Index: 0.117
- Total population: 43,513
- White: 93.9% (40,858)
- Black or African American: 2.4% (1,032)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (187)
- Asian: 0.8% (342)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (15)
- 2 or more races: 1.6% (679)
- Some other Race: 0.9% (400)
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Recomposemedia // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Delta County

- Index: 0.121
- Total population: 36,026
- White: 93.7% (33,746)
- Black or African American: 0.3% (121)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 2.0% (715)
- Asian: 0.4% (156)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (4)
- 2 or more races: 3.5% (1,247)
- Some other Race: 0.1% (37)
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kennethaw88 // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Clinton County

- Index: 0.123
- Total population: 78,389
- White: 93.6% (73,354)
- Black or African American: 1.8% (1,442)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (128)
- Asian: 1.5% (1,183)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 2.5% (1,934)
- Some other Race: 0.4% (348)
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Ken Heuvelman // Wikimedia Commons

#41. St. Clair County

- Index: 0.124
- Total population: 159,247
- White: 93.5% (148,933)
- Black or African American: 2.2% (3,554)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (284)
- Asian: 0.6% (1,026)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (57)
- 2 or more races: 2.8% (4,488)
- Some other Race: 0.6% (905)

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Adam Buzzo // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Allegan County

- Index: 0.124
- Total population: 116,143
- White: 93.5% (108,625)
- Black or African American: 1.4% (1,569)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (398)
- Asian: 0.7% (802)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (12)
- 2 or more races: 2.6% (2,963)
- Some other Race: 1.5% (1,774)
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Jcvertin // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Houghton County

- Index: 0.129
- Total population: 36,070
- White: 93.2% (33,634)
- Black or African American: 0.8% (278)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (143)
- Asian: 2.8% (1,000)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (19)
- 2 or more races: 2.2% (779)
- Some other Race: 0.6% (217)
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Tony Webster // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Marquette County

- Index: 0.130
- Total population: 66,686
- White: 93.2% (62,152)
- Black or African American: 1.7% (1,118)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.8% (545)
- Asian: 0.9% (627)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (32)
- 2 or more races: 3.1% (2,071)
- Some other Race: 0.2% (141)
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Cwbash (Charles W. Bash) // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Cheboygan County

- Index: 0.130
- Total population: 25,418
- White: 93.2% (23,683)
- Black or African American: 0.8% (205)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 2.1% (527)
- Asian: 0.4% (111)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 3.3% (840)
- Some other Race: 0.2% (52)
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O. David Redwine // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Midland County

- Index: 0.131
- Total population: 83,355
- White: 93.2% (77,659)
- Black or African American: 1.4% (1,167)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (358)
- Asian: 2.3% (1,916)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (59)
- 2 or more races: 2.0% (1,654)
- Some other Race: 0.7% (542)

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Dwight Burdette // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Lenawee County

- Index: 0.132
- Total population: 98,381
- White: 93.1% (91,576)
- Black or African American: 2.5% (2,471)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.5% (475)
- Asian: 0.3% (305)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (20)
- 2 or more races: 2.8% (2,767)
- Some other Race: 0.8% (767)
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Charles W. Chapman // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Newaygo County

- Index: 0.134
- Total population: 48,366
- White: 93.0% (44,979)
- Black or African American: 1.2% (595)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.9% (412)
- Asian: 0.4% (186)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 1.8% (880)
- Some other Race: 2.7% (1,314)
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Alexey Stiop // Shutterstock

#33. Leelanau County

- Index: 0.135
- Total population: 21,652
- White: 92.9% (20,123)
- Black or African American: 0.5% (105)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 3.1% (678)
- Asian: 0.6% (137)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (17)
- 2 or more races: 1.9% (403)
- Some other Race: 0.9% (189)
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Doug Coldwell // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Mecosta County

- Index: 0.135
- Total population: 43,251
- White: 92.9% (40,183)
- Black or African American: 3.0% (1,296)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.6% (278)
- Asian: 0.9% (370)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (9)
- 2 or more races: 2.3% (983)
- Some other Race: 0.3% (132)
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Notorious4life // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Emmet County

- Index: 0.145
- Total population: 33,104
- White: 92.4% (30,573)
- Black or African American: 0.7% (246)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 2.9% (959)
- Asian: 0.6% (205)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (30)
- 2 or more races: 3.1% (1,020)
- Some other Race: 0.2% (71)

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Charles W. Chapman // Wikimedia Commons

#30. St. Joseph County

- Index: 0.152
- Total population: 60,836
- White: 92.0% (55,964)
- Black or African American: 2.2% (1,353)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (182)
- Asian: 0.5% (305)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (36)
- 2 or more races: 3.2% (1,946)
- Some other Race: 1.7% (1,050)
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Andrew Jameson // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Ionia County

- Index: 0.156
- Total population: 64,300
- White: 91.7% (58,958)
- Black or African American: 4.6% (2,976)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (128)
- Asian: 0.4% (269)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (9)
- 2 or more races: 2.3% (1,500)
- Some other Race: 0.7% (460)
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rossograph // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Manistee County

- Index: 0.167
- Total population: 24,457
- White: 91.2% (22,297)
- Black or African American: 2.9% (710)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 1.8% (437)
- Asian: 0.4% (92)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (16)
- 2 or more races: 3.3% (818)
- Some other Race: 0.4% (87)
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Unknown author // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Gratiot County

- Index: 0.168
- Total population: 40,916
- White: 91.0% (37,227)
- Black or African American: 5.7% (2,346)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.6% (242)
- Asian: 0.4% (183)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (30)
- 2 or more races: 1.9% (796)
- Some other Race: 0.2% (92)
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Bobak Ha'Eri // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Gogebic County

- Index: 0.169
- Total population: 15,061
- White: 91.0% (13,708)
- Black or African American: 3.9% (582)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 2.6% (392)
- Asian: 0.5% (82)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (12)
- 2 or more races: 1.8% (273)
- Some other Race: 0.1% (12)

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Gpwitteveen // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Ottawa County

- Index: 0.195
- Total population: 286,558
- White: 89.6% (256,755)
- Black or African American: 1.5% (4,425)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (907)
- Asian: 2.7% (7,747)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (67)
- 2 or more races: 2.8% (7,987)
- Some other Race: 3.0% (8,670)
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rossograph // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Cass County

- Index: 0.207
- Total population: 51,523
- White: 88.9% (45,779)
- Black or African American: 5.2% (2,666)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 1.1% (555)
- Asian: 0.8% (431)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 3.0% (1,557)
- Some other Race: 1.0% (535)
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rossograph // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Isabella County

- Index: 0.222
- Total population: 70,688
- White: 88.0% (62,196)
- Black or African American: 2.7% (1,916)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 3.2% (2,271)
- Asian: 1.8% (1,262)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (10)
- 2 or more races: 3.5% (2,470)
- Some other Race: 0.8% (563)
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Phillip L. Hofmeister // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Jackson County

- Index: 0.230
- Total population: 158,636
- White: 87.3% (138,511)
- Black or African American: 7.8% (12,350)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (564)
- Asian: 0.8% (1,310)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (35)
- 2 or more races: 3.2% (5,011)
- Some other Race: 0.5% (855)
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rossograph // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Lake County

- Index: 0.237
- Total population: 11,852
- White: 86.9% (10,301)
- Black or African American: 7.9% (940)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.9% (110)
- Asian: 0.2% (25)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (15)
- 2 or more races: 3.5% (416)
- Some other Race: 0.4% (45)

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Charles W. Chapman // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Schoolcraft County

- Index: 0.244
- Total population: 8,048
- White: 86.5% (6,958)
- Black or African American: 0.4% (36)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 7.0% (565)
- Asian: 0.4% (30)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 5.6% (450)
- Some other Race: 0.1% (9)
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SBarnes // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Eaton County

- Index: 0.248
- Total population: 109,456
- White: 86.4% (94,564)
- Black or African American: 6.8% (7,435)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.6% (647)
- Asian: 2.3% (2,552)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (32)
- 2 or more races: 2.7% (2,927)
- Some other Race: 1.2% (1,299)
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Lawrence G. Miller // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Van Buren County

- Index: 0.252
- Total population: 75,358
- White: 86.2% (64,935)
- Black or African American: 3.3% (2,520)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 1.0% (770)
- Asian: 0.7% (534)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (23)
- 2 or more races: 4.2% (3,175)
- Some other Race: 4.5% (3,401)
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National Park Service // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Alger County

- Index: 0.270
- Total population: 9,151
- White: 84.9% (7,773)
- Black or African American: 7.7% (702)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 3.6% (334)
- Asian: 0.1% (13)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 3.5% (324)
- Some other Race: 0.1% (5)
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battlecreekcvb // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Calhoun County

- Index: 0.325
- Total population: 134,212
- White: 81.3% (109,110)
- Black or African American: 10.5% (14,148)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.6% (740)
- Asian: 2.4% (3,233)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (16)
- 2 or more races: 4.5% (6,041)
- Some other Race: 0.7% (924)

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NOAA Great Lakes Envorinmental Ressearch Laboritory // Flickr

#15. Muskegon County

- Index: 0.327
- Total population: 173,297
- White: 80.8% (140,103)
- Black or African American: 13.6% (23,499)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.8% (1,416)
- Asian: 0.6% (955)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (26)
- 2 or more races: 3.7% (6,351)
- Some other Race: 0.5% (947)
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Andrew Jameson // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Macomb County

- Index: 0.329
- Total population: 870,325
- White: 81.0% (704,624)
- Black or African American: 11.7% (101,734)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (2,804)
- Asian: 4.0% (34,996)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (546)
- 2 or more races: 2.4% (20,770)
- Some other Race: 0.6% (4,851)
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Mxobe // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Kalamazoo County

- Index: 0.332
- Total population: 262,745
- White: 80.8% (212,216)
- Black or African American: 11.1% (29,215)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (596)
- Asian: 2.4% (6,259)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (108)
- 2 or more races: 4.8% (12,597)
- Some other Race: 0.7% (1,754)
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Grguy2011 // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Kent County

- Index: 0.354
- Total population: 648,121
- White: 79.6% (515,653)
- Black or African American: 9.6% (62,188)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (2,334)
- Asian: 3.0% (19,427)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (187)
- 2 or more races: 4.1% (26,415)
- Some other Race: 3.4% (21,917)
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Charles W. Chapman // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Luce County

- Index: 0.354
- Total population: 6,338
- White: 79.6% (5,043)
- Black or African American: 6.8% (429)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 6.5% (409)
- Asian: 0.5% (32)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (8)
- 2 or more races: 6.1% (385)
- Some other Race: 0.5% (32)

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Russell Sekeet (amtrak_russ) // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Berrien County

- Index: 0.358
- Total population: 154,133
- White: 78.7% (121,313)
- Black or African American: 14.6% (22,561)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (621)
- Asian: 1.9% (2,931)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (27)
- 2 or more races: 3.1% (4,833)
- Some other Race: 1.2% (1,847)
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kennethaw88 // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Saginaw County

- Index: 0.398
- Total population: 191,821
- White: 75.2% (144,268)
- Black or African American: 18.6% (35,664)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (642)
- Asian: 1.2% (2,284)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (17)
- 2 or more races: 3.2% (6,179)
- Some other Race: 1.4% (2,767)
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Flintmichigan // Wikicommons

#8. Genesee County

- Index: 0.400
- Total population: 407,875
- White: 74.8% (304,896)
- Black or African American: 19.9% (81,062)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (1,393)
- Asian: 1.0% (4,211)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (127)
- 2 or more races: 3.5% (14,098)
- Some other Race: 0.5% (2,088)
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Andrew Jameson // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Oakland County

- Index: 0.412
- Total population: 1.3 million
- White: 75.0% (940,365)
- Black or African American: 13.6% (170,488)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (3,413)
- Asian: 7.5% (93,551)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (307)
- 2 or more races: 2.8% (35,337)
- Some other Race: 0.8% (9,724)
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Jeffness // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Mackinac County

- Index: 0.417
- Total population: 10,780
- White: 74.4% (8,023)
- Black or African American: 3.4% (363)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 16.1% (1,731)
- Asian: 0.7% (74)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.2% (17)
- 2 or more races: 5.1% (551)
- Some other Race: 0.2% (21)

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Bryan Robb // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Ingham County

- Index: 0.426
- Total population: 290,587
- White: 74.3% (216,025)
- Black or African American: 11.7% (33,930)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (1,140)
- Asian: 6.8% (19,624)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (107)
- 2 or more races: 5.3% (15,365)
- Some other Race: 1.5% (4,396)
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Agnieszka Gaul // Shutterstock

#4. Washtenaw County

- Index: 0.434
- Total population: 367,000
- White: 73.6% (269,998)
- Black or African American: 11.9% (43,795)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (1,541)
- Asian: 9.1% (33,476)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (164)
- 2 or more races: 4.2% (15,239)
- Some other Race: 0.8% (2,787)
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Modlind // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Baraga County

- Index: 0.439
- Total population: 8,421
- White: 73.4% (6,181)
- Black or African American: 9.3% (783)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 10.0% (842)
- Asian: 0.4% (34)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (5)
- 2 or more races: 6.4% (538)
- Some other Race: 0.5% (38)
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P199 // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Chippewa County

- Index: 0.470
- Total population: 37,629
- White: 70.7% (26,615)
- Black or African American: 6.0% (2,265)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 14.2% (5,342)
- Asian: 1.0% (372)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (35)
- 2 or more races: 7.9% (2,968)
- Some other Race: 0.1% (32)
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PhotosByMahin // Pixabay

#1. Wayne County

- Index: 0.565
- Total population: 1.8 million
- White: 53.1% (933,616)
- Black or African American: 38.7% (680,932)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (5,767)
- Asian: 3.4% (58,915)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (445)
- 2 or more races: 2.5% (43,442)
- Some other Race: 1.9% (34,182)

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