Most diverse counties in New York

Written by:
October 16, 2021
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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.

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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)

#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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