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 Kentucky 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.
You may also like: Movies and TV shows casting in Kentucky
Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons
1 / 50#50. Henry County
- Index: 0.128
- Total population: 15,911
- White: 93.3% (14,844)
- Black or African American: 3.0% (472)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.0% (0)
- Asian: 0.6% (100)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (19)
- 2 or more races: 1.8% (289)
- Some other Race: 1.2% (187)
C. Bedford Crenshaw // Wikimedia Commons
2 / 50#49. Caldwell County
- Index: 0.131
- Total population: 12,702
- White: 93.0% (11,813)
- Black or African American: 6.3% (796)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.0% (0)
- Asian: 0.0% (0)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 0.7% (93)
- Some other Race: 0.0% (0)
Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons
3 / 50#48. Martin County
- Index: 0.131
- Total population: 11,648
- White: 93.0% (10,837)
- Black or African American: 5.5% (636)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (29)
- Asian: 0.1% (11)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (12)
- 2 or more races: 0.7% (78)
- Some other Race: 0.4% (45)
Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons
4 / 50#47. Mercer County
- Index: 0.133
- Total population: 21,592
- White: 93.0% (20,078)
- Black or African American: 4.2% (909)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (31)
- Asian: 0.5% (98)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (12)
- 2 or more races: 1.6% (343)
- Some other Race: 0.6% (121)
Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons
5 / 50W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons
6 / 50#45. Larue County
- Index: 0.136
- Total population: 14,204
- White: 92.8% (13,186)
- Black or African American: 3.5% (503)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (10)
- Asian: 0.4% (53)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 1.6% (224)
- Some other Race: 1.6% (228)
Jonathunder // Wikimedia Commons
7 / 50#44. Ballard County
- Index: 0.137
- Total population: 8,032
- White: 92.8% (7,452)
- Black or African American: 4.1% (328)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.6% (48)
- Asian: 0.2% (19)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 2.2% (176)
- Some other Race: 0.1% (9)
Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons
8 / 50#43. Cumberland County
- Index: 0.137
- Total population: 6,697
- White: 92.8% (6,216)
- Black or African American: 2.1% (140)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.0% (0)
- Asian: 0.8% (51)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 2.1% (142)
- Some other Race: 2.2% (148)
Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons
9 / 50#42. Barren County
- Index: 0.137
- Total population: 43,884
- White: 92.8% (40,712)
- Black or African American: 3.5% (1,547)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (54)
- Asian: 0.3% (148)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 2.9% (1,273)
- Some other Race: 0.3% (150)
Megangen1990 // Wikimedia Commons
10 / 50#41. Muhlenberg County
- Index: 0.138
- Total population: 30,951
- White: 92.7% (28,689)
- Black or African American: 4.5% (1,404)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (54)
- Asian: 0.8% (243)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (22)
- 2 or more races: 1.5% (471)
- Some other Race: 0.2% (68)
You may also like: Countries to which Kentucky exports the most goods
Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons
11 / 50#40. Clark County
- Index: 0.141
- Total population: 35,971
- White: 92.6% (33,297)
- Black or African American: 4.7% (1,674)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (54)
- Asian: 0.6% (221)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 1.6% (576)
- Some other Race: 0.4% (149)
Smceuen // Wikimedia Commons
12 / 50#39. Carroll County
- Index: 0.156
- Total population: 10,671
- White: 91.8% (9,793)
- Black or African American: 3.2% (340)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (34)
- Asian: 0.3% (35)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 1.1% (120)
- Some other Race: 3.3% (349)
Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons
13 / 50#38. Meade County
- Index: 0.156
- Total population: 28,182
- White: 91.8% (25,861)
- Black or African American: 3.8% (1,061)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.7% (211)
- Asian: 0.7% (185)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 2.5% (702)
- Some other Race: 0.6% (162)
Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons
14 / 50#37. Lyon County
- Index: 0.157
- Total population: 8,271
- White: 91.6% (7,580)
- Black or African American: 5.7% (474)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.6% (50)
- Asian: 0.4% (31)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (12)
- 2 or more races: 1.3% (109)
- Some other Race: 0.2% (15)
W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons
15 / 50Chris Light // Wikimedia Commons
16 / 50#35. Nelson County
- Index: 0.161
- Total population: 45,650
- White: 91.4% (41,726)
- Black or African American: 5.1% (2,341)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (47)
- Asian: 0.5% (247)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 1.9% (880)
- Some other Race: 0.9% (409)
Murray State // Wikimedia Commons
17 / 50#34. Calloway County
- Index: 0.162
- Total population: 38,837
- White: 91.4% (35,515)
- Black or African American: 3.5% (1,369)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (125)
- Asian: 1.1% (426)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.2% (89)
- 2 or more races: 2.9% (1,136)
- Some other Race: 0.5% (177)
W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons
18 / 50#33. Oldham County
- Index: 0.162
- Total population: 65,967
- White: 91.4% (60,313)
- Black or African American: 3.7% (2,437)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (134)
- Asian: 1.6% (1,028)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (29)
- 2 or more races: 2.6% (1,690)
- Some other Race: 0.5% (336)
FloNight (Sydney Poore) and Russell Poore // Wikimedia Commons
19 / 50#32. Madison County
- Index: 0.163
- Total population: 90,802
- White: 91.4% (82,952)
- Black or African American: 4.1% (3,728)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (344)
- Asian: 0.9% (808)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.3% (251)
- 2 or more races: 2.4% (2,206)
- Some other Race: 0.6% (513)
Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons
20 / 50#31. Taylor County
- Index: 0.163
- Total population: 25,571
- White: 91.3% (23,349)
- Black or African American: 4.3% (1,095)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (21)
- Asian: 1.1% (273)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 3.0% (778)
- Some other Race: 0.2% (55)
You may also like: Highest-rated breweries in Kentucky
Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons
21 / 50#30. Jessamine County
- Index: 0.163
- Total population: 53,032
- White: 91.3% (48,430)
- Black or African American: 4.6% (2,445)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (156)
- Asian: 1.4% (766)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (11)
- 2 or more races: 1.7% (878)
- Some other Race: 0.7% (346)
Bedford // Wikimedia Commons
22 / 50#29. Webster County
- Index: 0.169
- Total population: 13,068
- White: 91.0% (11,891)
- Black or African American: 3.6% (474)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (12)
- Asian: 0.1% (7)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (9)
- 2 or more races: 3.3% (432)
- Some other Race: 1.9% (243)
Bedford // Wikimedia Commons
23 / 50#28. Logan County
- Index: 0.173
- Total population: 26,902
- White: 90.7% (24,400)
- Black or African American: 6.7% (1,806)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (17)
- Asian: 0.3% (69)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (2)
- 2 or more races: 1.6% (429)
- Some other Race: 0.7% (179)
W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons
24 / 50#27. Boone County
- Index: 0.174
- Total population: 130,820
- White: 90.7% (118,715)
- Black or African American: 2.9% (3,815)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (126)
- Asian: 2.4% (3,137)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 2.4% (3,186)
- Some other Race: 1.4% (1,841)
Greg5030 // Wikimedia Commons
25 / 50#26. Mason County
- Index: 0.175
- Total population: 17,112
- White: 90.6% (15,505)
- Black or African American: 6.3% (1,082)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.0% (8)
- Asian: 0.9% (155)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (7)
- 2 or more races: 1.8% (309)
- Some other Race: 0.3% (46)
You may also like: Highest-rated Class of 2025 men's basketball recruits from Kentucky
Dcoetzee // Wikimedia Commons
26 / 50#25. Trigg County
- Index: 0.177
- Total population: 14,449
- White: 90.4% (13,062)
- Black or African American: 7.4% (1,076)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.0% (0)
- Asian: 0.5% (68)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 1.3% (193)
- Some other Race: 0.3% (50)
W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons
27 / 50#24. Bourbon County
- Index: 0.178
- Total population: 20,058
- White: 90.4% (18,128)
- Black or African American: 7.0% (1,401)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.0% (0)
- Asian: 0.8% (162)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 0.4% (88)
- Some other Race: 1.4% (279)
Wdzinc // Wikimedia Commons
28 / 50#23. Marion County
- Index: 0.182
- Total population: 19,244
- White: 90.2% (17,349)
- Black or African American: 7.3% (1,408)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (36)
- Asian: 0.2% (41)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (28)
- 2 or more races: 1.7% (329)
- Some other Race: 0.3% (53)
Farragutful // Wikimedia Commons
29 / 50#22. Daviess County
- Index: 0.183
- Total population: 100,474
- White: 90.2% (90,657)
- Black or African American: 4.4% (4,372)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (169)
- Asian: 1.8% (1,767)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.3% (253)
- 2 or more races: 2.6% (2,644)
- Some other Race: 0.6% (612)
Kybluegrass // Wikimedia Commons
30 / 50#21. McCreary County
- Index: 0.185
- Total population: 17,465
- White: 90.1% (15,732)
- Black or African American: 5.7% (989)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.7% (118)
- Asian: 0.5% (79)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (5)
- 2 or more races: 2.6% (452)
- Some other Race: 0.5% (90)
You may also like: Hottest Decembers in Kentucky since 1895
Greg5030 // Wikimedia Commons
31 / 50#20. Kenton County
- Index: 0.185
- Total population: 165,668
- White: 90.1% (149,303)
- Black or African American: 4.6% (7,640)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (213)
- Asian: 1.3% (2,108)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (37)
- 2 or more races: 2.5% (4,074)
- Some other Race: 1.4% (2,293)
Jim.henderson // Wikimedia Commons
32 / 50#19. Hopkins County
- Index: 0.185
- Total population: 45,331
- White: 90.0% (40,802)
- Black or African American: 6.4% (2,916)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (90)
- Asian: 0.6% (269)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (6)
- 2 or more races: 2.4% (1,082)
- Some other Race: 0.4% (166)
Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons
33 / 50#18. Washington County
- Index: 0.185
- Total population: 12,023
- White: 90.1% (10,828)
- Black or African American: 5.4% (644)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.0% (0)
- Asian: 0.9% (106)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 2.4% (288)
- Some other Race: 1.3% (157)
Paul Sableman // Wikimedia Commons
34 / 50#17. Graves County
- Index: 0.194
- Total population: 37,248
- White: 89.6% (33,366)
- Black or African American: 4.5% (1,662)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (52)
- Asian: 0.5% (169)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.3% (111)
- 2 or more races: 2.6% (975)
- Some other Race: 2.5% (913)
w.marsh // Wikimedia Commons
35 / 50#16. Henderson County
- Index: 0.219
- Total population: 45,829
- White: 88.0% (40,333)
- Black or African American: 7.3% (3,345)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (93)
- Asian: 0.4% (194)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (12)
- 2 or more races: 2.9% (1,342)
- Some other Race: 1.1% (510)
You may also like: How Kentucky ranks for most motorcycle fatalities
W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons
36 / 50#15. Scott County
- Index: 0.225
- Total population: 54,667
- White: 87.8% (48,003)
- Black or African American: 4.6% (2,528)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (133)
- Asian: 1.2% (650)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 3.3% (1,820)
- Some other Race: 2.8% (1,533)
Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons
37 / 50#14. Boyle County
- Index: 0.227
- Total population: 29,972
- White: 87.5% (26,229)
- Black or African American: 8.0% (2,388)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (91)
- Asian: 0.9% (264)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 2.2% (647)
- Some other Race: 1.2% (353)
Acdixon // Wikimedia Commons
38 / 50#13. Todd County
- Index: 0.227
- Total population: 12,316
- White: 87.5% (10,771)
- Black or African American: 8.2% (1,012)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.0% (0)
- Asian: 0.1% (8)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 1.6% (202)
- Some other Race: 2.6% (323)
W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons
39 / 50#12. Shelby County
- Index: 0.237
- Total population: 47,325
- White: 87.0% (41,165)
- Black or African American: 6.9% (3,244)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.0% (0)
- Asian: 0.9% (439)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (37)
- 2 or more races: 2.7% (1,292)
- Some other Race: 2.4% (1,148)
Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons
40 / 50#11. Hickman County
- Index: 0.239
- Total population: 4,510
- White: 86.8% (3,913)
- Black or African American: 8.4% (377)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (18)
- Asian: 0.7% (32)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 3.3% (150)
- Some other Race: 0.4% (20)
You may also like: Most common dog breeds available for adoption in Kentucky
Bfreas // Wikimedia Commons
41 / 50#10. Simpson County
- Index: 0.254
- Total population: 18,183
- White: 85.7% (15,583)
- Black or African American: 10.3% (1,867)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (74)
- Asian: 0.7% (121)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 2.2% (404)
- Some other Race: 0.7% (134)
Smallbones // Wikimedia Commons
42 / 50#9. McCracken County
- Index: 0.265
- Total population: 65,268
- White: 85.1% (55,515)
- Black or African American: 10.5% (6,843)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (272)
- Asian: 0.9% (573)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (46)
- 2 or more races: 2.5% (1,610)
- Some other Race: 0.6% (409)
Patricia Drury // Wikimedia Commons
43 / 50#8. Union County
- Index: 0.289
- Total population: 14,638
- White: 83.2% (12,178)
- Black or African American: 13.3% (1,950)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.0% (0)
- Asian: 0.5% (68)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 2.5% (367)
- Some other Race: 0.5% (75)
JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons
44 / 50#7. Franklin County
- Index: 0.309
- Total population: 50,529
- White: 82.4% (41,652)
- Black or African American: 9.4% (4,729)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (54)
- Asian: 1.8% (915)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (36)
- 2 or more races: 3.9% (1,946)
- Some other Race: 2.4% (1,197)
OPMaster // Wikimedia Commons
45 / 50#6. Warren County
- Index: 0.323
- Total population: 128,652
- White: 81.6% (104,990)
- Black or African American: 8.9% (11,459)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (438)
- Asian: 4.0% (5,151)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.4% (477)
- 2 or more races: 2.9% (3,775)
- Some other Race: 1.8% (2,362)
You may also like: The 20 most competitive housing markets in Kentucky
Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons
46 / 50#5. Hardin County
- Index: 0.354
- Total population: 108,527
- White: 79.4% (86,124)
- Black or African American: 11.6% (12,569)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (227)
- Asian: 2.2% (2,364)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.3% (365)
- 2 or more races: 5.2% (5,638)
- Some other Race: 1.1% (1,240)
Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons
47 / 50#4. Fayette County
- Index: 0.415
- Total population: 320,601
- White: 74.9% (239,996)
- Black or African American: 14.6% (46,844)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (608)
- Asian: 3.8% (12,028)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (83)
- 2 or more races: 3.8% (12,027)
- Some other Race: 2.8% (9,015)
Calvin Beale // Wikimedia Commons
48 / 50#3. Fulton County
- Index: 0.424
- Total population: 6,130
- White: 71.9% (4,410)
- Black or African American: 24.0% (1,472)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.7% (43)
- Asian: 0.1% (9)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 2.6% (161)
- Some other Race: 0.6% (35)
Chris Watson // Wikicommons
49 / 50#2. Jefferson County
- Index: 0.438
- Total population: 767,419
- White: 71.6% (549,506)
- Black or African American: 21.7% (166,794)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (1,403)
- Asian: 2.9% (22,040)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (385)
- 2 or more races: 2.5% (19,497)
- Some other Race: 1.0% (7,794)
Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons
50 / 50#1. Christian County
- Index: 0.443
- Total population: 71,414
- White: 71.2% (50,879)
- Black or African American: 22.0% (15,683)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.8% (543)
- Asian: 1.6% (1,167)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.5% (338)
- 2 or more races: 3.0% (2,126)
- Some other Race: 0.9% (678)
You may also like: See how popular pumpkin spice is in Kentucky
