Most diverse counties in South Carolina

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 South Carolina 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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#46. Pickens County

- Index: 0.215
- Total population: 124,029
- White: 88.3% (109,519)
- Black or African American: 6.8% (8,440)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (306)
- Asian: 2.0% (2,483)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (26)
- 2 or more races: 1.6% (2,046)
- Some other Race: 1.0% (1,209)

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#45. Oconee County

- Index: 0.224
- Total population: 77,528
- White: 87.8% (68,062)
- Black or African American: 6.9% (5,317)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.6% (493)
- Asian: 0.7% (570)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (11)
- 2 or more races: 2.7% (2,128)
- Some other Race: 1.2% (947)

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#44. Horry County

- Index: 0.324
- Total population: 332,172
- White: 81.1% (269,392)
- Black or African American: 13.3% (44,187)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.5% (1,790)
- Asian: 1.4% (4,522)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (142)
- 2 or more races: 1.7% (5,528)
- Some other Race: 2.0% (6,611)

Upstateherd // Wikimedia Commons

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#43. Anderson County

- Index: 0.338
- Total population: 198,064
- White: 79.8% (157,968)
- Black or African American: 15.7% (31,183)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (310)
- Asian: 0.9% (1,845)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (72)
- 2 or more races: 2.3% (4,528)
- Some other Race: 1.1% (2,158)

Ralph Hightower // Wikimedia Commons

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#42. Lexington County

- Index: 0.351
- Total population: 290,278
- White: 79.1% (229,664)
- Black or African American: 14.8% (43,041)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (884)
- Asian: 1.9% (5,427)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (211)
- 2 or more races: 2.4% (7,075)
- Some other Race: 1.4% (3,976)

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#41. Cherokee County

- Index: 0.388
- Total population: 56,895
- White: 75.5% (42,974)
- Black or African American: 20.1% (11,421)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (113)
- Asian: 0.6% (332)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (25)
- 2 or more races: 2.4% (1,385)
- Some other Race: 1.1% (645)

Upstateherd // Wikimedia Commons

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#40. Allendale County

- Index: 0.400
- Total population: 9,024
- White: 23.4% (2,108)
- Black or African American: 73.8% (6,664)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (25)
- Asian: 0.2% (14)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (4)
- 2 or more races: 0.5% (47)
- Some other Race: 1.8% (162)

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#39. Lancaster County

- Index: 0.403
- Total population: 92,308
- White: 74.3% (68,565)
- Black or African American: 21.0% (19,412)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (91)
- Asian: 1.3% (1,212)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 2.5% (2,306)
- Some other Race: 0.8% (722)

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#38. Beaufort County

- Index: 0.409
- Total population: 186,095
- White: 74.7% (138,993)
- Black or African American: 17.7% (33,027)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (512)
- Asian: 1.3% (2,428)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (122)
- 2 or more races: 2.3% (4,226)
- Some other Race: 3.6% (6,787)

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#37. York County

- Index: 0.411
- Total population: 265,872
- White: 74.2% (197,372)
- Black or African American: 19.2% (50,998)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.8% (2,015)
- Asian: 2.1% (5,673)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (94)
- 2 or more races: 2.0% (5,440)
- Some other Race: 1.6% (4,280)

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#36. Spartanburg County

- Index: 0.422
- Total population: 307,617
- White: 73.2% (225,093)
- Black or African American: 20.4% (62,688)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (461)
- Asian: 2.4% (7,240)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (69)
- 2 or more races: 2.2% (6,886)
- Some other Race: 1.7% (5,180)

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#35. Greenville County

- Index: 0.426
- Total population: 507,003
- White: 73.5% (372,871)
- Black or African American: 17.7% (89,504)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.5% (2,292)
- Asian: 2.5% (12,752)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.3% (1,468)
- 2 or more races: 2.6% (12,966)
- Some other Race: 3.0% (15,150)

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#34. Abbeville County

- Index: 0.434
- Total population: 24,627
- White: 69.9% (17,221)
- Black or African American: 27.6% (6,804)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (15)
- Asian: 0.3% (79)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 1.9% (471)
- Some other Race: 0.2% (37)

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#33. Kershaw County

- Index: 0.436
- Total population: 65,112
- White: 71.2% (46,360)
- Black or African American: 23.6% (15,387)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (114)
- Asian: 0.2% (119)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (89)
- 2 or more races: 3.0% (1,981)
- Some other Race: 1.6% (1,062)

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#32. Aiken County

- Index: 0.437
- Total population: 168,301
- White: 70.7% (118,946)
- Black or African American: 25.0% (42,002)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (549)
- Asian: 0.9% (1,570)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (80)
- 2 or more races: 2.4% (4,111)
- Some other Race: 0.6% (1,043)

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#31. Laurens County

- Index: 0.449
- Total population: 66,846
- White: 70.1% (46,860)
- Black or African American: 24.1% (16,083)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (98)
- Asian: 0.5% (317)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (44)
- 2 or more races: 2.9% (1,914)
- Some other Race: 2.3% (1,530)

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#30. Charleston County

- Index: 0.462
- Total population: 401,165
- White: 68.3% (273,817)
- Black or African American: 26.7% (107,239)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (751)
- Asian: 1.5% (6,052)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (269)
- 2 or more races: 2.1% (8,277)
- Some other Race: 1.2% (4,760)

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#29. Union County

- Index: 0.475
- Total population: 27,490
- White: 65.5% (18,017)
- Black or African American: 30.7% (8,441)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (22)
- Asian: 0.0% (4)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 3.4% (943)
- Some other Race: 0.2% (63)

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#28. Lee County

- Index: 0.478
- Total population: 17,365
- White: 32.9% (5,721)
- Black or African American: 64.3% (11,163)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.0% (2)
- Asian: 0.0% (8)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 1.2% (216)
- Some other Race: 1.5% (255)

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#27. Dorchester County

- Index: 0.480
- Total population: 158,299
- White: 67.5% (106,779)
- Black or African American: 25.1% (39,720)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (676)
- Asian: 1.8% (2,866)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (198)
- 2 or more races: 3.2% (5,130)
- Some other Race: 1.9% (2,930)

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#26. Williamsburg County

- Index: 0.482
- Total population: 31,324
- White: 31.8% (9,957)
- Black or African American: 64.5% (20,217)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.5% (162)
- Asian: 0.7% (213)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 0.9% (291)
- Some other Race: 1.5% (484)

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#25. Georgetown County

- Index: 0.484
- Total population: 61,952
- White: 64.8% (40,114)
- Black or African American: 30.9% (19,149)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (48)
- Asian: 0.5% (317)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 1.4% (892)
- Some other Race: 2.3% (1,432)

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#24. Greenwood County

- Index: 0.485
- Total population: 70,411
- White: 64.3% (45,307)
- Black or African American: 31.7% (22,305)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (57)
- Asian: 1.0% (726)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 1.9% (1,363)
- Some other Race: 0.9% (653)

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#23. Bamberg County

- Index: 0.494
- Total population: 14,376
- White: 36.4% (5,237)
- Black or African American: 61.1% (8,786)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (62)
- Asian: 0.3% (50)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 0.5% (73)
- Some other Race: 1.2% (168)

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#22. Berkeley County

- Index: 0.496
- Total population: 215,044
- White: 66.6% (143,238)
- Black or African American: 24.0% (51,660)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (947)
- Asian: 2.2% (4,766)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (195)
- 2 or more races: 3.5% (7,502)
- Some other Race: 3.1% (6,736)

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#21. Chester County

- Index: 0.497
- Total population: 32,311
- White: 60.4% (19,518)
- Black or African American: 37.1% (11,972)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.5% (153)
- Asian: 0.2% (65)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 1.8% (585)
- Some other Race: 0.1% (18)

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#20. Saluda County

- Index: 0.498
- Total population: 20,303
- White: 65.9% (13,370)
- Black or African American: 25.1% (5,091)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (52)
- Asian: 0.0% (0)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 1.2% (253)
- Some other Race: 7.6% (1,537)

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#19. Orangeburg County

- Index: 0.498
- Total population: 87,687
- White: 34.8% (30,474)
- Black or African American: 61.7% (54,107)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (319)
- Asian: 0.7% (572)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (95)
- 2 or more races: 2.1% (1,840)
- Some other Race: 0.3% (280)

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#18. Chesterfield County

- Index: 0.500
- Total population: 45,953
- White: 63.0% (28,935)
- Black or African American: 32.0% (14,701)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (150)
- Asian: 0.5% (230)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (33)
- 2 or more races: 2.8% (1,266)
- Some other Race: 1.4% (638)

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#17. Newberry County

- Index: 0.502
- Total population: 38,194
- White: 63.2% (24,134)
- Black or African American: 31.1% (11,878)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (132)
- Asian: 0.2% (93)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 0.9% (338)
- Some other Race: 4.2% (1,619)

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#16. Fairfield County

- Index: 0.503
- Total population: 22,565
- White: 39.1% (8,825)
- Black or African American: 58.6% (13,234)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (46)
- Asian: 0.2% (41)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 1.9% (419)
- Some other Race: 0.0% (0)

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#15. Darlington County

- Index: 0.510
- Total population: 67,027
- White: 56.6% (37,941)
- Black or African American: 41.1% (27,547)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (162)
- Asian: 0.4% (247)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (17)
- 2 or more races: 1.6% (1,092)
- Some other Race: 0.0% (21)

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#14. Edgefield County

- Index: 0.514
- Total population: 26,927
- White: 60.0% (16,163)
- Black or African American: 35.3% (9,511)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (107)
- Asian: 0.3% (81)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (12)
- 2 or more races: 1.8% (491)
- Some other Race: 2.1% (562)

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#13. Marion County

- Index: 0.521
- Total population: 31,308
- White: 39.7% (12,414)
- Black or African American: 56.7% (17,752)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.6% (195)
- Asian: 0.7% (223)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 1.0% (309)
- Some other Race: 1.3% (415)

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#12. Calhoun County

- Index: 0.522
- Total population: 14,663
- White: 55.7% (8,169)
- Black or African American: 40.9% (6,001)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.8% (122)
- Asian: 0.0% (4)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.4% (54)
- 2 or more races: 0.6% (88)
- Some other Race: 1.5% (225)

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#11. Colleton County

- Index: 0.524
- Total population: 37,585
- White: 57.3% (21,523)
- Black or African American: 38.3% (14,411)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.8% (312)
- Asian: 0.1% (54)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 0.9% (323)
- Some other Race: 2.6% (962)

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#10. Florence County

- Index: 0.529
- Total population: 138,475
- White: 53.6% (74,278)
- Black or African American: 42.7% (59,193)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (354)
- Asian: 1.3% (1,810)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (109)
- 2 or more races: 1.4% (1,936)
- Some other Race: 0.6% (795)

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#9. Barnwell County

- Index: 0.530
- Total population: 21,346
- White: 50.9% (10,863)
- Black or African American: 45.8% (9,785)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (45)
- Asian: 0.2% (36)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (11)
- 2 or more races: 0.9% (185)
- Some other Race: 2.0% (421)

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#8. Clarendon County

- Index: 0.531
- Total population: 33,957
- White: 49.3% (16,729)
- Black or African American: 47.5% (16,124)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (30)
- Asian: 0.6% (201)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (9)
- 2 or more races: 1.3% (450)
- Some other Race: 1.2% (414)

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#7. McCormick County

- Index: 0.533
- Total population: 9,531
- White: 51.5% (4,908)
- Black or African American: 44.8% (4,271)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (23)
- Asian: 0.2% (23)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 2.7% (262)
- Some other Race: 0.5% (44)

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#6. Hampton County

- Index: 0.537
- Total population: 19,564
- White: 42.1% (8,227)
- Black or African American: 53.4% (10,451)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (29)
- Asian: 0.3% (63)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 1.2% (226)
- Some other Race: 2.9% (568)

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#5. Dillon County

- Index: 0.542
- Total population: 30,689
- White: 46.7% (14,340)
- Black or African American: 48.9% (14,998)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 2.1% (643)
- Asian: 0.1% (22)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 2.1% (637)
- Some other Race: 0.2% (49)

Bill Fitzpatrick // Wikimedia Commons

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#4. Jasper County

- Index: 0.551
- Total population: 28,657
- White: 52.4% (15,011)
- Black or African American: 41.6% (11,909)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (46)
- Asian: 0.4% (120)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 2.1% (593)
- Some other Race: 3.4% (978)

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#3. Sumter County

- Index: 0.557
- Total population: 106,757
- White: 47.2% (50,412)
- Black or African American: 46.7% (49,908)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (304)
- Asian: 1.4% (1,467)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (67)
- 2 or more races: 3.2% (3,390)
- Some other Race: 1.1% (1,209)

Calvin Beale // Wikimedia Commons

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#2. Marlboro County

- Index: 0.570
- Total population: 26,753
- White: 41.5% (11,108)
- Black or African American: 50.5% (13,511)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 3.0% (792)
- Asian: 0.4% (116)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 4.1% (1,092)
- Some other Race: 0.5% (134)

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#1. Richland County

- Index: 0.577
- Total population: 411,357
- White: 44.9% (184,514)
- Black or African American: 46.9% (192,946)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (834)
- Asian: 2.9% (11,752)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (476)
- 2 or more races: 3.0% (12,430)
- Some other Race: 2.0% (8,405)

Most diverse counties in South Carolina

#46. Pickens County

#45. Oconee County

#44. Horry County

#43. Anderson County

#42. Lexington County

#41. Cherokee County

#40. Allendale County

#39. Lancaster County

#38. Beaufort County

#37. York County

#36. Spartanburg County

#35. Greenville County

#34. Abbeville County

#33. Kershaw County

#32. Aiken County

#31. Laurens County

#30. Charleston County

#29. Union County

#28. Lee County

#27. Dorchester County

#26. Williamsburg County

#25. Georgetown County

#24. Greenwood County

#23. Bamberg County

#22. Berkeley County

#21. Chester County

#20. Saluda County

#19. Orangeburg County

#18. Chesterfield County

#17. Newberry County

#16. Fairfield County

#15. Darlington County

#14. Edgefield County

#13. Marion County

#12. Calhoun County

#11. Colleton County

#10. Florence County

#9. Barnwell County

#8. Clarendon County

#7. McCormick County

#6. Hampton County

#5. Dillon County

#4. Jasper County

#3. Sumter County

#2. Marlboro County

#1. Richland County

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