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 Virginia 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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Acroterion // Wikimedia Commons
1 / 50#50. Accomack County
- Index: 0.453
- Total population: 32,673
- White: 68.2% (22,282)
- Black or African American: 28.6% (9,331)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.5% (175)
- Asian: 0.8% (265)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 1.0% (341)
- Some other Race: 0.9% (279)
Moofpocket // Wikimedia Commons
2 / 50#49. Charlottesville city
- Index: 0.461
- Total population: 47,096
- White: 70.6% (33,247)
- Black or African American: 18.8% (8,844)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (115)
- Asian: 7.1% (3,327)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (31)
- 2 or more races: 2.9% (1,346)
- Some other Race: 0.4% (186)
Pics2018 // Wikimedia Commons
3 / 50#48. Arlington County
- Index: 0.466
- Total population: 233,464
- White: 71.5% (166,912)
- Black or African American: 9.1% (21,360)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (833)
- Asian: 10.3% (23,959)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (294)
- 2 or more races: 3.8% (8,891)
- Some other Race: 4.8% (11,215)
Greenjettaguy82 // Wikimedia Commons
4 / 50#47. Westmoreland County
- Index: 0.471
- Total population: 17,751
- White: 67.9% (12,054)
- Black or African American: 25.9% (4,598)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.5% (91)
- Asian: 0.7% (129)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (1)
- 2 or more races: 2.5% (439)
- Some other Race: 2.5% (439)
Ser Amantio di Nicolao // Wikimedia Commons
5 / 50#46. King and Queen County
- Index: 0.471
- Total population: 7,042
- White: 67.5% (4,755)
- Black or African American: 26.5% (1,867)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.0% (3)
- Asian: 0.0% (0)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 5.1% (361)
- Some other Race: 0.8% (56)
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Cecouchman // Wikimedia Commons
6 / 50#45. Dinwiddie County
- Index: 0.481
- Total population: 28,485
- White: 64.6% (18,401)
- Black or African American: 31.8% (9,064)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.0% (3)
- Asian: 0.9% (252)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (20)
- 2 or more races: 1.6% (445)
- Some other Race: 1.1% (300)
Cnjnva // Wikimedia Commons
7 / 50#44. Mecklenburg County
- Index: 0.484
- Total population: 30,728
- White: 62.5% (19,193)
- Black or African American: 35.4% (10,891)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.6% (175)
- Asian: 0.1% (29)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (4)
- 2 or more races: 1.1% (329)
- Some other Race: 0.3% (107)
Puritan Nerd // Wikimedia Commons
8 / 50#43. Prince Edward County
- Index: 0.491
- Total population: 22,905
- White: 64.3% (14,724)
- Black or African American: 30.9% (7,068)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (74)
- Asian: 0.8% (194)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 2.5% (569)
- Some other Race: 1.2% (276)
James Shelton32 // Wikimedia Commons
9 / 50#42. Chesterfield County
- Index: 0.492
- Total population: 343,551
- White: 67.2% (230,914)
- Black or African American: 23.1% (79,347)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (1,037)
- Asian: 3.5% (11,858)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (204)
- 2 or more races: 3.1% (10,707)
- Some other Race: 2.8% (9,484)
Acroterion // Wikimedia Commons
10 / 50#41. Lynchburg city
- Index: 0.494
- Total population: 80,569
- White: 65.0% (52,348)
- Black or African American: 28.6% (23,069)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (206)
- Asian: 2.4% (1,973)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (8)
- 2 or more races: 2.5% (2,045)
- Some other Race: 1.1% (920)
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Pubdog // Wikimedia Commons
11 / 50#40. Caroline County
- Index: 0.499
- Total population: 30,381
- White: 65.2% (19,820)
- Black or African American: 27.0% (8,211)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (78)
- Asian: 0.9% (273)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 3.8% (1,167)
- Some other Race: 2.7% (832)
Taber Andrew Bain from Richmond, VA, USA // Wikimedia Commons
12 / 50#39. Buckingham County
- Index: 0.501
- Total population: 17,059
- White: 61.6% (10,506)
- Black or African American: 34.5% (5,885)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.7% (118)
- Asian: 0.2% (28)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 1.5% (256)
- Some other Race: 1.6% (266)
Rhyssdavies // Wikimedia Commons
13 / 50#38. Lunenburg County
- Index: 0.502
- Total population: 12,282
- White: 63.2% (7,764)
- Black or African American: 31.2% (3,830)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.0% (0)
- Asian: 2.8% (340)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 2.7% (332)
- Some other Race: 0.1% (16)
Idawriter // Wikimedia Commons
14 / 50#37. Fairfax city
- Index: 0.503
- Total population: 23,531
- White: 67.8% (15,955)
- Black or African American: 4.9% (1,157)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (13)
- Asian: 17.2% (4,040)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 5.1% (1,200)
- Some other Race: 5.0% (1,166)
Alexiskferia // Wikimedia Commons
15 / 50#36. Northampton County
- Index: 0.504
- Total population: 11,885
- White: 62.0% (7,371)
- Black or African American: 33.3% (3,953)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.0% (4)
- Asian: 1.0% (123)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 2.9% (339)
- Some other Race: 0.8% (95)
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Taber Andrew Bain from Richmond, VA, USA // Wikimedia Commons
16 / 50#35. Cumberland County
- Index: 0.504
- Total population: 9,824
- White: 63.5% (6,235)
- Black or African American: 30.1% (2,960)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (13)
- Asian: 1.2% (122)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 4.4% (429)
- Some other Race: 0.7% (65)
Taber Andrew Bain // Wikimedia Commons
17 / 50#34. Greensville County
- Index: 0.504
- Total population: 11,525
- White: 37.7% (4,350)
- Black or African American: 59.4% (6,844)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (6)
- Asian: 0.1% (7)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 2.4% (274)
- Some other Race: 0.4% (44)
vastateparksstaff // Wikimedia Commons
18 / 50#33. Halifax County
- Index: 0.505
- Total population: 34,552
- White: 61.2% (21,150)
- Black or African American: 34.6% (11,959)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (90)
- Asian: 0.8% (276)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 2.8% (973)
- Some other Race: 0.3% (104)
Puddin Tain // Wikimedia Commons
19 / 50#32. Southampton County
- Index: 0.506
- Total population: 17,880
- White: 62.4% (11,151)
- Black or African American: 32.1% (5,744)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.6% (103)
- Asian: 0.2% (44)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 4.3% (762)
- Some other Race: 0.4% (76)
Mojo Hand // Wikimedia Commons
20 / 50#31. Stafford County
- Index: 0.508
- Total population: 146,773
- White: 67.3% (98,791)
- Black or African American: 17.7% (25,929)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (466)
- Asian: 3.3% (4,910)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (118)
- 2 or more races: 5.4% (7,958)
- Some other Race: 5.9% (8,601)
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Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons
21 / 50#30. Nottoway County
- Index: 0.508
- Total population: 15,433
- White: 57.1% (8,815)
- Black or African American: 40.7% (6,276)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (13)
- Asian: 0.3% (46)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.2% (29)
- 2 or more races: 0.6% (96)
- Some other Race: 1.0% (158)
David Broad // Wikimedia Commons
22 / 50#29. Richmond County
- Index: 0.511
- Total population: 8,884
- White: 64.4% (5,717)
- Black or African American: 26.7% (2,370)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (20)
- Asian: 0.3% (30)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 5.4% (479)
- Some other Race: 3.0% (268)
DanTD // Wikimedia Commons
23 / 50#28. Emporia city
- Index: 0.515
- Total population: 5,442
- White: 28.0% (1,525)
- Black or African American: 63.2% (3,440)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (4)
- Asian: 0.3% (14)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 8.4% (455)
- Some other Race: 0.1% (4)
gargola87 // Wikimedia Commons
24 / 50#27. Virginia Beach city
- Index: 0.517
- Total population: 450,201
- White: 66.3% (298,347)
- Black or African American: 19.0% (85,609)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (1,334)
- Asian: 6.7% (30,130)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (383)
- 2 or more races: 5.6% (25,113)
- Some other Race: 2.1% (9,285)
Ser Amantio di Nicolao // Wikimedia Commons
25 / 50#26. Surry County
- Index: 0.522
- Total population: 6,523
- White: 53.0% (3,454)
- Black or African American: 44.4% (2,897)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.0% (3)
- Asian: 0.2% (11)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 2.3% (147)
- Some other Race: 0.2% (11)
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Nolanwebb // Wikimedia Commons
26 / 50#25. Roanoke city
- Index: 0.524
- Total population: 99,229
- White: 62.4% (61,909)
- Black or African American: 29.0% (28,753)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (220)
- Asian: 3.0% (2,956)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (20)
- 2 or more races: 4.4% (4,323)
- Some other Race: 1.1% (1,048)
Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD // Wikimedia Commons
27 / 50#24. Brunswick County
- Index: 0.527
- Total population: 16,520
- White: 42.0% (6,931)
- Black or African American: 54.5% (8,996)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.0% (0)
- Asian: 0.5% (85)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 2.2% (364)
- Some other Race: 0.9% (144)
Carol M. Highsmith // Wikimedia Commons
28 / 50#23. Manassas city
- Index: 0.531
- Total population: 41,174
- White: 66.1% (27,233)
- Black or African American: 13.6% (5,599)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.8% (311)
- Asian: 5.2% (2,143)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.2% (79)
- 2 or more races: 5.2% (2,148)
- Some other Race: 8.9% (3,661)
Nicole Glass Photography // Shutterstock
29 / 50#22. Loudoun County
- Index: 0.534
- Total population: 395,134
- White: 65.0% (256,660)
- Black or African American: 7.6% (29,906)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (1,123)
- Asian: 18.6% (73,381)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (417)
- 2 or more races: 5.2% (20,365)
- Some other Race: 3.4% (13,282)
James Shelton32 // Wikimedia Commons
30 / 50#21. Chesapeake city
- Index: 0.534
- Total population: 239,982
- White: 61.1% (146,540)
- Black or African American: 30.0% (72,084)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (419)
- Asian: 3.2% (7,571)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (150)
- 2 or more races: 4.0% (9,572)
- Some other Race: 1.5% (3,646)
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Puddin Tain // Wikimedia Commons
31 / 50#20. Sussex County
- Index: 0.535
- Total population: 11,377
- White: 39.9% (4,535)
- Black or African American: 55.3% (6,288)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.0% (0)
- Asian: 1.3% (146)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 2.8% (321)
- Some other Race: 0.8% (87)
Mojo Hand // Wikimedia Commons
32 / 50#19. Essex County
- Index: 0.536
- Total population: 10,998
- White: 55.6% (6,115)
- Black or African American: 39.3% (4,319)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.0% (0)
- Asian: 0.6% (68)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 1.7% (183)
- Some other Race: 2.8% (313)
Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons
33 / 50#18. Franklin city
- Index: 0.541
- Total population: 8,147
- White: 36.9% (3,003)
- Black or African American: 56.7% (4,618)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.0% (0)
- Asian: 1.3% (103)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 4.1% (333)
- Some other Race: 1.1% (90)
Raul654 // Wikimedia Commons
34 / 50#17. Prince George County
- Index: 0.544
- Total population: 38,114
- White: 58.9% (22,455)
- Black or African American: 32.7% (12,456)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.6% (231)
- Asian: 1.5% (565)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.4% (158)
- 2 or more races: 4.3% (1,637)
- Some other Race: 1.6% (612)
Acroterion // Wikimedia Commons
35 / 50#16. Danville city
- Index: 0.548
- Total population: 41,070
- White: 45.5% (18,687)
- Black or African American: 49.4% (20,283)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (34)
- Asian: 1.2% (483)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (33)
- 2 or more races: 3.2% (1,323)
- Some other Race: 0.6% (227)
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Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons
36 / 50#15. Hopewell city
- Index: 0.550
- Total population: 22,456
- White: 50.9% (11,435)
- Black or African American: 43.5% (9,778)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (32)
- Asian: 1.4% (307)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 2.4% (533)
- Some other Race: 1.7% (371)
Ken L. from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA // Wikimedia Commons
37 / 50#14. Fredericksburg city
- Index: 0.554
- Total population: 28,622
- White: 62.3% (17,839)
- Black or African American: 22.1% (6,322)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (62)
- Asian: 2.7% (764)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (41)
- 2 or more races: 7.1% (2,042)
- Some other Race: 5.4% (1,552)
ALXCHO // Wikimedia Commons
38 / 50#13. Alexandria city
- Index: 0.558
- Total population: 157,613
- White: 62.2% (98,017)
- Black or African American: 21.8% (34,287)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (353)
- Asian: 5.9% (9,280)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (46)
- 2 or more races: 5.3% (8,397)
- Some other Race: 4.6% (7,233)
Calstanhope // Wikimedia Commons
39 / 50#12. Suffolk city
- Index: 0.559
- Total population: 90,093
- White: 51.5% (46,357)
- Black or African American: 41.8% (37,648)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (189)
- Asian: 2.0% (1,770)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (15)
- 2 or more races: 3.8% (3,410)
- Some other Race: 0.8% (704)
U.S. Navy photo // Wikimedia Commons
40 / 50#11. Portsmouth city
- Index: 0.560
- Total population: 95,097
- White: 39.8% (37,831)
- Black or African American: 52.9% (50,274)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (381)
- Asian: 1.4% (1,328)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.3% (293)
- 2 or more races: 3.6% (3,436)
- Some other Race: 1.6% (1,554)
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Sleddog116 // Wikimedia Commons
41 / 50#10. Martinsville city
- Index: 0.561
- Total population: 12,852
- White: 48.0% (6,175)
- Black or African American: 45.4% (5,834)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (46)
- Asian: 1.0% (131)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (15)
- 2 or more races: 4.0% (514)
- Some other Race: 1.1% (137)
Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD // Wikimedia Commons
42 / 50#9. Manassas Park city
- Index: 0.570
- Total population: 16,986
- White: 62.3% (10,576)
- Black or African American: 15.3% (2,607)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (23)
- Asian: 11.1% (1,884)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (8)
- 2 or more races: 3.9% (658)
- Some other Race: 7.2% (1,230)
Will Weaver // Wikicommons
43 / 50#8. Richmond city
- Index: 0.572
- Total population: 226,622
- White: 45.5% (103,054)
- Black or African American: 46.9% (106,193)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (962)
- Asian: 2.1% (4,757)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (44)
- 2 or more races: 3.4% (7,710)
- Some other Race: 1.7% (3,902)
Munich // Wikimedia Commons
44 / 50#7. Fairfax County
- Index: 0.575
- Total population: 1.1 million
- White: 61.2% (701,055)
- Black or African American: 9.8% (112,371)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (2,662)
- Asian: 19.2% (219,697)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (847)
- 2 or more races: 4.7% (53,317)
- Some other Race: 4.9% (55,913)
JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons
45 / 50#6. Hampton city
- Index: 0.579
- Total population: 135,041
- White: 41.1% (55,513)
- Black or African American: 49.9% (67,450)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.5% (632)
- Asian: 2.5% (3,352)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.2% (226)
- 2 or more races: 4.2% (5,670)
- Some other Race: 1.6% (2,198)
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Rifleman 82 // Wikimedia Commons
46 / 50#5. Henrico County
- Index: 0.586
- Total population: 327,535
- White: 56.3% (184,326)
- Black or African American: 29.7% (97,414)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (676)
- Asian: 8.3% (27,171)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (131)
- 2 or more races: 3.5% (11,460)
- Some other Race: 1.9% (6,357)
Mojo Hand // Wikimedia Commons
47 / 50#4. Charles City County
- Index: 0.597
- Total population: 7,014
- White: 43.7% (3,066)
- Black or African American: 45.4% (3,187)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 6.6% (464)
- Asian: 1.0% (67)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
- 2 or more races: 3.0% (211)
- Some other Race: 0.3% (19)
Petra holden // Wikimedia Commons
48 / 50#3. Newport News city
- Index: 0.597
- Total population: 179,673
- White: 47.9% (86,132)
- Black or African American: 41.1% (73,785)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (460)
- Asian: 3.2% (5,773)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.2% (362)
- 2 or more races: 5.2% (9,281)
- Some other Race: 2.2% (3,880)
Ewelch1 // Wikimedia Commons
49 / 50#2. Norfolk city
- Index: 0.606
- Total population: 244,601
- White: 47.0% (114,890)
- Black or African American: 41.1% (100,649)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (938)
- Asian: 3.7% (9,029)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (168)
- 2 or more races: 4.7% (11,496)
- Some other Race: 3.0% (7,431)
Idawriter // Wikimedia Commons
50 / 50#1. Prince William County
- Index: 0.619
- Total population: 461,423
- White: 56.6% (261,230)
- Black or African American: 21.0% (96,927)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (1,998)
- Asian: 8.4% (38,570)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (478)
- 2 or more races: 5.6% (25,759)
- Some other Race: 7.9% (36,461)
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