Most diverse counties in Virginia
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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#50. Accomack County
- 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)
#49. Charlottesville city
- 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)
#48. Arlington County
- 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)
#47. Westmoreland County
- 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)
#46. King and Queen County
- 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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#45. Dinwiddie County
- 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)
#44. Mecklenburg County
- 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)
#43. Prince Edward County
- 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)
#42. Chesterfield County
- 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)
#41. Lynchburg city
- 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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#40. Caroline County
- 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)
#39. Buckingham County
- 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)
#38. Lunenburg County
- 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)
#37. Fairfax city
- 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)
#36. Northampton County
- 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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#35. Cumberland County
- 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)
#34. Greensville County
- 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)
#33. Halifax County
- 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)
#32. Southampton County
- 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)
#31. Stafford County
- 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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#30. Nottoway County
- 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)
#29. Richmond County
- 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)
#28. Emporia city
- 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)

#27. Virginia Beach city
- 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)
#26. Surry County
- 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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#25. Roanoke city
- 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)
#24. Brunswick County
- 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)
#23. Manassas city
- 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)
#22. Loudoun County
- 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)
#21. Chesapeake city
- 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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#20. Sussex County
- 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)
#19. Essex County
- 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)
#18. Franklin city
- 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)
#17. Prince George County
- 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)
#16. Danville city
- 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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#15. Hopewell city
- 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)
#14. Fredericksburg city
- 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)
#13. Alexandria city
- 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)
#12. Suffolk city
- 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)
#11. Portsmouth city
- 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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#10. Martinsville city
- 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)
#9. Manassas Park city
- 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)

#8. Richmond city
- 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)
#7. Fairfax County
- 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)
#6. Hampton city
- 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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#5. Henrico County
- 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)
#4. Charles City County
- 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)
#3. Newport News city
- 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)
#2. Norfolk city
- 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)
#1. Prince William County
- 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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