Most Diverse States for People of Color: California, Texas, Florida and More Compared
Which of the most diverse states is the best fit for people of color? It is a common question for families and workers thinking about a move. We compared seven states: Florida, California, Texas, Ohio, Nevada, Washington, and Oregon. To keep it fair, we used official Census data and state laws rather than opinion.
How we measured diversity
The main measure is the U.S. Census Bureau’s diversity index. According to the Census Bureau, it shows "the chance that two people chosen at random will be from different racial and ethnic groups." In other words, a higher number means a more mixed population.
Next, we also looked at the share of residents who are people of color. In addition, we checked one policy signal: whether each state has passed a CROWN Act, which bans discrimination based on natural hair textures and styles such as braids, locs, and twists.
The most diverse states on our list
Here is how the seven states rank on the 2020 Census diversity index, along with the share of residents who are not non-Hispanic white:
| Rank | State | Diversity index (2020) | People of color share* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 69.7% | 65.3% |
| 2 | Nevada | 68.8% | 54.1% |
| 3 | Texas | 67.0% | 60.3% |
| 4 | Florida | 64.1% | 48.5% |
| 5 | Washington | 55.9% | 36.2% |
| 6 | Oregon | 46.1% | 28.3% |
| 7 | Ohio | 41.3% | 24.1% |
*People of color share is calculated as 100% minus the non-Hispanic white share in the 2020 Census.
For context, Hawaii has the highest diversity index in the country at 76.0%. It was not part of this comparison.
California: the most diverse of the seven states
First, California tops the list on both measures. About two-thirds of its residents are people of color, and no single group makes up a majority. Notably, it passed the nation’s first CROWN Act in 2019.
Nevada and Texas: close behind
Meanwhile, Nevada ranks a close second on the diversity index, driven by a fast-growing and varied population in Las Vegas and Reno. It passed a CROWN Act in 2021.
Next, Texas ranks third. About 60% of Texans are people of color, and the state has large Hispanic and Black communities in cities such as Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. Texas passed a CROWN Act in 2023.
Florida: diverse, with one policy gap
Florida’s diversity index is 64.1%, and just under half of its residents are people of color. For example, Miami and Orlando are especially diverse. However, according to the Economic Policy Institute, Florida is among the states where a CROWN Act bill was considered but did not pass.
Washington, Oregon, and Ohio
By comparison, Washington and Oregon are less diverse by the numbers. Even so, both have passed CROWN Acts, with Washington’s coming in 2020, according to the Economic Policy Institute.
Ohio ranks last among the seven on the diversity index. Like Florida, it has not passed a statewide CROWN Act, per the Economic Policy Institute. However, Cuyahoga County, home to Cleveland, adopted its own hair-discrimination protections in October 2025, according to Signal Cleveland’s The Land. In addition, cities such as Columbus and Cleveland are far more diverse than the state as a whole.
Diversity is not the same as feeling welcome
Of course, a diversity index measures who lives in a state. It does not measure how people are treated. "Welcoming" also depends on things the numbers above do not capture, such as:
- Your specific city or neighborhood. Metro areas are often far more diverse than rural areas in the same state.
- Cost of living and wages. A diverse state is less welcoming if you cannot afford to live there.
- Community and culture. Churches, businesses, schools, and networks matter a great deal.
Likewise, hate crime data is hard to compare across states. The FBI notes that reporting depends on which local agencies take part, so state totals can reflect reporting habits as much as actual incidents.
So, which of the most diverse states is most welcoming?
Based on the data, California is the most diverse of the seven states, with Nevada and Texas close behind. All three, along with Washington and Oregon, have also passed CROWN Act protections. Florida is diverse but lacks that law, and Ohio ranks lowest on diversity.
Ultimately, the best fit depends on the city, the job market, and the community you are looking for. Visiting, talking with local residents, and researching specific neighborhoods will tell you more than any statewide number.
For more stories like this, browse our Community section.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Census diversity index; 2020 Census non-Hispanic white population shares; Economic Policy Institute CROWN Act tracking; The Land (Cleveland). Laws can change, so confirm current protections with each state.
