17 Most Diverse Cities in the United States That Might Surprise You

When you think of the United States, a few things come to mind: Hollywood, Disneyland, New York, the Grand Canyon, NASA, Las Vegas, and more. Beyond the glitz and glam, the U.S. is also known for its diversity. People from all walks of life are flocking in with hopes of a better future. 

The Land of Opportunity or The Land of the Free should sound somewhat familiar. This is most likely what attracts people to America. 

What makes the United States great is its diversity. You’ll find a mix of cultures, multiple languages being spoken, and nationalities all coming together

1. New York City, New York 

As you walk the streets, you’ll hear multiple dialects. Believe it or not, there are over 600 languages spoken in New York City. 

Culture and nationality aside, NYC is also known for being a very liberal city. You’ll find quirky characters and people just being who they want to be. It’s really a magical city filled with amazing people.

2. Austin, Texas 

The Live Music Capital of the World welcomes all with open arms. The capital of Texas is known for its music scene, wide variety of entertainment options, outdoor activities, and a whole lotta charm. 

There’s always something to do, whether you’re going to one of nearly 200 concert venues or waiting for the sun to set to watch thousands of bats fly from the Congress Avenue Bridge. The weather is usually good, so you’ll always find locals out and about enjoying the outdoors. 

You’ll find great diversity in Austin since many people come for great job opportunities, affordable cost of living, and a growing industry market. 

3. Tampa, Florida

You’ll find Tampa along the Gulf Coast, a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. The city celebrates its Cuban and Latin cultures, which makes it one of the most diverse cities in the United States. 

Besides its cultural blend, Tampa has many fantastic sights and things to see. Visit ZooTampa to experience wildlife like never before. This animal haven is known for its stunning tropical zoological setting. Get ready to see African Elephants, Penguins, Bornean Orangutans, Giraffes, and yellow-footed rock wallabies. ZooTampa also has a wide variety of birds, such as bald eagles, shoebill storks, sandhill cranes, and palm cockatoos. 

4. Tucson, Arizona

Desert landscape, warm weather, and cacti. Tucson has a beautiful blend of Mexican-American culture due to its close proximity to the border. The Sonoran Desert attracts people worldwide, all wanting to get up close and personal with giant cacti and experience the outdoors like never before. 

The University of Arizona is well known for its renowned departments and draws students from around the country and the world. Tucson celebrates its rich cultural diversity with festivals. Here, you’ll find delicious Mexican dishes, like tacos and burritos, and classic American food, such as burgers and fries. 

5. Las Vegas, Nevada 

Sin City is a place where many go to escape. You’ll find casinos, hotels, restaurants, and sideshows all along the strip. As you make your way down this iconic road, there’s another thing you’ll immediately notice: the people. 

Las Vegas is always filled with tourists coming in from all over the world. This city is definitely a bucket list location, and it’s hard not to see why. Glitz and glam isn’t the only thing Vegas has. There is plenty of diversity. 

6. Albuquerque, New Mexico 

Albuquerque is located in New Mexico, a city known for its cultural diversity, with Mexican and Native American influence. The town celebrates its heritage and people through festivals, architectural preservation, and education. 

Learn about the history of Albuquerque at one of the many exciting museums that showcase various things such as art, history, science, and even human evolution. 

7. Atlantic City, New Jersey 

Atlantic City is one of the most visited destinations in the USA. It’s a city filled with lots of entertainment, beautiful beaches, and an iconic boardwalk. People from all over the world come for the excitement of casinos, boardwalk shopping, and seaside fun. 

Here, you’ll find a mix of people either visiting or staying. There is quite a large Hispanic and African-American community, along with many others. It’s a liberal city that welcomes all and with so much to do, along with fantastic educational options and job opportunities. 

8. Beaumont, Texas 

Located in southeastern Texas, Beaumont is a city full of diversity. With a rich cultural history, this city greatly supported the blues and jazz era. Beaumont also plays a huge role in U.S. history since it was home to the largest and most significant oil boom. 

Here, you’ll find many museums showcasing interesting and cool features, such as the Texas Fire Museum, which is home to the world’s largest working fire hydrant. Visit the Gator Country Adventure Park to feed the alligators, or take a scenic stroll in the Beaumont Botanical Gardens. Since Beaumont is very walkable, you can explore the town and discover all the hidden gems. 

9. New Orleans, Louisiana 

This city is a burst of diversity, which you’ll immediately feel the minute you step in. New Orleans is known for its live music, Mardi Gras, and its delightful blend of cultures. Creole, Cajun, French, and Spanish all play an important part in this colorful town. 

The locals are happy, friendly, and always welcome visitors with open arms. New Orleans is a popular destination for those wanting to experience the festivities of Mardi Gras, explore the French Quarter, or try authentic beignets

10. Greensboro, North Carolina 

Known as Tournament Town due to its many sports fields, venues, stadiums, and courts, Greensboro wasn’t always a competitive town. The city was a textile manufacturer with many mills, factories, and workers. 

Greensboro put itself on the map with the Greensboro Four, a peaceful protest against segregation. Four brave African-American men sat at a lunch counter in Woolworths, which led to thousands of other sit-ins. Today, you can visit the Woolworths location, which is now the International Civil Rights Center & Museum. 

11. Napa, California 

Think of Napa, and wine is probably the first thing to pop in mind. This city is beautiful, filled with scenic spots, vineyards, mountains, and fine dining. Napa is a hot spot for tourists, and you’ll always find plenty of foreigners, all coming to experience its special charm. 

Wine (glass) aside, Napa is also incredibly diverse. There is a large Hispanic community here and Asian American. While this may be a hot spot for a girlfriend’s getaway, the suburbs are homey and made up of a mix of people.

With its mix of diversity in locals, along with people from all over the world coming in, you’ll find that Napa is definitely one of the most diverse cities in the United States. 

Be sure to check out some of the wineries with this guided wine tour with a picnic. You’ll be taken to some of the best spots and enjoy a delicious meal after. 

12. Los Angeles, California 

The City of Angels is a place where people from all over come to make it big. Los Angeles is known for Hollywood, celebrities, film and TV studios, and beautiful beaches. You’ll find plenty of things to do and all sorts of people. 

L.A. is such a fun city. It’s really impossible to get bored. Hiking, sightseeing, tours, museums, shopping, and a delicious mix of food. Whether you’re on a mission to find the best taco food truck or you want to be wowed by a Michelin Star restaurant.

All the endless exploring makes Los Angeles one of the most visited cities in the United States. The charm and opportunities are what also draw people from far and wide. You’ll find a beautiful mix of races, ethnicities, cultures, and religions. 

Los Angeles is known as one of the most diverse cities in the United States. It’s a very liberal town and warmly welcomes all. 

13. Chicago, Illinois 

Welcome to the Windy City, known for deep-dish pizza, vibrant neighborhoods, a buzzing music scene, and magnificent architecture. Chicago is located on the shores of Lake Michigan and is a must-see city. 

Get lost in Chi-Town as you explore all it has to offer. Not only will you find plenty of things to see and do, but another great factor in Chicago is its diversity. This city is made up of people from all different backgrounds. You’ll find a large part of the population consists of African American, Hispanic, and Asian American. 

Chicago is home to people from various cultures, religions, and ethnicities. Each year, the city is seeing more immigrants, so it’s becoming more and more diverse. You’ll find wonderful cultural neighborhoods like Chinatown, Greektown, Little Italy, and Pilsen. 

14. Seattle, Washington 

Calling all coffee lovers, Seattle is known for their brew, and this is where Starbucks was born. This city is also famous for its Space Needle, Museums, and beautiful greenery, gaining the nickname Emerald City. 
Seattle offers many things to do and see and appeals to those with various interests. Whether you’re going to the Starbucks reserve or embarking on an epic outdoor adventure, this city has something for everyone.

While the city has quite a large white population, it has seen quite a significant increase in numbers with other races. Hispanic, Asian American, African American, and Multiracial groups have grown tremendously in the last decade.

Seattle is a liberal city with open-minded residents. You’ll find many cultures here, and they are celebrated with museums, festivals, and inspired neighborhoods (Chinatown and Ballard). 

Looking to enjoy more of the outdoors? Here are some of the best places to see the sunset in Seattle.

15. Houston, Texas

“Houston, we have a problem,” iconic words from the Apollo 13 space mission were indeed in communication with Houston, Texas. I’m sure by now you’ve realized that this great city is known for its connection to the stars, especially with a nickname like Space City. 

Along with NASA, Houston is known for their diverse food culture, sports, and entertainment. This city is also incredibly diverse, with more than half of the population being people of color. Houston is rich in culture, with its varied music genres, performing arts, museums, and festivals. 

Get ready to taste the flavors of the world with food options like Chinese, Indian, Mexican, Lebanese, and Korean. Don’t be surprised when a language you hear sounds unfamiliar. There are over 145 languages spoken in Houston. 

16. Gaithersburg, Maryland

This small town located in Maryland is one of the most diverse cities in the United States. With communities made up of various races, religions, and cultures. Gaithersburg has an urban, suburban feel and is a great place to live. 

This city rates quite high when it comes to things like education, entertainment, housing, and, of course, diversity. Gaithersburg is very open and welcomes all. A lot of residents work in Washington D.C. since commuting is very easy and the city is close by. This proximity allows for ample job opportunities and plenty to do. 

Gaithersburg scored in the top three most culturally diverse cities in the United States, according to Wallethub. This is quite impressive as it’s a small town and competes against big cities with larger populations. 

17. San Jose, California

You’ll find this diverse and sunny city located in Silicon Valley, California. San Jose is on the map for its thriving tech industry, making it a hub for innovation. Ever heard of Google, Facebook, and Apple? You’ll find their headquarters in this buzzing city. 

From the world’s largest Monopoly Board to the Tech Museum of Innovation, San Jose has so much to do and see. You’ll find people from all over visiting, and many people relocating due to the job opportunities. 

San Jose is one of the most diverse cities in the United States. Statistics show that 35% of the population is White, 31% Asian, 28% Hispanic, and 2% Black. This city has a rich cultural history. You’ll find all these wonderful cultures blending seamlessly, making San Jose the gem that it is.