Is GA more diverse than most other states now? See what latest data shows

Thanks to rapid demographic shifts, the US is undergoing a major transformation. According to the US Census Bureau, between the surveys in 2010 and 2020 the diversity index rose from 54.9% to 61.1%.

Georgia’s diversity index, 64%, is higher than the national average, and in a recent diversity analysis conducted by WalletHub, Georgia takes the #11 spot overall.

To pinpoint where the biggest exchanges of ideas and identities are happening and where populations stay mostly uniform, the study sized up all 50 states across six major diversity factors.

GA diversity by the numbers

The Georgia Budget & Policy Institute’s analysis of demographic trends reports that as of 2025, Georgia has become a majority-minority state, with non-Hispanic Whites making up about 49.34% of the population, crossing below 50% for the first time in October 2024.

Georgia sits just outside the top ten at #11, but is still noted for high variation in race, household structure, and religious affiliation.

The WalletHub study ranks Georgia 11th overall with a total score: 68.6 out of 100.

Key metrics (out of 51 states)

• Socioeconomic Diversity: 9th
• Cultural Diversity: 11th
• Economic Diversity: 21th
• Household Diversity: 16th
• Religious Diversity: 10th
• Political Diversity: 13the

Columbus does okay in the city rankings, coming in at 101 out of 501, with Macon a little worse at 223.

How state diversity is measured

Using recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau, ARDA, and Pew Research Center, WalletHub’s ranking is built on 14 metrics spanning six key categories.

The analysis uses the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index which is a standard measure for quantifying diversity within populations.

Key diversity categories:

• Socioeconomic: Household income levels and educational attainment.
• Cultural: Racial/ethnic composition, language spoken at home, and birthplace origin.
• Economic: Industries and occupations represented in each state’s workforce.
• Household: Marital status, generational breakdown, and types/sizes of households.
• Religious: Variety of faiths and beliefs present among residents.
• Political: Distribution of political leanings and engagement.

The most and least diverse states in the US

The bottom ten states are mostly found in the Northeast and Midwest, known for lower rates of migration, less linguistic and racial variety, and more homogeneous economies.

Top 10 most diverse states

• California: 1st
• Texas: 2nd
• New Mexico: 3rd
• Florida: 4th
• Nevada: 5th
• New York: 6th
• New Jersey: 7th
• Hawaii: 8th
• Maryland: 9th
• Arizona: 10th

Bottom 10 least diverse states

• West Virginia: 50th
• Maine: 49th
• New Hampshire: 48th
• Vermont: 47th
• Montana: 46th
• Kentucky: 45th
• Wyoming: 44th
• Iowa: 43rd
• Utah: 42nd
• North Dakota: 41st

Georgia’s relatively high diversity ranking means residents experience a wide array of cultures, backgrounds, and viewpoints daily. Do you feel like your area is as diverse as the state? Email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on social media.