Racial diversity in New York is a mixed bag.
There are parts of New York where there’s a high level of diversity. But where will you find the most diverse places in New York?
To answer that question, we went to the US Census data. Using Saturday Night Science, we measured the Gini coefficient for all 171 cities in New York to rank them from most to least diverse.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
Here are the 10 most diverse places in New York for 2024:
So what city is the most diverse in New York? According to the most Census data, Valley Stream took the number one over all spot for diversity in New York.
Read on below to see how we crunched the numbers and how your town ranked. To see where New York ranked as a state, we have a ranking of the most diverse states in Ameria.
For more New York reading:
The 10 Most Diverse Places In New York For 2024
/10
Population: 40,288
HHI: 2,197
% White: 26.4%
% African American: 25.4%
% Hispanic: 23.2%
% Asian: 16.7%
More on Valley Stream: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 8,622,467
HHI: 2,472
% White: 31.2%
% African American: 21.0%
% Hispanic: 29.0%
% Asian: 14.4%
More on New York: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 7,224
HHI: 2,877
% White: 30.4%
% African American: 21.9%
% Hispanic: 37.9%
% Asian: 4.9%
More on Monticello: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 15,788
HHI: 2,916
% White: 38.7%
% African American: 17.7%
% Hispanic: 32.2%
% Asian: 7.6%
More on Westbury: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 210,992
HHI: 3,009
% White: 36.3%
% African American: 35.7%
% Hispanic: 19.7%
% Asian: 3.5%
More on Rochester: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 30,169
HHI: 3,034
% White: 29.9%
% African American: 22.3%
% Hispanic: 40.3%
% Asian: 4.0%
More on Middletown: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 31,717
HHI: 3,048
% White: 38.7%
% African American: 32.7%
% Hispanic: 21.2%
% Asian: 1.5%
More on Poughkeepsie: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 32,963
HHI: 3,078
% White: 34.8%
% African American: 31.6%
% Hispanic: 29.3%
% Asian: 2.6%
More on Spring Valley: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 68,476
HHI: 3,098
% White: 49.6%
% African American: 18.8%
% Hispanic: 12.6%
% Asian: 6.5%
More on Schenectady: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 80,828
HHI: 3,125
% White: 42.2%
% African American: 18.5%
% Hispanic: 31.0%
% Asian: 5.8%
More on New Rochelle: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Methodology: How we determined the most diverse cities in New York for 2024
We still believe in the accuracy of data — especially from the Census — and Saturday Night Science. So that’s where we went to get the race breakdown across New York.
That leads us to the Census’s most recently available data, the 2018-2022 American Community Survey data from the US Census.
Specifically, we looked at table B03002: HISPANIC OR LATINO ORIGIN BY RACE. Here are the category names as defined by the Census:
- White alone*
- Black or African American alone*
- American Indian and Alaska Native alone*
- Asian alone*
- Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone*
- Some other race alone*
- Two or more races*
- Hispanic or Latino
We limited our analysis to non-CDPs with a population greater than 5,000 people. That left us with 171 cities.
We then calculated the HHI for each city by finding the racial breakdown of a city in percent terms, squaring them, and then adding the squares together. This left us with scores ranging from 2,197 (Valley Stream) to 9,618 (New Square).
Finally, we ranked each city based on the HHI, with a lower score being more diverse than a high score. Valley Stream took the distinction of being the most diverse, while New Square was the least diverse city.
We updated this article for 2024. This report is our tenth time ranking the most diverse places in New York.
Summary: Diversity Across New York
If you’re looking for a scientific breakdown of diversity across New York, this is an accurate list.
The most diverse cities in New York are Valley Stream, New York, Monticello, Westbury, Rochester, Middletown, Poughkeepsie, Spring Valley, Schenectady, and New Rochelle.
If you’re curious enough, here are the least diverse places in New York:
- New Square
- Lancaster
- Hudson Falls
For more New York reading, check out:
- Best Places To Live In New York
- Cheapest Places To Live In New York
- Most Dangerous Places In New York
- Best Places To Raise A Family In New York
- Safest Places In New York According To Science
- Worst Places To Live In New York State
Race By City In New York For 2024
| Rank | City | Population | HHI | % White | % Black | % Hispanic | % Asian |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Valley Stream, NY | 40,288 | 2,197 | 26.4% | 25.4% | 23.2% | 16.7% |
| 2 | New York, NY | 8,622,467 | 2,472 | 31.2% | 21.0% | 29.0% | 14.4% |
| 3 | Monticello, NY | 7,224 | 2,877 | 30.4% | 21.9% | 37.9% | 4.9% |
| 4 | Westbury, NY | 15,788 | 2,916 | 38.7% | 17.7% | 32.2% | 7.6% |
| 5 | Rochester, NY | 210,992 | 3,009 | 36.3% | 35.7% | 19.7% | 3.5% |
| 6 | Middletown, NY | 30,169 | 3,034 | 29.9% | 22.3% | 40.3% | 4.0% |
| 7 | Poughkeepsie, NY | 31,717 | 3,048 | 38.7% | 32.7% | 21.2% | 1.5% |
| 8 | Spring Valley, NY | 32,963 | 3,078 | 34.8% | 31.6% | 29.3% | 2.6% |
| 9 | Schenectady, NY | 68,476 | 3,098 | 49.6% | 18.8% | 12.6% | 6.5% |
| 10 | New Rochelle, NY | 80,828 | 3,125 | 42.2% | 18.5% | 31.0% | 5.8% |
| 11 | Buffalo, NY | 276,688 | 3,163 | 43.6% | 32.3% | 12.3% | 7.6% |
| 12 | Yonkers, NY | 209,780 | 3,172 | 34.1% | 15.8% | 41.6% | 5.3% |
| 13 | Elmsford, NY | 5,192 | 3,200 | 20.9% | 17.9% | 48.3% | 10.2% |
| 14 | New Hyde Park, NY | 10,235 | 3,248 | 45.3% | 1.1% | 19.1% | 28.4% |
| 15 | Freeport, NY | 44,210 | 3,252 | 20.9% | 30.2% | 43.5% | 2.0% |
| 16 | White Plains, NY | 59,421 | 3,259 | 45.5% | 12.1% | 31.3% | 7.5% |
| 17 | Syracuse, NY | 146,134 | 3,338 | 49.2% | 27.2% | 9.9% | 6.9% |
| 18 | Peekskill, NY | 25,401 | 3,346 | 35.8% | 18.9% | 41.3% | 1.8% |
| 19 | Ossining, NY | 27,076 | 3,357 | 38.5% | 11.9% | 41.3% | 4.8% |
| 20 | Nyack, NY | 7,057 | 3,376 | 49.5% | 24.9% | 16.0% | 5.9% |
| 21 | Albany, NY | 99,692 | 3,433 | 50.6% | 26.3% | 9.9% | 7.1% |
| 22 | Newburgh, NY | 28,751 | 3,472 | 21.6% | 24.9% | 48.7% | 0.7% |
| 23 | Utica, NY | 64,728 | 3,520 | 54.4% | 15.0% | 13.7% | 11.3% |
| 24 | Walden, NY | 6,861 | 3,535 | 52.1% | 16.6% | 22.0% | 0.6% |
| 25 | Liberty, NY | 5,030 | 3,642 | 36.4% | 13.6% | 46.1% | 1.7% |
| 26 | Woodbury, NY | 11,371 | 3,655 | 51.7% | 5.7% | 28.9% | 9.9% |
| 27 | Tuckahoe, NY | 6,995 | 3,838 | 56.1% | 5.4% | 19.7% | 16.3% |
| 28 | West Haverstraw, NY | 10,649 | 3,889 | 22.1% | 15.4% | 56.1% | 3.6% |
| 29 | Haverstraw, NY | 12,286 | 3,895 | 19.8% | 19.6% | 55.8% | 3.2% |
| 30 | Suffern, NY | 11,376 | 3,913 | 57.8% | 14.3% | 17.8% | 6.4% |
| 31 | New Hempstead, NY | 5,449 | 3,976 | 59.8% | 8.6% | 14.5% | 9.0% |
| 32 | Monroe, NY | 9,420 | 3,976 | 55.0% | 8.3% | 29.3% | 3.9% |
| 33 | Mount Vernon, NY | 72,817 | 4,097 | 15.6% | 59.5% | 17.2% | 1.9% |
| 34 | Hempstead, NY | 58,557 | 4,131 | 5.0% | 45.2% | 45.4% | 2.0% |
| 35 | Port Jervis, NY | 8,725 | 4,145 | 60.7% | 9.4% | 17.6% | 5.1% |
| 36 | Manorhaven, NY | 6,929 | 4,155 | 54.7% | 1.5% | 32.5% | 10.1% |
| 37 | Glen Cove, NY | 28,132 | 4,197 | 57.4% | 4.8% | 29.1% | 5.5% |
| 38 | Sleepy Hollow, NY | 10,396 | 4,230 | 40.9% | 3.1% | 50.3% | 2.3% |
| 39 | Hudson, NY | 5,923 | 4,231 | 61.7% | 14.3% | 7.3% | 11.7% |
| 40 | Lynbrook, NY | 20,299 | 4,280 | 60.6% | 5.3% | 22.3% | 8.6% |
| 41 | Tarr, NY | 11,776 | 4,285 | 60.2% | 3.3% | 23.9% | 8.4% |
| 42 | Mount Kisco, NY | 10,835 | 4,355 | 56.0% | 4.8% | 34.5% | 2.6% |
| 43 | Wappingers Falls, NY | 5,775 | 4,363 | 61.5% | 10.7% | 21.2% | 3.7% |
| 44 | Troy, NY | 51,268 | 4,397 | 63.2% | 15.7% | 9.1% | 5.0% |
| 45 | Amsterdam, NY | 18,244 | 4,441 | 57.7% | 5.4% | 32.8% | 1.7% |
| 46 | Ithaca, NY | 31,359 | 4,455 | 63.9% | 4.9% | 8.0% | 15.6% |
| 47 | Beacon, NY | 13,876 | 4,456 | 62.3% | 12.6% | 20.1% | 1.2% |
| 48 | Kingston, NY | 24,018 | 4,508 | 63.7% | 13.5% | 15.2% | 1.2% |
| 49 | Mineola, NY | 20,940 | 4,509 | 63.5% | 1.4% | 12.5% | 17.3% |
| 50 | Niagara Falls, NY | 48,502 | 4,527 | 64.1% | 17.4% | 7.3% | 2.1% |
| 51 | Pelham, NY | 7,261 | 4,545 | 65.0% | 7.0% | 14.1% | 6.9% |
| 52 | Washingtonville, NY | 5,733 | 4,551 | 62.6% | 9.6% | 23.0% | 1.4% |
| 53 | Mamaroneck, NY | 19,930 | 4,580 | 61.7% | 4.0% | 27.1% | 4.2% |
| 54 | Ardsley, NY | 5,013 | 4,603 | 65.3% | 3.4% | 8.1% | 13.3% |
| 55 | Port Chester, NY | 31,288 | 4,669 | 26.9% | 6.6% | 62.4% | 2.1% |
| 56 | North Hills, NY | 5,425 | 4,670 | 61.0% | 1.0% | 6.9% | 30.0% |
| 57 | Binghamton, NY | 47,617 | 4,694 | 66.2% | 12.9% | 9.2% | 5.3% |
| 58 | Patchogue, NY | 12,343 | 4,722 | 64.8% | 3.7% | 21.8% | 4.3% |
| 59 | Dunkirk, NY | 12,668 | 4,748 | 62.8% | 5.9% | 27.6% | 0.1% |
| 60 | Great Neck Plaza, NY | 7,443 | 4,803 | 65.8% | 1.1% | 13.0% | 17.5% |
| 61 | Dobbs Ferry, NY | 11,431 | 4,955 | 67.9% | 2.2% | 13.1% | 12.1% |
| 62 | New Paltz, NY | 7,732 | 4,986 | 68.5% | 5.7% | 14.6% | 5.4% |
| 63 | Scarsdale, NY | 18,061 | 5,021 | 68.2% | 2.0% | 6.5% | 17.4% |
| 64 | Williston Park, NY | 7,543 | 5,039 | 67.4% | 0.5% | 13.0% | 17.9% |
| 65 | Salamanca, NY | 5,906 | 5,039 | 68.4% | 2.2% | 5.7% | 0.4% |
| 66 | Floral Park, NY | 15,892 | 5,045 | 67.9% | 1.6% | 15.7% | 13.5% |
| 67 | Watervliet, NY | 10,325 | 5,078 | 69.3% | 11.7% | 9.9% | 4.7% |
| 68 | Farmingdale, NY | 8,428 | 5,264 | 70.4% | 3.8% | 14.1% | 9.3% |
| 69 | Harrison, NY | 28,721 | 5,267 | 70.3% | 4.5% | 15.8% | 6.7% |
| 70 | Malverne, NY | 8,526 | 5,338 | 70.9% | 5.4% | 16.1% | 2.8% |
| 71 | Great Neck, NY | 11,060 | 5,355 | 71.2% | 1.0% | 11.9% | 11.4% |
| 72 | Geneva, NY | 12,670 | 5,357 | 70.9% | 6.0% | 16.5% | 2.9% |
| 73 | Rensselaer, NY | 9,252 | 5,382 | 72.1% | 6.5% | 7.8% | 6.4% |
| 74 | Chestnut Ridge, NY | 10,339 | 5,452 | 72.3% | 11.5% | 8.2% | 2.4% |
| 75 | Johnson City, NY | 15,229 | 5,493 | 72.8% | 6.6% | 5.3% | 8.9% |
| 76 | Lake Grove, NY | 11,066 | 5,497 | 72.2% | 2.5% | 13.7% | 9.7% |
| 77 | Lackawanna, NY | 19,762 | 5,572 | 72.6% | 15.2% | 6.8% | 0.4% |
| 78 | Amityville, NY | 9,507 | 5,592 | 72.8% | 10.4% | 13.6% | 1.8% |
| 79 | Long Beach, NY | 34,734 | 5,600 | 73.1% | 4.9% | 14.3% | 4.5% |
| 80 | Irvington, NY | 6,590 | 5,647 | 73.7% | 1.1% | 10.5% | 8.7% |
| 81 | Elmira, NY | 26,494 | 5,654 | 73.8% | 10.7% | 6.1% | 0.8% |
| 82 | Rye Brook, NY | 9,920 | 5,724 | 74.4% | 0.9% | 9.8% | 9.0% |
| 83 | Pelham Manor, NY | 5,682 | 5,785 | 75.0% | 6.2% | 7.8% | 6.9% |
| 84 | Goshen, NY | 5,736 | 5,789 | 72.4% | 2.1% | 23.4% | 0.3% |
| 85 | Cohoes, NY | 17,960 | 5,831 | 75.2% | 7.1% | 5.9% | 2.2% |
| 86 | Briarcliff Manor, NY | 7,395 | 5,952 | 76.1% | 1.5% | 9.5% | 7.3% |
| 87 | Lockport, NY | 20,808 | 5,967 | 75.9% | 12.1% | 4.7% | 0.4% |
| 88 | Rye, NY | 16,447 | 6,019 | 76.7% | 1.6% | 7.7% | 7.4% |
| 89 | Newark, NY | 9,076 | 6,131 | 76.9% | 4.0% | 13.2% | 0.8% |
| 90 | Watertown, NY | 24,859 | 6,211 | 77.9% | 7.2% | 7.8% | 1.7% |
| 91 | East Rockaway, NY | 10,070 | 6,233 | 78.0% | 6.2% | 9.5% | 4.5% |
| 92 | Endicott, NY | 13,540 | 6,260 | 78.2% | 8.9% | 6.3% | 2.0% |
| 93 | Lindenhurst, NY | 27,139 | 6,313 | 77.9% | 3.3% | 15.1% | 2.0% |
| 94 | Potsdam, NY | 8,570 | 6,363 | 79.1% | 5.2% | 4.8% | 6.1% |
| 95 | Rockville Centre, NY | 25,784 | 6,415 | 79.3% | 3.7% | 8.8% | 5.8% |
| 96 | Kenmore, NY | 15,155 | 6,435 | 79.5% | 6.6% | 6.0% | 1.4% |
| 97 | Colonie, NY | 7,767 | 6,468 | 79.7% | 2.2% | 4.0% | 8.3% |
| 98 | Hastings-On-Hudson, NY | 8,456 | 6,481 | 79.7% | 1.2% | 9.7% | 5.3% |
| 99 | Horseheads, NY | 6,524 | 6,503 | 79.7% | 3.2% | 3.8% | 2.5% |
| 100 | Fredonia, NY | 9,710 | 6,530 | 80.1% | 5.2% | 8.9% | 2.5% |
