Racial diversity in Minnesota is a mixed bag.
There are parts of Minnesota where there’s a high level of diversity. But where will you find the most diverse places in Minnesota?
To answer that question, we went to the US Census data. Using Saturday Night Science, we measured the Gini coefficient for all 148 cities in Minnesota to rank them from most to least diverse.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
Here are the 10 most diverse places in Minnesota for 2024:
So what city is the most diverse in Minnesota? According to the most Census data, Brooklyn Center took the number one over all spot for diversity in Minnesota.
Read on below to see how we crunched the numbers and how your town ranked. To see where Minnesota ranked as a state, we have a ranking of the most diverse states in Ameria.
For more Minnesota reading:
The 10 Most Diverse Places In Minnesota For 2024
/10
Population: 33,109
HHI: 2,661
% White: 35.2%
% African American: 31.5%
% Hispanic: 15.0%
% Asian: 13.8%
More on Brooklyn Center: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 84,951
HHI: 2,756
% White: 37.9%
% African American: 29.4%
% Hispanic: 6.4%
% Asian: 19.3%
More on Brooklyn Park: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 13,838
HHI: 3,281
% White: 38.2%
% African American: 7.8%
% Hispanic: 41.0%
% Asian: 7.1%
More on Worthington: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 308,806
HHI: 3,306
% White: 51.3%
% African American: 15.4%
% Hispanic: 8.6%
% Asian: 18.3%
More on St. Paul: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 21,822
HHI: 3,509
% White: 52.2%
% African American: 23.8%
% Hispanic: 12.9%
% Asian: 5.6%
More on Columbia Heights: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 41,405
HHI: 3,680
% White: 55.5%
% African American: 8.3%
% Hispanic: 10.5%
% Asian: 20.1%
More on Maplewood: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 29,731
HHI: 3,867
% White: 57.0%
% African American: 19.7%
% Hispanic: 13.9%
% Asian: 4.6%
More on Fridley: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 18,752
HHI: 4,063
% White: 59.3%
% African American: 20.2%
% Hispanic: 7.6%
% Asian: 5.2%
More on Hopkins: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 12,465
HHI: 4,085
% White: 59.7%
% African American: 7.3%
% Hispanic: 5.7%
% Asian: 19.6%
More on North St. Paul: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 426,877
HHI: 4,093
% White: 60.0%
% African American: 18.4%
% Hispanic: 9.9%
% Asian: 5.2%
More on Minneapolis: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Methodology: How we determined the most diverse cities in Minnesota 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 Minnesota.
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 148 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 2,661 (Brooklyn Center) to 9,450 (Wyoming).
Finally, we ranked each city based on the HHI, with a lower score being more diverse than a high score. Brooklyn Center took the distinction of being the most diverse, while Wyoming was the least diverse city.
We updated this article for 2024. This report is our tenth time ranking the most diverse places in Minnesota.
Summary: Diversity Across Minnesota
If you’re looking for a scientific breakdown of diversity across Minnesota, this is an accurate list.
The most diverse cities in Minnesota are Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Worthington, St. Paul, Columbia Heights, Maplewood, Fridley, Hopkins, North St. Paul, and Minneapolis.
If you’re curious enough, here are the least diverse places in Minnesota:
- Wyoming
- Baxter
- Minnetrista
For more Minnesota reading, check out:
- Best Places To Live In Minnesota
- Cheapest Places To Live In Minnesota
- Most Dangerous Cities In Minnesota
- Best Places To Raise A Family In Minnesota
- Safest Places In Minnesota
- Worst Places To Live In Minnesota
Race By City In Minnesota For 2024
| Rank | City | Population | HHI | % White | % Black | % Hispanic | % Asian |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brooklyn Center, MN | 33,109 | 2,661 | 35.2% | 31.5% | 15.0% | 13.8% |
| 2 | Brooklyn Park, MN | 84,951 | 2,756 | 37.9% | 29.4% | 6.4% | 19.3% |
| 3 | Worthington, MN | 13,838 | 3,281 | 38.2% | 7.8% | 41.0% | 7.1% |
| 4 | St. Paul, MN | 308,806 | 3,306 | 51.3% | 15.4% | 8.6% | 18.3% |
| 5 | Columbia Heights, MN | 21,822 | 3,509 | 52.2% | 23.8% | 12.9% | 5.6% |
| 6 | Maplewood, MN | 41,405 | 3,680 | 55.5% | 8.3% | 10.5% | 20.1% |
| 7 | Fridley, MN | 29,731 | 3,867 | 57.0% | 19.7% | 13.9% | 4.6% |
| 8 | Hopkins, MN | 18,752 | 4,063 | 59.3% | 20.2% | 7.6% | 5.2% |
| 9 | North St. Paul, MN | 12,465 | 4,085 | 59.7% | 7.3% | 5.7% | 19.6% |
| 10 | Minneapolis, MN | 426,877 | 4,093 | 60.0% | 18.4% | 9.9% | 5.2% |
| 11 | Richfield, MN | 36,809 | 4,095 | 59.9% | 10.7% | 18.6% | 6.1% |
| 12 | Waite Park, MN | 8,290 | 4,260 | 56.7% | 31.3% | 7.3% | 2.1% |
| 13 | Shakopee, MN | 44,135 | 4,295 | 62.9% | 8.3% | 9.0% | 12.2% |
| 14 | Willmar, MN | 21,006 | 4,364 | 60.5% | 11.4% | 23.9% | 1.9% |
| 15 | New Hope, MN | 21,620 | 4,383 | 61.0% | 24.2% | 6.3% | 3.0% |
| 16 | Mounds View, MN | 13,100 | 4,415 | 64.0% | 8.5% | 6.6% | 10.4% |
| 17 | Little Canada, MN | 10,624 | 4,519 | 64.6% | 9.0% | 8.5% | 13.6% |
| 18 | Burnsville, MN | 64,075 | 4,521 | 64.6% | 13.8% | 10.1% | 5.9% |
| 19 | Austin, MN | 26,156 | 4,629 | 65.0% | 5.7% | 17.4% | 8.0% |
| 20 | New Brighton, MN | 23,141 | 4,654 | 65.5% | 16.0% | 7.5% | 6.6% |
| 21 | Spring Lake Park, MN | 6,966 | 4,659 | 65.9% | 6.9% | 12.4% | 9.9% |
| 22 | Oakdale, MN | 28,029 | 4,750 | 66.6% | 10.1% | 4.3% | 12.6% |
| 23 | Robbinsdale, MN | 14,452 | 4,844 | 66.9% | 16.3% | 8.1% | 2.9% |
| 24 | Faribault, MN | 24,418 | 4,906 | 66.9% | 14.8% | 14.5% | 1.4% |
| 25 | West St. Paul, MN | 20,820 | 4,921 | 66.7% | 5.8% | 20.4% | 2.2% |
| 26 | Bloomington, MN | 89,244 | 4,967 | 68.7% | 10.7% | 8.7% | 5.7% |
| 27 | St. Cloud, MN | 68,910 | 5,118 | 68.8% | 18.0% | 4.1% | 3.9% |
| 28 | Apple Valley, MN | 55,594 | 5,158 | 70.3% | 10.0% | 7.6% | 6.1% |
| 29 | Eden Prairie, MN | 63,623 | 5,164 | 70.0% | 6.7% | 4.6% | 13.5% |
| 30 | Crystal, MN | 22,954 | 5,250 | 70.4% | 15.2% | 4.5% | 4.1% |
| 31 | South St. Paul, MN | 20,598 | 5,340 | 70.8% | 4.3% | 16.5% | 2.1% |
| 32 | Roseville, MN | 36,066 | 5,392 | 72.1% | 8.0% | 4.9% | 8.0% |
| 33 | Eagan, MN | 68,262 | 5,421 | 72.1% | 10.4% | 5.1% | 8.8% |
| 34 | Rochester, MN | 120,848 | 5,487 | 72.8% | 9.2% | 5.9% | 7.8% |
| 35 | Plymouth, MN | 79,918 | 5,624 | 73.8% | 4.8% | 4.5% | 10.5% |
| 36 | Savage, MN | 32,441 | 5,674 | 74.1% | 9.1% | 5.0% | 7.5% |
| 37 | Blaine, MN | 70,047 | 5,678 | 74.2% | 7.2% | 4.8% | 9.2% |
| 38 | Woodbury, MN | 75,549 | 5,759 | 74.5% | 5.0% | 4.6% | 12.2% |
| 39 | Falcon Heights, MN | 5,232 | 5,798 | 74.7% | 6.4% | 1.9% | 12.7% |
| 40 | Coon Rapids, MN | 63,296 | 5,844 | 75.4% | 9.0% | 4.5% | 5.7% |
| 41 | Vadnais Heights, MN | 12,864 | 5,844 | 75.4% | 5.3% | 6.6% | 8.2% |
| 42 | St. Paul Park, MN | 5,497 | 5,847 | 75.1% | 2.7% | 11.8% | 7.2% |
| 43 | Bemidji, MN | 15,441 | 5,924 | 75.8% | 1.8% | 2.7% | 1.2% |
| 44 | Inver Grove Heights, MN | 35,673 | 5,974 | 76.0% | 4.7% | 12.3% | 4.2% |
| 45 | Marshall, MN | 13,647 | 6,025 | 76.6% | 5.1% | 9.0% | 6.6% |
| 46 | Anoka, MN | 17,892 | 6,105 | 77.3% | 7.7% | 6.1% | 3.9% |
| 47 | Dayton, MN | 7,745 | 6,141 | 77.5% | 4.6% | 6.1% | 5.2% |
| 48 | St. Louis Park, MN | 49,500 | 6,246 | 78.4% | 5.2% | 5.0% | 5.1% |
| 49 | Cottage Grove, MN | 39,274 | 6,253 | 78.4% | 6.1% | 5.1% | 5.8% |
| 50 | St. Anthony, MN | 9,332 | 6,256 | 78.2% | 9.4% | 1.4% | 6.4% |
| 51 | Albert Lea, MN | 18,434 | 6,271 | 77.6% | 1.7% | 15.3% | 3.5% |
| 52 | Maple Grove, MN | 70,110 | 6,328 | 78.8% | 7.6% | 2.5% | 6.9% |
| 53 | Champlin, MN | 23,666 | 6,416 | 79.3% | 9.5% | 1.5% | 5.4% |
| 54 | St. Peter, MN | 12,039 | 6,441 | 79.5% | 6.1% | 8.0% | 1.8% |
| 55 | Lakeville, MN | 70,696 | 6,464 | 79.8% | 4.5% | 5.3% | 6.0% |
| 56 | Shoreview, MN | 26,846 | 6,484 | 79.7% | 3.3% | 3.4% | 9.8% |
| 57 | Zimmerman, MN | 6,243 | 6,495 | 79.7% | 1.4% | 6.6% | 2.2% |
| 58 | Morris, MN | 5,094 | 6,543 | 80.2% | 2.7% | 9.1% | 1.8% |
| 59 | Mendota Heights, MN | 11,642 | 6,550 | 79.9% | 0.6% | 3.0% | 3.7% |
| 60 | East Grand Forks, MN | 9,118 | 6,604 | 80.7% | 4.4% | 7.1% | 0.1% |
| 61 | Medina, MN | 6,746 | 6,635 | 80.5% | 3.2% | 0.3% | 11.3% |
| 62 | Crookston, MN | 7,472 | 6,657 | 80.7% | 1.7% | 11.1% | 3.0% |
| 63 | Golden Valley, MN | 22,142 | 6,690 | 81.2% | 5.7% | 3.8% | 2.6% |
| 64 | Northfield, MN | 20,518 | 6,695 | 81.2% | 2.4% | 8.7% | 3.9% |
| 65 | White Bear Lake, MN | 24,317 | 6,714 | 81.4% | 3.4% | 6.7% | 4.6% |
| 66 | Montevideo, MN | 5,350 | 6,729 | 81.0% | 2.5% | 12.3% | 2.2% |
| 67 | Glencoe, MN | 5,712 | 6,752 | 80.5% | 1.2% | 16.4% | 0.6% |
| 68 | Moorhead, MN | 44,443 | 6,813 | 82.1% | 5.7% | 5.1% | 1.7% |
| 69 | Arden Hills, MN | 9,805 | 6,824 | 82.1% | 2.5% | 6.9% | 5.2% |
| 70 | Chaska, MN | 27,764 | 6,848 | 82.2% | 2.0% | 8.4% | 3.2% |
| 71 | Waseca, MN | 9,208 | 6,873 | 82.1% | 0.8% | 10.9% | 1.4% |
| 72 | Mankato, MN | 44,444 | 6,876 | 82.4% | 7.0% | 4.7% | 3.6% |
| 73 | Minnetonka, MN | 53,529 | 6,881 | 82.5% | 4.0% | 3.3% | 6.5% |
| 74 | Edina, MN | 53,037 | 6,901 | 82.6% | 2.8% | 3.1% | 6.9% |
| 75 | Forest Lake, MN | 20,553 | 7,049 | 83.5% | 3.1% | 5.9% | 3.8% |
| 76 | Chanhassen, MN | 25,868 | 7,089 | 83.7% | 1.4% | 3.3% | 6.6% |
| 77 | St. Joseph, MN | 7,066 | 7,156 | 84.0% | 8.8% | 2.6% | 1.5% |
| 78 | Corcoran, MN | 6,549 | 7,164 | 83.8% | 1.2% | 1.1% | 11.4% |
| 79 | North Oaks, MN | 5,193 | 7,171 | 84.1% | 0.3% | 6.2% | 7.6% |
| 80 | Rosemount, MN | 25,993 | 7,180 | 84.4% | 3.5% | 3.1% | 4.3% |
| 81 | Ramsey, MN | 27,774 | 7,206 | 84.5% | 6.2% | 1.7% | 3.0% |
| 82 | Farmington, MN | 23,487 | 7,225 | 84.7% | 3.3% | 5.3% | 2.6% |
| 83 | Stillwater, MN | 19,316 | 7,235 | 84.7% | 2.8% | 6.6% | 2.4% |
| 84 | Owatonna, MN | 26,400 | 7,242 | 84.6% | 4.2% | 7.3% | 0.3% |
| 85 | Cloquet, MN | 12,559 | 7,269 | 84.9% | 1.2% | 2.4% | 0.7% |
| 86 | Prior Lake, MN | 27,608 | 7,320 | 85.2% | 1.2% | 3.7% | 4.3% |
| 87 | Monticello, MN | 14,447 | 7,329 | 85.1% | 0.2% | 8.1% | 3.5% |
| 88 | Elk River, MN | 25,936 | 7,338 | 85.3% | 3.8% | 3.7% | 1.1% |
| 89 | Otsego, MN | 20,455 | 7,375 | 85.6% | 5.2% | 2.6% | 1.8% |
| 90 | Lake Elmo, MN | 11,861 | 7,381 | 85.6% | 4.7% | 4.2% | 2.1% |
| 91 | Victoria, MN | 10,681 | 7,387 | 85.7% | 4.0% | 1.8% | 4.3% |
| 92 | Andover, MN | 32,639 | 7,504 | 86.4% | 4.1% | 2.3% | 3.5% |
| 93 | Jordan, MN | 6,648 | 7,611 | 86.9% | 2.4% | 7.0% | 0.5% |
| 94 | Fairmont, MN | 10,411 | 7,612 | 86.8% | 0.9% | 9.0% | 0.6% |
| 95 | Duluth, MN | 86,772 | 7,619 | 87.1% | 2.5% | 2.7% | 1.6% |
| 96 | Red Wing, MN | 16,627 | 7,640 | 87.2% | 3.0% | 5.4% | 0.8% |
| 97 | Albertville, MN | 7,883 | 7,662 | 87.1% | 1.3% | 0.7% | 0.8% |
| 98 | North Mankato, MN | 14,238 | 7,685 | 87.4% | 1.8% | 4.2% | 1.7% |
| 99 | Big Lake, MN | 11,857 | 7,686 | 87.3% | 3.1% | 6.2% | 0.3% |
| 100 | Hastings, MN | 22,063 | 7,687 | 87.5% | 1.3% | 4.1% | 1.8% |