Racial diversity in Missouri is a mixed bag.
There are parts of Missouri where there’s a high level of diversity. But where will you find the most diverse places in Missouri?
To answer that question, we went to the US Census data. Using Saturday Night Science, we measured the Gini coefficient for all 128 cities in Missouri to rank them from most to least diverse.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
Here are the 10 most diverse places in Missouri for 2024:
So what city is the most diverse in Missouri? According to the most Census data, Grandview took the number one over all spot for diversity in Missouri.
Read on below to see how we crunched the numbers and how your town ranked. To see where Missouri ranked as a state, we have a ranking of the most diverse states in Ameria.
For more Missouri reading:
The 10 Most Diverse Places In Missouri For 2024
/10
Population: 25,921
HHI: 3,216
% White: 43.3%
% African American: 32.7%
% Hispanic: 15.2%
% Asian: 2.3%
More on Grandview: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 6,583
HHI: 3,635
% White: 44.7%
% African American: 38.8%
% Hispanic: 11.0%
% Asian: 2.8%
More on St. John: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 8,431
HHI: 3,664
% White: 52.6%
% African American: 23.1%
% Hispanic: 1.0%
% Asian: 18.6%
More on Olivette: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 15,838
HHI: 3,681
% White: 54.3%
% African American: 22.2%
% Hispanic: 14.4%
% Asian: 3.7%
More on Overland: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 505,958
HHI: 3,871
% White: 55.2%
% African American: 26.0%
% Hispanic: 11.1%
% Asian: 2.7%
More on Kansas City: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 29,772
HHI: 3,875
% White: 47.5%
% African American: 39.4%
% Hispanic: 7.6%
% Asian: 0.7%
More on Raytown: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 298,018
HHI: 3,940
% White: 44.6%
% African American: 43.7%
% Hispanic: 4.3%
% Asian: 3.5%
More on St. Louis: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 25,345
HHI: 3,952
% White: 48.4%
% African American: 39.3%
% Hispanic: 3.0%
% Asian: 2.0%
More on Hazelwood: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 28,099
HHI: 4,016
% White: 58.4%
% African American: 15.1%
% Hispanic: 3.5%
% Asian: 18.7%
More on Maryland Heights: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 34,850
HHI: 4,078
% White: 54.8%
% African American: 31.8%
% Hispanic: 2.5%
% Asian: 6.8%
More on University City: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Methodology: How we determined the most diverse cities in Missouri 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 Missouri.
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 128 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 3,216 (Grandview) to 9,406 (Savannah).
Finally, we ranked each city based on the HHI, with a lower score being more diverse than a high score. Grandview took the distinction of being the most diverse, while Savannah was the least diverse city.
We updated this article for 2024. This report is our tenth time ranking the most diverse places in Missouri.
Summary: Diversity Across Missouri
If you’re looking for a scientific breakdown of diversity across Missouri, this is an accurate list.
The most diverse cities in Missouri are Grandview, St. John, Olivette, Overland, Kansas City, Raytown, St. Louis, Hazelwood, Maryland Heights, and University City.
If you’re curious enough, here are the least diverse places in Missouri:
- Savannah
- West Plains
- Odessa
For more Missouri reading, check out:
- Best Places To Live In Missouri
- Cheapest Places To Live In Missouri
- Most Dangerous Cities in Missouri
- Best Places To Raise A Family In Missouri
- Safest Places In Missouri
- Worst Places To Live In Missouri
Race By City In Missouri For 2024
| Rank | City | Population | HHI | % White | % Black | % Hispanic | % Asian |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grandview, MO | 25,921 | 3,216 | 43.3% | 32.7% | 15.2% | 2.3% |
| 2 | St. John, MO | 6,583 | 3,635 | 44.7% | 38.8% | 11.0% | 2.8% |
| 3 | Olivette, MO | 8,431 | 3,664 | 52.6% | 23.1% | 1.0% | 18.6% |
| 4 | Overland, MO | 15,838 | 3,681 | 54.3% | 22.2% | 14.4% | 3.7% |
| 5 | Kansas City, MO | 505,958 | 3,871 | 55.2% | 26.0% | 11.1% | 2.7% |
| 6 | Raytown, MO | 29,772 | 3,875 | 47.5% | 39.4% | 7.6% | 0.7% |
| 7 | St. Louis, MO | 298,018 | 3,940 | 44.6% | 43.7% | 4.3% | 3.5% |
| 8 | Hazelwood, MO | 25,345 | 3,952 | 48.4% | 39.3% | 3.0% | 2.0% |
| 9 | Maryland Heights, MO | 28,099 | 4,016 | 58.4% | 15.1% | 3.5% | 18.7% |
| 10 | University City, MO | 34,850 | 4,078 | 54.8% | 31.8% | 2.5% | 6.8% |
| 11 | Florissant, MO | 52,167 | 4,127 | 49.3% | 40.6% | 2.1% | 0.9% |
| 12 | St. Robert, MO | 5,242 | 4,283 | 62.8% | 7.6% | 13.2% | 6.7% |
| 13 | St. Ann, MO | 12,917 | 4,349 | 57.7% | 31.1% | 6.2% | 1.4% |
| 14 | Bridgeton, MO | 11,422 | 4,435 | 62.2% | 21.3% | 9.6% | 3.0% |
| 15 | Carthage, MO | 15,491 | 4,462 | 57.6% | 2.3% | 33.4% | 0.7% |
| 16 | Caruthersville, MO | 5,504 | 4,567 | 55.8% | 37.8% | 4.8% | 0.0% |
| 17 | Monett, MO | 9,632 | 4,929 | 63.4% | 0.3% | 29.8% | 1.1% |
| 18 | Sikeston, MO | 16,146 | 4,976 | 65.7% | 24.9% | 3.5% | 0.2% |
| 19 | Marshall, MO | 13,687 | 5,053 | 68.5% | 7.1% | 17.2% | 0.6% |
| 20 | Clayton, MO | 17,212 | 5,154 | 70.1% | 8.6% | 3.4% | 10.5% |
| 21 | Maplewood, MO | 8,205 | 5,305 | 71.1% | 10.9% | 2.9% | 4.3% |
| 22 | Neosho, MO | 12,670 | 5,432 | 72.0% | 1.9% | 12.2% | 0.4% |
| 23 | Independence, MO | 122,218 | 5,543 | 72.9% | 10.9% | 9.6% | 1.1% |
| 24 | Jefferson City, MO | 42,644 | 5,553 | 72.1% | 18.2% | 3.3% | 2.6% |
| 25 | Columbia, MO | 126,172 | 5,621 | 73.6% | 11.1% | 3.9% | 6.1% |
| 26 | Creve Coeur, MO | 18,679 | 5,628 | 73.5% | 10.0% | 1.7% | 10.8% |
| 27 | Ferguson, MO | 18,546 | 5,635 | 22.5% | 71.5% | 1.0% | 0.1% |
| 28 | Gladstone, MO | 26,964 | 5,703 | 74.5% | 7.3% | 8.6% | 1.7% |
| 29 | Chesterfield, MO | 49,645 | 5,747 | 74.3% | 3.4% | 3.2% | 13.1% |
| 30 | Shrewsbury, MO | 6,352 | 5,757 | 74.8% | 8.7% | 1.2% | 6.8% |
| 31 | Kennett, MO | 10,383 | 5,842 | 74.7% | 14.1% | 3.3% | 0.2% |
| 32 | Cape Girardeau, MO | 39,795 | 5,869 | 75.1% | 13.7% | 3.8% | 2.8% |
| 33 | Manchester, MO | 18,240 | 5,875 | 75.3% | 3.2% | 3.3% | 11.9% |
| 34 | Sedalia, MO | 21,767 | 5,917 | 75.4% | 4.4% | 13.8% | 1.0% |
| 35 | Raymore, MO | 23,232 | 6,011 | 76.4% | 10.3% | 5.5% | 1.3% |
| 36 | Bonne Terre, MO | 6,863 | 6,035 | 76.5% | 11.6% | 2.5% | 2.8% |
| 37 | Poplar Bluff, MO | 16,313 | 6,185 | 77.6% | 9.7% | 2.3% | 0.3% |
| 38 | St. Joseph, MO | 72,198 | 6,369 | 79.0% | 6.7% | 7.8% | 1.5% |
| 39 | Ballwin, MO | 30,948 | 6,373 | 79.0% | 2.1% | 3.1% | 8.3% |
| 40 | Lee’s Summit, MO | 101,728 | 6,391 | 79.2% | 8.8% | 4.9% | 2.1% |
| 41 | St. Charles, MO | 70,687 | 6,437 | 79.5% | 7.2% | 5.6% | 3.5% |
| 42 | Belton, MO | 24,241 | 6,458 | 79.6% | 6.0% | 8.1% | 0.9% |
| 43 | Brentwood, MO | 8,173 | 6,547 | 80.1% | 3.5% | 1.5% | 6.2% |
| 44 | Ellisville, MO | 9,914 | 6,648 | 80.8% | 1.3% | 7.8% | 3.8% |
| 45 | Warrensburg, MO | 19,317 | 6,650 | 81.0% | 4.4% | 5.7% | 2.5% |
| 46 | Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO | 10,637 | 6,693 | 16.8% | 80.0% | 0.2% | 0.0% |
| 47 | Boonville, MO | 7,725 | 6,696 | 81.1% | 9.4% | 3.5% | 0.5% |
| 48 | Blue Springs, MO | 58,720 | 6,716 | 81.3% | 6.7% | 6.9% | 1.0% |
| 49 | Branson, MO | 12,651 | 6,720 | 81.3% | 5.1% | 8.5% | 2.9% |
| 50 | Waynesville, MO | 5,372 | 6,731 | 81.5% | 5.9% | 6.1% | 2.3% |
| 51 | Black Jack, MO | 6,632 | 6,733 | 17.3% | 80.2% | 0.4% | 0.0% |
| 52 | Moberly, MO | 13,708 | 6,772 | 81.6% | 8.6% | 2.8% | 0.6% |
| 53 | Parkville, MO | 7,669 | 6,775 | 81.7% | 2.7% | 7.7% | 3.8% |
| 54 | Rolla, MO | 20,025 | 6,786 | 81.9% | 3.7% | 3.7% | 5.7% |
| 55 | Valley Park, MO | 6,848 | 6,797 | 81.8% | 8.0% | 4.5% | 2.1% |
| 56 | Town And Country, MO | 11,575 | 6,844 | 82.0% | 2.0% | 1.6% | 10.4% |
| 57 | Cameron, MO | 9,101 | 6,866 | 82.1% | 10.4% | 2.7% | 0.4% |
| 58 | Joplin, MO | 51,848 | 6,871 | 82.4% | 2.7% | 7.2% | 1.8% |
| 59 | O’fallon, MO | 91,825 | 6,921 | 82.8% | 4.9% | 4.4% | 4.4% |
| 60 | Wildwood, MO | 35,276 | 6,946 | 82.8% | 1.3% | 3.1% | 7.0% |
| 61 | Pacific, MO | 7,239 | 7,016 | 83.1% | 6.7% | 1.5% | 0.1% |
| 62 | Webster Groves, MO | 23,838 | 7,059 | 83.5% | 3.8% | 3.3% | 1.2% |
| 63 | Richmond Heights, MO | 9,186 | 7,083 | 83.6% | 7.4% | 1.3% | 4.5% |
| 64 | Liberty, MO | 30,299 | 7,130 | 84.0% | 4.5% | 5.7% | 1.4% |
| 65 | Springfield, MO | 168,873 | 7,136 | 84.1% | 4.2% | 4.6% | 1.8% |
| 66 | Mexico, MO | 11,502 | 7,148 | 84.1% | 5.8% | 3.1% | 0.7% |
| 67 | Kirkwood, MO | 29,309 | 7,149 | 84.1% | 4.3% | 2.8% | 1.4% |
| 68 | Excelsior Springs, MO | 10,546 | 7,181 | 84.3% | 5.4% | 6.0% | 0.1% |
| 69 | Cottleville, MO | 5,584 | 7,248 | 84.7% | 7.0% | 2.0% | 0.5% |
| 70 | Fulton, MO | 12,648 | 7,301 | 84.9% | 9.3% | 2.6% | 0.3% |
| 71 | Berkeley, MO | 8,232 | 7,322 | 7.4% | 85.0% | 5.8% | 0.5% |
| 72 | Lake St. Louis, MO | 17,088 | 7,324 | 85.2% | 4.3% | 4.6% | 1.5% |
| 73 | Ladue, MO | 8,934 | 7,363 | 85.4% | 0.9% | 1.0% | 7.5% |
| 74 | Kirksville, MO | 17,533 | 7,390 | 85.6% | 5.9% | 2.9% | 2.6% |
| 75 | Macon, MO | 5,452 | 7,437 | 85.9% | 4.3% | 3.2% | 0.4% |
| 76 | Greenwood, MO | 6,038 | 7,465 | 86.1% | 3.6% | 4.3% | 0.7% |
| 77 | De Soto, MO | 6,430 | 7,498 | 85.6% | 0.0% | 0.8% | 0.4% |
| 78 | St. Peters, MO | 57,692 | 7,514 | 86.4% | 5.2% | 2.4% | 2.2% |
| 79 | Wentzville, MO | 44,584 | 7,549 | 86.6% | 5.9% | 3.0% | 1.8% |
| 80 | Peculiar, MO | 5,675 | 7,554 | 86.5% | 3.3% | 7.2% | 0.0% |
| 81 | Festus, MO | 12,772 | 7,560 | 86.6% | 3.3% | 3.9% | 0.6% |
| 82 | Grain Valley, MO | 15,688 | 7,691 | 87.4% | 3.9% | 4.1% | 0.2% |
| 83 | Webb City, MO | 13,002 | 7,708 | 87.6% | 1.9% | 2.4% | 2.2% |
| 84 | Union, MO | 12,341 | 7,710 | 87.5% | 2.6% | 2.1% | 0.9% |
| 85 | Hannibal, MO | 17,003 | 7,742 | 87.6% | 7.6% | 0.7% | 0.8% |
| 86 | Farmington, MO | 17,859 | 7,748 | 87.8% | 5.8% | 3.2% | 0.6% |
| 87 | Nixa, MO | 23,523 | 7,753 | 87.8% | 1.1% | 5.2% | 2.3% |
| 88 | Eureka, MO | 12,008 | 7,769 | 87.8% | 0.5% | 1.6% | 2.0% |
| 89 | Warrenton, MO | 8,648 | 7,836 | 88.2% | 1.3% | 6.6% | 0.0% |
| 90 | Marshfield, MO | 7,501 | 7,840 | 88.0% | 1.0% | 1.2% | 0.0% |
| 91 | Lebanon, MO | 15,023 | 7,884 | 88.6% | 1.0% | 4.2% | 1.4% |
| 92 | Jennings, MO | 12,996 | 7,902 | 6.5% | 88.6% | 0.7% | 0.4% |
| 93 | Dardenne Prairie, MO | 12,903 | 7,980 | 89.2% | 3.6% | 2.6% | 2.2% |
| 94 | Republic, MO | 18,824 | 7,997 | 89.3% | 2.0% | 4.0% | 1.3% |
| 95 | Perryville, MO | 8,536 | 8,040 | 89.5% | 1.4% | 4.1% | 1.5% |
| 96 | Aurora, MO | 7,290 | 8,040 | 89.4% | 0.1% | 5.5% | 0.0% |
| 97 | Chillicothe, MO | 9,091 | 8,050 | 89.6% | 4.5% | 2.2% | 1.0% |
| 98 | Sullivan, MO | 6,441 | 8,063 | 89.5% | 1.8% | 1.8% | 0.0% |
| 99 | Ozark, MO | 21,459 | 8,087 | 89.7% | 1.6% | 4.5% | 0.3% |
| 100 | Nevada, MO | 8,128 | 8,092 | 89.8% | 1.2% | 4.1% | 0.5% |