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Is Ohio less diverse than most other states now? See what latest data shows

By Sundi Rose
Ohio has some room to grow in their diversity.
Ohio has some room to grow in their diversity. Photo by fauxels

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%.

Ohio’s diversity index, according to the 2020 census information, is 40.4% and is far lower than the national average of 61.1%.

In a recent diversity analysis conducted by WalletHub, Ohio takes the #36 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.

OH diversity by the numbers

The World Population Review’s analysis of demographic trends reports that as of 2025 Ohio shows a gradual increase in multiracial and non-White populations in recent years with 5.7% of the population identifying as bi-racial.

Ohio is in the bottom third of all the states surveyed, and the survey reflects a less varied population mix compared to the country overall.

Key metrics (out of 51 states)

  • Socioeconomic Diversity: 36th
  • Cultural Diversity: 37th
  • Economic Diversity: 37th
  • Household Diversity: 10th
  • Religious Diversity: 31st
  • Political Diversity: 23rd

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 10 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

Ohio’s relatively low diversity ranking highlights the state’s traditional demographics, yet a closer look at the demographics reveal a more recent trend that more closely reflects the US’s growing diversity. 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.

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