Skip to Content

Most diverse counties in Missouri


Jon Kraft // Shutterstock

Most diverse counties in Missouri

The United States has a longstanding reputation as being a melting pot (or salad bowl), with its diversity manifesting itself across many different demographics. However, some places across the country are notably more heterogeneous than others.

Stacker compiled a list of the most diverse counties in Missouri using data from using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by the highest Simpson’s diversity index score. Simpson’s diversity index measures community diversity on a scale of 0 (least diverse) to 1 (most diverse), more on the calculation can be read here.

Think you know which counties in your home state might be the most diverse? Keep reading to see if your predictions are correct.

You may also like: Recipes from Missouri



Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#50. Lawrence County

– Index: 0.100
– Total population: 38,204
– White: 94.8% (36,225)
– Black or African American: 0.5% (184)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.8% (313)
– Asian: 0.0% (14)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.2% (60)
– 2 or more races: 2.0% (779)
– Some other Race: 1.6% (629)



Onegentlemanofverona // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Monroe County

– Index: 0.105
– Total population: 8,629
– White: 94.5% (8,156)
– Black or African American: 3.4% (293)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.6% (54)
– Asian: 0.5% (41)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (4)
– 2 or more races: 0.9% (81)
– Some other Race: 0.0% (0)



Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Reynolds County

– Index: 0.107
– Total population: 6,290
– White: 94.4% (5,939)
– Black or African American: 2.0% (128)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (25)
– Asian: 0.3% (19)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.2% (13)
– 2 or more races: 2.6% (162)
– Some other Race: 0.1% (4)



JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Macon County

– Index: 0.108
– Total population: 15,199
– White: 94.4% (14,346)
– Black or African American: 2.0% (297)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.7% (101)
– Asian: 0.6% (94)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (3)
– 2 or more races: 2.1% (325)
– Some other Race: 0.2% (33)



Calvin Beale // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Lafayette County

– Index: 0.119
– Total population: 32,597
– White: 93.8% (30,578)
– Black or African American: 2.2% (717)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (90)
– Asian: 0.5% (174)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.2% (75)
– 2 or more races: 2.0% (663)
– Some other Race: 0.9% (300)

You may also like: Where people in Missouri are moving to most



NMSU // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Nodaway County

– Index: 0.121
– Total population: 22,359
– White: 93.7% (20,946)
– Black or African American: 2.8% (617)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (49)
– Asian: 1.4% (306)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (28)
– 2 or more races: 1.5% (325)
– Some other Race: 0.4% (88)



Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Livingston County

– Index: 0.124
– Total population: 15,126
– White: 93.5% (14,146)
– Black or African American: 2.6% (388)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.6% (85)
– Asian: 0.6% (94)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (16)
– 2 or more races: 2.1% (324)
– Some other Race: 0.5% (73)



Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Lewis County

– Index: 0.134
– Total population: 9,955
– White: 93.0% (9,255)
– Black or African American: 4.2% (419)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.8% (77)
– Asian: 0.0% (0)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.2% (24)
– 2 or more races: 1.8% (180)
– Some other Race: 0.0% (0)



Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Barton County

– Index: 0.135
– Total population: 11,797
– White: 92.9% (10,959)
– Black or African American: 0.3% (35)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 2.5% (291)
– Asian: 0.0% (4)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (9)
– 2 or more races: 4.0% (476)
– Some other Race: 0.2% (23)



Paul Sableman // Wikimedia Commons

#41. St. Francois County

– Index: 0.135
– Total population: 66,643
– White: 92.9% (61,886)
– Black or African American: 4.4% (2,960)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (265)
– Asian: 0.5% (344)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (13)
– 2 or more races: 1.5% (1,015)
– Some other Race: 0.2% (160)

You may also like: Fastest-growing counties in Missouri



Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Texas County

– Index: 0.137
– Total population: 25,604
– White: 92.8% (23,769)
– Black or African American: 2.2% (559)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 1.7% (438)
– Asian: 0.7% (190)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (7)
– 2 or more races: 2.2% (564)
– Some other Race: 0.3% (77)



Allegrorondo // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Warren County

– Index: 0.139
– Total population: 34,453
– White: 92.7% (31,950)
– Black or African American: 2.0% (700)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.9% (295)
– Asian: 0.6% (213)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (16)
– 2 or more races: 2.1% (707)
– Some other Race: 1.7% (572)



Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Barry County

– Index: 0.150
– Total population: 35,530
– White: 92.1% (32,723)
– Black or African American: 0.2% (80)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.7% (260)
– Asian: 1.4% (497)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 3.3% (1,157)
– Some other Race: 2.3% (813)



Onegentlemanofverona // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Callaway County

– Index: 0.151
– Total population: 44,889
– White: 92.0% (41,309)
– Black or African American: 4.4% (1,969)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.5% (243)
– Asian: 0.8% (366)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.3% (148)
– 2 or more races: 1.8% (828)
– Some other Race: 0.1% (26)



Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Howard County

– Index: 0.157
– Total population: 10,058
– White: 91.6% (9,214)
– Black or African American: 5.9% (598)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.9% (86)
– Asian: 0.4% (36)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 0.9% (87)
– Some other Race: 0.4% (37)

You may also like: Best places to retire in Missouri



Lilith Munck // Shutterstock

#35. Taney County

– Index: 0.158
– Total population: 55,114
– White: 91.7% (50,517)
– Black or African American: 1.5% (839)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 1.0% (552)
– Asian: 1.0% (546)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (12)
– 2 or more races: 2.2% (1,212)
– Some other Race: 2.6% (1,436)



Andrew.Belair // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Adair County

– Index: 0.159
– Total population: 25,369
– White: 91.6% (23,240)
– Black or African American: 2.7% (680)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (29)
– Asian: 2.5% (638)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.2% (56)
– 2 or more races: 2.5% (643)
– Some other Race: 0.3% (83)



Photos BrianScantlebury // Shutterstock

#33. Marion County

– Index: 0.159
– Total population: 28,608
– White: 91.6% (26,193)
– Black or African American: 3.7% (1,070)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (122)
– Asian: 0.6% (185)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (32)
– 2 or more races: 3.2% (917)
– Some other Race: 0.3% (89)



David Wilson // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Pettis County

– Index: 0.163
– Total population: 42,355
– White: 91.4% (38,705)
– Black or African American: 3.5% (1,483)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (52)
– Asian: 0.7% (279)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (12)
– 2 or more races: 2.2% (917)
– Some other Race: 2.1% (907)



Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Cass County

– Index: 0.165
– Total population: 103,597
– White: 91.2% (94,521)
– Black or African American: 4.1% (4,238)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.6% (604)
– Asian: 0.8% (796)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (143)
– 2 or more races: 2.5% (2,600)
– Some other Race: 0.7% (695)

You may also like: Highest-rated Class of 2021 football recruits from Missouri



Charvex // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Sullivan County

– Index: 0.177
– Total population: 6,247
– White: 90.6% (5,658)
– Black or African American: 2.3% (142)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 1.4% (90)
– Asian: 0.1% (6)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (9)
– 2 or more races: 2.0% (122)
– Some other Race: 3.5% (220)



Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Phelps County

– Index: 0.178
– Total population: 44,630
– White: 90.5% (40,391)
– Black or African American: 2.4% (1,079)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.8% (346)
– Asian: 3.6% (1,620)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 2.4% (1,077)
– Some other Race: 0.3% (117)



Skye Marthaler // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Butler County

– Index: 0.179
– Total population: 42,656
– White: 90.4% (38,560)
– Black or African American: 5.5% (2,367)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.6% (239)
– Asian: 0.8% (325)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (28)
– 2 or more races: 2.5% (1,053)
– Some other Race: 0.2% (84)



Peek Creative Collective // Shutterstock

#27. Jasper County

– Index: 0.181
– Total population: 119,920
– White: 90.4% (108,371)
– Black or African American: 1.9% (2,283)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 1.5% (1,767)
– Asian: 1.1% (1,364)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (150)
– 2 or more races: 3.5% (4,217)
– Some other Race: 1.5% (1,768)



Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Newton County

– Index: 0.182
– Total population: 58,180
– White: 90.3% (52,559)
– Black or African American: 0.9% (549)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 2.4% (1,398)
– Asian: 1.4% (831)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 1.0% (586)
– 2 or more races: 3.3% (1,944)
– Some other Race: 0.5% (313)

You may also like: Counties with the most super commuters in Missouri



Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Randolph County

– Index: 0.186
– Total population: 24,878
– White: 90.0% (22,388)
– Black or African American: 5.9% (1,463)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.7% (178)
– Asian: 0.6% (158)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (6)
– 2 or more races: 2.3% (577)
– Some other Race: 0.4% (108)



Jose Kevo // Wikicommons

#24. Greene County

– Index: 0.190
– Total population: 289,756
– White: 89.9% (260,411)
– Black or African American: 3.3% (9,558)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.5% (1,582)
– Asian: 2.0% (5,930)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (156)
– 2 or more races: 3.1% (8,943)
– Some other Race: 1.1% (3,176)



Rob Neville Photos // Shutterstock

#23. St. Charles County

– Index: 0.194
– Total population: 394,290
– White: 89.6% (353,297)
– Black or African American: 4.4% (17,468)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (641)
– Asian: 2.6% (10,183)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (138)
– 2 or more races: 2.6% (10,147)
– Some other Race: 0.6% (2,416)



Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Pike County

– Index: 0.202
– Total population: 18,455
– White: 89.0% (16,421)
– Black or African American: 7.3% (1,338)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (56)
– Asian: 0.3% (64)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (15)
– 2 or more races: 2.2% (410)
– Some other Race: 0.8% (151)



Nja1985, retouched by Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Johnson County

– Index: 0.205
– Total population: 53,682
– White: 89.0% (47,758)
– Black or African American: 4.3% (2,326)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (216)
– Asian: 1.7% (917)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.3% (154)
– 2 or more races: 3.7% (1,961)
– Some other Race: 0.7% (350)

You may also like: Do you know Missouri’s official state symbols?



Charles W. Chapman // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Audrain County

– Index: 0.205
– Total population: 25,644
– White: 88.9% (22,789)
– Black or African American: 5.7% (1,464)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (91)
– Asian: 0.1% (33)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (24)
– 2 or more races: 4.2% (1,080)
– Some other Race: 0.6% (163)



Paul Sableman // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Cooper County

– Index: 0.207
– Total population: 17,660
– White: 88.8% (15,675)
– Black or African American: 5.8% (1,029)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.5% (86)
– Asian: 0.5% (80)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.2% (33)
– 2 or more races: 3.7% (645)
– Some other Race: 0.6% (112)



Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

#18. Cape Girardeau County

– Index: 0.224
– Total population: 78,491
– White: 87.8% (68,877)
– Black or African American: 7.4% (5,788)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (104)
– Asian: 1.7% (1,348)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (32)
– 2 or more races: 2.6% (2,049)
– Some other Race: 0.4% (293)



w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Buchanan County

– Index: 0.234
– Total population: 88,460
– White: 87.3% (77,199)
– Black or African American: 5.2% (4,588)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.5% (421)
– Asian: 1.1% (962)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.5% (411)
– 2 or more races: 3.9% (3,449)
– Some other Race: 1.6% (1,430)



JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#16. McDonald County

– Index: 0.239
– Total population: 22,782
– White: 87.1% (19,833)
– Black or African American: 1.8% (415)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 2.9% (662)
– Asian: 1.5% (343)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 2.2% (509)
– 2 or more races: 2.7% (626)
– Some other Race: 1.7% (394)

You may also like: Highest-rated things to do in Missouri, according to Tripadvisor



Americasroof // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Saline County

– Index: 0.249
– Total population: 22,976
– White: 86.4% (19,851)
– Black or African American: 5.0% (1,150)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (57)
– Asian: 0.8% (187)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 1.1% (244)
– 2 or more races: 2.9% (675)
– Some other Race: 3.5% (812)



1807060460JCM // Wikimedia Commons

#14. DeKalb County

– Index: 0.253
– Total population: 12,526
– White: 85.9% (10,757)
– Black or African American: 9.0% (1,122)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.8% (102)
– Asian: 0.6% (75)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.3% (35)
– 2 or more races: 3.3% (418)
– Some other Race: 0.1% (17)



Dazspell // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Scott County

– Index: 0.259
– Total population: 38,633
– White: 85.2% (32,934)
– Black or African American: 11.6% (4,494)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (144)
– Asian: 0.4% (160)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 1.8% (703)
– Some other Race: 0.5% (198)



TommyBrison // Shutterstock

#12. Platte County

– Index: 0.265
– Total population: 100,682
– White: 85.3% (85,900)
– Black or African American: 6.8% (6,825)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (285)
– Asian: 2.7% (2,757)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.5% (480)
– 2 or more races: 3.6% (3,668)
– Some other Race: 0.8% (767)



Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Clay County

– Index: 0.269
– Total population: 242,516
– White: 85.1% (206,471)
– Black or African American: 6.1% (14,884)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.5% (1,127)
– Asian: 2.2% (5,332)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.2% (561)
– 2 or more races: 4.0% (9,739)
– Some other Race: 1.8% (4,402)

You may also like: Highest-rated specialty museums in Missouri, according to Tripadvisor



Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Dunklin County

– Index: 0.273
– Total population: 30,027
– White: 84.6% (25,396)
– Black or African American: 10.2% (3,068)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (61)
– Asian: 0.6% (177)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (15)
– 2 or more races: 2.1% (616)
– Some other Race: 2.3% (694)



Katherine Dowler // Wikimedia

#9. Cole County

– Index: 0.281
– Total population: 76,723
– White: 84.0% (64,416)
– Black or African American: 11.7% (8,985)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (301)
– Asian: 1.6% (1,194)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (11)
– 2 or more races: 2.1% (1,632)
– Some other Race: 0.2% (184)



Joseph Sohm // Shutterstock

#8. New Madrid County

– Index: 0.311
– Total population: 17,560
– White: 81.5% (14,313)
– Black or African American: 15.4% (2,703)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (62)
– Asian: 0.0% (0)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 2.7% (466)
– Some other Race: 0.1% (16)



Pixabay

#7. Boone County

– Index: 0.329
– Total population: 177,651
– White: 81.2% (144,228)
– Black or African American: 9.0% (15,952)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (600)
– Asian: 4.4% (7,880)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (162)
– 2 or more races: 4.0% (7,148)
– Some other Race: 0.9% (1,681)



Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Mississippi County

– Index: 0.405
– Total population: 13,574
– White: 73.0% (9,913)
– Black or African American: 24.9% (3,377)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.9% (122)
– Asian: 0.1% (9)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (6)
– 2 or more races: 1.0% (132)
– Some other Race: 0.1% (15)

You may also like: States sending the most people to Missouri



Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Pulaski County

– Index: 0.410
– Total population: 52,425
– White: 75.7% (39,671)
– Black or African American: 11.2% (5,879)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.9% (490)
– Asian: 2.5% (1,316)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.7% (390)
– 2 or more races: 6.0% (3,129)
– Some other Race: 3.0% (1,550)



Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Pemiscot County

– Index: 0.440
– Total population: 16,663
– White: 69.5% (11,587)
– Black or African American: 27.5% (4,587)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.0% (0)
– Asian: 0.0% (0)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (2)
– 2 or more races: 1.8% (298)
– Some other Race: 1.1% (189)



Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#3. St. Louis County

– Index: 0.477
– Total population: 996,919
– White: 67.9% (677,308)
– Black or African American: 24.2% (240,884)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (1,621)
– Asian: 4.3% (42,911)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (367)
– 2 or more races: 2.5% (24,480)
– Some other Race: 0.9% (9,348)



Jon Kraft // Shutterstock

#2. Jackson County

– Index: 0.494
– Total population: 696,216
– White: 67.0% (466,132)
– Black or African American: 23.3% (162,382)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (2,458)
– Asian: 1.8% (12,821)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.3% (2,250)
– 2 or more races: 3.3% (22,761)
– Some other Race: 3.9% (27,412)



Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

#1. St. Louis city

– Index: 0.566
– Total population: 308,174
– White: 46.5% (143,401)
– Black or African American: 46.4% (143,018)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (787)
– Asian: 3.4% (10,365)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (212)
– 2 or more races: 2.4% (7,412)
– Some other Race: 1.0% (2,979)

You may also like: Counties with the worst commutes in Missouri


Article Topic Follows: stacker-Missouri

Jump to comments ↓

Stacker

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

ABC 17 News is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.

Skip to content