Measuring Diversity
Diversity in a ZIP code can be measured across multiple dimensions: racial/ethnic diversity, income diversity, age diversity, educational diversity, and linguistic diversity. The most commonly used metric is the Simpson Diversity Index, which calculates the probability that two randomly selected residents belong to different groups. A score of 0 means everyone is identical; a score approaching 100 means maximum heterogeneity. The US national racial/ethnic diversity index is approximately 62, meaning there is a 62% chance that two randomly chosen Americans belong to different racial or ethnic groups.
Most Racially/Ethnically Diverse ZIP Codes
| Rank | ZIP Code | Location | Diversity Index | Notable Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11373 | Jackson Heights, Queens, NYC | 95 | 120+ languages spoken |
| 2 | 77036 | Sharpstown, Houston, TX | 93 | Southeast Asian + Latin American hub |
| 3 | 20783 | Adelphi/Hyattsville, MD | 92 | DC suburb with global representation |
| 4 | 90501 | Torrance/Gardena, CA | 91 | Pacific Islander + Asian + Latino mix |
| 5 | 60625 | Albany Park, Chicago, IL | 90 | "Most diverse neighborhood in Midwest" |
| 6 | 11103 | Astoria, Queens, NYC | 89 | Greek, Egyptian, Brazilian, Bangladeshi communities |
| 7 | 77072 | Alief, Houston, TX | 89 | 50+ nationalities in one school district |
| 8 | 98188 | SeaTac/Tukwila, WA | 88 | Somali, Vietnamese, Latino communities |
| 9 | 30340 | Clarkston, GA | 88 | "Ellis Island of the South" (refugee resettlement) |
| 10 | 55104 | St. Paul, MN | 87 | Hmong, Somali, Latino communities |
What Drives Diversity
The most diverse ZIP codes typically share several characteristics. Affordable housing attracts a wider range of income levels and immigrant communities. Proximity to international airports and refugee resettlement centers create initial settlement patterns that attract subsequent waves of immigrants from the same countries. Public transportation access enables residents to work throughout the metro area without car ownership. Established ethnic businesses (restaurants, groceries, places of worship) create community anchors that draw new arrivals from the same backgrounds.
Diversity and Property Values
Research on the relationship between diversity and property values is nuanced. Historically, some studies found a negative correlation — a reflection of discriminatory lending, steering, and "white flight" dynamics. More recent research shows that diverse neighborhoods in desirable metro areas are appreciating faster than homogeneous ones, driven by young professionals and families who actively seek diverse communities. ZIP codes like Jackson Heights (11373) and Astoria (11103) have seen rapid appreciation as their diversity becomes a selling point rather than a deterrent.
Income Diversity vs. Racial Diversity
A ZIP code can be racially diverse but economically homogeneous (everyone is the same income level), or racially homogeneous but economically diverse. The most vibrant and resilient communities tend to have both types of diversity. ZIP codes with high income diversity — a mix of low, middle, and high earners — provide economic opportunity ladders and reduce the concentrated poverty that leads to poor outcomes. Check diversity metrics for any ZIP code in our lookup tool, and compare diversity scores across your target neighborhoods.