Sections

Commentary

The 10 states diversifying the fastest

The United States is projected to be “majority-minority” by 2044. As evidenced in our Diversity Explosion interactive, as the U.S. population ages it is also becoming much more diverse. Specifically, the share of people of color in the U.S. is 26 percent higher in the 0-19 age group than the 65+ age group. But over the next several decades, some states will change much faster than others. Hawaii and the District of Columbia already have the highest shares of people of color (77 percent and 64 percent, respectively), and given that those shares are already so high, their changes won’t be as drastic as other places. Here are the 10 states that stand out when looking at the difference in share of the people of color aged 19 and younger compared to those aged 65 and older.

10. Rhode Island

de_rhodeisland_postcard
(Westminster and Dorrance Streets, Providence, RI, ca. 1930-45)

Generational diversity gap: 27.70%

Share of people of color 19 and under:
37%

Share of people of color 65 and older:
9%

9. Washington

de_washington_spokane_postcard
(Main Avenue, Spokane, Washington, ca. 1920)

Generational diversity gap: 27.83%

Share of people of color 19 and under:
41%

Share of people of color 65 and older:
13%

8. Oklahoma

de_oklahomacity_Postcard
(Broadway in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, ca. 1910)

Generational diversity gap: 29.33%

Share of people of color 19 and under:
45%

Share of people of color 65 and older:
15%

7. Delaware

de_delaware_rrstation_postcard
(View of Penna. R. R. Station and south bound platform, Wilmington, Dela., ca. 1930-45)

Generational diversity gap: 29.44%

Share of people of color 19 and under:
48%

Share of people of color 65 and older:
18%

6. Florida

de_florida_lidobeach_postcard
(Lido Beach, Sarasota, Florida Date, ca. 1930-45)

Generational diversity gap: 31.61%

Share of people of color 19 and under:
56%

Share of people of color 65 and older:
24%

5. Texas

de_texas_galveston_postcard
(Beach Boulevard and the Seawall from the air, showing Hotel Galvez, Galveston, Texas, no date)

Generational diversity gap: 32.95%

Share of people of color 19 and under:
67%

Share of people of color 65 and older:
34%

4. California

de_california_sandiego_postcard
(Portion of business district, San Diego, Cal., no date)

Generational diversity gap: 33.52%

Share of people of color 19 and under:
73%

Share of people of color 65 and older:
40%

3. New Mexico

de_newmexico_pueblo_postcard
(Pueblo of Isleta, New Mexico, on day of the harvest dance, no date)

Generational diversity gap: 34.51%

Share of people of color 19 and under:
74%

Share of people of color 65 and older:
40%

2. Nevada

de_nevada_postcard
(“Howdy, Podner!” Las Vegas, Nevada, 1948)

Generational diversity gap: 36.61%

Share of people of color 19 and under:
62%

Share of people of color 65 and older:
26%

1. Arizona

de_arizona_bisbeepostcard
(Aerial view of Bisbee, Arizona, looking east, ca. 1909)

Generational diversity gap: 40.72%

Share of people of color 19 and under:
59%

Share of people of color 65 and older:
 18%

For more, check out the Diversity Explosion interactive map that details the nation’s changing diversity at the county and city levels as well as the book, “Diversity Explosion,” by Brookings Senior Fellow William H. Frey.

N.b.: All images were found on Wikimedia Commons.

The Brookings Institution is committed to quality, independence, and impact.
We are supported by a diverse array of funders. In line with our values and policies, each Brookings publication represents the sole views of its author(s).