Racial diversity in California is a mixed bag.
There are parts of California where there’s a high level of diversity. But where will you find the most diverse places in California?
To answer that question, we went to the US Census data. Using Saturday Night Science, we measured the Gini coefficient for all 428 cities in California to rank them from most to least diverse.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
Here are the 10 most diverse places in California for 2025:
So what city is the most diverse in California? According to the most Census data, Suisun City took the number one over all spot for diversity in California.
Read on below to see how we crunched the numbers and how your town ranked. To see where California ranked as a state, we have a ranking of the most diverse states in Ameria.
For more California reading:
The 10 Most Diverse Places In California For 2025
/10
Population: 29,205
HHI: 2,191
% White: 21.3%
% African American: 20.3%
% Hispanic: 31.1%
% Asian: 17.3%
More on Suisun City: Data
/10
Population: 124,637
HHI: 2,200
% White: 21.6%
% African American: 17.0%
% Hispanic: 30.0%
% Asian: 22.4%
More on Vallejo: Data
/10
Population: 438,072
HHI: 2,302
% White: 27.9%
% African American: 20.5%
% Hispanic: 28.9%
% Asian: 15.3%
More on Oakland: Data
/10
Population: 119,985
HHI: 2,334
% White: 27.6%
% African American: 15.0%
% Hispanic: 31.8%
% Asian: 17.2%
More on Fairfield: Data
/10
Population: 524,802
HHI: 2,342
% White: 30.2%
% African American: 11.7%
% Hispanic: 29.5%
% Asian: 19.4%
More on Sacramento: Data
/10
Population: 18,835
HHI: 2,423
% White: 30.1%
% African American: 11.6%
% Hispanic: 27.4%
% Asian: 24.3%
More on Pinole: Data
/10
Population: 177,221
HHI: 2,443
% White: 31.2%
% African American: 10.5%
% Hispanic: 18.0%
% Asian: 31.3%
More on Elk Grove: Data
/10
Population: 115,759
HHI: 2,459
% White: 24.2%
% African American: 19.1%
% Hispanic: 36.1%
% Asian: 13.2%
More on Antioch: Data
/10
Population: 12,756
HHI: 2,555
% White: 35.4%
% African American: 17.3%
% Hispanic: 10.1%
% Asian: 29.6%
More on Emeryville: Data
/10
Population: 21,698
HHI: 2,560
% White: 20.5%
% African American: 5.6%
% Hispanic: 31.1%
% Asian: 32.8%
More on American Canyon: Data
Methodology: How we determined the most diverse cities in California for 2025
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 California.
That leads us to the Census’s most recently available data, the 2019-2023 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 428 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 2,191 (Suisun City) to 9,825 (Mendota).
Finally, we ranked each city based on the HHI, with a lower score being more diverse than a high score. Suisun City took the distinction of being the most diverse, while Mendota was the least diverse city.
We updated this article for 2025. This report is our tenth time ranking the most diverse places in California.
Summary: Diversity Across California
If you’re looking for a scientific breakdown of diversity across California, this is an accurate list.
The most diverse cities in California are Suisun City, Vallejo, Oakland, Fairfield, Sacramento, Pinole, Elk Grove, Antioch, Emeryville, and American Canyon.
If you’re curious enough, here are the least diverse places in California:
- Mendota
- Huron
- Parlier
For more California reading, check out:
- Best Places To Live In California
- Cheapest Places To Live In California
- Most Dangerous Cities In California
- Best Places To Raise A Family In California
- Safest Places In California
- Worst Places To Live In California
Race By City In California For 2025
| Rank | City | Population | HHI | % White | % Black | % Hispanic | % Asian |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suisun City, CA | 29,205 | 2,191 | 21.3% | 20.3% | 31.1% | 17.3% |
| 2 | Vallejo, CA | 124,637 | 2,200 | 21.6% | 17.0% | 30.0% | 22.4% |
| 3 | Oakland, CA | 438,072 | 2,302 | 27.9% | 20.5% | 28.9% | 15.3% |
| 4 | Fairfield, CA | 119,985 | 2,334 | 27.6% | 15.0% | 31.8% | 17.2% |
| 5 | Sacramento, CA | 524,802 | 2,342 | 30.2% | 11.7% | 29.5% | 19.4% |
| 6 | Pinole, CA | 18,835 | 2,423 | 30.1% | 11.6% | 27.4% | 24.3% |
| 7 | Elk Grove, CA | 177,221 | 2,443 | 31.2% | 10.5% | 18.0% | 31.3% |
| 8 | Antioch, CA | 115,759 | 2,459 | 24.2% | 19.1% | 36.1% | 13.2% |
| 9 | Emeryville, CA | 12,756 | 2,555 | 35.4% | 17.3% | 10.1% | 29.6% |
| 10 | American Canyon, CA | 21,698 | 2,560 | 20.5% | 5.6% | 31.1% | 32.8% |
| 11 | San Leandro, CA | 88,531 | 2,567 | 20.1% | 9.5% | 28.8% | 35.0% |
| 12 | Loma Linda, CA | 25,021 | 2,668 | 33.3% | 6.8% | 27.4% | 27.3% |
| 13 | Marina, CA | 22,324 | 2,670 | 38.3% | 6.1% | 30.2% | 13.3% |
| 14 | Lathrop, CA | 32,696 | 2,712 | 18.8% | 7.1% | 35.1% | 32.3% |
| 15 | Lakewood, CA | 80,510 | 2,721 | 32.0% | 7.8% | 36.2% | 17.5% |
| 16 | Hercules, CA | 26,245 | 2,736 | 15.4% | 18.4% | 14.8% | 43.6% |
| 17 | Signal Hill, CA | 11,563 | 2,739 | 25.3% | 7.4% | 37.8% | 24.4% |
| 18 | San Bruno, CA | 42,612 | 2,741 | 28.5% | 1.3% | 29.9% | 31.7% |
| 19 | Carson, CA | 93,523 | 2,775 | 6.4% | 22.3% | 38.9% | 26.6% |
| 20 | Pittsburg, CA | 75,868 | 2,776 | 17.2% | 13.8% | 43.9% | 18.4% |
| 21 | Pasadena, CA | 136,462 | 2,790 | 35.2% | 7.4% | 34.1% | 17.4% |
| 22 | Hayward, CA | 159,201 | 2,796 | 13.1% | 8.7% | 40.9% | 29.1% |
| 23 | San Mateo, CA | 103,555 | 2,816 | 36.7% | 1.5% | 26.8% | 26.8% |
| 24 | Eastvale, CA | 70,179 | 2,830 | 18.3% | 8.7% | 39.5% | 29.1% |
| 25 | Alameda, CA | 76,876 | 2,836 | 40.5% | 5.9% | 14.2% | 30.0% |
| 26 | Brentwood, CA | 64,609 | 2,848 | 43.0% | 9.4% | 24.8% | 16.5% |
| 27 | Tracy, CA | 95,358 | 2,877 | 25.3% | 5.9% | 41.4% | 21.6% |
| 28 | Cypress, CA | 49,531 | 2,897 | 31.6% | 3.2% | 21.9% | 37.2% |
| 29 | Lomita, CA | 20,409 | 2,902 | 37.9% | 4.0% | 34.2% | 14.7% |
| 30 | Stockton, CA | 320,470 | 2,910 | 17.5% | 11.0% | 45.2% | 20.5% |
| 31 | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 174,693 | 2,913 | 33.6% | 8.0% | 38.4% | 15.1% |
| 32 | Torrance, CA | 143,499 | 2,919 | 32.2% | 3.4% | 19.3% | 38.2% |
| 33 | San Francisco, CA | 836,321 | 2,920 | 37.5% | 4.8% | 15.9% | 34.7% |
| 34 | South Pasadena, CA | 26,297 | 2,924 | 37.7% | 3.4% | 20.6% | 32.2% |
| 35 | Long Beach, CA | 458,491 | 2,932 | 27.2% | 11.5% | 43.4% | 12.5% |
| 36 | Gardena, CA | 59,765 | 2,939 | 7.5% | 18.5% | 43.9% | 24.4% |
| 37 | San Diego, CA | 1,385,061 | 2,941 | 41.4% | 5.4% | 29.6% | 17.2% |
| 38 | Culver City, CA | 39,993 | 2,946 | 45.9% | 7.8% | 18.6% | 19.3% |
| 39 | Richmond, CA | 115,396 | 2,962 | 16.8% | 16.9% | 46.9% | 12.9% |
| 40 | Rancho Cordova, CA | 80,656 | 2,969 | 46.5% | 10.6% | 21.3% | 14.2% |
| 41 | Yuba City, CA | 69,545 | 2,969 | 38.6% | 2.1% | 32.5% | 19.7% |
| 42 | Chino Hills, CA | 78,024 | 2,977 | 24.0% | 4.6% | 28.1% | 39.7% |
| 43 | Lemon Grove, CA | 27,489 | 2,985 | 27.1% | 14.7% | 44.1% | 8.3% |
| 44 | San Jose, CA | 990,054 | 2,989 | 23.2% | 2.7% | 31.0% | 38.4% |
| 45 | Brea, CA | 47,337 | 2,994 | 36.8% | 1.7% | 30.8% | 25.9% |
| 46 | California City, CA | 14,821 | 3,017 | 30.1% | 22.3% | 39.9% | 1.5% |
| 47 | Tustin, CA | 79,035 | 3,021 | 27.8% | 2.7% | 40.1% | 24.9% |
| 48 | Newark, CA | 47,145 | 3,025 | 18.7% | 3.5% | 28.6% | 42.7% |
| 49 | Albany, CA | 19,768 | 3,028 | 43.9% | 3.3% | 13.0% | 28.8% |
| 50 | Redwood City, CA | 82,423 | 3,046 | 38.2% | 2.2% | 35.2% | 17.8% |
| 51 | Vacaville, CA | 102,085 | 3,046 | 45.9% | 8.5% | 26.7% | 10.4% |
| 52 | Monrovia, CA | 37,553 | 3,054 | 30.0% | 6.1% | 43.1% | 15.5% |
| 53 | West Sacramento, CA | 54,496 | 3,062 | 41.1% | 3.8% | 34.0% | 12.6% |
| 54 | Mountain View, CA | 82,363 | 3,092 | 39.3% | 2.1% | 18.0% | 34.4% |
| 55 | Fullerton, CA | 141,278 | 3,093 | 30.3% | 1.8% | 39.6% | 24.4% |
| 56 | Concord, CA | 124,260 | 3,101 | 42.7% | 3.6% | 32.3% | 13.3% |
| 57 | Oakley, CA | 44,311 | 3,118 | 42.3% | 8.6% | 33.9% | 9.3% |
| 58 | Manteca, CA | 86,521 | 3,121 | 36.1% | 3.5% | 39.9% | 13.9% |
| 59 | Fountain Valley, CA | 56,358 | 3,130 | 38.3% | 1.1% | 17.4% | 36.5% |
| 60 | San Dimas, CA | 34,099 | 3,135 | 37.8% | 3.2% | 37.1% | 17.5% |
| 61 | Claremont, CA | 36,553 | 3,140 | 46.3% | 5.6% | 26.8% | 14.5% |
| 62 | El Cerrito, CA | 25,781 | 3,143 | 45.1% | 4.3% | 14.3% | 29.2% |
| 63 | Placentia, CA | 52,384 | 3,148 | 38.9% | 2.3% | 35.9% | 18.0% |
| 64 | Morgan Hill, CA | 45,152 | 3,148 | 39.0% | 2.3% | 36.4% | 16.7% |
| 65 | Lancaster, CA | 170,013 | 3,173 | 24.4% | 21.0% | 45.9% | 3.9% |
| 66 | Los Alamitos, CA | 11,784 | 3,177 | 43.3% | 3.6% | 32.0% | 15.5% |
| 67 | South San Francisco, CA | 64,487 | 3,181 | 20.6% | 1.7% | 30.8% | 42.4% |
| 68 | Live Oak, CA | 9,264 | 3,185 | 31.8% | 0.2% | 42.6% | 18.3% |
| 69 | Pacifica, CA | 37,527 | 3,207 | 48.5% | 1.8% | 19.4% | 20.6% |
| 70 | Campbell, CA | 42,848 | 3,210 | 46.6% | 1.4% | 18.9% | 25.3% |
| 71 | Barstow, CA | 25,198 | 3,215 | 23.8% | 18.3% | 47.5% | 2.0% |
| 72 | Seaside, CA | 31,964 | 3,232 | 30.9% | 4.9% | 46.0% | 10.0% |
| 73 | Belmont, CA | 27,505 | 3,235 | 46.2% | 1.5% | 14.0% | 29.4% |
| 74 | La Mirada, CA | 46,945 | 3,236 | 26.4% | 2.1% | 44.7% | 22.9% |
| 75 | Lake Forest, CA | 85,846 | 3,243 | 46.3% | 1.7% | 25.6% | 20.3% |
| 76 | Buena Park, CA | 83,052 | 3,245 | 20.5% | 2.0% | 42.5% | 31.7% |
| 77 | Artesia, CA | 16,044 | 3,252 | 14.1% | 5.1% | 34.4% | 42.9% |
| 78 | Los Angeles, CA | 3,857,897 | 3,253 | 28.3% | 8.2% | 47.2% | 11.8% |
| 79 | Crescent City, CA | 6,180 | 3,267 | 47.2% | 10.2% | 29.6% | 1.5% |
| 80 | Upland, CA | 78,940 | 3,288 | 35.7% | 6.0% | 43.2% | 9.9% |
| 81 | Twentynine Palms, CA | 28,738 | 3,302 | 49.5% | 9.7% | 25.8% | 3.9% |
| 82 | Menifee, CA | 107,020 | 3,304 | 40.8% | 6.8% | 39.0% | 6.4% |
| 83 | Santa Clarita, CA | 229,021 | 3,331 | 43.3% | 4.2% | 36.0% | 11.1% |
| 84 | Berkeley, CA | 120,223 | 3,345 | 51.7% | 7.1% | 12.1% | 20.6% |
| 85 | Irvine, CA | 308,160 | 3,350 | 35.4% | 1.9% | 11.3% | 43.9% |
| 86 | Santa Clara, CA | 129,239 | 3,351 | 28.6% | 2.0% | 16.1% | 47.4% |
| 87 | Rancho Palos Verdes, CA | 41,259 | 3,361 | 46.5% | 2.1% | 12.0% | 31.7% |
| 88 | Redlands, CA | 72,985 | 3,365 | 44.1% | 5.5% | 35.9% | 9.0% |
| 89 | La Verne, CA | 30,804 | 3,388 | 44.1% | 3.3% | 36.0% | 10.3% |
| 90 | Orange, CA | 138,723 | 3,398 | 40.1% | 1.4% | 40.0% | 13.0% |
| 91 | Garden Grove, CA | 170,603 | 3,407 | 16.8% | 1.1% | 37.6% | 41.3% |
| 92 | Fresno, CA | 543,615 | 3,410 | 24.7% | 6.3% | 50.6% | 13.9% |
| 93 | Temecula, CA | 110,404 | 3,410 | 49.2% | 4.1% | 28.5% | 11.2% |
| 94 | Beaumont, CA | 54,817 | 3,416 | 34.1% | 8.6% | 45.9% | 7.6% |
| 95 | Pleasanton, CA | 77,500 | 3,418 | 38.8% | 1.6% | 12.7% | 41.6% |
| 96 | Murrieta, CA | 111,621 | 3,428 | 47.5% | 4.8% | 32.5% | 8.0% |
| 97 | Davis, CA | 66,801 | 3,438 | 50.9% | 2.4% | 15.2% | 23.9% |
| 98 | Glendora, CA | 51,350 | 3,439 | 41.4% | 2.6% | 39.7% | 11.5% |
| 99 | Duarte, CA | 21,921 | 3,445 | 23.1% | 4.9% | 50.6% | 17.8% |
| 100 | Clovis, CA | 122,719 | 3,451 | 47.0% | 2.1% | 32.3% | 13.4% |