Racial diversity in Michigan is a mixed bag.
There are parts of Michigan where there’s a high level of diversity. But where will you find the most diverse places in Michigan?
To answer that question, we went to the US Census data. Using Saturday Night Science, we measured the Gini coefficient for all 153 cities in Michigan to rank them from most to least diverse.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
Here are the 10 most diverse places in Michigan for 2026:
So what city is the most diverse in Michigan? According to the most Census data, Pontiac took the number one over all spot for diversity in Michigan.
Read on below to see how we crunched the numbers and how your town ranked. To see where Michigan ranked as a state, we have a ranking of the most diverse states in Ameria.
For more Michigan reading:
The 10 Most Diverse Places In Michigan For 2026
/10
Population: 62,104
HHI: 2,899
% White: 22.8%
% African American: 41.7%
% Hispanic: 24.1%
% Asian: 4.2%
More on Pontiac: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 9,064
HHI: 3,288
% White: 25.8%
% African American: 48.3%
% Hispanic: 15.5%
% Asian: 0.0%
More on Ecorse: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 113,023
HHI: 3,300
% White: 50.6%
% African American: 21.9%
% Hispanic: 12.9%
% Asian: 5.3%
More on Lansing: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 25,105
HHI: 3,320
% White: 52.1%
% African American: 15.3%
% Hispanic: 12.4%
% Asian: 13.5%
More on Auburn Hills: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 7,008
HHI: 3,386
% White: 31.4%
% African American: 45.5%
% Hispanic: 17.0%
% Asian: 0.0%
More on River Rouge: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 54,296
HHI: 3,431
% White: 52.3%
% African American: 21.5%
% Hispanic: 10.3%
% Asian: 9.9%
More on Kentwood: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 43,536
HHI: 3,437
% White: 34.7%
% African American: 44.3%
% Hispanic: 15.9%
% Asian: 0.2%
More on Saginaw: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 8,463
HHI: 3,565
% White: 48.9%
% African American: 31.6%
% Hispanic: 1.4%
% Asian: 12.1%
More on Center Line: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 37,226
HHI: 3,724
% White: 52.3%
% African American: 28.9%
% Hispanic: 9.9%
% Asian: 0.6%
More on Muskegon: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 19,857
HHI: 3,725
% White: 54.9%
% African American: 23.9%
% Hispanic: 9.0%
% Asian: 5.1%
More on Ypsilanti: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
Methodology: How we determined the most diverse cities in Michigan for 2026
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 Michigan.
That leads us to the Census’s most recently available data, the 2020-2024 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 153 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 2,899 (Pontiac) to 9,168 (Chelsea).
Finally, we ranked each city based on the HHI, with a lower score being more diverse than a high score. Pontiac took the distinction of being the most diverse, while Chelsea was the least diverse city.
We updated this article for 2026. This report is our eleventh time ranking the most diverse places in Michigan.
Summary: Diversity Across Michigan
If you’re looking for a scientific breakdown of diversity across Michigan, this is an accurate list.
The most diverse cities in Michigan are Pontiac, Ecorse, Lansing, Auburn Hills, River Rouge, Kentwood, Saginaw, Center Line, Muskegon, and Ypsilanti.
If you’re curious enough, here are the least diverse places in Michigan:
- Chelsea
- Brighton
- Gladstone
For more Michigan reading, check out:
- Best Places To Live In Michigan
- Cheapest Places To Live In Michigan
- Most Dangerous Places in Michigan
- Best Places To Raise A Family In Michigan
- Safest Places In Michigan
- Worst Places To Live In Michigan
Race By City In Michigan For 2026
| Rank | City | Population | HHI | % White | % Black | % Hispanic | % Asian |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pontiac, MI | 62,104 | 2,899 | 22.8% | 41.7% | 24.1% | 4.2% |
| 2 | Ecorse, MI | 9,064 | 3,288 | 25.8% | 48.3% | 15.5% | 0.0% |
| 3 | Lansing, MI | 113,023 | 3,300 | 50.6% | 21.9% | 12.9% | 5.3% |
| 4 | Auburn Hills, MI | 25,105 | 3,320 | 52.1% | 15.3% | 12.4% | 13.5% |
| 5 | River Rouge, MI | 7,008 | 3,386 | 31.4% | 45.5% | 17.0% | 0.0% |
| 6 | Kentwood, MI | 54,296 | 3,431 | 52.3% | 21.5% | 10.3% | 9.9% |
| 7 | Saginaw, MI | 43,536 | 3,437 | 34.7% | 44.3% | 15.9% | 0.2% |
| 8 | Center Line, MI | 8,463 | 3,565 | 48.9% | 31.6% | 1.4% | 12.1% |
| 9 | Muskegon, MI | 37,226 | 3,724 | 52.3% | 28.9% | 9.9% | 0.6% |
| 10 | Ypsilanti, MI | 19,857 | 3,725 | 54.9% | 23.9% | 9.0% | 5.1% |
| 11 | Grand Rapids, MI | 198,535 | 3,909 | 57.5% | 17.5% | 16.3% | 2.8% |
| 12 | Novi, MI | 66,717 | 3,928 | 55.2% | 7.4% | 4.5% | 28.1% |
| 13 | Romulus, MI | 24,831 | 3,996 | 43.9% | 44.5% | 1.6% | 0.2% |
| 14 | Warren, MI | 137,928 | 4,024 | 58.0% | 21.8% | 2.4% | 12.7% |
| 15 | Lincoln Park, MI | 39,257 | 4,027 | 56.7% | 10.2% | 26.2% | 0.6% |
| 16 | Farmington Hills, MI | 83,515 | 4,069 | 59.3% | 18.2% | 2.6% | 13.7% |
| 17 | Oak Park, MI | 29,318 | 4,094 | 36.1% | 52.5% | 1.8% | 2.7% |
| 18 | Wyoming, MI | 77,353 | 4,125 | 57.6% | 9.0% | 26.5% | 1.8% |
| 19 | Albion, MI | 7,560 | 4,137 | 55.7% | 31.0% | 7.3% | 1.0% |
| 20 | Hamtramck, MI | 27,743 | 4,157 | 58.6% | 6.1% | 0.8% | 25.3% |
| 21 | Farmington, MI | 11,504 | 4,182 | 59.3% | 6.7% | 3.7% | 23.9% |
| 22 | Kalamazoo, MI | 73,076 | 4,211 | 60.0% | 22.3% | 7.8% | 3.0% |
| 23 | Flint, MI | 80,175 | 4,224 | 33.4% | 55.3% | 4.5% | 0.7% |
| 24 | Battle Creek, MI | 52,374 | 4,251 | 62.0% | 15.6% | 8.3% | 4.9% |
| 25 | Westland, MI | 83,633 | 4,253 | 60.1% | 23.6% | 4.8% | 3.9% |
| 26 | Melvindale, MI | 12,554 | 4,268 | 58.7% | 10.2% | 26.5% | 0.0% |
| 27 | St. Louis, MI | 7,367 | 4,330 | 58.6% | 28.6% | 8.4% | 0.1% |
| 28 | Eastpointe, MI | 33,982 | 4,345 | 35.5% | 55.1% | 1.6% | 0.7% |
| 29 | Jackson, MI | 31,058 | 4,505 | 63.2% | 19.0% | 6.8% | 0.5% |
| 30 | Troy, MI | 87,898 | 4,527 | 61.0% | 3.7% | 2.6% | 27.8% |
| 31 | Wayne, MI | 17,310 | 4,657 | 63.2% | 24.7% | 3.8% | 1.3% |
| 32 | Ann Arbor, MI | 122,036 | 4,759 | 66.5% | 6.4% | 5.5% | 15.6% |
| 33 | Mount Clemens, MI | 15,511 | 4,767 | 65.2% | 20.0% | 4.0% | 0.3% |
| 34 | Taylor, MI | 62,081 | 4,769 | 65.7% | 18.9% | 7.6% | 2.2% |
| 35 | Harper Woods, MI | 15,116 | 4,778 | 29.2% | 62.4% | 2.2% | 0.6% |
| 36 | Springfield, MI | 5,269 | 4,813 | 67.1% | 4.6% | 5.7% | 7.5% |
| 37 | Sturgis, MI | 11,054 | 4,826 | 63.7% | 1.8% | 27.3% | 1.6% |
| 38 | Holland, MI | 34,423 | 4,829 | 65.1% | 4.1% | 23.6% | 3.4% |
| 39 | Southfield, MI | 76,236 | 4,839 | 24.5% | 64.7% | 1.7% | 2.0% |
| 40 | Wixom, MI | 17,295 | 4,867 | 67.7% | 12.4% | 4.3% | 9.1% |
| 41 | Roseville, MI | 47,123 | 4,869 | 65.1% | 24.4% | 3.4% | 1.6% |
| 42 | Sault Ste. Marie, MI | 13,335 | 5,050 | 68.4% | 0.5% | 1.9% | 1.2% |
| 43 | Inkster, MI | 25,428 | 5,295 | 16.8% | 70.3% | 3.7% | 1.4% |
| 44 | East Lansing, MI | 45,758 | 5,311 | 71.5% | 7.6% | 6.6% | 8.9% |
| 45 | New Haven, MI | 6,475 | 5,321 | 70.2% | 16.6% | 2.1% | 0.7% |
| 46 | Rochester Hills, MI | 77,089 | 5,364 | 71.3% | 3.5% | 5.1% | 14.5% |
| 47 | Muskegon Heights, MI | 9,841 | 5,378 | 17.7% | 70.8% | 4.6% | 0.3% |
| 48 | Ionia, MI | 12,753 | 5,395 | 71.6% | 12.5% | 9.0% | 0.0% |
| 49 | Adrian, MI | 20,395 | 5,494 | 71.0% | 4.3% | 20.7% | 0.3% |
| 50 | Hazel Park, MI | 14,963 | 5,604 | 73.4% | 11.0% | 5.3% | 1.1% |
| 51 | Niles, MI | 11,803 | 5,759 | 74.2% | 13.8% | 7.0% | 0.5% |
| 52 | Dowagiac, MI | 5,732 | 5,787 | 74.9% | 8.0% | 9.2% | 0.4% |
| 53 | Allen Park, MI | 27,925 | 5,817 | 74.8% | 5.8% | 13.1% | 1.3% |
| 54 | Detroit, MI | 638,530 | 5,819 | 10.8% | 75.0% | 8.3% | 1.7% |
| 55 | Sterling Heights, MI | 133,573 | 5,962 | 76.2% | 7.4% | 3.0% | 9.2% |
| 56 | Southgate, MI | 29,366 | 5,965 | 76.1% | 8.0% | 9.4% | 2.4% |
| 57 | Woodhaven, MI | 12,690 | 6,019 | 76.4% | 7.0% | 11.1% | 1.8% |
| 58 | Lapeer, MI | 9,082 | 6,066 | 76.8% | 8.3% | 5.6% | 0.7% |
| 59 | Burton, MI | 29,500 | 6,070 | 76.7% | 10.6% | 4.0% | 0.3% |
| 60 | Three Rivers, MI | 7,943 | 6,198 | 77.8% | 8.0% | 6.7% | 0.6% |
| 61 | Riverview, MI | 12,186 | 6,204 | 77.7% | 8.1% | 9.2% | 1.3% |
| 62 | Mount Pleasant, MI | 21,236 | 6,215 | 78.2% | 5.1% | 6.3% | 3.6% |
| 63 | Madison Heights, MI | 28,419 | 6,235 | 78.2% | 7.8% | 2.2% | 6.5% |
| 64 | Flat Rock, MI | 10,340 | 6,270 | 78.3% | 8.0% | 7.4% | 0.1% |
| 65 | Grand Blanc, MI | 7,987 | 6,303 | 78.5% | 8.6% | 6.1% | 2.1% |
| 66 | Houghton, MI | 8,474 | 6,347 | 79.0% | 2.7% | 2.9% | 9.1% |
| 67 | Port Huron, MI | 28,620 | 6,365 | 79.0% | 6.4% | 6.3% | 0.9% |
| 68 | Portage, MI | 49,259 | 6,427 | 79.5% | 6.2% | 5.6% | 3.4% |
| 69 | Fraser, MI | 14,583 | 6,452 | 79.4% | 10.0% | 2.6% | 1.7% |
| 70 | Garden City, MI | 26,739 | 6,473 | 79.7% | 6.6% | 6.4% | 1.3% |
| 71 | Ferndale, MI | 19,190 | 6,491 | 80.0% | 6.4% | 4.7% | 3.0% |
| 72 | Dearborn Heights, MI | 61,771 | 6,534 | 80.0% | 9.9% | 5.5% | 1.0% |
| 73 | Royal Oak, MI | 57,950 | 6,543 | 80.3% | 6.0% | 4.6% | 3.5% |
| 74 | Rochester, MI | 12,934 | 6,560 | 80.3% | 3.9% | 1.8% | 8.0% |
| 75 | Bay City, MI | 32,320 | 6,576 | 80.1% | 1.6% | 11.5% | 0.8% |
| 76 | Grandville, MI | 16,356 | 6,587 | 80.5% | 7.2% | 6.0% | 1.5% |
| 77 | Grosse Pointe Park, MI | 11,319 | 6,705 | 81.4% | 5.2% | 3.0% | 3.9% |
| 78 | Zeeland, MI | 5,665 | 6,741 | 80.5% | 2.1% | 16.1% | 0.0% |
| 79 | Benton Harbor, MI | 8,953 | 6,758 | 8.3% | 81.5% | 5.8% | 0.0% |
| 80 | Walker, MI | 25,386 | 6,771 | 81.8% | 3.4% | 6.2% | 4.0% |
| 81 | Alma, MI | 9,396 | 6,790 | 81.3% | 1.9% | 12.9% | 1.6% |
| 82 | Belding, MI | 5,960 | 6,802 | 81.8% | 2.9% | 8.1% | 0.4% |
| 83 | Livonia, MI | 93,851 | 6,837 | 82.2% | 4.3% | 4.4% | 4.0% |
| 84 | Beverly Hills, MI | 10,524 | 6,847 | 82.2% | 6.2% | 2.8% | 3.4% |
| 85 | Utica, MI | 5,180 | 6,888 | 82.6% | 3.4% | 5.3% | 4.5% |
| 86 | Highland Park, MI | 8,628 | 6,910 | 11.2% | 82.2% | 1.7% | 0.1% |
| 87 | Coldwater, MI | 13,671 | 6,920 | 82.6% | 4.5% | 7.6% | 0.3% |
| 88 | Walled Lake, MI | 7,299 | 6,937 | 82.7% | 3.2% | 3.4% | 9.0% |
| 89 | Monroe, MI | 20,320 | 6,939 | 82.7% | 7.5% | 2.7% | 0.5% |
| 90 | Wyandotte, MI | 24,489 | 7,008 | 83.2% | 2.1% | 7.9% | 0.7% |
| 91 | Birmingham, MI | 21,763 | 7,060 | 83.6% | 2.8% | 4.4% | 4.9% |
| 92 | St. Joseph, MI | 7,986 | 7,070 | 83.7% | 4.5% | 5.2% | 1.7% |
| 93 | Mason, MI | 8,249 | 7,189 | 84.3% | 6.4% | 3.9% | 0.5% |
| 94 | Clawson, MI | 11,374 | 7,251 | 84.8% | 3.7% | 4.5% | 2.6% |
| 95 | Berkley, MI | 15,149 | 7,286 | 85.0% | 2.2% | 3.8% | 1.0% |
| 96 | Holly, MI | 5,964 | 7,359 | 85.4% | 3.1% | 5.1% | 0.3% |
| 97 | Grand Haven, MI | 10,996 | 7,378 | 85.5% | 1.0% | 5.9% | 2.1% |
| 98 | Manistee, MI | 6,275 | 7,470 | 86.1% | 1.8% | 5.5% | 0.4% |
| 99 | Milan, MI | 5,987 | 7,479 | 86.1% | 1.8% | 5.5% | 0.2% |
| 100 | Tecumseh, MI | 8,646 | 7,483 | 86.1% | 1.2% | 7.2% | 0.8% |