The 10 Most Diverse Cities In Washington For 2024


The most diverse cities in Washington are Seatac and Tukwila for 2024 based on Saturday Night Science.


Most Diverse Cities In Washington

Racial diversity in Washington is a mixed bag.

There are parts of Washington where there’s a high level of diversity. But where will you find the most diverse places in Washington?

To answer that question, we went to the US Census data. Using Saturday Night Science, we measured the Gini coefficient for all 121 cities in Washington to rank them from most to least diverse.


Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table


Here are the 10 most diverse places in Washington for 2024:

  1. SeaTac
  2. Tukwila
  3. Fife
  4. Federal Way
  5. Kent
  6. Renton
  7. Lakewood
  8. Pacific
  9. Auburn
  10. Des Moines

So what city is the most diverse in Washington? According to the most Census data, Seatac took the number one over all spot for diversity in Washington.

Read on below to see how we crunched the numbers and how your town ranked. To see where Washington ranked as a state, we have a ranking of the most diverse states in Ameria.

For more Washington reading:

The 10 Most Diverse Places In Washington For 2024

Seatac, WA

Source: Wikipedia User SounderBruce from Seattle, United States | CC BY-SA 2.0
Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 30,927
HHI: 2,201
% White: 29.8%
% African American: 23.9%
% Hispanic: 21.1%
% Asian: 16.2%
More on Seatac: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Tukwila, WA

Source: Wikipedia User Joe Mabel | GFDL
Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 21,569
HHI: 2,217
% White: 28.7%
% African American: 17.0%
% Hispanic: 22.2%
% Asian: 24.2%
More on Tukwila: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Fife, WA

Source: Wikipedia User SounderBruce | CC BY-SA 4.0
Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 10,887
HHI: 2,292
% White: 39.2%
% African American: 11.4%
% Hispanic: 15.9%
% Asian: 16.0%
More on Fife: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Federal Way, WA

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

8
/10

Population: 99,614
HHI: 2,368
% White: 38.3%
% African American: 16.2%
% Hispanic: 18.4%
% Asian: 14.9%
More on Federal Way: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Kent, WA

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 135,169
HHI: 2,448
% White: 38.3%
% African American: 12.6%
% Hispanic: 16.3%
% Asian: 22.3%
More on Kent: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Renton, WA

Source: Wikipedia User Westernyankee | CC BY-SA 3.0
Overall SnackAbility

8
/10

Population: 105,355
HHI: 2,705
% White: 40.8%
% African American: 8.2%
% Hispanic: 14.8%
% Asian: 26.1%
More on Renton: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Lakewood, WA

Source: Wikipedia User Kgrr | CC BY-SA 3.0
Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 63,142
HHI: 2,735
% White: 45.1%
% African American: 13.7%
% Hispanic: 18.1%
% Asian: 8.5%
More on Lakewood: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Pacific, WA

Source: Wikipedia User Steven Pavlov | CC BY-SA 3.0
Overall SnackAbility

8.5
/10

Population: 7,097
HHI: 3,028
% White: 50.1%
% African American: 11.7%
% Hispanic: 12.9%
% Asian: 10.6%
More on Pacific: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Auburn, WA

Source: Wikipedia User Joe Mabel | GFDL
Overall SnackAbility

8
/10

Population: 85,623
HHI: 3,117
% White: 50.1%
% African American: 7.3%
% Hispanic: 19.0%
% Asian: 10.9%
More on Auburn: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Des Moines, WA

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 32,667
HHI: 3,121
% White: 49.9%
% African American: 9.6%
% Hispanic: 18.2%
% Asian: 12.1%
More on Des Moines: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Methodology: How we determined the most diverse cities in Washington for 2024

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 Washington.

That leads us to the Census’s most recently available data, the 2018-2022 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
* Not Hispanic or latino

We limited our analysis to non-CDPs with a population greater than 5,000 people. That left us with 121 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 2,201 (Seatac) to 8,340 (Buckley).

Finally, we ranked each city based on the HHI, with a lower score being more diverse than a high score. Seatac took the distinction of being the most diverse, while Buckley was the least diverse city.

We updated this article for 2024. This report is our tenth time ranking the most diverse places in Washington.

Summary: Diversity Across Washington

If you’re looking for a scientific breakdown of diversity across Washington, this is an accurate list.

The most diverse cities in Washington are SeaTac, Tukwila, Fife, Federal Way, Kent, Renton, Lakewood, Pacific, Auburn, and Des Moines.

If you’re curious enough, here are the least diverse places in Washington:

  1. Buckley
  2. Toppenish
  3. Liberty Lake

For more Washington reading, check out:

Race By City In Washington For 2024

Rank City Population HHI % White % Black % Hispanic % Asian
1 Seatac, WA 30,927 2,201 29.8% 23.9% 21.1% 16.2%
2 Tukwila, WA 21,569 2,217 28.7% 17.0% 22.2% 24.2%
3 Fife, WA 10,887 2,292 39.2% 11.4% 15.9% 16.0%
4 Federal Way, WA 99,614 2,368 38.3% 16.2% 18.4% 14.9%
5 Kent, WA 135,169 2,448 38.3% 12.6% 16.3% 22.3%
6 Renton, WA 105,355 2,705 40.8% 8.2% 14.8% 26.1%
7 Lakewood, WA 63,142 2,735 45.1% 13.7% 18.1% 8.5%
8 Pacific, WA 7,097 3,028 50.1% 11.7% 12.9% 10.6%
9 Auburn, WA 85,623 3,117 50.1% 7.3% 19.0% 10.9%
10 Des Moines, WA 32,667 3,121 49.9% 9.6% 18.2% 12.1%
11 Burien, WA 51,505 3,182 49.0% 7.9% 21.9% 14.0%
12 Lynnwood, WA 39,867 3,309 51.3% 8.4% 15.9% 17.9%
13 Newcastle, WA 12,931 3,347 43.2% 2.3% 6.2% 36.8%
14 Bellevue, WA 150,606 3,592 44.1% 2.6% 8.2% 39.4%
15 Tacoma, WA 219,234 3,681 57.2% 10.1% 12.3% 8.5%
16 Redmond, WA 73,728 3,759 47.1% 2.1% 7.6% 38.2%
17 Everett, WA 110,847 3,939 59.0% 6.4% 16.9% 9.9%
18 Connell, WA 5,175 3,962 45.7% 5.5% 42.8% 2.4%
19 Oak Harbor, WA 24,458 3,985 59.6% 5.2% 15.9% 8.3%
20 Dupont, WA 9,955 4,051 60.7% 7.6% 12.1% 11.2%
21 Issaquah, WA 39,400 4,125 57.8% 1.7% 6.4% 26.4%
22 Mill Creek, WA 20,797 4,131 60.0% 4.4% 7.0% 20.4%
23 Airway Heights, WA 10,570 4,132 62.0% 5.5% 11.8% 4.0%
24 Sammamish, WA 66,586 4,153 53.3% 1.4% 3.6% 35.7%
25 University Place, WA 34,696 4,163 61.7% 7.1% 11.3% 11.0%
26 Seattle, WA 734,603 4,171 61.2% 6.6% 7.5% 16.7%
27 Moses Lake, WA 25,155 4,172 51.0% 3.2% 39.2% 0.9%
28 Union Gap, WA 6,512 4,183 39.8% 0.0% 50.5% 3.1%
29 Steilacoom, WA 6,680 4,264 62.2% 5.3% 15.4% 5.8%
30 Lacey, WA 56,263 4,280 62.8% 5.3% 12.2% 9.4%
31 Yakima, WA 96,764 4,282 45.2% 1.3% 47.1% 1.2%
32 Mukilteo, WA 21,365 4,317 61.4% 1.4% 6.4% 20.4%
33 Mountlake Terrace, WA 21,350 4,325 63.0% 4.8% 12.7% 10.8%
34 Shoreline, WA 58,673 4,376 63.2% 6.1% 7.3% 15.7%
35 Pasco, WA 77,274 4,427 36.4% 1.7% 55.6% 2.0%
36 Mount Vernon, WA 35,120 4,437 56.4% 1.1% 35.1% 3.2%
37 Covington, WA 20,814 4,451 64.3% 6.4% 9.1% 11.5%
38 Bremerton, WA 43,983 4,517 65.0% 5.2% 12.9% 5.2%
39 Selah, WA 8,203 4,580 61.3% 0.9% 27.6% 1.9%
40 East Wenatchee, WA 14,065 4,581 57.9% 0.4% 34.6% 1.0%
41 Bothell, WA 47,917 4,655 64.7% 0.8% 9.3% 18.5%
42 Wenatchee, WA 35,365 4,731 59.8% 0.9% 33.7% 0.8%
43 Prosser, WA 6,138 4,746 43.6% 0.0% 53.3% 3.0%
44 Kennewick, WA 83,823 4,766 62.3% 2.2% 29.3% 2.3%
45 Shelton, WA 10,484 4,787 63.9% 0.7% 25.6% 1.0%
46 Mercer Island, WA 25,464 4,821 65.3% 1.3% 3.2% 22.0%
47 Kirkland, WA 92,015 4,842 66.7% 1.5% 7.5% 17.1%
48 Monroe, WA 19,632 4,858 67.1% 2.7% 16.8% 6.3%
49 Burlington, WA 9,361 4,875 64.7% 1.5% 25.9% 2.9%
50 Vancouver, WA 190,700 4,882 67.5% 2.6% 15.4% 5.3%
51 Marysville, WA 70,847 4,912 67.8% 2.0% 14.8% 7.5%
52 Kenmore, WA 23,611 4,923 67.8% 2.2% 8.3% 14.3%
53 Walla Walla, WA 33,842 5,027 66.6% 2.9% 23.6% 2.4%
54 Woodinville, WA 13,301 5,041 68.3% 1.5% 9.2% 16.7%
55 Fircrest, WA 7,098 5,064 69.4% 4.0% 5.4% 8.0%
56 Port Orchard, WA 15,820 5,072 69.3% 1.6% 12.2% 4.5%
57 Ephrata, WA 8,419 5,092 66.4% 0.9% 25.3% 0.5%
58 Sedro-Woolley, WA 12,470 5,115 66.5% 0.6% 25.9% 1.9%
59 Pullman, WA 31,972 5,159 70.1% 2.5% 8.0% 11.5%
60 Yelm, WA 10,438 5,239 70.9% 3.4% 10.2% 1.0%
61 Aberdeen, WA 16,969 5,249 69.0% 0.7% 21.4% 1.0%
62 Blaine, WA 5,865 5,269 70.5% 2.6% 15.9% 4.8%
63 Sultan, WA 5,462 5,308 69.0% 0.9% 22.8% 2.1%
64 Olympia, WA 55,151 5,314 71.4% 2.6% 11.2% 6.7%
65 North Bend, WA 7,549 5,355 71.4% 0.2% 12.4% 5.9%
66 Arlington, WA 20,263 5,404 71.6% 1.6% 14.6% 5.9%
67 Milton, WA 8,543 5,439 72.4% 1.5% 9.8% 7.3%
68 Lake Stevens, WA 38,816 5,477 72.7% 2.8% 10.2% 6.6%
69 Tumwater, WA 25,617 5,495 73.0% 3.5% 7.9% 4.5%
70 Ferndale, WA 15,130 5,495 72.4% 0.2% 13.3% 6.7%
71 Woodland, WA 6,463 5,513 69.9% 1.1% 25.0% 0.2%
72 Maple Valley, WA 27,889 5,601 73.4% 1.8% 5.5% 11.1%
73 Duvall, WA 8,128 5,640 73.2% 0.6% 11.9% 11.2%
74 Puyallup, WA 42,610 5,713 74.6% 3.6% 7.9% 5.9%
75 Poulsbo, WA 11,824 5,725 74.3% 2.1% 10.0% 3.2%
76 Camas, WA 26,387 5,747 74.6% 1.9% 4.9% 10.8%
77 Edmonds, WA 42,705 5,763 74.8% 2.0% 6.5% 9.3%
78 Cheney, WA 12,848 5,768 74.6% 2.8% 11.6% 2.1%
79 College Place, WA 9,796 5,796 73.8% 0.4% 18.1% 2.1%
80 Richland, WA 60,867 5,796 74.6% 1.5% 13.5% 6.0%
81 Sumner, WA 10,589 5,805 73.9% 0.8% 18.0% 1.0%
82 West Richland, WA 16,547 5,834 74.6% 1.1% 14.6% 1.5%
83 Kelso, WA 12,661 5,902 74.8% 1.5% 16.1% 0.8%
84 Centralia, WA 18,234 5,913 74.7% 0.9% 17.8% 1.3%
85 Edgewood, WA 12,397 5,951 76.4% 1.4% 5.6% 6.4%
86 Lake Forest Park, WA 13,462 5,956 76.3% 4.9% 3.2% 8.2%
87 Bonney Lake, WA 22,590 6,010 76.3% 1.3% 10.8% 3.8%
88 Chehalis, WA 7,512 6,046 76.3% 1.9% 13.0% 2.1%
89 Bellingham, WA 91,353 6,051 76.8% 1.3% 10.0% 5.7%
90 Ellensburg, WA 19,003 6,130 77.1% 1.3% 12.0% 1.8%
91 Quincy, WA 7,754 6,152 21.5% 0.0% 75.4% 1.1%
92 Brier, WA 6,539 6,233 78.1% 5.6% 3.2% 8.3%
93 Snoqualmie, WA 13,762 6,283 78.2% 0.6% 4.4% 10.4%
94 Lynden, WA 15,723 6,291 78.0% 0.9% 13.2% 2.0%
95 Orting, WA 8,898 6,299 78.4% 0.6% 8.6% 2.5%
96 Enumclaw, WA 12,630 6,333 78.5% 0.5% 10.5% 2.1%
97 Othello, WA 8,582 6,334 20.3% 0.1% 76.9% 1.1%
98 Spokane, WA 227,922 6,433 79.6% 2.6% 7.2% 2.5%
99 Longview, WA 37,722 6,439 79.3% 1.1% 10.2% 1.7%
100 Black Diamond, WA 5,314 6,463 79.5% 0.8% 8.9% 6.9%
About Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks.

He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move.

If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already.

You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website.