California and Texas are two of the most diverse states in the country, but California edges ahead. In the 2020 Census, California’s diversity index was about 70%, second only to Hawaii, while Texas scored about 67%, still well above the national figure of roughly 61%. Neither state has a racial or ethnic majority. The main difference is the mix: California has a much larger Asian population, while Texas has a larger Black population and a White share that is higher than California’s. Here is what the numbers show and why.
What the diversity index means
The U.S. Census Bureau’s diversity index is the chance that two people chosen at random from a place belong to different racial or ethnic groups. It uses Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) plus non-Hispanic White, Black, Asian, American Indian and Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, some other race, and multiracial groups. To calculate it, you square each group’s share of the population, add the results, and subtract that sum from 1.
An index of 70% means there is about a 7 in 10 chance that two random Californians differ in race or ethnicity. The index rises when groups are more evenly balanced, which is why states with several large groups score higher than states with one dominant group.
California vs Texas by the numbers
Figures below are rounded approximations from the 2020 Census. Hispanic residents may be of any race; the other categories are non-Hispanic. Annual Census estimates published since then show gradual shifts, particularly continued growth in Texas.
| Measure (2020 Census, approx.) | California | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Diversity index | About 70% | About 67% |
| Population | About 39.5 million | About 29.1 million |
| Hispanic or Latino | About 39% | About 39% |
| White (non-Hispanic) | About 35% | About 40% |
| Asian (non-Hispanic) | About 15% | About 5% |
| Black (non-Hispanic) | About 5% | About 12% |
| Multiracial and other | About 6% | About 4% |
Why California scores a little higher
Both states have Hispanic populations near 39%, so the difference comes from how the rest of the population is divided. In California, the next two groups are White (about 35%) and Asian (about 15%), a relatively even spread. In Texas, White and Hispanic residents together make up nearly four in five people, with smaller Black and Asian shares. Squaring and summing those shares gives a total of roughly 0.30 for California and 0.33 for Texas, which is why California’s index is a few points higher.
Diversity in California
California has had no racial or ethnic majority since around the turn of the century, and Hispanic residents have been the largest single group for about a decade. The state’s Hispanic population is predominantly of Mexican heritage, with large Central American communities, especially in Los Angeles. California also has the largest Asian American population of any state, including major Chinese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Indian, Korean and Japanese communities, with the highest concentrations in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles and Orange counties, and the Sacramento and San Diego regions.
Immigration is a big part of the story: roughly a quarter of Californians were born outside the U.S., one of the highest shares of any state, and many households speak a language other than English at home. Diversity is highest in coastal metros and the Central Valley’s larger cities, while some mountain and far northern counties are much less diverse.
Diversity in Texas
Texas has been a majority-minority state since the mid-2000s. Its Hispanic population has deep roots going back to before statehood, and it is concentrated in South Texas, the Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio and El Paso, with rapid growth in Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth. Census estimates released after 2020 indicated that Hispanic Texans had become the state’s largest group, overtaking non-Hispanic White residents.
Texas also has a larger Black population than California, both in number and share, centered in Houston, Dallas and East Texas, and boosted by migration from other states. Its Asian population is smaller as a share but among the fastest growing, particularly Indian, Vietnamese and Chinese communities in suburbs such as Sugar Land, Plano, Frisco and Irving. The Houston area is frequently described as one of the most diverse metropolitan regions in the nation. Rural West Texas and the Panhandle are generally less diverse, although many small towns there have large Hispanic populations.
Key differences at a glance
- Overall index: California about 70%, Texas about 67%; both rank near the top nationally.
- Asian population: about three times larger as a share in California.
- Black population: more than twice as large as a share in Texas.
- Hispanic population: similar share in both, with Mexican heritage predominant in each.
- Growth: Texas has been adding residents faster, partly through migration from other states, including California, which is reshaping its metros.
- Immigration: California has a higher foreign-born share, though Texas has a large and growing immigrant population too.
Big metros compared
| Metro area | What stands out |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | Very large Mexican American and Central American communities, plus major Korean, Armenian, Filipino and Chinese populations |
| San Francisco Bay Area | One of the highest Asian population shares of any large US metro, with a large foreign-born workforce in tech |
| San Diego | Border region with a large Hispanic population and sizable Filipino and military communities |
| Houston | No majority group; large Hispanic, Black, Vietnamese, Indian and Nigerian communities |
| Dallas-Fort Worth | Fast growth driven by domestic migration and immigrants from Mexico, India and elsewhere |
| San Antonio | Hispanic majority with deep historical roots in the region |
In both states, the largest metros drive the statewide scores, and the differences between cities can be as interesting as the differences between the states themselves.
Migration between the two states
For years, California has been one of the largest sources of new Texans. People leaving California for Texas cite housing costs, taxes and job opportunities, and many settle in Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio. These movers are themselves diverse, which adds to the mix in Texas metros. At the same time, both states continue to receive international immigrants, so neither is becoming less diverse; they are simply changing in different ways.
If you are one of the people considering a move between the two, our guide to what to think about before moving to another state covers the practical side, from cost of living to job markets.
What the index does not capture
The diversity index is a race and ethnicity measure only. It does not reflect languages spoken, religion, national origin within broad groups (such as Mexican, Salvadoran or Cuban heritage among Hispanic residents), income or how integrated neighborhoods and schools are. A high score also does not mean every part of the state is diverse. Use county and city data, foreign-born share and language statistics alongside the index for a more complete view.
Comparisons over time need care too. The national index rose from about 55% in 2010 to about 61% in 2020, partly because the 2020 Census improved how it recorded multiracial identities. Figures from before and after 2020 are not perfectly comparable.
Why the data matters for business and communication
Companies, public agencies and nonprofits in both states use demographic data to decide which languages to support, where to open locations and how to reach different communities. Spanish-language media is essential in both markets, while California campaigns may also need Chinese, Vietnamese, Tagalog and Korean outreach, and Texas campaigns increasingly include Vietnamese and South Asian media. State-focused outlets such as California PR Paper and Texas PR Magazine cover the local communications and news landscape, which can help teams put the census figures into context.
For more comparisons on the same scale, read our breakdowns of Florida vs New York and Washington vs Arizona. Official figures are available on data.census.gov.
Frequently asked questions
Is California more diverse than Texas?
Slightly. California’s 2020 diversity index was about 70% and Texas’s was about 67%. Both are among the most diverse states.
Which state is the most diverse in the US?
Hawaii has the highest diversity index, followed by California, according to 2020 Census results.
What is the largest ethnic group in California and Texas?
Hispanic or Latino residents are the largest group in California, and Census estimates after 2020 show they have also become the largest group in Texas.
Are California and Texas majority-minority states?
Yes. Neither state has a racial or ethnic group that makes up more than half of its population.
Why does California have a higher diversity index than Texas?
Mainly because of its large Asian population, about 15% compared with about 5% in Texas, which spreads the population more evenly across groups.
