New Jersey is noticeably more diverse than Virginia on the U.S. Census Bureau’s diversity index. Based on 2020 Census results, New Jersey scores roughly 66%, among the ten highest of any state, while Virginia sits near 60%, close to the national figure of about 61%. In plain terms, two randomly chosen New Jersey residents are a bit more likely to belong to different racial or ethnic groups than two Virginians. The rest of this guide explains what the index measures, what drives each state’s score, and how to use the numbers sensibly.
What the diversity index measures
The Census Bureau’s diversity index is the probability that two people picked at random from an area belong to different racial and ethnic groups. It runs from 0% (everyone is in the same group) to just under 100% (everyone is spread evenly across many groups). The groups used are Hispanic or Latino of any race, plus non-Hispanic White, Black, Asian, American Indian and Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, some other race, and multiracial.
The math is straightforward: square each group’s share of the population, add those squares up, and subtract the total from 1. A population that is 50% one group and 50% another scores 50%. A population split evenly across four groups scores 75%. That is why the index rewards balance, not just the number of groups present.
Nationally, the index rose from about 55% in 2010 to about 61% in 2020, partly because of real demographic change and partly because the 2020 Census improved how it recorded people who identify with more than one race. Keep that in mind when comparing older and newer figures.
New Jersey vs Virginia at a glance
The figures below are rounded approximations from the 2020 Census. Group shares for Hispanic residents include people of any race; other groups are non-Hispanic. Newer annual estimates shift slightly each year, so check the Census Bureau’s data site for the latest numbers.
| Measure (2020 Census, approx.) | New Jersey | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Diversity index | About 66% | About 60% |
| Population | About 9.3 million | About 8.6 million |
| White (non-Hispanic) | About 52% | About 60% |
| Hispanic or Latino | About 22% | About 10% |
| Black (non-Hispanic) | About 12% | About 18% |
| Asian (non-Hispanic) | About 10% | About 7% |
| Multiracial and other | About 4% | About 5% |
Why New Jersey scores so high
A large, balanced mix of groups
New Jersey’s non-Hispanic White population is only slightly above half, and the rest of the population is spread across three sizable groups: Hispanic residents (the largest minority), Black residents and Asian residents. Because no single minority group dominates, the index climbs. New Jersey also has one of the highest shares of foreign-born residents in the country, with large communities from Latin America, India, China, the Philippines, Korea, Portugal and the Caribbean.
Location between two big metros
Much of northern New Jersey is part of the New York City metro area, and the south is tied to Philadelphia. That position has made the state a long-standing destination for immigrants and for families moving out of the cities. Counties such as Hudson, Middlesex, Passaic, Union and Essex are among the most diverse in the nation, while some rural counties in the northwest and along the Delaware River are far less so.
What shapes Virginia’s diversity
A larger Black population with deep historical roots
Virginia’s Black population share is higher than New Jersey’s, reflecting centuries of history in the state, especially in Richmond, Hampton Roads and Southside Virginia. The larger White majority (around 60%) is the main reason Virginia’s overall index is lower.
Northern Virginia’s rapid change
Diversity in Virginia is highly concentrated. Fairfax, Prince William, Loudoun and Arlington counties, along with the city of Alexandria and nearby Manassas and Manassas Park, have grown far more diverse over the past few decades, driven by federal government and contractor jobs, the tech sector and immigration from Asia, Central America, Africa and the Middle East. Prince William County in particular is often listed among the most diverse counties in the country. In contrast, much of western and southwestern Virginia remains predominantly White.
A worked example with each state’s numbers
Using the rounded shares above shows why the gap exists. For New Jersey, squaring the main shares (0.52, 0.22, 0.12, 0.10 and about 0.04 spread across smaller groups) and adding them gives a total of roughly 0.34. Subtracting from 1 leaves about 0.66, or 66%. For Virginia, the larger White share (0.60) dominates the sum: 0.60 squared is 0.36 on its own, and adding the other groups brings the total to about 0.40, leaving an index near 60%. The single biggest factor is the size of the largest group; the more evenly the rest of the population is spread, the higher the score.
How both states have changed
Both states have become more diverse with each census. In New Jersey the non-Hispanic White share has fallen steadily as Hispanic and Asian populations grew, and it may drop below half within the next decade if current trends continue. In Virginia the change has been fastest in the Washington, D.C. suburbs, where Hispanic and Asian populations have grown quickly since the 1990s, while Richmond and Hampton Roads have also become more mixed. Younger age groups are more diverse than older ones in both states, which suggests the index will keep rising.
Key differences in one list
- Overall score: New Jersey is higher by roughly five to six percentage points.
- Largest minority group: Hispanic residents in New Jersey; Black residents in Virginia.
- Asian population: larger as a share in New Jersey, though Northern Virginia has large and fast-growing Asian communities.
- Geography of diversity: spread across much of New Jersey’s densely populated north and center; concentrated in Northern Virginia and major metros in Virginia.
- Density: New Jersey is the most densely populated state, which brings communities into closer contact; Virginia has much larger rural areas.
What the index does not tell you
The diversity index is useful but narrow. It measures only race and ethnicity, so it says nothing directly about language, religion, income, age or political outlook. It also says nothing about integration: a state can score highly while its neighborhoods and schools remain quite segregated. For a fuller picture, pair the index with other data such as the share of residents born abroad, languages spoken at home, and neighborhood-level measures of segregation.
County and city figures are often more useful than statewide ones. Someone moving from Newark to rural Sussex County, or from Fairfax to the Shenandoah Valley, will notice a bigger difference than the state totals suggest. If you are weighing a move, our checklist of things to consider before moving to another state covers the practical side.
How businesses and communicators use this data
Marketers, public relations teams, nonprofits and public agencies use diversity data to plan outreach: which languages to translate materials into, which community media to work with, and how to represent audiences fairly in campaigns. In New Jersey that often means Spanish-language outreach plus South Asian, East Asian and Portuguese-language media. In Virginia it may mean messaging tailored to Northern Virginia’s international communities alongside long-established Black churches, colleges and civic groups elsewhere in the state.
Regional industry sites can help with the local context behind the numbers. New Jersey PR Trends covers public relations and communications topics in the Garden State, while Virginia PR Hun focuses on the communications scene in Virginia, from Richmond to the D.C. suburbs. Use sources like these alongside official Census data rather than instead of it.
Where to find the latest numbers
The Census Bureau publishes decennial results and annual American Community Survey estimates on data.census.gov, with state and county breakdowns. State data centers in both New Jersey and Virginia also publish summaries. When comparing figures, make sure they come from the same year and the same survey, since decennial counts and ACS estimates can differ slightly.
For more state-by-state comparisons using the same index, see our breakdowns of Florida vs New York and Missouri vs Maryland.
Frequently asked questions
Is New Jersey more diverse than Virginia?
Yes. On the Census Bureau’s 2020 diversity index, New Jersey scores about 66% and Virginia about 60%.
What does a diversity index of 66% mean?
It means there is roughly a 66% chance that two people chosen at random belong to different racial or ethnic groups.
What is the largest minority group in each state?
In New Jersey it is Hispanic or Latino residents, at about 22% in 2020. In Virginia it is Black residents, at about 18%.
Which parts of Virginia are most diverse?
Northern Virginia, including Fairfax, Prince William, Loudoun and Arlington counties and the city of Alexandria, is the most diverse region of the state.
Where does the diversity index data come from?
It comes from the U.S. Census Bureau, which calculates it from decennial census counts and publishes related estimates through the American Community Survey.
