New Rochelle Among Top 10 Most Diverse Small Cities In US: Study

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — As hate crimes continue to make headlines across the county, one Hudson Valley city is an enviable example of people of all cultures coming together, according to a just released study.

The personal finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2023’s Most Diverse Cities in America.

New Rochelle ranks 34th among all U.S. cities but 10th among small cities. Nearby Yonkers ranked 18th among all U.S. cities. Mount Vernon ranked 99th among all cities and Abany ranked 144th.

To determine the places in the U.S. with the most mixed demographics, WalletHub compared the profiles of more than 500 of the largest cities across five major diversity categories: socioeconomic, cultural, economic, household and religious.

The Queen City on the Sound ranked 6th in educational attainment diversity, 44th in racial and ethnic diversity, 32nd in linguistic diversity, 203rd in worker-class diversity and 125th in age diversity.

Southwestern Law School Professor Meera E. Deo told the study's authors that there are tangible perks to living in a diverse city beyond just recognition.

"Living and working in a diverse city have benefits for everyone," Deo explained. "For those who are traditionally in the minority, it can increase a sense of belonging to know they are not alone – to see other people from their background, hear their language spoken by others, or see their culture, food, and religion represented by others too. It is also wonderful exposure for everyone to be around people who are comfortable sharing more of their authentic selves in their neighborhoods and workplaces."

The full 2023 Most Diverse Cities in America report can be read here.