Think you know where the most diverse counties in Mississippi are? Check out our list

Published 7:56 am Wednesday, June 16, 2021

CapCase // Wikimedia Commons

Most diverse counties in Mississippi

The United States has a longstanding reputation as being a melting pot (or salad bowl), with its diversity manifesting itself across many different demographics. However, some places across the country are notably more heterogeneous than others.

Stacker compiled a list of the most diverse counties in Mississippi using data from using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by the highest Simpson’s diversity index score. Simpson’s diversity index measures community diversity on a scale of 0 (least diverse) to 1 (most diverse), more on the calculation can be read here.

Think you know which counties in your home state might be the most diverse? Keep reading to see if your predictions are correct.

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#50. Monroe County

– Index: 0.439
– Total population: 35,673
– White: 68.1% (24,288)
– Black or African American: 31.2% (11,132)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.0% (8)
– Asian: 0.1% (31)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 0.5% (195)
– Some other Race: 0.1% (19)

Courtesy of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Lincoln County

– Index: 0.443
– Total population: 34,320
– White: 67.5% (23,159)
– Black or African American: 31.9% (10,957)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.0% (5)
– Asian: 0.5% (165)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 0.1% (34)
– Some other Race: 0.0% (0)

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#48. Jones County

– Index: 0.443
– Total population: 68,352
– White: 68.6% (46,881)
– Black or African American: 29.4% (20,077)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (154)
– Asian: 0.3% (225)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (47)
– 2 or more races: 1.0% (691)
– Some other Race: 0.4% (277)

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#47. Choctaw County

– Index: 0.444
– Total population: 8,277
– White: 67.8% (5,611)
– Black or African American: 31.0% (2,566)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (34)
– Asian: 0.0% (2)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (8)
– 2 or more races: 0.5% (43)
– Some other Race: 0.2% (13)

Quentin Melson // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Jackson County

– Index: 0.452
– Total population: 142,376
– White: 70.8% (100,751)
– Black or African American: 21.3% (30,305)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (609)
– Asian: 2.4% (3,434)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (82)
– 2 or more races: 2.4% (3,353)
– Some other Race: 2.7% (3,842)

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#45. Carroll County

– Index: 0.463
– Total population: 10,070
– White: 64.5% (6,499)
– Black or African American: 34.7% (3,499)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.0% (5)
– Asian: 0.0% (0)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 0.7% (67)
– Some other Race: 0.0% (0)

Cohee // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Lee County

– Index: 0.465
– Total population: 85,072
– White: 66.9% (56,904)
– Black or African American: 29.5% (25,089)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (225)
– Asian: 1.0% (833)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (7)
– 2 or more races: 1.1% (920)
– Some other Race: 1.3% (1,094)

Catherine Harris // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Tate County

– Index: 0.467
– Total population: 28,404
– White: 66.5% (18,895)
– Black or African American: 29.9% (8,494)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (34)
– Asian: 0.1% (41)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (34)
– 2 or more races: 2.6% (742)
– Some other Race: 0.6% (164)

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#42. Marion County

– Index: 0.468
– Total population: 24,990
– White: 65.3% (16,308)
– Black or African American: 32.6% (8,140)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.0% (0)
– Asian: 0.5% (131)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (21)
– 2 or more races: 0.2% (58)
– Some other Race: 1.3% (332)

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#41. Franklin County

– Index: 0.469
– Total population: 7,733
– White: 63.4% (4,903)
– Black or African American: 36.0% (2,782)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (12)
– Asian: 0.1% (4)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 0.4% (30)
– Some other Race: 0.0% (2)

Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Clarke County

– Index: 0.470
– Total population: 15,770
– White: 63.6% (10,028)
– Black or African American: 35.5% (5,592)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (8)
– Asian: 0.0% (0)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 0.6% (92)
– Some other Race: 0.3% (50)

Calvin Beale // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Lawrence County

– Index: 0.471
– Total population: 12,633
– White: 65.0% (8,215)
– Black or African American: 32.5% (4,109)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (19)
– Asian: 0.2% (28)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 1.1% (143)
– Some other Race: 0.9% (119)

Nlsanfor // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Covington County

– Index: 0.474
– Total population: 18,978
– White: 62.6% (11,886)
– Black or African American: 36.6% (6,946)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (36)
– Asian: 0.0% (0)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 0.6% (108)
– Some other Race: 0.0% (2)

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#37. Harrison County

– Index: 0.474
– Total population: 204,502
– White: 67.9% (138,940)
– Black or African American: 24.9% (50,994)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.6% (1,127)
– Asian: 2.8% (5,813)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (64)
– 2 or more races: 2.9% (6,029)
– Some other Race: 0.8% (1,535)

Mississippi Department of Archives and History // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Issaquena County

– Index: 0.478
– Total population: 1,361
– White: 37.8% (514)
– Black or African American: 61.6% (839)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.0% (0)
– Asian: 0.0% (0)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 0.0% (0)
– Some other Race: 0.6% (8)

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#35. Bolivar County

– Index: 0.479
– Total population: 31,848
– White: 33.0% (10,497)
– Black or African American: 64.2% (20,453)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (40)
– Asian: 0.9% (286)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 0.5% (148)
– Some other Race: 1.3% (424)

Thomas R Machnitzki // Wikimedia Commons

#34. DeSoto County

– Index: 0.479
– Total population: 178,975
– White: 66.7% (119,455)
– Black or African American: 27.3% (48,835)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (352)
– Asian: 1.4% (2,524)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (25)
– 2 or more races: 2.2% (3,967)
– Some other Race: 2.1% (3,817)

Calvin Beale // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Jefferson Davis County

– Index: 0.480
– Total population: 11,339
– White: 37.9% (4,303)
– Black or African American: 61.3% (6,950)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.0% (0)
– Asian: 0.1% (14)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 0.5% (60)
– Some other Race: 0.1% (12)

Calvin Beale // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Simpson County

– Index: 0.483
– Total population: 26,888
– White: 61.8% (16,625)
– Black or African American: 36.6% (9,851)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.0% (4)
– Asian: 0.6% (149)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 1.0% (259)
– Some other Race: 0.0% (0)

Carlcath // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Clay County

– Index: 0.489
– Total population: 19,640
– White: 38.8% (7,622)
– Black or African American: 60.0% (11,784)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.5% (92)
– Asian: 0.3% (57)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 0.4% (85)
– Some other Race: 0.0% (0)

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#30. Yalobusha County

– Index: 0.494
– Total population: 12,367
– White: 59.0% (7,302)
– Black or African American: 39.7% (4,904)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (18)
– Asian: 0.2% (19)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 0.7% (92)
– Some other Race: 0.3% (32)

Mac H. Alford // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Amite County

– Index: 0.495
– Total population: 12,412
– White: 57.4% (7,119)
– Black or African American: 41.9% (5,202)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.0% (3)
– Asian: 0.2% (23)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 0.3% (35)
– Some other Race: 0.2% (30)

Cohee // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Calhoun County

– Index: 0.496
– Total population: 14,499
– White: 65.2% (9,459)
– Black or African American: 27.4% (3,968)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.0% (0)
– Asian: 0.2% (34)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 1.9% (272)
– Some other Race: 5.3% (766)

NatalieMaynor // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Kemper County

– Index: 0.499
– Total population: 9,943
– White: 34.5% (3,433)
– Black or African American: 61.7% (6,134)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 3.7% (364)
– Asian: 0.1% (7)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 0.1% (5)
– Some other Race: 0.0% (0)

Calvin Beale // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Wayne County

– Index: 0.502
– Total population: 20,373
– White: 57.4% (11,695)
– Black or African American: 41.0% (8,359)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (17)
– Asian: 0.1% (26)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 0.8% (161)
– Some other Race: 0.6% (115)

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Calvin Beale // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Walthall County

– Index: 0.505
– Total population: 14,477
– White: 52.9% (7,665)
– Black or African American: 46.3% (6,706)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.0% (0)
– Asian: 0.1% (15)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 0.2% (28)
– Some other Race: 0.4% (63)

NatalieMaynor // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Jasper County

– Index: 0.505
– Total population: 16,505
– White: 44.7% (7,379)
– Black or African American: 54.3% (8,964)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.0% (1)
– Asian: 0.0% (0)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 0.5% (89)
– Some other Race: 0.4% (72)

Cohee // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Benton County

– Index: 0.506
– Total population: 8,232
– White: 61.4% (5,051)
– Black or African American: 34.2% (2,813)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.0% (0)
– Asian: 0.0% (0)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.2% (15)
– 2 or more races: 3.0% (249)
– Some other Race: 1.3% (104)

Chillin662 // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Yazoo County

– Index: 0.508
– Total population: 28,565
– White: 36.9% (10,533)
– Black or African American: 59.6% (17,027)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (92)
– Asian: 0.4% (126)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 1.2% (343)
– Some other Race: 1.6% (444)

Sturmgewehr88 // Wikimedia

#21. Forrest County

– Index: 0.509
– Total population: 75,224
– White: 59.4% (44,649)
– Black or African American: 37.2% (27,951)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (163)
– Asian: 0.8% (639)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (30)
– 2 or more races: 2.1% (1,594)
– Some other Race: 0.3% (198)

Matthew Nichols // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Grenada County

– Index: 0.510
– Total population: 21,088
– White: 54.9% (11,577)
– Black or African American: 43.4% (9,161)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.7% (148)
– Asian: 0.2% (46)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 0.7% (140)
– Some other Race: 0.1% (16)

Z28scrambler // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Pike County

– Index: 0.513
– Total population: 39,532
– White: 43.8% (17,315)
– Black or African American: 54.3% (21,456)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.5% (198)
– Asian: 0.3% (125)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 0.7% (269)
– Some other Race: 0.4% (169)

Z28scrambler // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Adams County

– Index: 0.515
– Total population: 31,266
– White: 40.9% (12,796)
– Black or African American: 56.3% (17,610)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (95)
– Asian: 0.6% (187)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 1.1% (338)
– Some other Race: 0.8% (240)

Dudemanfellabra // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Lauderdale County

– Index: 0.515
– Total population: 76,279
– White: 54.2% (41,343)
– Black or African American: 43.7% (33,333)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (153)
– Asian: 0.7% (505)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (35)
– 2 or more races: 0.7% (558)
– Some other Race: 0.5% (352)

Renelibrary // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Warren County

– Index: 0.523
– Total population: 46,519
– White: 48.3% (22,470)
– Black or African American: 49.4% (22,978)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3% (121)
– Asian: 0.7% (332)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (8)
– 2 or more races: 0.9% (438)
– Some other Race: 0.4% (172)

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Leigh T. Harrell // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Lowndes County

– Index: 0.523
– Total population: 59,150
– White: 53.4% (31,595)
– Black or African American: 43.8% (25,902)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (83)
– Asian: 1.0% (602)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (10)
– 2 or more races: 1.3% (792)
– Some other Race: 0.3% (166)

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#14. Montgomery County

– Index: 0.525
– Total population: 10,068
– White: 52.9% (5,324)
– Black or African American: 44.2% (4,446)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.0% (0)
– Asian: 0.3% (29)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 2.1% (214)
– Some other Race: 0.5% (55)

Mark Hilton // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Winston County

– Index: 0.525
– Total population: 18,229
– White: 50.5% (9,197)
– Black or African American: 46.9% (8,553)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 1.3% (242)
– Asian: 0.0% (6)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 1.0% (174)
– Some other Race: 0.3% (57)

NatalieMaynor // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Panola County

– Index: 0.526
– Total population: 34,190
– White: 48.7% (16,647)
– Black or African American: 48.6% (16,616)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (64)
– Asian: 0.0% (5)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (21)
– 2 or more races: 2.3% (788)
– Some other Race: 0.1% (49)

Magnolia677 // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Marshall County

– Index: 0.526
– Total population: 35,599
– White: 49.5% (17,616)
– Black or African American: 47.8% (17,017)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (26)
– Asian: 0.0% (0)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 0.9% (303)
– Some other Race: 1.8% (637)

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Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Scott County

– Index: 0.526
– Total population: 28,332
– White: 57.2% (16,211)
– Black or African American: 38.1% (10,791)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4% (123)
– Asian: 0.3% (73)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 0.7% (199)
– Some other Race: 3.3% (935)

Brewri92535 // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Newton County

– Index: 0.527
– Total population: 21,360
– White: 61.4% (13,115)
– Black or African American: 30.5% (6,515)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 5.3% (1,135)
– Asian: 0.5% (111)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 1.2% (264)
– Some other Race: 1.0% (220)

Scoutandboo // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Madison County

– Index: 0.527
– Total population: 104,562
– White: 57.2% (59,828)
– Black or African American: 38.0% (39,731)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (185)
– Asian: 2.6% (2,699)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (9)
– 2 or more races: 0.8% (857)
– Some other Race: 1.2% (1,253)

Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Copiah County

– Index: 0.530
– Total population: 28,501
– White: 45.1% (12,849)
– Black or African American: 51.6% (14,698)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.0% (6)
– Asian: 0.4% (108)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 1.4% (391)
– Some other Race: 1.6% (449)

Tony Webster // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Attala County

– Index: 0.532
– Total population: 18,437
– White: 53.8% (9,916)
– Black or African American: 42.3% (7,792)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (25)
– Asian: 0.2% (44)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 1.9% (342)
– Some other Race: 1.7% (318)

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#5. Oktibbeha County

– Index: 0.533
– Total population: 49,512
– White: 57.4% (28,406)
– Black or African American: 37.0% (18,312)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (55)
– Asian: 3.3% (1,635)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (29)
– 2 or more races: 1.6% (814)
– Some other Race: 0.5% (261)

Cohee // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Chickasaw County

– Index: 0.549
– Total population: 17,193
– White: 50.3% (8,651)
– Black or African American: 44.3% (7,616)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.1% (11)
– Asian: 0.2% (33)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 1.5% (258)
– Some other Race: 3.6% (624)

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#3. Leake County

– Index: 0.559
– Total population: 22,792
– White: 51.2% (11,677)
– Black or African American: 41.9% (9,555)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 5.7% (1,293)
– Asian: 0.5% (117)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (0)
– 2 or more races: 0.5% (103)
– Some other Race: 0.2% (47)

CapCase // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Neshoba County

– Index: 0.568
– Total population: 29,332
– White: 60.0% (17,593)
– Black or African American: 20.9% (6,145)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 16.7% (4,895)
– Asian: 0.5% (159)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.0% (8)
– 2 or more races: 1.6% (477)
– Some other Race: 0.2% (55)

Thomas R Machnitzki // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Tallahatchie County

– Index: 0.579
– Total population: 14,158
– White: 35.4% (5,013)
– Black or African American: 53.7% (7,599)
– American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% (24)
– Asian: 1.4% (198)
– Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 0.1% (11)
– 2 or more races: 0.4% (63)
– Some other Race: 8.8% (1,250)