It might not come as a surprise given last week’s “sanctuary state” act, but California has been officially ranked as the most diverse state in America.
In an analysis released Tuesday, WalletHub compared the 50 states in terms of socio-economic diversity, cultural diversity, economic diversity, household diversity and religious diversity.
California ranked first overall. Just behind the Golden State in the diversity ranking were Texas, Hawaii, New Jersey and New York.
West Virginia was ranked the least diverse state.
WalletHub also ranked cities, listing Los Angeles eighth, Long Beach tenth, San Jose 16th and San Diego 20th in diversity.
“U.S. diversity spans more than just racial lines,” said WalletHub. “In many states, the population reflects an eclectic mix of not just races but also cultures, religions, economic statuses, educational backgrounds and other characteristics, as people of various demographic profiles are forced to come into contact with one another.”
Since it’s discovery by Europeans, California has witnessed successive waves of immigration: Spanish missionaries, American settlers, Chinese railroad workers, Italian farmers, European intellectuals, Mexican laborers and Central American refugees.
“Our history tells of many different peoples coming together from every walk of life to form what is today a complex tapestry of backgrounds,” said WalletHub in its report.
WalletHub is a Washington-based website that provides financial information and credit tools for consumers.