Jersey City has long been known as America’s Golden Door and a new study from WalletHub has found that despite some socioeconomic changes in recent years, it remains one of the most diverse places you can find in the United States.
The study evaluated over 500 of the largest U.S. cities and assigned them scores based on indicators such as ethnicity and race, language, and birthplace diversity. The data used to create the rankings were taken from a January 2025 report from the U.S. Census Bureau.
WalletHub found that only Germantown, MD, ranked higher for diversity than Jersey City. Maryland actually had three of the top five spots, with Gaithersburg and Silver Spring coming in at three and four, respectively.
According to the study, “Hispanics make up the largest ethnic group in Jersey City at around 26%, while Asians are 25% of the population, white people are 24%, and Black people are 20%.” The study also noted that many people in Jersey City speak foreign languages at home, with less than half of the population (49%) only speaking English at home, while 20% speak Spanish, 14% speak other Indo-European languages, and 12% speak Asian or Pacific Islander languages.
“Our diverse community is one of our strongest assets, bringing together unique cultures, perspectives, and talents that sets us apart,” commented Mayor Steve Fulop on the study. “This recognition highlights our commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels safe and welcome with equal opportunities for all.”
The study found that Jersey City is even more diverse than its largest neighbor, as New York City came in 6th place on WalletHub’s rankings. The Mayor’s office cited Jersey City’s status as a sanctuary city and the Fulop Administration’s establishment of the Division of Immigrant Affairs and Office of Diversity and Inclusion as part of their efforts to provide resources and services that promote integration and equal opportunity.
However, Jersey City’s diversity long predates Fulop’s tenure, shaped by generations of immigrant communities that have defined the city’s character for decades. As new development accelerates and tax increases continue to drive up prices, it will be interesting to see how affordability challenges impact the city’s demographics in the years ahead.
The WalletHub study concluded that living in an ethnically diverse city can be an economic benefit, as people bring a wide range of skillsets and approaches to solving problems from their own cultures and national origins.
“Residents can also establish unique types of businesses, such as restaurants serving cultural dishes,” noted Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst. “People who live in ethnically diverse cities have the opportunity to learn a lot about people different from themselves, which is not only an enriching experience but also a good way to break down walls of prejudice.”
