According to trends noted in the white paper Esri Demographic Update Methodology: 2006/2011, published in conjunction with the release of Esri's 2006/2011 demographic data updates, immigration continues to fuel the United States. diversification rate by 1 percent per year. Government agencies and commercial organizations are increasingly aware of their challenges to provide the appropriate products and services to this varied population. Languages, lifestyles, and spending patterns must be properly considered in messaging and marketing efforts that are targeted to each group.

This map illustrates the diversity in the United States by county.

The U.S. Diversity Index for 2006 is 58.9, up from 54.6 in 2000. For example, the diversity score of 58.9 for the United States means there is a 58.9 percent probability that two people randomly chosen from the U.S. population would belong to different races or ethnic groups. The Hispanic population now stands at 45 million, growing at approximately 4 percent per year since 2000. Asian and multiple racial groups are also growing at significant annual rates of 3.8 percent and 3.5 percent, respectively, while the non-Hispanic white population is growing at a rate of less than 0.5 percent per year.

Esri's Diversity Index data summarizes racial and ethnic diversity. The index ranges from 0 (no diversity) to 100 (complete diversity). The data is available in formats that include comma-delimited text files; fixed-field text files; dBASE; Microsoft Excel; and shapefiles for standard geographies, such as block group, census tract, county, state, and United States. The data is also available for these nonstandard geographies: core based statistical areas (CBSAs), ZIP Codes, Designated Market Areas (DMAs), places, congressional districts, and county subdivisions (CSDs).

Marketers and researchers in retail, real estate, banking, financial services, health and human services, and other commercial industries and government agencies can use the Diversity Index data to determine the types of products and services to offer various segments of area populations, tailor messaging to gain the most positive responses from each group, and define the best areas for expansion. Government agencies can use the data to learn where different races and ethnic groups are located in order to determine the types of services they require, the types of messaging that are appropriate for each group, how to encourage the use of services by each population, and how to avoid costly mistakes by being aware of ethnic customs that must be taken into consideration. This knowledge can be invaluable to all types of companies and organizations in ensuring that they serve the needs of their customers or constituents.

More Information

For more information about Esri's Diversity Index data, download the Esri Demographic Update Methodology: 2006/2011 white paper or call 1-800-292-2224.