3 Maryland cities rank in top 5 most diverse in America for 2026

MARYLAND - A new national analysis of more than 500 U.S. cities finds that three of the top five most diverse communities in America are in Maryland.

What we know:

WalletHub’s 2026 Most Diverse Cities in America report examined more than 500 of the largest U.S. cities.

Three Maryland communities landed in the top five overall.

Silver Spring ranked No. 1 in the country. Gaithersburg followed at No. 2, and Germantown placed No. 4.

Arlington, Texas ranked third, and Houston rounded out the top five.

The report compared cities across five major diversity categories: socioeconomic, cultural, economic, household and religious.

By the numbers:

The study highlighted several key findings nationwide:

Germantown, Maryland recorded the highest racial and ethnic diversity in the country — four times higher than Hialeah, Florida, which ranked lowest in that category.
Sioux Falls, South Dakota had the highest income diversity, 2.1 times higher than Hockessin, Delaware.
West Valley City, Utah showed the highest industry diversity, 2.8 times higher than Rochester, Minnesota.
Hialeah, Florida had the highest occupational diversity, 3.1 times higher than Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Why you should care:

WalletHub researchers say diverse cities often benefit from a broader mix of perspectives, skills and cultural experiences, which can support economic growth and social development.

The report aims to highlight cities where residents experience the greatest mix of demographic, economic and cultural backgrounds.