Melting Pot: The 5 Most Culturally Diverse Cities in America

The United States has long been called the world’s melting pot due to the great number of immigrants that moved here at the beginning of the twentieth century and continue to come. Today, many cities welcome immigrants with open arms. Here are a few of the country’s most culturally diverse cities.

New York, New York

New York City was the starting point for many Europeans as they made their way to America in search of paradise. However, much of the cultural landscape has since changed; 28.6 percent is Latino, 33.3 percent is white, 22.9 percent black, and 12.7 percent is Pacific Islander. Within each of these groups is a range of people from various countries, primarily Italy, Ireland, China, Eastern Europe, and the Caribbean, creating an eclectic mix of food, art, music, and overall culture. If you love diversity, New York is definitely one of the best places to live.

San Francisco, California

Beginning in the 1850s, Chinese immigrants came in masses to San Francisco for a better quality of life. Today, the city has over 150,000 residents of Chinese heritage which comprise 21.4 percent of the population. San Francisco’s Chinatown is the largest outside of Asia – even larger than New York’s. An additional 15.4 percent of the population is Hispanic, making San Francisco the second largest melting pot on the west coast.

Miami, Florida

Miami’s proximity to the Caribbean gives it a unique identity. Cuban, Puerto Rican, Haitian, and Dominican populations are large, each with their own unique neighborhood. This lends itself to a unique mix of food, music, and architecture. If you are in Miami, make sure you try a Cuban sandwich, made with pork, swiss cheese, and pickles on Cuban bread – a true delicacy.

San Antonio, Texas

Even before Texas became a state, it had a large Hispanic population, and today, the city has a completely different demographic. Over 50 percent of the population is Hispanic, making it the largest Hispanic population in the country. Authentic Mexican and Central American food is abundant, and many bars and restaurants deal strictly in Spanish. When in San Antonio, visit the Hispanic Heritage Jalapeno Festival and check out a Mariachi band or two.

Los Angeles, California

The beautiful weather and scenery attracts not only Americans from around the country, but also people from all over the world. Almost half of the population has Hispanic ancestry, 14 percent are Asian, and nine percent are black. The true beauty of the city is that its ethnic and cultural diversity creates a creative atmosphere that is found only in Los Angeles. Plus, if you love film festivals, Los Angeles churns them out in different styles and languages, from blockbusters to small, independent films.

Cultural diversity is the catalyst to attaining a more creative and tolerable living situation. Whether your family came 100 years ago or just last month, the country provides fertile cities to plant new roots for anyone searching for the “American Dream”. All you have to do is find out what that dream is.