Four cities in Montgomery County rank among the top 10 most ethnically diverse in the U.S., according to a WalletHub study released Wednesday. Germantown, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, and Rockville stand out in a nationwide analysis of more than 500 cities.
Germantown claims the top spot. According to WalletHub, “You might not expect a place named “Germantown” to be very diverse, but this Maryland city is actually the most ethnically diverse place to live in the U.S. The city is split close to equally among the major ethnic groups: around 24% of the population is white, 25% is Black, 24% is Hispanic and 22% is Asian.”
Gaithersburg and Silver Spring ranked third and fourth, respectively. Rockville rounds out the county’s presence in the top 10 at ninth place. The study assessed ethno-racial, linguistic, and birthplace diversity.
When it comes to language, just slightly over 50% of the population speaks only English at home. Of the rest, 21% speak Spanish, 12% speak other Indo-European languages, and 13% speak Asian or Pacific Islander languages.
While Germantown is the most racially diverse city and has the fourth-most language diversity, it ranks 93rd when it comes to birthplace diversity. However, that’s still in the top 20% of the more than 500 cities in our study.
Gaithersburg and Silver Spring have long been known for their vibrant immigrant communities. In Gaithersburg, more than a third of residents are foreign-born, contributing to a broad mix of languages and traditions. Silver Spring reflects a similar dynamic, with large Latino, African, and Asian populations.
Rockville, home to a growing international business sector, ranks ninth overall and fifth among small cities. It placed ninth in linguistic diversity, underscoring the presence of multiple languages spoken at home.
Montgomery County’s ranking highlights its role as a cultural crossroads in Maryland. The county’s diversity influences local businesses, schools, and community programs, fostering an environment of inclusion.
WalletHub’s findings come as immigration reform remains a key national issue. The study suggests that demographic trends will continue shaping communities, making diversity a defining feature of cities like those in Montgomery County. Read the full WalletHub report here.
