Surveys show broad support for racial and religious diversity in the United States

As fear of demographic changes dominates political headlines, new research paints a very different picture: Most Americans want America to be more racially and religiously diverse than today.

In fact, two-thirds of those surveyed said they prefer a racially diverse society, and more than half of them are religious.

Investigate the Challenge of “Great Alternative” Narrative

The study was published in the journal Spiritsurveyed a nationally representative sample of 986 adults and asked them to estimate the current racial and religious makeup of the United States and then describe what they consider ideal. These findings undermine a common narrative that Americans, especially white Christians, fear “substituted” by minorities.

“We want to investigate whether the idea of multiculturalism in the United States is still supported by the masses – to a large extent, it does,” said Séamus Power, chief author of the associate professor of psychology at the University of Copenhagen.

The powers of Yale and the University of Chicago and their colleagues found:

• Only 1.1% of participants prefer racially homogeneous America
• Only 3.2% prefer a single religious society
• Even among white Christians, most people want a more diverse country than what is currently available

“Our data suggests that only 1.1% want a homogeneous America and only 3.2% want a religiously homogeneous society,” Ball said. “Although we should not underestimate the significance of these extreme views, and when they expand to the entire population of the United States.”

Ideal America: Diversity and Inclusion

Participants tend to overestimate the size of minorities and underestimate the number of whites and Protestants. But after being told that the actual population collapsed, most people still say they prefer more diversity than less.

On average, respondents envision a U.S. with about 40% of the white American population, compared with 61% of the current one. Other groups (including Black, Hispanic, Asian, Native American and Middle Eastern Americans) are all seen as ideal share including a larger share.

This preference for diversity crosses political and religious boundaries. Although participants tend to favor their own groups slightly, none of them prefer a single culture society. The vast majority of people have accepted the idea of a diversified American.

Multiculturalism is a national ideal

The study authors believe that these findings provide much-needed corrective measures for media narratives to amplify anxiety about immigration and racial change. “The multicultural ideal is not just something that exists in academia or in minorities,” Ball said. “It’s a fundamental component of how many Americans understand their country.”

Even among white Christian respondents, it is often portrayed in the media as anxiety about demographic shifts—66% have a higher-than-average preference for racial diversity, and half want a more religiously diverse country.

A culture that contrasts sharply with Europe

Interestingly, the study compares the US’s perception of diversity with the European national model. For example, France has historically emphasized assimilation and unity, but the United States has long supported visible expressions of group identity. The use of a turban may be prohibited in French public schools, but in the United States, this difference is often accepted and even celebrated.

This preference for diversity also seems to be deeply rooted in American political culture. As early as 1787, James Madison believed that democracy protects democracy by encouraging multiple “facts” (groups with different values and backgrounds). Instead, the French Revolution called for assimilation: individuals may be citizens, but not part of religious or ethnic communities.

Extreme views exist, but rare

The study did not downplay the dangers of nationalism. A few still express their desire for all-white or single-religious America. History shows that this view, while marginal, can have a huge impact. Concerns about population substitutes have been used to justify violence, from shootings in Charlottesville to the Pittsburgh synagogue.

But these numbers tell a broader, more promising story. “Despite the concerns about immigration, multiculturalism is indeed an ‘American concept’, which is trapped in stars and stripes. It may be like an Apple Pie American.”

Looking to the future

The authors believe that their findings may have important implications for policy debate and national identity. They also call for future research on how these ideals work at the local level and whether other countries with increased diversity may follow a similar path.

As the United States continues to diversify, this study provides a strong reminder: Most Americans are not only satisfied with this trend, but welcome it.

Magazine: Spirit
doi: 10.1111/etho.70018
release: July 9, 2025

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