Texas on Top
Texas tops America's most racially integrated states once again
For the second year in a row, financial website WalletHub has released a study shedding light on which U.S. states have shown the most racial progress. According to the study, conducted in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Texas is 2017's fourth most racially integrated state.
The analysis measured the gaps between blacks and whites according to 16 important indicators of equality and integration, from voter turnout to standardized scores, in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Categories that help contribute to Texas' high ranking include our low gap between blacks and whites in our poverty rate (No. 2); the number of residents with at least a high school diploma (No. 1); and our voter turnout ( No. 1), according to the 2012 presidential election.
That being said, we have plenty of places to improve. Our gap between blacks and whites standardized test scores is ranked No. 24, and our unemployment rate gap is ranked No. 15.
While it's tempting to look at Texas' ranking of No. 3 overall last year and think that we have slipped, WalletHub advises against a direct comparison between years. This year the methodology was revamped and a new category was added: health.
Other states ranking high on their current integration level? Hawaii (No. 1), Idaho (No. 2), and Kentucky (No. 3).
Fried rice and chicken at Dallas Spicy Chinese Cuisine. Photo courtesy of Dallas Spicy 