# Travel >> Destinations >> Central America

U.S. Cities with Highest White (Non-Hispanic) Percentage: Northern Plains & Mountain West Dominate

Based on recent **U.S. Census Bureau (ACS 2022/2023)** data for cities **>50,000 population**, the highest percentages of **White Alone, Not Hispanic or Latino** are found in the **Northern Plains and Mountain West**:

Rank	City, State	% White (Non-Hispanic)	Region
1	Fargo, ND	~89–90%	Northern Plains
2	Bismarck, ND	~89–90%	Northern Plains
3	Sioux Falls, SD	~85–87%	Northern Plains
4	Rochester, MN	~83–85%	Upper Midwest
5	Lincoln, NE	~82–84%	Great Plains
6	Boise, ID	~82–84%	Mountain West
7	Spokane, WA	~82–84%	Inland Northwest
8	Madison, WI	~80–82%	Upper Midwest
9	Des Moines, IA	~78–80%	Corn Belt
10	Omaha, NE	~77–79%	Great Plains

Key Drivers

Historical Settlement: **Scandinavian, German, Czech, Polish** immigration (Homestead Act, railroads) – minimal Southern/Eastern European or non-European immigration historically.
Economic Base: **Agriculture, government, education, healthcare, growing tech** – not heavy industry attracting diverse migration waves (unlike Rust Belt/Coasts).
Recent Growth: **Boise, Fargo, Sioux Falls** growing fast—**new migrants still predominantly White** (domestic migration from CA/WA/IL, some international but smaller share).
Native American Presence: Significant **American Indian populations** in/near several (Rapid City, SD; Flagstaff, AZ; Tulsa, OK; Albuquerque, NM) lower the *city* White % vs. metro.

Important Caveats

"Caucasian" is an outdated, pseudo-scientific term. **White (Non-Hispanic)** is the Census category.
Metro vs. City: Suburbs often **higher %** (e.g., **West Fargo, ND >92%**). Central cities more diverse.
Small Towns (<50k): Many **>95% White** (e.g., **Bozeman, MT; Bismarck suburbs; Dubuque, IA; St. Cloud, MN**).
Trending Down: All these cities are **diversifying** (Hispanic, Asian, Black, Multiracial growth). Percentages drop ~1–2% per decade.