New Ulm’s Stagnant Population and Its Homogeneous Heritage

Once labeled as the least diverse city in the United States, New Ulm, Minnesota remains predominantly white. Its population has stagnated over the past half-century, while other areas in the state have seen growth and increased diversity.

Situated about 160 miles southwest of Minneapolis, New Ulm has a population of 13,863, with around 93% identifying as white, based on U.S. Census data.

This town is remarkably homogeneous, with nearly all residents of German descent and the German language still spoken in many households.

New Ulm’s lack of diversity is so notable that a National Geographic study in the 1980s identified it as the least diverse city of its size, reporting a figure of 99.2% white residents.

While there has been a 6% increase in diversity over recent decades, the population itself has remained relatively stable, recording about 13,755 residents in 1980.

In comparison, the overall population of Minnesota has expanded by approximately 2 million people during this time, with the percentage of white residents decreasing from 96% in 1980 to around 76% in 2025.

New Ulm falls significantly short of the national diversity average, which stands at about 57% white.

The increase in diversity has allowed New Ulm to shift from being the least diverse city to now ranking as the 15th least diverse city of its size.

St. Mary’s, Pennsylvania, another German-centric community, now boasts a population of 12,700—about 95% of whom are white—making it the least diverse city of its size in the country.

Remarkably, St. Mary’s population has nearly doubled since 1980, contrasting sharply with the static numbers in New Ulm.

The historical lack of diversity in New Ulm is partly due to the community’s emphasis on its German heritage.

Darla Gebhardt, a 76-year-old resident, recalled that when she arrived in New Ulm, German was the primary language spoken, and German traditions were deeply practiced. “If you weren’t German…” she reflected, noting that her family has always spoken German at home.

“You might feel like an outsider… until you connect with the community,” Gebhardt added.

Many of New Ulm’s German residents were traditionally farmers whose land had been inherited through generations, contributing to their lasting presence in the area.

Although the fervor for these traditions has faded somewhat, New Ulm still cherishes its German identity, which plays a significant role in its tourism sector. German restaurants and cultural festivals are vital to the local economy.

“We hold on to our German identity because it’s economically beneficial,” Gebhardt noted. “It’s a business opportunity.”