Diversity in Sioux Falls (Lead, White: elementary school, college, living)

[SonicsFan93]

I know that Sioux Falls is almost 89% White, but is that shifting at all? Is Sioux Falls becoming more diverse? I for one think that would be really good for the city.

[Chris19]

Yes it is. I have lived in the area for most of my life and noticed a change from 15-20 years ago. From my experiences in elementary school, one would have to look very hard to find a black, hispanic, or immigrant from another nation such as Bosnia or Sudan. Back in the late 1980s/early 1990s, Sioux Falls was definitely over 90 percent white, but would have been between 94 and 97 percent white.

I have noticed more African Amercians, hispanics, and Asians in recent years and mostly decent people.

I think that the diversity is good for the city also, as long as the minority groups get along and do not feel alientated or isolated. So far, many of these groups are accepted and are treated with dignity and respect.

The strong economy helps draw in people from backrground that are different than the white, Northern Europeans (Germans, Swedes, Norwegian, Dutch, Irish, and English).

[jazzymentality]

Originally Posted by SonicsFan93

I know that Sioux Falls is almost 89% White, but is that shifting at all? Is Sioux Falls becoming more diverse? I for one think that would be really good for the city.

It actually depends where you are coming from. If you are coming from Minneapolis or Chicago, then this place is going to feel a little different, as in hardly any diversity. Yet, if you came from a small town in the midwest, then it's going to feel like there is alot more diversity. In all, if you want to move here for your kids who want a more diverse place of living, I would not do it here honestly. That's my best advice.

[debey]

Diversity gets its due | argusleader.com | Argus Leader

festival of cultures

[RedWhiteBlack]

I love Diversity! English,French,Irish,Scottish,German,Italian,Greek ,Polish,Russian and many many other european cultures i love them all!

[jazzymentality]

Bottom line is, if you want alot of diversity. Don't move here. If you want a little, then this is the place for you.

[Chris19]

I agree with jazzmentality to a certain extent. I go to many other places such as Minneapolis-St. Paul, Las Vegas, Colorado, New York state, Washington, DC, Illinois, and some other places and notice more diversity than Sioux Falls and most other areas in the Upper Midwest and rural areas of other US regions. There were instances when I was in New Orleans, Las Vegas, Albuquerque, and areas of the deep South where I feel like a minority and this seems rather wierd to me. It is not bad by any means, but it is interesting.

I can remember that in grade school that students got rather curious when there was a minority student in school. Most students were nice to the student but are not used to the diversity (considering the town and school were 98%-99% white, which may be why the students have limited exposure to those of different background other than those with Northern European ancestries). The area was settled by Germans with Dutch, Norwegians, and Swedish not too far away in the late 1800s.

I recall in fifth grade that the students noted their ancestries, due to us studying how America was settled by people from many areas and understanding the concept that our country is diverse. A lot of people, including I, noted German (at least 80% had at least some German with many having half or more. Some others noted Norwegian, Swedish, Dutch, French, Danish, Scottish, English, and Irish. Many classmates had a mixture of several nationalities.

I enjoy learning about other races, cultures, and ancestries. With mine being over 80% German with an eighth Danish and bit of Dutch, I took advantage of the two years of German classes available at the high school at the time. I took Spanish for a year in high school and college and enjoyed the challenge of learning another language.

Diversity and the perception thereof is relative to what one is used to. This concept has been mention in a prior post and is a very good point. I come from a smalller town and Sioux Falls may appear diverse to me, but I can understand how it may seem like there is lack of diversity in the eyes of a person who is from another part of the country or from a large urban area such as Chicago, Minneapolis-St. Paul or Boston. Diversity is what make this country great.

[RedWhiteBlack]

Seems to be a really nice European type town? My kind of place!

[Chris19]

Yep, we got to get out those wooden shoes and make sure there is not a single weed in the yard. Tell those Ole and Lena jokes while eating lutefisk and lefse. Where's Sven? With that, have some meatballs. Have a dark beer and take a bite of the sausage with sauerkraut. For dessert, have some Danish rolls and do some dancing. Be sure to wear skilts and bagpipes. Do not forget about those shamrocks.

Auf Wiedersehen (until I see you again).