The city's diversity itself has become a big draw. According to a diversity index developed by USA Today, that's more likely to happen in Lemon Grove than in most cities. The index uses a mix of factors to assess how likely it is that one will see people of different races and ethnic backgrounds in a city. Lemon Grove came in third. The city's new face is being increasingly reflected throughout the downtown business district, in terms of the types of shops and products being offered.
Local supermarkets offer a broad mix of ethnic foods.
Bilingual bank tellers and store clerks are easily found. For children in the Lemon Grove School District, exposure to diverse backgrounds has become commonplace over the last decade. It represents a microcosm of the new California. In 1985, whites accounted for more than 60 percent of students in the district. Attendance is now evenly divided among whites, blacks and Latinos.