Today, Darien is a multi-ethnic town with residents of many religions and backgrounds. One of seven households report to speak a language other than English at home. Previously, however, Darien had a narrower racial and religious culture. The town's exclusionary policies in the early 20th century were similar to many segregated suburbs at that time, including Beverly Hills, California and Tuxedo Park, New York. There were events involving racism and anti-Semitism in the 1930s and 1940s. Laura Hobson's novel "Gentleman's Agreement" centered on anti-semitism in Darien, in neighboring towns, and among the WASP culture of the era. The town changed dramatically in the second half of the 20th century, and the population became more diverse ethnically and religiously.