Special Report
The Richest County in Each State
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With the 2016 Iowa caucuses next Monday about to kick off the election process for the next President of the United States, questions about the economy are at center stage. In particular, income distribution has become a major discussion subject among presidential hopefuls. Indeed, household income varies dramatically across the country, not only from state to state, but also across counties within states, and these regional differences may affect the results at the polls.
With the exceptions of Arizona, Delaware, Hawaii, and Vermont, median household income in each state’s wealthiest county exceeds the corresponding statewide figure by more than $10,000. Based on data from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the richest county in each state.
Some states have greater income inequality than others. In all but 10 states, the typical household income in the poorest county is at least $30,000 less than that of the richest county. In some of these states, the income gap is far greater. A typical household in Loudoun County, Virginia’ wealthiest, earns $96,220 — more than three times the typical household in Martinsville City, the state’s poorest. This is the widest such income gap in the nation. In Delaware, on the other hand, the income gap between the richest and poorest counties is only $11,352, the smallest gap.
Click here to see the richest county in each state.
Click here to see the poorest county in each state.
The richest counties tend to be suburbs of the nation’s largest cities. Nassau County, the wealthiest area in New York, is within commuting distance of Manhattan. Suburbs of Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Chicago, San Jose, and Raleigh are also among the wealthiest counties nationwide.
Households in each state’s richest county tend to be wealthier than households nationwide, without exception. However, while a county may be the wealthiest in a particular state, it may not be especially wealthy compared to the rest of the nation. In Benton County, Arkansas, for instance, the typical household earns $56,325 a year, only slightly more than the $53,482 the typical American household earns.
In five states, the wealthiest county boasts a six figure median household income. And in two states, Maryland and Virginia, median household income in the wealthiest county is more than double the national median household income. In Howard County, Maryland, a typical household earns $110,133, and in Loudoun County, Virginia, median income is $123,966 a year.
The average resident of a state’s wealthiest county tends be better educated than the average American. In only six states, the collegiate attainment rate — the percentage of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree — in the wealthiest county is lower than the national rate. Only three states have a higher collegiate attainment rate than that of their wealthiest county. Higher educational attainment can qualify individuals for higher-paying jobs and increase median household income overall.
Similarly, a healthy economy often coincides with higher incomes. With just three exceptions, all of the wealthiest counties have unemployment rates lower than the national rate.
To identify the wealthiest county in each state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed five-year estimated median annual household incomes from 2010 through 2014 from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS). In order to be considered, counties or county-equivalents had to have a population of at least 10,000 people. Five-year estimated educational attainment and poverty rates also came from the ACS. Annual unemployment rates are for 2014 and came from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
These are the richest cities in each state.
1. Shelby County, Alabama
> County median household income: $69,723
> State median household income: $43,511
> Poverty rate: 8.6%
> Unemployment: 4.5%
A typical household in Shelby, the state’s richest county located within the Birmingham metropolitan area, earns $26,212 more than the typical household does across the state. As in other wealthy counties, area residents have relatively high educational attainment rates. Roughly 40.2% of adults in the county have at least a bachelor’s degree, and 91.3% have finished high school, each some of the higher percentages in the country.
2. Juneau City and Borough, Alaska
> County median household income: $84,750
> State median household income: $71,829
> Poverty rate: 6.4%
> Unemployment: 5.1%
Alaska’s median annual household income of $71,829 is one of the highest in the nation. A typical household in Juneau City and Borough earns $84,750 annually. As is usually the case in high-income areas, the Juneau City and Borough’s poverty rate of 6.4% is considerably lower than the state rate of 10.1%, which itself is lower than the national rate of 15.6%.
24/7 Wall St.3. Maricopa County, Arizona
> County median household income: $53,689
> State median household income: $49,928
> Poverty rate: 17.1%
> Unemployment: 5.9%
A typical household in Maricopa County — the richest in Arizona — earns $53,689 annually. While this figure is higher than the state’s median household income of $49,928, it is not substantially higher than the nationwide median annual household income of $53,482. Similarly, while the area’s poverty rate of 17.1% is lower than the statewide rate of 18.2%, it is actually higher than the nationwide poverty rate of 15.6%.
4. Benton County, Arkansas
> County median household income: $56,325
> State median household income: $41,264
> Poverty rate: 11.7%
> Unemployment: 4.6%
Arkansas is one of the poorest states in the country. The state has some of the lowest median household income and among the worst poverty and child poverty levels. A typical household in Benton County — the richest county in Arkansas — earns $56,325 annually. While this figure is considerably higher than the state’s median household income of $41,264, it is not substantially higher than the median annual income of American households of $53,482.
5. Santa Clara County, California
> County median household income: $93,854
> State median household income: $61,489
> Poverty rate: 9.9%
> Unemployment: 5.2%
California residents have some of the highest incomes in the nation, and incomes are even higher in Santa Clara County, the state’s wealthiest. A typical household in the area earns $93,854 annually. A strong economy may partially account for the high incomes. Just 5.2% of county workers are unemployed, well below the state and national jobless rates of 7.5% and 6.2%, respectively. Santa Clara is part of the San Jose metro area, a hub for high-paying information and tech employment.
6. Douglas County, Colorado
> County median household income: $102,626
> State median household income: $59,448
> Poverty rate: 4.1%
> Unemployment: 4.0%
The median household income of $102,626 in Douglas County is $43,178 more than the state median income of $59,448, which itself is higher than the national income figure. More affluent households are likely to be able to afford their own goods, services, and properties. For example, higher-income families are far more likely than lower-income families to own their home. Slightly more than 80% of Douglas County households are owned by their occupants, much higher than the state and national homeownership rates of 64.8% and 64.4%, respectively.
7. Fairfield County, Connecticut
> County median household income: $83,163
> State median household income: $69,899
> Poverty rate: 9.1%
> Unemployment: 6.2%
Connecticut’s median household income of $69,899 is one of the highest in the nation. A typical household in the state’s richest county, Fairfield, earns $83,163 annually. As is usually the case in high-income areas, the poverty rate in Fairfield County of 9.1% is considerably lower than both the state and national rates. As is the case across the nation, the wealth in Fairfield County is not uniformly distributed. Residents of Bridgeport, for example, have far lower incomes than residents of Greenwich.
8. New Castle County, Delaware
> County median household income: $64,857
> State median household income: $60,231
> Poverty rate: 11.3%
> Unemployment: 5.5%
With a median household income of $60,231, Delaware residents are some of the wealthiest in the nation. In New Castle County, residents are even wealthier. A typical household in the area earns $64,857 annually, the most of any Delaware county. A strong economy may partially account for the high incomes in the area. Just 5.5% of county workers are unemployed, lower than the state and national jobless rates of 5.7% and 6.2%, respectively.
9. St. Johns County, Florida
> County median household income: $65,575
> State median household income: $47,212
> Poverty rate: 9.7%
> Unemployment: 4.7%
A typical household in St. Johns County, the richest in Florida, earns about $18,400 more than the typical household across the state. As in other wealthy counties, area residents have relatively high educational attainment rates. Some 41.4% of adults in the county have at least a bachelor’s degree, and 93.8% have graduated high school, each some of the highest percentages in the country.
10. Forsyth County, Georgia
> County median household income: $87,657
> State median household income: $49,342
> Poverty rate: 7.1%
> Unemployment: 5.3%
With a median annual household income of $49,342, Georgia residents are not particularly wealthy. Residents of Forsyth County, however, are. The typical household in the county makes $87,657 annually, about $38,315 more than the typical Georgia household and one of the highest median incomes in the country. As in other wealthy counties, area residents have relatively high educational attainment rates. Roughly 45% of adults in the county have at least a bachelor’s degree, and about 92% have finished at least high school, each some of the higher percentages in the country.
11. Honolulu County, Hawaii
> County median household income: $73,581
> State median household income: $68,201
> Poverty rate: 9.8%
> Unemployment: 4.1%
With a median annual household income of $68,201, Hawaii residents are the fifth wealthiest in the country. In Honolulu County, residents are even wealthier. A typical household in the county makes $73,581 annually, about $20,100 more than the typical American household. As in other wealthy counties, area residents have relatively high educational attainment. About one-third of residents have at least a bachelor’s degree, higher than the state and national percentages.
12. Blaine County, Idaho
> County median household income: $62,489
> State median household income: $47,334
> Poverty rate: 10.8%
> Unemployment: 4.5%
Though incomes in Idaho tend to be lower than incomes nationwide, the median household income in Blaine County is roughly $9,000 more than the corresponding national figure. In the state’s wealthiest county, the typical county household earns $62,489 a year. Blaine County also reports lower poverty rates. Only 10.8% of county residents live below the poverty line, considerably lower than the national and statewide poverty rate of 15.6%.
24/7 Wall St.13. Kendall County, Illinois
> County median household income: $83,844
> State median household income: $57,166
> Poverty rate: 5.8%
> Unemployment: 6.3%
Located outside Chicago, Kendall is the wealthiest county in Illinois. The median household income of $83,844 in Kendall is considerably higher than the median income statewide of $57,166, which itself is higher than the national figure. Higher-income families are far more likely than lower-income families to own their home, and homeownership is very common in Kendall County. Of all area homes, 83.1% are owned by their occupants, higher than the state and national homeownership rates of 66.9% and 64.4%, respectively.
14. Hamilton County, Indiana
> County median household income: $84,635
> State median household income: $48,737
> Poverty rate: 4.8%
> Unemployment: 4.1%
With a median household income of $84,635, Hamilton is the wealthiest county in Indiana. As is the case in many of the country’s wealthiest areas, adults in Hamilton County are more likely to have completed higher education compared to their statewide peers. More than half of all Hamilton adults have at least a bachelor’s degree, more than double the state’s 23.6% college attainment rate.
15. Dallas County, Iowa
> County median household income: $74,876
> State median household income: $52,716
> Poverty rate: 7.0%
> Unemployment: 3.4%
A typical household in Dallas County, Iowa’s richest, earns $22,160 more than the median income a typical household earns across the state. The county is located just outside Des Moines, a major urban area in the state where Dallas County residents can likely access relatively high paying jobs. Poverty is relatively uncommon in Dallas County. Only 7% of county residents live below the poverty line, a much smaller share than the 12.6% of Iowa residents living in poverty.
16. Johnson County, Kansas
> County median household income: $75,017
> State median household income: $51,872
> Poverty rate: 6.5%
> Unemployment: 3.8%
More than half of all Johnson County adults have a bachelor’s degree, a much higher share than across Kansas, where less than one-third of adults have similar education. A higher college attainment rate has led to higher incomes in the county. The typical Johnson household earns approximately $75,000 a year, more than in every other county in the state and nearly $25,000 more than the typical Kansas household.
17. Oldham County, Kentucky
> County median household income: $84,447
> State median household income: $43,342
> Poverty rate: 6.5%
> Unemployment: 4.8%
While the typical Kentucky household earns $43,342 annually, the typical household in Oldham County earns nearly double that amount. As in other wealthy counties, area residents report relatively high levels of education. Nearly 40% of adults in the county have at least a bachelor’s degree, and 92% have finished at least high school, each some of the higher percentages in the country.
18. Ascension Parish, Louisiana
> County median household income: $70,207
> State median household income: $44,991
> Poverty rate: 12.8%
> Unemployment: 5.4%
With a median annual household income of $44,991, Louisiana is one of the poorest states in the country. The typical household in Ascension Parish, however, earns slightly more than $70,000 annually — more than anywhere else in the state. Ascension Parish is located near the Baton Rouge metro area, and reports a relatively low poverty rate. While 12.8% of Parish residents live below the poverty line, 19.6% of Louisiana residents do.
19. Cumberland County, Maine
> County median household income: $59,560
> State median household income: $48,804
> Poverty rate: 11.7%
> Unemployment: 4.4%
A typical household in Cumberland County — the richest in Maine — earns $59,560 annually. While this figure is considerably higher than the state’s median household income of $48,804, it is only marginally higher than the national median annual income of $53,482. Cumberland adults are far more likely to have a bachelor’s degree than most Americans. Approximately 42% of county adults have a bachelor’s degree compared to only about 29% of American adults.
20. Howard County, Maryland
> County median household income: $110,133
> State median household income: $74,149
> Poverty rate: 5.1%
> Unemployment: 4.4%
The typical Maryland household earns $74,149 annually, more than in any other state. The median household income in Howard County is even higher, exceeding $110,000 a year. Higher-income families are far more likely than lower-income families to own their homes, and homeownership in Maryland’s wealthiest county is relatively common. Of homes in Howard County, 73.3% are owned by their occupants, higher than the state and national homeownership rates of 67.1% and 64.4%, respectively.
21. Nantucket County, Massachusetts
> County median household income: $86,529
> State median household income: $67,846
> Poverty rate: 9.2%
> Unemployment: 6.2%
A famous vacation spot and tourist destination, Nantucket County is also the wealthiest in Massachusetts. Though the median household income in Massachusetts of $67,846 is one of the highest in the nation, the typical Nantucket household earns nearly $20,000 more than that. As is usually the case in high-income areas, the poverty rate in Nantucket County of 9.2% is considerably lower than both state and national rates.
22. Livingston County, Michigan
> County median household income: $73,694
> State median household income: $49,087
> Poverty rate: 6.0%
> Unemployment: 6.7%
A typical household in Livingston County, Michigan’s richest, earns $73,694 annually — nearly $25,000 more than the typical state household. As in other wealthy counties, area residents have relatively high educational attainment rates. Roughly 95% have finished at least high school, one of the higher percentages in the country.
24/7 Wall St.23. Scott County, Minnesota
> County median household income: $86,510
> State median household income: $60,828
> Poverty rate: 5.7%
> Unemployment: 3.5%
The median household income of $86,510 in Scott County is considerably more than the statewide figure of $60,828. Higher-income families are far more likely than lower-income families to own their home, and the homeownership rate in Scott County is high. Of homes in Scott County, 83.9% are owned by their occupants, higher than the state and national homeownership rates of 72.1% and 64.4%, respectively.
24. Madison County, Mississippi
> County median household income: $63,156
> State median household income: $39,464
> Poverty rate: 13.1%
> Unemployment: 5.4%
With a median household income of only $39,464 annually, Mississippi is poorest state in the country. However, the typical household in the state’s wealthiest county earns considerably more. The county’s median income of $63,156 a year is also roughly $10,000 more than the national median income. As in many of the wealthiest counties in the country, adults in Madison County are far more likely to have a bachelor’s degree than their counterparts statewide. Slightly more than 46% of county adults have a bachelor’s degree, much higher than Mississippi’s college attainment rate of only 20.4%.
25. St. Charles County, Missouri
> County median household income: $72,100
> State median household income: $47,764
> Poverty rate: 6.1%
> Unemployment: 4.8%
A typical household in St. Charles County, Missouri’s richest, earns $24,336 more than the typical household statewide. The county also reports lower poverty rates. While across both Missouri and the United States as a whole child poverty is pervasive, it is far less common in St. Charles County at 8% of county children. To compare, across the state and the country, 22% of children live below the poverty line.
26. Jefferson County, Montana
> County median household income: $61,460
> State median household income: $46,766
> Poverty rate: 9.0%
> Unemployment: 4.6%
A typical household in Jefferson County, Montana’s richest, earns $14,694 more than the typical household across the state. As in other wealthy counties, area residents are relatively well educated. Roughly 33.5% of adults in the county have at least a bachelor’s degree, and 94.8% have finished at least high school, each higher than the corresponding state and national rates.
27. Sarpy County, Nebraska
> County median household income: $70,121
> State median household income: $52,400
> Poverty rate: 6.8%
> Unemployment: 3.1%
A typical household in Sarpy County, Nebraska’s richest, earns $17,721 more than the typical household in the state. As in other wealthy counties, area residents have relatively high educational attainment rates. Roughly 36.6% of adults in the county have at least a bachelor’s degree, and 95.2% have finished at least high school, each higher than the corresponding state and national figures.
28. Elko County, Nevada
> County median household income: $72,280
> State median household income: $52,205
> Poverty rate: 9.9%
> Unemployment: 5.5%
Median household income in Elko County is roughly $20,000 higher than it is across Nevada. With higher incomes, county residents are far less likely to live in poverty than residents statewide. Slightly less than 10% of Elko County residents live in poverty, a considerably smaller share than the 15.6% of state residents who do. Higher incomes may be attributable to a relatively healthy job market. Only 5.5% of county workers are unemployed compared to a statewide unemployment rate of 7.8%.
29. Rockingham County, New Hampshire
> County median household income: $79,368
> State median household income: $65,986
> Poverty rate: 5.7%
> Unemployment: 4.7%
The median household income of $79,368 in Rockingham County is considerably higher than the corresponding state figure of $65,986, which itself is higher than the national figure. Higher-income households are far more likely than lower-income households to own their home. Of homes in Rockingham County, 76.6% are owned by their occupants, higher than the state and national homeownership rates of 71.0% and 64.4%, respectively.
30. Hunterdon County, New Jersey
> County median household income: $106,519
> State median household income: $72,062
> Poverty rate: 4.2%
> Unemployment: 4.7%
New Jersey residents have some of the highest incomes in the nation. Incomes are even higher in Hunterdon County, the state’s wealthiest. Within commuting distance to New York City, a typical household in the area earns $106,519 annually. A healthy economy may partially account for the high incomes. Just 4.7% of county workers are unemployed, lower than the state and national jobless rates of 6.6% and 6.2%, respectively.
31. Los Alamos County, New Mexico
> County median household income: $105,989
> State median household income: $44,968
> Poverty rate: 5.5%
> Unemployment: 4.1%
A typical household in Los Alamos County — the richest county in New Mexico — earns $105,989 annually, the highest of any county in the state and substantially higher than the national median household income of $53,482. The county’s population is well educated, which could partially explain the high incomes. Of adults in the area, 64.0% have at least a bachelor’s degree. By comparison, 26.1% of adults across the state and 29.3% of adults nationwide have similar educational attainment.
32. Nassau County, New York
> County median household income: $98,401
> State median household income: $58,687
> Poverty rate: 6.3%
> Unemployment: 4.8%
New York residents are more likely to have higher incomes than most Americans. Located on Long Island in commuting distance to New York City, incomes are even higher in Nassau County, the state’s wealthiest. A typical county household in earns $98,401 annually. A strong economy may partially account for the high incomes. Just 4.8% of county workers are unemployed, lower than the state and national jobless rates of 6.3% and 6.2%, respectively.
24/7 Wall St.33. Wake County, North Carolina
> County median household income: $66,579
> State median household income: $46,693
> Poverty rate: 11.3%
> Unemployment: 4.8%
A typical household in Wake County earns more than the typical household does in any other county in North Carolina and nearly $20,000 more than the typical household statewide. As in other wealthy counties, area residents have relatively high educational attainment rates. Roughly 48.3% of adults in the county have at least a bachelor’s degree, and 91.9% have finished high school, each higher than the corresponding state and national figures.
34. Williams County, North Dakota
> County median household income: $82,823
> State median household income: $55,579
> Poverty rate: 8.2%
> Unemployment: 1.2%
North Dakota’s median annual household income of $55,579 is only slightly higher than the corresponding national figure. A typical household in the state’s richest county, Williams, earns $82,823 annually. As is usually the case in high-income areas, the poverty rate in Williams County of 8.2% is considerably lower than both state and national rates.
35. Delaware County, Ohio
> County median household income: $91,936
> State median household income: $48,849
> Poverty rate: 4.9%
> Unemployment: 4.0%
More than half of all adults in Delaware County — Ohio’s wealthiest — have a college degree, one of the highest college attainment rates in the country. Higher educational attainment rates in the area have likely lead to higher incomes, as the typical Delaware County household earns roughly $43,000 more than the typical household across the state. Area adults are also much more likely to have completed high school than their counterparts across the state. Slightly more than 96% of county adults have earned a high school diploma or its equivalent compared to roughly 89% of adults across the Buckeye state.
36. Canadian County, Oklahoma
> County median household income: $64,200
> State median household income: $46,235
> Poverty rate: 7.5%
> Unemployment: 3.6%
With the typical household earning only $46,235 annually, incomes across Oklahoma are among the lowest of any state. However, median household income in Canadian County is $64,200 annually, considerably higher than also the national median household income of $53,482. Unlike many of the wealthiest counties in each state, educational attainment rates are not especially high in Canadian County. The county’s 25.4% college attainment rate, though higher than the corresponding 23.8% statewide rate, falls short of the 29.3% national rate.
37. Washington County, Oregon
> County median household income: $65,272
> State median household income: $50,521
> Poverty rate: 11.8%
> Unemployment: 5.7%
The median household income in Washington County is $65,272, higher than every other county in Oregon. Higher incomes in the area have lead to a relatively low poverty rate. Only 11.8% of county residents live in poverty, a considerably smaller share than the 16.7% who live in poverty statewide. Higher incomes and lower poverty rates are partially the result of a relatively healthy economy. Just 5.7% of county workers are unemployed, while the statewide unemployment rate is 6.9%.
38. Chester County, Pennsylvania
> County median household income: $86,093
> State median household income: $53,115
> Poverty rate: 7.1%
> Unemployment: 4.1%
A typical household in Chester County, Pennsylvania’s richest, earns roughly $33,000 more than the typical household across the state. As in other wealthy counties, area residents have relatively high educational attainment rates. Roughly 48.8% of adults in the county have at least a bachelor’s degree, a considerably higher share than the 28.1% of adults who with similar education across the Keystone State.
39. Washington County, Rhode Island
> County median household income: $72,784
> State median household income: $56,423
> Poverty rate: 9.4%
> Unemployment: 7.0%
The median annual household income of $72,784 in Washington County is considerably higher than Rhode Island’s figure of $56,423, which itself is higher than the national figure. Higher-income families are far more likely than lower-income families to own their home, and nearly 73.6% of homes in Washington County are owned by their occupants. Meanwhile, the state and national homeownership rates are only 60.3% and 64.4%, respectively.
40. Beaufort County, South Carolina
> County median household income: $57,295
> State median household income: $45,033
> Poverty rate: 12.4%
> Unemployment: 5.7%
A typical household in Beaufort County, South Carolina’s richest, earns $12,262 more than the typical household does statewide. As in other wealthy counties, area residents have relatively high educational attainment rates. Roughly 37.4% of adults in the county have at least a bachelor’s degree, and 91.6% have finished at least high school, each some of the higher percentages in the country.
41. Lincoln County, South Dakota
> County median household income: $75,877
> State median household income: $50,338
> Poverty rate: 4.5%
> Unemployment: 2.4%
The median household income in Lincoln County of $75,877 is more than in every other county in South Dakota. A healthy economy may partially account for the high incomes. Just 2.4% of county workers are unemployed, lower than the state and national jobless rates of 3.4% and 6.2%, respectively. With a low jobless rate and high incomes, a relatively small share of Lincoln County residents live in poverty. The county’s poverty rate of 4.5% is considerably lower than the 14.2% statewide poverty rate.
42. Williamson County, Tennessee
> County median household income: $91,743
> State median household income: $44,621
> Poverty rate: 5.6%
> Unemployment: 4.5%
A typical household in Williamson County, the state’s richest, earns $47,122 more than the typical household does across Tennessee. As in other wealthy counties, area residents are more likely to have a bachelor’s degree than their counterparts across the state. More than half of all adults in the county have at least a bachelor’s degree, more than double the corresponding statewide college attainment rate. Child poverty is also less pervasive in Williamson County than it is across the state. Only 7.1% of county children live below the poverty line, a considerably smaller share than the 25.8% of children statewide who do.
24/7 Wall St.43. Rockwall County, Texas
> County median household income: $86,597
> State median household income: $52,576
> Poverty rate: 6.3%
> Unemployment: 4.5%
A typical household in Rockwall County, the state’s richest, earns $34,021 more than the typical Texan household. As in other wealthy counties, area residents have relatively high educational attainment rates. Roughly 36.7% of adults in the county have at least a bachelor’s degree, and 91.7% have completed high school, each some of the higher percentages in the country. People in Rockwall County are also much less likely to live in poverty than their statewide counterparts. Only 6.3% of residents live below the poverty line, a considerably smaller share than the 17.7% of Texans.
44. Summit County, Utah
> County median household income: $89,886
> State median household income: $59,846
> Poverty rate: 8.4%
> Unemployment: 3.4%
Utah residents have some of the highest incomes in the nation. Incomes are even higher in Summit County, the state’s wealthiest county. A typical household in the area earns $89,886 annually. A healthy economy may partially account for the high incomes. Just 3.4% of county workers are unemployed, lower than the state and national jobless rates of 3.8% and 6.2%, respectively.
45. Chittenden County, Vermont
> County median household income: $64,243
> State median household income: $54,447
> Poverty rate: 11.3%
> Unemployment: 3.1%
Vermont’s median household income of $54,447 is only about $1,000 more than the corresponding national figure. A typical household in the state’s richest county, Chittenden, earns $64,243 annually, nearly $10,000 more than the typical Vermont household. As is usually the case in high-income areas, the poverty rate in Chittenden County is relatively low. Some 11.3% of county residents live below the poverty line, a smaller share than the 12.0% of Vermonters and the 15.6% of Americans who live in poverty.
46. Loudoun County, Virginia
> County median household income: $123,966
> State median household income: $64,792
> Poverty rate: 3.8%
> Unemployment: 4.2%
The median household income of $123,966 in Loudoun County is considerably higher than Virginia’s figure of $64,792, which itself is higher than the national figure. Higher-income families are far more likely than lower-income families to own their home. Of households in Loudoun County, 76.9% are owned by their occupants, higher than the state and national homeownership rates of 66.7% and 64.4%, respectively.
47. King County, Washington
> County median household income: $73,035
> State median household income: $60,294
> Poverty rate: 11.8%
> Unemployment: 4.6%
Washington residents have some of the highest incomes in the nation. Incomes are even higher in King County, the state’s wealthiest. A typical household in the area earns $73,035 annually. A strong economy may partially account for the high incomes. Just 4.6% of county workers are unemployed, lower than the state and national jobless rates, both at 6.2%.
48. Jefferson County, West Virginia
> County median household income: $66,205
> State median household income: $41,576
> Poverty rate: 12.4%
> Unemployment: 4.5%
The typical West Virginia household earns only $41,576 annually, less than in all but only two other states. In Jefferson County, however, the wealthiest in the state, residents are more likely to be financially stable. The typical household in Jefferson County earns $66,205 annually, nearly $13,000 more than the typical American household. As is the case in many of the wealthiest counties in each state, educational attainment rates are higher in Jefferson County than they are across the state. Slightly more than 28% of adults in the county have earned a bachelor’s degree, nearly 10 percentage points higher than the statewide college attainment rate.
49. Waukesha County, Wisconsin
> County median household income: $76,319
> State median household income: $52,738
> Poverty rate: 5.6%
> Unemployment: 4.5%
A typical household in Waukesha County, Wisconsin’s richest, earns $23,581 more than the typical household statewide. As in other wealthy counties, area residents have relatively high educational attainment rates. Roughly 41% of adults in the county have at least a bachelor’s degree, and nearly 96% have completed high school, each some of the higher percentages in both the state and the country.
50. Campbell County, Wyoming
> County median household income: $78,609
> State median household income: $58,252
> Poverty rate: 6.8%
> Unemployment: 3.5%
A typical household in Wyoming earns $58,252, one of the higher median incomes in the country. A typical household in the state’s richest county, Campbell, earns $78,609 annually. As is usually the case in high-income areas, Campbell County’s poverty rate of 6.8% is considerably lower than the corresponding state rate and less than half the national poverty rate.
Click here to see the poorest county in each state.
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