The United States has some of the highest levels of income and wealth inequality in the world. U.S. Federal Reserve data shows that the wealthiest 10% of Americans control $93.8 trillion, more than double the $40.3 trillion in the hands of the remaining 90% of Americans.
The income and wealth divide only appears to be growing wider. A January 2020 report published by the Pew Research Center found that over the last four decades, income growth for the top 5% of families by earnings has far outpaced income growth for families in the lower income strata.
In a nation as large as the U.S., varied levels of income inequality may be expected. While some parts have wide income gaps, other parts of the country are defined, at least in part, by their relative income equality.
Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey, 24/7 Wall St. identified the town with the smallest income gap in each state. Towns are ranked by their Gini coefficient, a measure of income inequality based on the distribution of income across a population on a 0 to 1 scale — 0 representing perfect equality and 1 representing the highest possible level of inequality. For the purposes of this story, towns are defined as any place covered by the census with populations between 1,000 and 25,000.
Though each place on this list has the smallest degree of income inequality in its state, Gini scores vary — from 0.212 to 0.389. Nationwide, the Gini coefficient stands at 0.482.
Causes behind rising inequality in the United States are complex and varied. A report published by the National Bureau of Economic Research ties the rising disparity to a range of economic factors, including globalization, technological advancement, a stagnant minimum wage, and the decline of labor unions.
Click here to see the town with the smallest income gaps in every state
Click here to see our methodology
Alabama: Margaret
> Gini index: 0.263 (Alabama: 0.479)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $130,525 (Alabama: $177,811)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $32,213 (Alabama: $10,538)
> Share of all income in Margaret that went to top 20%: 34.8% (Alabama: 50.9%)
> Share of all income in Margaret that went to bottom 20%: 8.6% (Alabama: 3.0%)
> Median household income: $72,200 (Alabama: $50,536)
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Alaska: Knik-Fairview
> Gini index: 0.365 (Alaska: 0.428)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $189,839 (Alaska: $230,147)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $17,760 (Alaska: $18,977)
> Share of all income in Knik-Fairview that went to top 20%: 39.9% (Alaska: 46.7%)
> Share of all income in Knik-Fairview that went to bottom 20%: 3.7% (Alaska: 3.8%)
> Median household income: $87,331 (Alaska: $77,640)
24/7 Wall St.
Arizona: Corona de Tucson
> Gini index: 0.285 (Arizona: 0.466)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $189,754 (Arizona: $202,970)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $40,867 (Arizona: $13,587)
> Share of all income in Corona de Tucson that went to top 20%: 36.4% (Arizona: 50.3%)
> Share of all income in Corona de Tucson that went to bottom 20%: 7.8% (Arizona: 3.4%)
> Median household income: $97,287 (Arizona: $58,945)
Arkansas: Shannon Hills
> Gini index: 0.281 (Arkansas: 0.477)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $136,882 (Arkansas: $170,176)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $29,343 (Arkansas: $11,049)
> Share of all income in Shannon Hills that went to top 20%: 35.7% (Arkansas: 51.1%)
> Share of all income in Shannon Hills that went to bottom 20%: 7.7% (Arkansas: 3.3%)
> Median household income: $69,461 (Arkansas: $47,597)
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California: Fort Irwin
> Gini index: 0.283 (California: 0.489)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $111,004 (California: $278,638)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $25,333 (California: $15,827)
> Share of all income in Fort Irwin that went to top 20%: 36.7% (California: 52.1%)
> Share of all income in Fort Irwin that went to bottom 20%: 8.4% (California: 3.0%)
> Median household income: $54,787 (California: $75,235)
Colorado: Snowmass Village
> Gini index: 0.246 (Colorado: 0.457)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: N/A (Colorado: $239,479)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: N/A (Colorado: $17,187)
> Share of all income in Snowmass Village that went to top 20%: N/A (Colorado: 49.4%)
> Share of all income in Snowmass Village that went to bottom 20%: N/A (Colorado: 3.5%)
> Median household income: $70,634 (Colorado: $72,331)
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Connecticut: Conning Towers Nautilus Park
> Gini index: 0.338 (Connecticut: 0.496)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $135,412 (Connecticut: $298,915)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $23,011 (Connecticut: $16,569)
> Share of all income in Conning Towers Nautilus Park that went to top 20%: 40.5% (Connecticut: 52.9%)
> Share of all income in Conning Towers Nautilus Park that went to bottom 20%: 6.9% (Connecticut: 2.9%)
> Median household income: $56,449 (Connecticut: $78,444)
Delaware: Long Neck
> Gini index: 0.308 (Delaware: 0.454)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $116,374 (Delaware: $221,085)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $21,048 (Delaware: $15,768)
> Share of all income in Long Neck that went to top 20%: 37.7% (Delaware: 49.1%)
> Share of all income in Long Neck that went to bottom 20%: 6.8% (Delaware: 3.5%)
> Median household income: $58,702 (Delaware: $68,287)
Florida: Zellwood
> Gini index: 0.297 (Florida: 0.486)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $111,853 (Florida: $209,841)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $24,513 (Florida: $13,086)
> Share of all income in Zellwood that went to top 20%: 37.3% (Florida: 52.3%)
> Share of all income in Zellwood that went to bottom 20%: 8.2% (Florida: 3.3%)
> Median household income: $49,148 (Florida: $55,660)
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Georgia: Heron Bay
> Gini index: 0.286 (Georgia: 0.482)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $229,461 (Georgia: $212,411)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $49,615 (Georgia: $12,798)
> Share of all income in Heron Bay that went to top 20%: 36.7% (Georgia: 51.5%)
> Share of all income in Heron Bay that went to bottom 20%: 7.9% (Georgia: 3.1%)
> Median household income: $109,091 (Georgia: $58,700)
Hawaii: Iroquois Point
> Gini index: 0.272 (Hawaii: 0.441)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $171,101 (Hawaii: $247,294)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $40,019 (Hawaii: $17,890)
> Share of all income in Iroquois Point that went to top 20%: 35.2% (Hawaii: 47.7%)
> Share of all income in Iroquois Point that went to bottom 20%: 8.2% (Hawaii: 3.5%)
> Median household income: $91,250 (Hawaii: $81,275)
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Idaho: Rathdrum
> Gini index: 0.325 (Idaho: 0.446)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $128,377 (Idaho: $178,921)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $22,409 (Idaho: $13,921)
> Share of all income in Rathdrum that went to top 20%: 39.0% (Idaho: 48.5%)
> Share of all income in Rathdrum that went to bottom 20%: 6.8% (Idaho: 3.8%)
> Median household income: $57,269 (Idaho: $55,785)
Illinois: Long Lake
> Gini index: 0.286 (Illinois: 0.482)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $156,085 (Illinois: $237,616)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $32,608 (Illinois: $14,052)
> Share of all income in Long Lake that went to top 20%: 34.5% (Illinois: 51.4%)
> Share of all income in Long Lake that went to bottom 20%: 7.2% (Illinois: 3.0%)
> Median household income: $87,895 (Illinois: $65,886)
Indiana: Hidden Valley
> Gini index: 0.292 (Indiana: 0.453)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $191,329 (Indiana: $183,445)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $37,923 (Indiana: $13,570)
> Share of all income in Hidden Valley that went to top 20%: 35.7% (Indiana: 48.9%)
> Share of all income in Hidden Valley that went to bottom 20%: 7.1% (Indiana: 3.6%)
> Median household income: $107,000 (Indiana: $56,303)
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Iowa: Bondurant
> Gini index: 0.258 (Iowa: 0.442)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $162,479 (Iowa: $187,874)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $37,441 (Iowa: $14,836)
> Share of all income in Bondurant that went to top 20%: 33.5% (Iowa: 47.9%)
> Share of all income in Bondurant that went to bottom 20%: 7.7% (Iowa: 3.8%)
> Median household income: $97,786 (Iowa: $60,523)
Kansas: Rose Hill
> Gini index: 0.301 (Kansas: 0.456)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $150,684 (Kansas: $197,458)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $29,149 (Kansas: $14,449)
> Share of all income in Rose Hill that went to top 20%: 36.2% (Kansas: 49.4%)
> Share of all income in Rose Hill that went to bottom 20%: 7.0% (Kansas: 3.6%)
> Median household income: $75,491 (Kansas: $59,597)
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Kentucky: Hebron
> Gini index: 0.273 (Kentucky: 0.479)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $175,621 (Kentucky: $178,883)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $42,446 (Kentucky: $10,912)
> Share of all income in Hebron that went to top 20%: 35.3% (Kentucky: 51.0%)
> Share of all income in Hebron that went to bottom 20%: 8.5% (Kentucky: 3.1%)
> Median household income: $89,602 (Kentucky: $50,589)
Louisiana: Fort Polk North
> Gini index: 0.303 (Louisiana: 0.495)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $86,681 (Louisiana: $185,481)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $17,938 (Louisiana: $9,757)
> Share of all income in Fort Polk North that went to top 20%: 38.8% (Louisiana: 52.3%)
> Share of all income in Fort Polk North that went to bottom 20%: 8.0% (Louisiana: 2.8%)
> Median household income: $36,797 (Louisiana: $49,469)
Maine: North Windham
> Gini index: 0.33 (Maine: 0.451)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $153,702 (Maine: $185,447)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $20,391 (Maine: $13,702)
> Share of all income in North Windham that went to top 20%: 38.0% (Maine: 48.7%)
> Share of all income in North Windham that went to bottom 20%: 5.0% (Maine: 3.6%)
> Median household income: $77,606 (Maine: $57,918)
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_just_west_of_Interstate_595_and_U.S._Route_50_(John_Hanson_Highway)_in_Springdale,_Prince_George%27s_County,_Maryland.jpg "View west along Maryland State Route 704 by Famartin")
Maryland: Springdale
> Gini index: 0.266 (Maryland: 0.454)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $217,424 (Maryland: $272,042)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $52,452 (Maryland: $18,854)
> Share of all income in Springdale that went to top 20%: 34.7% (Maryland: 48.8%)
> Share of all income in Springdale that went to bottom 20%: 8.4% (Maryland: 3.4%)
> Median household income: $121,850 (Maryland: $84,805)
Massachusetts: Monument Beach
> Gini index: 0.325 (Massachusetts: 0.483)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $175,396 (Massachusetts: $284,857)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $29,354 (Massachusetts: $15,520)
> Share of all income in Monument Beach that went to top 20%: 39.0% (Massachusetts: 51.1%)
> Share of all income in Monument Beach that went to bottom 20%: 6.5% (Massachusetts: 2.8%)
> Median household income: $73,860 (Massachusetts: $81,215)
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Michigan: Middleville
> Gini index: 0.311 (Michigan: 0.467)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $128,878 (Michigan: $196,731)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $22,718 (Michigan: $13,156)
> Share of all income in Middleville that went to top 20%: 38.4% (Michigan: 50.2%)
> Share of all income in Middleville that went to bottom 20%: 6.8% (Michigan: 3.4%)
> Median household income: $59,536 (Michigan: $57,144)
Minnesota: Elko New Market
> Gini index: 0.212 (Minnesota: 0.449)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $220,043 (Minnesota: $228,793)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $74,667 (Minnesota: $17,300)
> Share of all income in Elko New Market that went to top 20%: 32.5% (Minnesota: 48.7%)
> Share of all income in Elko New Market that went to bottom 20%: 11.0% (Minnesota: 3.7%)
> Median household income: $123,294 (Minnesota: $71,306)
Mississippi: Byram
> Gini index: 0.337 (Mississippi: 0.481)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $140,993 (Mississippi: $160,084)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $20,317 (Mississippi: $9,367)
> Share of all income in Byram that went to top 20%: 39.3% (Mississippi: 51.0%)
> Share of all income in Byram that went to bottom 20%: 5.7% (Mississippi: 3.0%)
> Median household income: $66,641 (Mississippi: $45,081)
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Missouri: Barnhart
> Gini index: 0.279 (Missouri: 0.464)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $163,731 (Missouri: $190,290)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $36,442 (Missouri: $13,281)
> Share of all income in Barnhart that went to top 20%: 36.5% (Missouri: 50.0%)
> Share of all income in Barnhart that went to bottom 20%: 8.1% (Missouri: 3.5%)
> Median household income: $81,922 (Missouri: $55,461)
Montana: Malmstrom
> Gini index: 0.283 (Montana: 0.459)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $108,280 (Montana: $184,017)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $24,592 (Montana: $13,337)
> Share of all income in Malmstrom that went to top 20%: 37.5% (Montana: 49.6%)
> Share of all income in Malmstrom that went to bottom 20%: 8.5% (Montana: 3.6%)
> Median household income: $51,410 (Montana: $54,970)
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Nebraska: Waverly
> Gini index: 0.352 (Nebraska: 0.444)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $187,081 (Nebraska: $193,357)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $24,101 (Nebraska: $15,168)
> Share of all income in Waverly that went to top 20%: 40.3% (Nebraska: 48.2%)
> Share of all income in Waverly that went to bottom 20%: 5.2% (Nebraska: 3.8%)
> Median household income: $82,031 (Nebraska: $61,439)
Nevada: Cold Springs
> Gini index: 0.308 (Nevada: 0.462)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $145,057 (Nevada: $203,124)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $23,643 (Nevada: $14,239)
> Share of all income in Cold Springs that went to top 20%: 37.5% (Nevada: 49.8%)
> Share of all income in Cold Springs that went to bottom 20%: 6.1% (Nevada: 3.5%)
> Median household income: $72,118 (Nevada: $60,365)
New Hampshire: Tilton Northfield
> Gini index: 0.348 (New Hampshire: 0.438)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $130,755 (New Hampshire: $236,675)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $19,087 (New Hampshire: $18,862)
> Share of all income in Tilton Northfield that went to top 20%: 40.7% (New Hampshire: 47.7%)
> Share of all income in Tilton Northfield that went to bottom 20%: 5.9% (New Hampshire: 3.8%)
> Median household income: $55,566 (New Hampshire: $76,768)
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New Jersey: Country Lake Estates
> Gini index: 0.278 (New Jersey: 0.481)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $150,653 (New Jersey: $294,079)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $30,845 (New Jersey: $16,981)
> Share of all income in Country Lake Estates that went to top 20%: 35.0% (New Jersey: 51.3%)
> Share of all income in Country Lake Estates that went to bottom 20%: 7.2% (New Jersey: 3.0%)
> Median household income: $87,549 (New Jersey: $82,545)
New Mexico: White Rock
> Gini index: 0.333 (New Mexico: 0.478)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $309,466 (New Mexico: $175,925)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $47,330 (New Mexico: $10,558)
> Share of all income in White Rock that went to top 20%: 39.3% (New Mexico: 50.9%)
> Share of all income in White Rock that went to bottom 20%: 6.0% (New Mexico: 3.1%)
> Median household income: $135,964 (New Mexico: $49,754)
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New York: Calcium
> Gini index: 0.283 (New York: 0.514)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $108,451 (New York: $276,728)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $23,571 (New York: $13,020)
> Share of all income in Calcium that went to top 20%: 37.1% (New York: 54.3%)
> Share of all income in Calcium that went to bottom 20%: 8.1% (New York: 2.6%)
> Median household income: $53,289 (New York: $68,486)
North Carolina: Brices Creek
> Gini index: 0.28 (North Carolina: 0.476)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $202,011 (North Carolina: $196,793)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $41,493 (North Carolina: $12,761)
> Share of all income in Brices Creek that went to top 20%: 36.0% (North Carolina: 51.2%)
> Share of all income in Brices Creek that went to bottom 20%: 7.4% (North Carolina: 3.3%)
> Median household income: $102,171 (North Carolina: $54,602)
North Dakota: Lincoln
> Gini index: 0.284 (North Dakota: 0.454)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $163,652 (North Dakota: $208,518)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $32,453 (North Dakota: $14,804)
> Share of all income in Lincoln that went to top 20%: 34.3% (North Dakota: 48.8%)
> Share of all income in Lincoln that went to bottom 20%: 6.8% (North Dakota: 3.5%)
> Median household income: $90,231 (North Dakota: $64,894)
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Ohio: Delta
> Gini index: 0.326 (Ohio: 0.465)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $126,381 (Ohio: $192,225)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $18,786 (Ohio: $12,861)
> Share of all income in Delta that went to top 20%: 37.5% (Ohio: 50.0%)
> Share of all income in Delta that went to bottom 20%: 5.6% (Ohio: 3.3%)
> Median household income: $64,031 (Ohio: $56,602)
Oklahoma: Bethel Acres
> Gini index: 0.332 (Oklahoma: 0.469)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $146,190 (Oklahoma: $183,130)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $21,644 (Oklahoma: $12,268)
> Share of all income in Bethel Acres that went to top 20%: 38.6% (Oklahoma: 50.4%)
> Share of all income in Bethel Acres that went to bottom 20%: 5.7% (Oklahoma: 3.4%)
> Median household income: $73,000 (Oklahoma: $52,919)
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Oregon: Estacada
> Gini index: 0.326 (Oregon: 0.459)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $131,497 (Oregon: $208,393)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $16,283 (Oregon: $14,622)
> Share of all income in Estacada that went to top 20%: 36.0% (Oregon: 49.5%)
> Share of all income in Estacada that went to bottom 20%: 4.5% (Oregon: 3.5%)
> Median household income: $71,088 (Oregon: $62,818)
Pennsylvania: Hallam
> Gini index: 0.281 (Pennsylvania: 0.472)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $113,943 (Pennsylvania: $214,725)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $24,975 (Pennsylvania: $13,887)
> Share of all income in Hallam that went to top 20%: 35.6% (Pennsylvania: 50.6%)
> Share of all income in Hallam that went to bottom 20%: 7.8% (Pennsylvania: 3.3%)
> Median household income: $60,471 (Pennsylvania: $61,744)
Rhode Island: Pascoag
> Gini index: 0.348 (Rhode Island: 0.47)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $164,828 (Rhode Island: $222,204)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $17,217 (Rhode Island: $13,273)
> Share of all income in Pascoag that went to top 20%: 38.6% (Rhode Island: 49.9%)
> Share of all income in Pascoag that went to bottom 20%: 4.0% (Rhode Island: 3.0%)
> Median household income: $84,386 (Rhode Island: $67,167)
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South Carolina: Lesslie
> Gini index: 0.312 (South Carolina: 0.474)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $127,445 (South Carolina: $186,571)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $15,761 (South Carolina: $11,736)
> Share of all income in Lesslie that went to top 20%: 35.2% (South Carolina: 50.8%)
> Share of all income in Lesslie that went to bottom 20%: 4.4% (South Carolina: 3.2%)
> Median household income: $70,265 (South Carolina: $53,199)
South Dakota: Harrisburg
> Gini index: 0.259 (South Dakota: 0.444)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $146,946 (South Dakota: $183,626)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $34,215 (South Dakota: $14,543)
> Share of all income in Harrisburg that went to top 20%: 34.1% (South Dakota: 48.2%)
> Share of all income in Harrisburg that went to bottom 20%: 7.9% (South Dakota: 3.8%)
> Median household income: $81,359 (South Dakota: $58,275)
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Tennessee: Christiana
> Gini index: 0.303 (Tennessee: 0.479)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $154,228 (Tennessee: $191,924)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $30,638 (Tennessee: $12,221)
> Share of all income in Christiana that went to top 20%: 38.3% (Tennessee: 51.3%)
> Share of all income in Christiana that went to bottom 20%: 7.6% (Tennessee: 3.3%)
> Median household income: $72,623 (Tennessee: $53,320)
Texas: Redwood
> Gini index: 0.287 (Texas: 0.479)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $114,141 (Texas: $224,146)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $26,740 (Texas: $14,034)
> Share of all income in Redwood that went to top 20%: 37.7% (Texas: 51.4%)
> Share of all income in Redwood that went to bottom 20%: 8.8% (Texas: 3.2%)
> Median household income: $51,455 (Texas: $61,874)
Utah: Stansbury Park
> Gini index: 0.238 (Utah: 0.426)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $172,037 (Utah: $214,437)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $46,968 (Utah: $19,112)
> Share of all income in Stansbury Park that went to top 20%: 32.9% (Utah: 47.0%)
> Share of all income in Stansbury Park that went to bottom 20%: 9.0% (Utah: 4.2%)
> Median household income: $101,122 (Utah: $71,621)
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Vermont: Vergennes
> Gini index: 0.389 (Vermont: 0.448)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $149,106 (Vermont: $196,616)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $14,058 (Vermont: $14,666)
> Share of all income in Vergennes that went to top 20%: 42.1% (Vermont: 48.4%)
> Share of all income in Vergennes that went to bottom 20%: 4.0% (Vermont: 3.6%)
> Median household income: $63,920 (Vermont: $61,973)
Virginia: Bethel Manor
> Gini index: 0.28 (Virginia: 0.469)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $123,256 (Virginia: $256,360)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $24,932 (Virginia: $16,508)
> Share of all income in Bethel Manor that went to top 20%: 35.2% (Virginia: 50.4%)
> Share of all income in Bethel Manor that went to bottom 20%: 7.1% (Virginia: 3.3%)
> Median household income: $65,387 (Virginia: $74,222)
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Washington: Cavalero
> Gini index: 0.278 (Washington: 0.457)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $221,670 (Washington: $244,742)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $46,729 (Washington: $17,314)
> Share of all income in Cavalero that went to top 20%: 35.8% (Washington: 49.5%)
> Share of all income in Cavalero that went to bottom 20%: 7.5% (Washington: 3.5%)
> Median household income: $112,768 (Washington: $73,775)
West Virginia: Inwood
> Gini index: 0.295 (West Virginia: 0.467)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $122,396 (West Virginia: $158,941)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $26,651 (West Virginia: $10,504)
> Share of all income in Inwood that went to top 20%: 36.2% (West Virginia: 49.9%)
> Share of all income in Inwood that went to bottom 20%: 7.9% (West Virginia: 3.3%)
> Median household income: $62,162 (West Virginia: $46,711)
Wisconsin: Bohners Lake
> Gini index: 0.303 (Wisconsin: 0.445)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $154,893 (Wisconsin: $194,624)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $28,122 (Wisconsin: $15,311)
> Share of all income in Bohners Lake that went to top 20%: 37.6% (Wisconsin: 48.3%)
> Share of all income in Bohners Lake that went to bottom 20%: 6.8% (Wisconsin: 3.8%)
> Median household income: $74,167 (Wisconsin: $61,747)
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Wyoming: South Greeley
> Gini index: 0.329 (Wyoming: 0.436)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $113,671 (Wyoming: $193,249)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $19,235 (Wyoming: $15,572)
> Share of all income in South Greeley that went to top 20%: 40.1% (Wyoming: 47.2%)
> Share of all income in South Greeley that went to bottom 20%: 6.8% (Wyoming: 3.8%)
> Median household income: $47,013 (Wyoming: $64,049)
Methodology:
To determine the town with the smallest income gaps in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed five-year estimates of the Gini Index of income inequality from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey.
The Gini Index of income inequality summarizes income dispersion in an area on a scale from 0 to 1. A value of 0 indicates perfect equality — everyone in the area receives an equal share of income. A value of 1 indicates perfect inequality — only one recipient receives all the income.
We used census “place” geographies — a category that includes 29,573 incorporated legal entities and census-designated statistical entities. Of those, 29,319 had boundaries that fell within one of the 50 states, while the rest were in the District of Columbia or Puerto Rico.
We defined towns based on population thresholds — having at least 1,000 people and less than 25,000 people — and 13,332 of the places fell within these thresholds.
Towns were excluded if the Gini Index was not available in the 2019 ACS, if there were fewer than 1,000 housing units, or if the sampling error associated with a town’s data was deemed too high.
The sampling error was defined as too high if the coefficient of variation — a statistical assessment of how reliable an estimate is — for a town’s Gini Index was above 15% and greater than two standard deviations above the mean CV for all towns’ Gini Indices. We similarly excluded towns that had a sampling error too high for their population, using the same definition.
The remaining 7,698 places were ranked within their state based on their Gini Index. To break ties, we used the share of aggregate household income earned by the top 20% of households.
Additional information on average household income by quintile, share of aggregate household income by quintile, and median household income are also five-year estimates from the 2019 ACS.
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