Disparities in school spending has been a point of contention in the American public education system for decades. Because public schools typically receive the bulk of their funding from local sources such as property taxes, wealthy districts are often better funded than poorer ones.
Though the relationship between school spending and student outcomes is controversial, studies have shown that higher per-pupil spending correlates with a range of improved outcomes – including a reduced likelihood of poverty in adulthood. (Here is a look at the worst school district in each state.)
Still, there are countless variables – both inside the classroom and outside of it – that can impact a student’s likelihood of success. One of them is financial security at home.
A recent report published by the Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce found that children from low-income households who receive high scores on standardized aptitude tests in kindergarten have only a 3 in 10 chance of graduating from college and landing a good entry-level job as a young adult. Meanwhile, children from well-off families who score poorly on the same tests have a 7 in 10 chance. For students from low-income families, setbacks can be more difficult to recover from due to limited supporting resources.
This study suggests that even if per-pupil spending were equal across the thousands of school districts in the United States, students in high-income areas would still have a considerable advantage. Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau and National Center for Education Statistics, 24/7 Wall St. identified the richest school districts in each state. School districts are ranked by average household income in the district, and only districts with at least 100 students and income data were considered.
Among the districts on this list, average annual household income ranges from $90,500 to over $450,000. In the majority of these school districts, graduation rates are 90% or higher.
Notably, despite a strong tax base, per-pupil spending among these districts is not always especially high. Due in part to federal and state subsidy programs that help equalize school funding, per-pupil spending in just under half of the districts on this list falls below the comparable statewide average. (Here is a look at how much each state spends on its public schools.)
Click here to see the richest school district in every state.
Click here to see our detailed methodology.
Alabama: Mountain Brook City
> Avg. household income: $238,595 (Alabama: $71,964)
> District graduation rate: 98%
> Annual per pupil spending: $14,059 (Alabama: $10,107)
> Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 (Alabama: 18:1)
> District location: Jefferson County
> Total operational school districts in Alabama: 177
[in-text-ad]
Alaska: Cordova City School District
> Avg. household income: $112,521 (Alaska: $98,811)
> District graduation rate: 85%
> Annual per pupil spending: $20,803 (Alaska: $18,393)
> Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 (Alaska: 17:1)
> District location: Valdez-Cordova Census Area
> Total operational school districts in Alaska: 54
24/7 Wall St.
Arizona: Cave Creek Unified District
> Avg. household income: $162,758 (Arizona: $84,380)
> District graduation rate: 94%
> Annual per pupil spending: $7,741 (Arizona: $8,773)
> Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 (Arizona: 24:1)
> District location: Maricopa County
> Total operational school districts in Arizona: 705
Arkansas: Valley View School District
> Avg. household income: $124,059 (Arkansas: $69,357)
> District graduation rate: 95%
> Annual per pupil spending: $8,939 (Arkansas: $10,412)
> Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 (Arkansas: 13:1)
> District location: Craighead County
> Total operational school districts in Arkansas: 294
[in-text-ad-2]
California: Hillsborough City Elementary
> Avg. household income: $437,655 (California: $111,622)
> District graduation rate: N/A
> Annual per pupil spending: $22,821 (California: $13,831)
> Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 (California: 23:1)
> District location: San Mateo County
> Total operational school districts in California: 2,170
Colorado: Elbert School District No. 200
> Avg. household income: $97,038 (Colorado: $100,933)
> District graduation rate: N/A
> Annual per pupil spending: $12,160 (Colorado: $11,072)
> Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 (Colorado: 17:1)
> District location: Elbert County
> Total operational school districts in Colorado: 270
[in-text-ad]
Connecticut: Darien School District
> Avg. household income: $365,528 (Connecticut: $115,337)
> District graduation rate: 98%
> Annual per pupil spending: $23,673 (Connecticut: $21,140)
> Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 (Connecticut: 12:1)
> District location: Fairfield County
> Total operational school districts in Connecticut: 204
24/7 Wall St.
Delaware: Appoquinimink School District
> Avg. household income: $125,597 (Delaware: $92,308)
> District graduation rate: 95%
> Annual per pupil spending: $13,286 (Delaware: $15,929)
> Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 (Delaware: 14:1)
> District location: New Castle County
> Total operational school districts in Delaware: 46
Florida: St. Johns
> Avg. household income: $113,475 (Florida: $83,104)
> District graduation rate: 94%
> Annual per pupil spending: $8,661 (Florida: $9,986)
> Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 (Florida: 17:1)
> District location: St. Johns County
> Total operational school districts in Florida: 76
[in-text-ad-2]
Georgia: Forsyth County
> Avg. household income: $128,476 (Georgia: $85,691)
> District graduation rate: 95%
> Annual per pupil spending: $9,884 (Georgia: $11,203)
> Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 (Georgia: 15:1)
> District location: Forsyth County
> Total operational school districts in Georgia: 232
Hawaii: Hawaii Department Of Education
> Avg. household income: $103,780 (Hawaii: $107,348)
> District graduation rate: 85%
> Annual per pupil spending: $16,132 (Hawaii: $16,132)
> Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 (Hawaii: 15:1)
> District location: Statewide
> Total operational school districts in Hawaii: 1
[in-text-ad]
Idaho: Mccall-Donnelly Joint School District
> Avg. household income: $90,524 (Idaho: $77,399)
> District graduation rate: 92%
> Annual per pupil spending: $10,924 (Idaho: $8,043)
> Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 (Idaho: 19:1)
> District location: Valley County
> Total operational school districts in Idaho: 168
24/7 Wall St.
Illinois: Winnetka School District No. 36
> Avg. household income: $371,021 (Illinois: $95,115)
> District graduation rate: N/A
> Annual per pupil spending: $27,769 (Illinois: $16,281)
> Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 (Illinois: 15:1)
> District location: Cook County
> Total operational school districts in Illinois: 1,056
Indiana: Zionsville Community Schools
> Avg. household income: $174,109 (Indiana: $76,984)
> District graduation rate: 97%
> Annual per pupil spending: $9,380 (Indiana: $10,252)
> Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 (Indiana: 17:1)
> District location: Boone County
> Total operational school districts in Indiana: 431
[in-text-ad-2]
Iowa: Sergeant Bluff-Luton Community School District
> Avg. household income: $115,226 (Iowa: $80,316)
> District graduation rate: 95%
> Annual per pupil spending: $10,984 (Iowa: $11,933)
> Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 (Iowa: 14:1)
> District location: Woodbury County
> Total operational school districts in Iowa: 339
Kansas: Spring Hill
> Avg. household income: $121,345 (Kansas: $82,103)
> District graduation rate: 61%
> Annual per pupil spending: $8,890 (Kansas: $11,328)
> Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 (Kansas: 14:1)
> District location: Miami County
> Total operational school districts in Kansas: 311
[in-text-ad]
Kentucky: Oldham County
> Avg. household income: $128,725 (Kentucky: $72,318)
> District graduation rate: 97%
> Annual per pupil spending: $10,076 (Kentucky: $11,280)
> Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 (Kentucky: 16:1)
> District location: Oldham County
> Total operational school districts in Kentucky: 186
Louisiana: District level income not available
Maine: Falmouth Public Schools
> Avg. household income: $170,467 (Maine: $78,301)
> District graduation rate: 87%
> Annual per pupil spending: $16,611 (Maine: $15,686)
> Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 (Maine: 12:1)
> District location: Cumberland County
> Total operational school districts in Maine: 276
[in-text-ad-2]
Maryland: Montgomery County Public Schools
> Avg. household income: $149,437 (Maryland: $114,236)
> District graduation rate: 89%
> Annual per pupil spending: $16,490 (Maryland: $15,576)
> Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 (Maryland: 15:1)
> District location: Montgomery County
> Total operational school districts in Maryland: 25
Massachusetts: Dover
> Avg. household income: $373,970 (Massachusetts: $115,964)
> District graduation rate: 92% (Dover-Sherborn Schools)
> Annual per pupil spending: $21,018 (Massachusetts: $19,196)
> Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 (Massachusetts: 13:1)
> District location: Norfolk County
> Total operational school districts in Massachusetts: 432
[in-text-ad]
Michigan: Bloomfield Hills Schools
> Avg. household income: $202,722 (Michigan: $80,803)
> District graduation rate: 94%
> Annual per pupil spending: $18,614 (Michigan: $12,052)
> Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 (Michigan: 18:1)
> District location: Oakland County
> Total operational school districts in Michigan: 895
24/7 Wall St.
Minnesota: Orono Public School District
> Avg. household income: $211,325 (Minnesota: $96,814)
> District graduation rate: 97%
> Annual per pupil spending: $12,837 (Minnesota: $13,297)
> Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 (Minnesota: 15:1)
> District location: Hennepin County
> Total operational school districts in Minnesota: 564
Mississippi: Madison County School District
> Avg. household income: $112,066 (Mississippi: $65,156)
> District graduation rate: 91%
> Annual per pupil spending: $9,653 (Mississippi: $9,253)
> Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 (Mississippi: 15:1)
> District location: Madison County
> Total operational school districts in Mississippi: 155
[in-text-ad-2]
Missouri: Ladue
> Avg. household income: $213,970 (Missouri: $78,194)
> District graduation rate: 99%
> Annual per pupil spending: $14,289 (Missouri: $11,349)
> Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 (Missouri: 13:1)
> District location: St. Louis County
> Total operational school districts in Missouri: 564
Montana: Blue Creek Elementary
> Avg. household income: $114,007 (Montana: $76,834)
> District graduation rate: N/A
> Annual per pupil spending: $8,557 (Montana: $11,984)
> Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 (Montana: 14:1)
> District location: Yellowstone County
> Total operational school districts in Montana: 487
[in-text-ad]
Nebraska: Elkhorn Public Schools
> Avg. household income: $142,333 (Nebraska: $82,306)
> District graduation rate: 97%
> Annual per pupil spending: $9,672 (Nebraska: $12,746)
> Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 (Nebraska: 14:1)
> District location: Douglas County
> Total operational school districts in Nebraska: 279
Nevada: Storey County School District
> Avg. household income: $92,393 (Nevada: $84,350)
> District graduation rate: 85%
> Annual per pupil spending: $19,376 (Nevada: $9,126)
> Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 (Nevada: 21:1)
> District location: Storey County
> Total operational school districts in Nevada: 21
New Hampshire: Rye School District
> Avg. household income: $198,028 (New Hampshire: $101,292)
> District graduation rate: N/A
> Annual per pupil spending: $25,870 (New Hampshire: $17,457)
> Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 (New Hampshire: 12:1)
> District location: Rockingham County
> Total operational school districts in New Hampshire: 308
[in-text-ad-2]
New Jersey: Rumson Borough School District
> Avg. household income: $345,342 (New Jersey: $117,868)
> District graduation rate: N/A
> Annual per pupil spending: $20,456 (New Jersey: $21,331)
> Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 (New Jersey: 12:1)
> District location: Monmouth County
> Total operational school districts in New Jersey: 688
New Mexico: Los Alamos Public Schools
> Avg. household income: $141,162 (New Mexico: $70,241)
> District graduation rate: 91%
> Annual per pupil spending: $11,249 (New Mexico: $10,466)
> Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 (New Mexico: 16:1)
> District location: Los Alamos County
> Total operational school districts in New Mexico: 146
[in-text-ad]
New York: Scarsdale Union Free School District
> Avg. household income: $466,343 (New York: $105,304)
> District graduation rate: 99%
> Annual per pupil spending: $29,937 (New York: $24,882)
> Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 (New York: 13:1)
> District location: Westchester County
> Total operational school districts in New York: 1,057
North Carolina: Wake County Schools
> Avg. household income: $106,822 (North Carolina: $79,620)
> District graduation rate: 90%
> Annual per pupil spending: $9,395 (North Carolina: $9,799)
> Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 (North Carolina: 15:1)
> District location: Wake County
> Total operational school districts in North Carolina: 330
North Dakota: South Heart School District No. 9
> Avg. household income: $114,918 (North Dakota: $85,506)
> District graduation rate: N/A
> Annual per pupil spending: $12,853 (North Dakota: $14,033)
> Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 (North Dakota: 12:1)
> District location: Stark County
> Total operational school districts in North Dakota: 225
[in-text-ad-2]
Ohio: Orange City
> Avg. household income: $243,210 (Ohio: $78,797)
> District graduation rate: 92%
> Annual per pupil spending: $24,437 (Ohio: $13,433)
> Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 (Ohio: 17:1)
> District location: Cuyahoga County
> Total operational school districts in Ohio: 1,043
Oklahoma: Deer Creek
> Avg. household income: $140,124 (Oklahoma: $74,195)
> District graduation rate: 96%
> Annual per pupil spending: $9,048 (Oklahoma: $9,203)
> Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 (Oklahoma: 16:1)
> District location: Oklahoma County
> Total operational school districts in Oklahoma: 597
[in-text-ad]
Oregon: West Linn-Wilsonville School District
> Avg. household income: $132,574 (Oregon: $88,137)
> District graduation rate: 95%
> Annual per pupil spending: $11,460 (Oregon: $12,457)
> Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 (Oregon: 20:1)
> District location: Clackamas County
> Total operational school districts in Oregon: 222
Pennsylvania: Lower Merion School District
> Avg. household income: $218,005 (Pennsylvania: $87,262)
> District graduation rate: 97%
> Annual per pupil spending: $25,591 (Pennsylvania: $16,892)
> Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 (Pennsylvania: 14:1)
> District location: Montgomery County
> Total operational school districts in Pennsylvania: 789
Rhode Island: Barrington
> Avg. household income: $177,659 (Rhode Island: $92,427)
> District graduation rate: 94%
> Annual per pupil spending: $15,344 (Rhode Island: $17,539)
> Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 (Rhode Island: 13:1)
> District location: Bristol County
> Total operational school districts in Rhode Island: 64
[in-text-ad-2]
South Carolina: Lexington-Richland School District No. 5
> Avg. household income: $96,105 (South Carolina: $76,390)
> District graduation rate: 88%
> Annual per pupil spending: $12,977 (South Carolina: $10,994)
> Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 (South Carolina: 15:1)
> District location: Richland County
> Total operational school districts in South Carolina: 102
South Dakota: Harrisburg School District
> Avg. household income: $118,082 (South Dakota: $77,932)
> District graduation rate: 88%
> Annual per pupil spending: $9,448 (South Dakota: $10,325)
> Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 (South Dakota: 14:1)
> District location: Lincoln County
> Total operational school districts in South Dakota: 166
[in-text-ad]
Tennessee: Collierville
> Avg. household income: $143,456 (Tennessee: $76,937)
> District graduation rate: 95%
> Annual per pupil spending: $9,961 (Tennessee: $9,941)
> Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 (Tennessee: 16:1)
> District location: Shelby County
> Total operational school districts in Tennessee: 147
Texas: Friendswood Independent School District
> Avg. household income: $167,090 (Texas: $89,506)
> District graduation rate: 97%
> Annual per pupil spending: $8,972 (Texas: $9,868)
> Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 (Texas: 15:1)
> District location: Galveston County
> Total operational school districts in Texas: 1,226
Utah: Canyons District
> Avg. household income: $114,020 (Utah: $94,452)
> District graduation rate: 86%
> Annual per pupil spending: $8,161 (Utah: $7,950)
> Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 (Utah: 23:1)
> District location: Salt Lake County
> Total operational school districts in Utah: 161
[in-text-ad-2]
Vermont: Norwich School District
> Avg. household income: $155,346 (Vermont: $83,767)
> District graduation rate: N/A
> Annual per pupil spending: $22,730 (Vermont: $21,217)
> Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 (Vermont: 11:1)
> District location: Windsor County
> Total operational school districts in Vermont: 235
Virginia: Falls Church City Public Schools
> Avg. household income: $181,261 (Virginia: $106,023)
> District graduation rate: 98%
> Annual per pupil spending: $19,222 (Virginia: $12,642)
> Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 (Virginia: 15:1)
> District location: Falls Church city
> Total operational school districts in Virginia: 215
[in-text-ad]
Washington: Lake Washington School District
> Avg. household income: $170,160 (Washington: $103,669)
> District graduation rate: 93%
> Annual per pupil spending: $13,238 (Washington: $14,342)
> Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 (Washington: 18:1)
> District location: King County
> Total operational school districts in Washington: 336
West Virginia: Jefferson County Schools
> Avg. household income: $96,911 (West Virginia: $65,332)
> District graduation rate: 90%
> Annual per pupil spending: $11,819 (West Virginia: $12,269)
> Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 (West Virginia: 14:1)
> District location: Jefferson County
> Total operational school districts in West Virginia: 57
Wisconsin: Maple Dale-Indian Hill School District
> Avg. household income: $240,795 (Wisconsin: $82,757)
> District graduation rate: N/A
> Annual per pupil spending: $16,563 (Wisconsin: $12,690)
> Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 (Wisconsin: 14:1)
> District location: Milwaukee County
> Total operational school districts in Wisconsin: 463
[in-text-ad-2]
Wyoming: Laramie County School District No. 2
> Avg. household income: $98,751 (Wyoming: $83,583)
> District graduation rate: 95%
> Annual per pupil spending: $17,849 (Wyoming: $16,228)
> Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 (Wyoming: 13:1)
> District location: Laramie County
> Total operational school districts in Wyoming: 62
Methodology
To identify the richest school districts in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed mean household income at the district level with five-year data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 American Community Survey. Only school districts with at least 100 students and data on household income were considered.
We also considered average annual per pupil spending and student-to-teacher ratios at the district and state level from the National Center for Education Statistics. Total operational school districts by state are also from NCES. All NCES data, including enrollment, is for the 2018-2019 academic year, the most recent with available district level expenditure data.
Supplemental data on average graduation rates are from Niche, a school and neighborhood data platform.
Louisiana was excluded from analysis due to a lack of income data at the school district level. Additionally, Hawaii only has one school district, and it ranks as both the richest and poorest by default.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
