With a $23.3 trillion economy – accounting for nearly a quarter of global economic output in 2021 – the United States is the wealthiest country in the world by a wide margin. But despite its economic strength, the U.S. is also home to some of the world’s highest levels of income inequality. According to the World Bank, the wealth gap between the rich and poor in the U.S. is more pronounced than in China, Russia, or any highly developed European country with available data.
The latest available figures from the U.S. Census Bureau show that more than 41 million Americans live below the poverty line, which for a single household, for example, means (in most of the country) they live on an annual income of $14,580 or less. Meanwhile, at the other end of the spectrum, nearly 12.5 million American households earn more than $200,000 a year, and over 23% of all income in the U.S. is controlled by the top 5% of households by earnings.
Not only concentrated in the hands of a relative few, wealth is also geographically concentrated in the United States. Across the country, there are communities defined, at least in part, by their affluence – wealthy enclaves where incomes far exceed that of the average American household.
Using five-year data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey, 24/7 Wall St. identified the richest town in every state. Towns – defined for the purposes of this story as any community with populations between 1,000 and 25,000 people – were ranked on average household income.
In every town on this list, the average household income exceeds the $97,196 national average by more than $21,000. In half of all states, the average household income in the wealthiest town exceeds the national average by hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Incomes tend to rise with education levels in the United States, and the vast majority of towns on this list have well-educated populations. Nationwide, 33.7% of adults 25 and older have at least a bachelor’s degree. In all but nine towns on this list, the bachelor’s degree attainment rate exceeds 50%. (This is where the 25 richest American billionaires went to college.)
Not surprisingly, the high incomes in these communities are reflected in property values. In the vast majority of towns on this list, the typical home is worth over half a million dollars. (These are the states with the worst housing shortages for low income Americans.)
Click here to see the richest town in every state.
Click here to see our detailed methodology.
Alabama: Mountain Brook
> Avg. household income: $249,818 (Alabama: $76,150)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 86.0% (Alabama: 26.7%)
> Median home value: $697,800 (Alabama: $157,100)
> Population: 22,184
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 298
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Alaska: Steele Creek
> Avg. household income: $151,203 (Alaska: $103,258)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 35.1% (Alaska: 30.6%)
> Median home value: $274,900 (Alaska: $282,800)
> Population: 7,399
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 70
Arizona: Paradise Valley
> Avg. household income: $359,522 (Arizona: $89,693)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 71.7% (Arizona: 31.2%)
> Median home value: $1,778,000 (Arizona: $265,600)
> Population: 12,666
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 169
Arkansas: Goshen
> Avg. household income: $192,359 (Arkansas: $73,346)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 69.4% (Arkansas: 24.3%)
> Median home value: $447,300 (Arkansas: $142,100)
> Population: 2,500
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 193
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California: Atherton
> Avg. household income: $539,944 (California: $119,149)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 84.6% (California: 35.3%)
> Median home value: $2,000,000+ (California: $573,200)
> Population: 7,181
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 758
Colorado: Cherry Hills Village
> Avg. household income: $464,068 (Colorado: $107,446)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 86.0% (Colorado: 42.8%)
> Median home value: $2,000,000+ (Colorado: $397,500)
> Population: 6,426
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 186
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Connecticut: Tokeneke
> Avg. household income: $611,239 (Connecticut: $120,670)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 96.2% (Connecticut: 40.6%)
> Median home value: $2,000,000+ (Connecticut: $286,700)
> Population: 2,656
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 133
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Delaware: Rehoboth Beach
> Avg. household income: $255,755 (Delaware: $97,081)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 67.9% (Delaware: 33.6%)
> Median home value: $1,186,900 (Delaware: $269,700)
> Population: 1,392
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 50
Florida: Palm Beach
> Avg. household income: $332,764 (Florida: $88,267)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 68.6% (Florida: 31.5%)
> Median home value: $1,523,100 (Florida: $248,700)
> Population: 9,175
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 605
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Georgia: Druid Hills
> Avg. household income: $209,785 (Georgia: $91,082)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 87.0% (Georgia: 33.0%)
> Median home value: $698,000 (Georgia: $206,700)
> Population: 8,611
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 336
Hawaii: Kaanapali
> Avg. household income: $223,037 (Hawaii: $113,310)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 49.1% (Hawaii: 34.3%)
> Median home value: $1,317,100 (Hawaii: $662,100)
> Population: 1,164
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 115
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Idaho: Hidden Spring
> Avg. household income: $180,783 (Idaho: $83,777)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 59.8% (Idaho: 29.1%)
> Median home value: $523,400 (Idaho: $266,500)
> Population: 3,382
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 88
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Illinois: Winnetka
> Avg. household income: $417,007 (Illinois: $100,719)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 90.4% (Illinois: 36.2%)
> Median home value: $1,123,700 (Illinois: $212,600)
> Population: 12,658
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 624
Indiana: Meridian Hills
> Avg. household income: $278,878 (Indiana: $81,703)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 79.4% (Indiana: 27.8%)
> Median home value: $554,900 (Indiana: $158,500)
> Population: 1,736
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 310
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Iowa: Kent Estates
> Avg. household income: $172,590 (Iowa: $84,948)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 59.5% (Iowa: 29.7%)
> Median home value: $314,700 (Iowa: $160,700)
> Population: 1,944
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 267
Kansas: Mission Hills
> Avg. household income: $444,346 (Kansas: $87,033)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 87.9% (Kansas: 34.4%)
> Median home value: $963,400 (Kansas: $164,800)
> Population: 3,579
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 189
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Kentucky: Anchorage
> Avg. household income: $305,118 (Kentucky: $76,511)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 78.7% (Kentucky: 25.7%)
> Median home value: $707,100 (Kentucky: $155,100)
> Population: 2,607
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 225
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Louisiana: Des Allemands
> Avg. household income: $139,761 (Louisiana: $77,025)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 9.0% (Louisiana: 25.5%)
> Median home value: $122,800 (Louisiana: $174,000)
> Population: 2,342
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 261
Maine: Falmouth Foreside
> Avg. household income: $204,669 (Maine: $83,914)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 83.6% (Maine: 33.6%)
> Median home value: $581,300 (Maine: $212,100)
> Population: 1,811
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 105
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Maryland: Chevy Chase Village
> Avg. household income: $489,515 (Maryland: $120,234)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 96.5% (Maryland: 41.6%)
> Median home value: $1,938,800 (Maryland: $338,500)
> Population: 1,858
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 275
Massachusetts: Dover
> Avg. household income: $432,571 (Massachusetts: $123,174)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 83.5% (Massachusetts: 45.2%)
> Median home value: $1,020,700 (Massachusetts: $424,700)
> Population: 2,413
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 159
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Michigan: Orchard Lake Village
> Avg. household income: $355,008 (Michigan: $85,727)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 66.1% (Michigan: 30.6%)
> Median home value: $727,100 (Michigan: $172,100)
> Population: 2,351
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 382
Minnesota: Orono
> Avg. household income: $306,372 (Minnesota: $102,691)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 68.4% (Minnesota: 37.6%)
> Median home value: $766,700 (Minnesota: $250,200)
> Population: 8,252
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 314
Mississippi: Pleasant Hill
> Avg. household income: $187,029 (Mississippi: $68,636)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 45.0% (Mississippi: 23.2%)
> Median home value: $269,500 (Mississippi: $133,000)
> Population: 1,374
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 185
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Missouri: Ladue
> Avg. household income: $384,815 (Missouri: $83,152)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 84.8% (Missouri: 30.7%)
> Median home value: $844,700 (Missouri: $171,800)
> Population: 8,949
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 347
Montana: Helena Valley Northeast
> Avg. household income: $142,825 (Montana: $82,237)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 45.5% (Montana: 33.7%)
> Median home value: $373,500 (Montana: $263,700)
> Population: 3,607
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 89
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Nebraska: Hickman
> Avg. household income: $119,081 (Nebraska: $87,815)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 43.2% (Nebraska: 32.9%)
> Median home value: $224,500 (Nebraska: $174,100)
> Population: 2,552
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 115
Nevada: Incline Village
> Avg. household income: $198,214 (Nevada: $89,562)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 59.7% (Nevada: 26.1%)
> Median home value: $1,042,700 (Nevada: $315,900)
> Population: 9,440
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 46
New Hampshire: Hanover
> Avg. household income: $184,742 (New Hampshire: $108,061)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 86.1% (New Hampshire: 38.2%)
> Median home value: $610,900 (New Hampshire: $288,700)
> Population: 8,813
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 60
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New Jersey: Short Hills
> Avg. household income: $428,352 (New Jersey: $124,626)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 88.2% (New Jersey: 41.5%)
> Median home value: $1,389,900 (New Jersey: $355,700)
> Population: 14,500
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 507
New Mexico: Las Campanas
> Avg. household income: $246,737 (New Mexico: $74,363)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 78.3% (New Mexico: 28.5%)
> Median home value: $1,075,900 (New Mexico: $184,800)
> Population: 1,280
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 144
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New York: Brookville
> Avg. household income: $617,173 (New York: $111,583)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 82.0% (New York: 38.1%)
> Median home value: $2,000,000+ (New York: $340,600)
> Population: 2,937
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 773
North Carolina: Biltmore Forest
> Avg. household income: $317,802 (North Carolina: $84,888)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 83.1% (North Carolina: 33.0%)
> Median home value: $1,074,500 (North Carolina: $197,500)
> Population: 1,670
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 413
North Dakota: Horace
> Avg. household income: $188,255 (North Dakota: $89,443)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 43.2% (North Dakota: 31.1%)
> Median home value: $378,700 (North Dakota: $209,900)
> Population: 3,141
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 50
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Ohio: Coldstream
> Avg. household income: $371,209 (Ohio: $83,820)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 83.6% (Ohio: 29.7%)
> Median home value: $623,000 (Ohio: $159,900)
> Population: 1,461
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 627
Oklahoma: Nichols Hills
> Avg. household income: $337,257 (Oklahoma: $78,040)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 80.6% (Oklahoma: 26.8%)
> Median home value: $740,200 (Oklahoma: $150,800)
> Population: 3,866
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 226
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Oregon: Dunthorpe
> Avg. household income: $428,601 (Oregon: $94,034)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 79.7% (Oregon: 35.0%)
> Median home value: $1,347,400 (Oregon: $362,200)
> Population: 1,762
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 202
Pennsylvania: Messiah College
> Avg. household income: $390,363 (Pennsylvania: $92,849)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 90.0% (Pennsylvania: 33.1%)
> Median home value: N/A (Pennsylvania: $197,300)
> Population: 2,095
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 955
Rhode Island: Charlestown
> Avg. household income: $134,740 (Rhode Island: $97,908)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 50.5% (Rhode Island: 35.3%)
> Median home value: $425,700 (Rhode Island: $292,600)
> Population: 1,482
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 20
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South Carolina: Kiawah Island
> Avg. household income: $366,392 (South Carolina: $81,142)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 87.4% (South Carolina: 29.8%)
> Median home value: $1,442,000 (South Carolina: $181,800)
> Population: 1,964
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 246
South Dakota: Dakota Dunes
> Avg. household income: $166,304 (South Dakota: $83,175)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 55.6% (South Dakota: 30.0%)
> Median home value: $376,900 (South Dakota: $187,800)
> Population: 3,688
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 77
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Tennessee: Belle Meade
> Avg. household income: $434,848 (Tennessee: $82,012)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 87.0% (Tennessee: 29.0%)
> Median home value: $1,662,100 (Tennessee: $193,700)
> Population: 3,016
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 278
Texas: Hunters Creek Village
> Avg. household income: $477,852 (Texas: $94,115)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 83.1% (Texas: 31.5%)
> Median home value: $1,846,200 (Texas: $202,600)
> Population: 4,397
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 905
Utah: East Basin
> Avg. household income: $281,879 (Utah: $101,412)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 64.9% (Utah: 35.4%)
> Median home value: $839,500 (Utah: $339,700)
> Population: 3,310
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 137
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Vermont: Woodstock
> Avg. household income: $127,822 (Vermont: $89,820)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 68.2% (Vermont: 40.9%)
> Median home value: $480,400 (Vermont: $240,600)
> Population: 1,111
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 48
Virginia: Great Falls
> Avg. household income: $353,259 (Virginia: $111,013)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 83.1% (Virginia: 40.3%)
> Median home value: $1,134,900 (Virginia: $295,500)
> Population: 14,690
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 333
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Washington: Yarrow Point
> Avg. household income: $410,703 (Washington: $111,431)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 86.7% (Washington: 37.3%)
> Median home value: $2,000,000+ (Washington: $397,600)
> Population: 1,365
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 345
_and_West_Virginia_State_Route_51_(Washington_Street)_in_Charles_Town,_Jefferson_County,_West_Virginia.jpg "2016-09-27 12 32 38 The Jefferson County Court House at the intersection of West Virginia State Route 115 (George Street) and West Virginia State Route 51 (Washington Street) in Charles Town, Jefferson County, West Virginia by Famartin")
West Virginia: Shenandoah Junction
> Avg. household income: $169,135 (West Virginia: $69,436)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 12.6% (West Virginia: 21.8%)
> Median home value: $162,400 (West Virginia: $128,800)
> Population: 1,256
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 149
Wisconsin: River Hills
> Avg. household income: $283,369 (Wisconsin: $87,733)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 76.6% (Wisconsin: 31.5%)
> Median home value: $637,900 (Wisconsin: $200,400)
> Population: 1,496
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 358
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Wyoming: Hoback
> Avg. household income: $195,161 (Wyoming: $87,786)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 39.6% (Wyoming: 28.5%)
> Median home value: $930,700 (Wyoming: $237,900)
> Population: 2,268
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 53
Methodology
To identify the richest town in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed five-year data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey. Towns – defined for the purposes of this story as any community with populations between 1,000 and 25,000 people – are ranked on average household income.
Supplementary data on the share of the 25 and older population with a bachelor’s degree or higher, median home value, and population are also five-year estimates from the ACS.
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