According to the latest American Community Survey estimates from the US Census Bureau, Americans’ wages have increased marginally in recent years, but wealth remains unequally distributed.
Furthermore, the wealthiest counties all have one thing in common: tiny populations, making it possible to assess the residents’ lifestyles and yearly costs. If you’re looking for the wealthiest or in other word, the richest counties in the US, check out the list below.
1. Loudoun County, VA – $156,821
Loudoun is the richest county in the US with a population of 429,570. This County is located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The county seat of Loudoun is Leesburg, which also houses the majority of the county’s administrative offices. With an estimated median household income of 142,299 dollars, Loudoun County is the first richest county in the United States.
The county’s economy is based entirely on services, and it is home to several high-tech and Internet-related businesses.
Loudoun County’s economy has also benefited from Washington Dulles International Airport, the burgeoning wine sector, and huge wheat-growing land. The county is the country’s second-largest employer.
2. Falls Church City, VA – $155,071
Falls Church City, Virginia, has a population of 14,917 people and is growing at a pace of 1.02%. The median household income in this area is USD 127,610. The city’s economy is broad, with professional medical services, professional offices, and government services serving as the cornerstones.
Over the previous decade, the entire real estate tax base has increased by nearly 50%. The single-family residential property continues to account for the majority of assessed value (about 70%).
Multifamily properties surged in value by more than 100 per cent from $148 million to $360 million between 2009 and 2019.
A graduate or professional degree is held by over 45% of City citizens. This is approximately four times the national proportion of adults with a graduate or professional degree, which stands at 12%.
3. Santa Clara County, CA – $140,258
Santa Clara County, California had a population of 1.94 million people in 2019, with a median age of 37.2 and a household income of $126,606. Between 2019 and 2020, the population of Santa Clara County, CA decreased by 0.0301 per cent, from 1.94 million to 1.94 million, while the median household income increased by 6.36 per cent, from $119,035 to $126,606.
San Jose State University (9,770 degrees conferred in 2019), Stanford University (5,325 degrees), and De Anza College are the major universities in Santa Clara County, CA (2,947 degrees). 52% of the population have completed Bachelors degrees or higher.
The typical house value in Santa Clara County, CA was $1.11 million in 2018, with a homeownership rate of 55.6 per cent. The average commute time in Santa Clara County, CA was 28.1 minutes, and the majority of people travelled alone to work. In Santa Clara County, CA, the average household had two automobiles.
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4. San Mateo County, CA – $136,837
San Mateo County, California has 770,425 residents in 2019, with a median age of 39.9 and a median family income of $124,425. San Mateo County’s population fell from 771,410 to 769,545, a -0.242 per cent loss, but its median household income increased from $116,653 to $124,425, a 6.66 per cent gain.
A total of 51% of the population has earned a bachelor’s degree or above. College of San Mateo (1,855 degrees conferred in 2019), Skyline College (1,347 degrees), and Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is the major universities in San Mateo County, CA (1,095 degrees).
San Mateo County, CA had a median property value of $1.21 million in 2018 and a homeownership rate of 60.5 per cent. The average commute time in San Mateo County, CA was 28.1 minutes, and the majority of people travelled alone to work. San Mateo County, California had an average of two automobiles per household.
5. Fairfax County, VA – $133,974
With a population of 1.2 million inhabitants, Fairfax County is also part of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The CIA, NGIA, NRO, NCC, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence all have offices in Fairfax, the county seat.
Fairfax County is the richest county in the United States, with a median household income of $124,831. With the majority of government personnel, the county’s economy is based on professional services and technology.
The Volkswagen Group of America, SAIC, Northrop Grumman, Capital One, and SRA International are among the major employers in Fairfax County. Seven Fortune 500 firms are headquartered in the county. The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority also helps the economy.
6. Los Alamos County, NM – $131,008
In 2019, the population of Los Alamos County, New Mexico was 18.4 thousand, with a median age of 42.5 and a typical household income of $121,324. Los Alamos County, New Mexico’s population increased by 1.8 per cent, from 18,031 to 18,356, and its median household income increased by 4.59 per cent, from $110,190 to $115,248, between 2018 and 2019.
A total of 67.4% of the population has earned a bachelor’s degree or above. The University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus is the county’s biggest university (117 degrees awarded in 2019).
In 2019, the median property value in Los Alamos County was $292,200, with a 74.2 per cent homeownership rate. The majority of persons in this county commuted alone to work, with an average commute duration of 15.8 minutes. In Los Alamos County, New Mexico, the average household had two automobiles.
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7. Howard County, MD – $129,549
With a population of 300,000 people, Howard County is located in the central section of the United States, in Maryland. With a typical family income of $121,160, it is one of the wealthiest counties in the United States, known for its influence, quality of life, and good education. The media and the employment market in Washington, DC aided development in the county.
8. Arlington County, VA – $128,145
Arlington County is the eighth wealthiest county in the United States. It is in the Commonwealth of Virginia, which has the lowest unemployment rate in the United States. With an estimated 200,000 employment, the County has a median household income of $120,071.
The federal government, municipal governments, the technological sector, food and services are all major employers. Arlington was named one of the safest communities to weather the recession by Business Week in 2008.
9. Douglas County, CO – $127,433
Douglas County situated in Colorado has 351,154 residents, with a median age of 38.7 and a median family income of $119,730. The country has 58.0% of the population with bachelors and higher degrees. The latest per capita income is $53.313 and the poverty percentage is 2.7% which is lower than before.
10. Fairfax City, VA – $126,979
The number tenth richest county, Fairfax City, Virginia had a population of 24,019 people in 2019, with a 6.5 per cent growth rate and a median family income of $116,979.
60.8 per cent of the population has a bachelor’s degree or above. The current per capita income is $50,029, while the poverty rate is 7.1 per cent, up from 6.7 per cent earlier.
11. Nassau County, NY – $126,576
Nassau County is holding the title of 11th richest county in the US. The population of Nassau County, New York, is 1,356,924, with a median age of 41.7 and a typical household income of $116,100.
Bachelor’s and above degrees are held by 46% of the population. The current per capita income is $51,422, and the poverty rate is 5.6 per cent, which is higher than it was previously.
12. Morris County, NJ – $123,727
The twelfth richest county in the US is Morris County with a median household income of $115,527. The estimated population is 491,845 with a growth rate of -0.1%. The population growth is declining.
More than 54.1% of the population have a bachelor’s degree or higher education. The per capita income has risen significantly than before. It is now $58,109. However, the poverty rate has also increased to 5.3%.
13. Hunterdon County, NJ – $123,373
Hunterdon County has a population of 125,488124,371 people and is situated in the state of New Jersey in the United States. The county is notable for having the lowest child poverty rate in the United States.
Hunterdon County’s average household income is $112,535 per year, with agriculture accounting for a major portion of that. In addition, the county is a popular fishing and hunting destination in New Jersey. For most households, hunting and management areas provide a source of income.
14. Marin County, CA – $122,346
The number 15th richest county in our list is Marin County of California. The median household income is $115,346 with a population of 252,430 and a 2.5% growth rate. A bachelor’s degree or higher education is held by more than 59.5 per cent of the population.
Also, only 4.8% of people under 65 years has health insurance. The poverty rate is increasing and now it is 6.9% however per capita income has increased to $72,466.
15. Somerset County, NJ – $121,695
The last richest county on our list is Somerset County. The median household income is 113,611 dollars with a population of 323,479 people.
The growth rate is decreasing to 1.7%. It can be tough to beat metropolitan regions with high-performing economies in terms of health and wellbeing — they tend to have more accessible health care, greater academic accomplishment, and more walkable areas.
Somerset County ranked 34th in terms of urban counties with high-performing economies. 54.7% of the population has bachelors or higher degrees. Furthermore, 5.4% of people have health insurance under the age of 65. The poverty rate is 5.4% with a per capita income of $55,828.
According to census projections for 2015-2019, these are the 15 wealthiest counties or county-equivalents in terms of median household income.