The United States is one of the world’s largest economies and has many wealthy counties. The wealth of a county is generally measured by its per capita income, which is the average income per person in a county. This article aims to provide an overview of the top 10 richest counties in the United States.
Methodology
The data used for this study was obtained from the United States Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. The ranking was based on the median household income of each county for the years 2019 and 2020. The counties were selected based on their population size, with a minimum of 100,000 residents.
Results
The top 10 richest counties in the United States are as follows:
- Loudoun County, Virginia
- Fairfax County, Virginia
- Howard County, Maryland
- Arlington County, Virginia
- Los Alamos County, New Mexico
- Douglas County, Colorado
- Hunterdon County, New Jersey
- Santa Clara County, California
- San Mateo County, California
- Somerset County, New Jersey
Discussion
Loudoun County, Virginia, is the wealthiest county in the United States, with a median household income of $142,299 in 2020. This is partly due to its proximity to Washington, D.C., and the presence of many technology and defense companies in the area.
The second- and third-richest counties are also located in Virginia and Maryland, respectively, and are similarly influenced by their proximity to Washington, D.C. Arlington County, Virginia, which ranks fourth, is also heavily influenced by the presence of federal government agencies.
Los Alamos County, New Mexico, ranks fifth, with a median household income of $123,917 in 2020. This county is home to the Los Alamos National Laboratory, which is one of the largest science and technology institutions in the world.
Douglas County, Colorado, ranks sixth, with a median household income of $119,285 in 2020. This county is home to many technology and telecommunications companies, as well as a thriving tourism industry.
Hunterdon County, New Jersey, ranks seventh, with a median household income of $116,224 in 2020. This county is known for its high quality of life, natural beauty, and strong agricultural industry.
Santa Clara County, California, ranks eighth, with a median household income of $115,299 in 2020. This county is home to Silicon Valley, which is one of the most important technology hubs in the world.
San Mateo County, California, ranks ninth, with a median household income of $114,959 in 2020. This county is also home to many technology companies, as well as a strong tourism industry.
Finally, Somerset County, New Jersey, ranks tenth, with a median household income of $112,063 in 2020. This county is known for its strong economy, highly educated population, and high quality of life.
Conclusion
The top 10 richest counties in the United States are characterized by their proximity to major economic centers, the presence of technology and defense companies, strong agricultural and tourism industries, and high quality of life. While there are some regional differences, these counties are all located in states that are known for their strong economies and high levels of education. Understanding the factors that contribute to the economic success of these counties can provide valuable insights for policymakers and businesses looking to promote economic growth and prosperity.
Read also
Citations
- United States Census Bureau. “American Community Survey.” Accessed May 6, 2023. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs.
- “Loudoun County, Virginia – QuickFacts.” United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 6, 2023. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/loudouncountyvirginia.
- “Fairfax County, Virginia – QuickFacts.” United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 6, 2023. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fairfaxcountyvirginia.
- “Howard County, Maryland – QuickFacts.” United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 6, 2023. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/howardcountymaryland.
- “Arlington County, Virginia – QuickFacts.” United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 6, 2023. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/arlingtoncountyvirginia.
- “Los Alamos County, New Mexico – QuickFacts.” United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 6, 2023. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/losalamoscountynewmexico.
- “Douglas County, Colorado – QuickFacts.” United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 6, 2023. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/douglascountycolorado.
- “Hunterdon County, New Jersey – QuickFacts.” United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 6, 2023. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/hunterdoncountynewjersey.
- “Santa Clara County, California – QuickFacts.” United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 6, 2023. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/santaclaracountycalifornia.
- “San Mateo County, California – QuickFacts.” United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 6, 2023. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/sanmateocountycalifornia.
- “Somerset County, New Jersey – QuickFacts.” United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 6, 2023. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/somersetcountynewjersey.
