Peter MokoenaWealth in America is often concentrated in specific geographic areas, frequently suburbs of major metropolitan hubs. These counties boast high median incomes, driven by factors like proximity to high-paying jobs in tech, finance, and government, excellent school systems, and valuable real estate.
This list explores the country’s richest counties, offering a glimpse into the nation’s most affluent communities and the economic engines that power them.
Top 100 Richest Counties In America
1: Loudoun County, Virginia
A hub for data centers and tech companies, Loudoun boasts the highest median income nationally. Its proximity to Washington, D.C. and a highly educated workforce fuel its affluent economy and rapid growth.
2: Falls Church City, Virginia
An independent city often ranked as a county, it’s known for its exceptional public school system and convenient access to the job markets of Arlington and Washington, D.C., attracting high-income families.
3: Santa Clara County, California
The heart of Silicon Valley, home to tech giants like Apple, Google, and Intel. High salaries in the tech industry drive its immense wealth and extremely expensive cost of living.
4: San Mateo County, California
Another core Silicon Valley county, hosting Facebook’s headquarters and numerous venture capital firms. Its coastal location and thriving tech economy sustain its high median income.
5: Fairfax County, Virginia
A major D.C. suburb with a strong economy based on government contracting, professional services, and technology. It features wealthy neighborhoods and a highly educated population.
6: Howard County, Maryland
Positioned between Baltimore and D.C., it’s a center for biotechnology and cybersecurity. Renowned for its top-rated school system and planned communities like Columbia, attracting affluent residents.
7: Douglas County, Colorado
An affluent Denver suburb known for its strong job market, high-performing schools, and quality of life. It attracts professionals and families seeking space and mountain views.
8: Los Alamos County, New Mexico
Home to the Los Alamos National Laboratory, a major federal research facility. The concentration of highly educated scientists and engineers creates a uniquely high median income.
9: Arlington County, Virginia
An urban county directly across the Potomac from D.C. It hosts major federal agencies, defense contractors, and a thriving urban village atmosphere, drawing young, high-earning professionals.
10: Hunterdon County, New Jersey
A picturesque county known for its rural beauty, large estates, and affluent commuter population working in pharmaceuticals and finance in New York City and New Jersey.
11: Morris County, New Jersey
A wealthy suburban county with a strong corporate presence, including headquarters for several Fortune 500 companies. It offers a high quality of life with historic towns and good schools.
12: Calvert County, Maryland
A commuter county for Washington, D.C. and military installations. Its affluence is driven by a high concentration of federal employees and contractors, alongside a growing residential base.
13: Somerset County, New Jersey
A center for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, hosting corporate HQs for Johnson & Johnson and others. Features upscale neighborhoods and excellent school districts.
14: Nassau County, New York
A classic, affluent Long Island suburb of New York City. Its wealth is rooted in finance, professional services, and a long history of prosperous commuter families and established estates.
15: Williamson County, Tennessee
A rapidly growing Nashville suburb attracting corporate headquarters and healthcare companies. Known for its excellent schools and high standard of living, drawing affluent new residents.
16: Forsyth County, Georgia
An affluent and fast-growing exurb of Atlanta. It attracts high-income families with its top-rated school system, new housing developments, and strong local job market.
17: Stafford County, Virginia
A key commuter county for the D.C. metro area, with many residents working for the federal government or as contractors. Its growth is fueled by relative affordability and good schools.
18: Carroll County, Maryland
A rural-suburban mix that serves as a commuter hub for Baltimore and D.C. Its affluence is driven by a high percentage of professionals and federal employees.
19: Delaware County, Ohio
A wealthy suburb of Columbus, it is one of the fastest-growing counties in the U.S. Its prosperity is linked to education, insurance, and a diverse, strong local economy.
20: Suffolk County, New York
Encompassing the eastern half of Long Island, it features wealthy hamlets, vineyards, and second homes for New York City’s elite, alongside a strong local economy in healthcare and research.
21: Montgomery County, Maryland
A major D.C. suburb and biohealth hub, home to federal agencies like NIH and FDA. Its highly educated workforce and top-tier schools sustain its high median income and diversity.
22: Fairfax City, Virginia
An independent city within Fairfax County, it benefits from the region’s tech and government-driven economy. Offers a small-town feel with easy access to major employment centers.
23: Anne Arundel County, Maryland
Home to the state capital, Annapolis, and numerous military and cybersecurity installations. Its economy is bolstered by government, boating, and tourism, supporting an affluent population.
24: Putnam County, New York
A scenic Hudson Valley county popular with New York City commuters. It offers a rural lifestyle with proximity to the city, attracting high-income finance and business professionals.
25: Sonoma County, California
Famed for its wine country, tourism, and high-value agriculture. Its wealth is also driven by an influx of affluent remote workers and retirees from the Bay Area.
26: Dallas County, Iowa
A fast-growing Des Moines suburb. Its high median income is fueled by a strong insurance and financial services industry, drawing wealthy professionals to its communities.
27: Chester County, Pennsylvania
An affluent Philadelphia suburb known for its historic towns, strong economy in pharmaceuticals and manufacturing, and beautiful horse country estates, attracting a wealthy populace.
28: Columbia County, New York
A Hudson Valley county that has become a popular destination for second homes and remote workers from New York City, driving up its median income and real estate values.
29: Elbert County, Colorado
A rural Denver exurb that has seen an influx of wealth. Large-lot properties and a desire for space among high-earning professionals contribute to its high median income.
30: Nantucket County, Massachusetts
An island destination known for its extreme wealth and seasonal luxury homes. The high cost of living and real estate values skew its income data towards the very affluent.
31: Marin County, California
Just north of the Golden Gate Bridge, this county is renowned for its natural beauty, affluent suburbs, and high concentration of wealth. It attracts successful entrepreneurs, professionals, and those in finance seeking a high quality of life.
32: San Francisco County, California>
As a city and county, its immense wealth is driven by the tech industry, venture capital, and finance. A high cost of living and salaries for skilled professionals create a very high median income.
33: Rockland County, New York
A key suburb for New York City commuters, particularly those in law, finance, and business. It has a significant affluent population and well-established, prosperous neighborhoods.
34: Goochland County, Virginia
An affluent suburb of Richmond, Virginia. It has seen significant growth from high-income earners moving to the area for its large properties, quality of life, and top-rated school systems.
35: Ozaukee County, Wisconsin
An affluent suburb north of Milwaukee. It is known for its lakefront estates, highly rated schools, and wealthy residents who work in management, finance, and professional services.
36: James City County, Virginia
Part of the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News metro area, its economy is bolstered by tourism (Colonial Williamsburg) and a growing population of affluent retirees and professionals.
37: Bergen County, New Jersey
A major suburb of New York City with a diverse economy of its own. It is one of the nation’s largest centers for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, fueling its high income levels.
38: Monroe County, Illinois
A standout in the Midwest, this county benefits from its proximity to St. Louis, Missouri. Its high median income is driven by a combination of agriculture, commerce, and affluent commuters.
39: Collier County, Florida
Home to the wealthy city of Naples, it is a premier destination for retirees and second homes. Its economy is driven by real estate, tourism, and a significant concentration of wealth.
40: DuPage County, Illinois
A prosperous western suburb of Chicago. It has a strong corporate presence, including the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, and is a hub for research, technology, and professional services.
41: Carver County, Minnesota
A fast-growing suburb of the Twin Cities. Its high median income is fueled by a strong local economy in healthcare and technology, along with an influx of affluent families.
42: New York County, New York
More commonly known as the borough of Manhattan. It is the epicenter of American finance, culture, and real estate, with extreme wealth concentrated among professionals in these industries.
43: Kendall County, Illinois
One of the nation’s fastest-growing counties, it’s a far western exurb of Chicago. It attracts high-income families with its new housing, good schools, and access to city jobs.
44: Hamilton County, Indiana
An affluent northern suburb of Indianapolis. It is a hub for life sciences and technology companies, drawing well-educated, high-earning professionals to its communities.
45: Warren County, New Jersey
A scenic county known for its rural character and affluent commuter population working in pharmaceuticals and technology in New Jersey and New York City.
46: Sussex County, New Jersey
A northwestern New Jersey county popular with New York City commuters seeking more space. Its wealth is driven by finance, business, and professional services salaries.
47: Pope County, Minnesota
An outlier in the Midwest, its high median income is largely attributed to its small population and a few highly successful large farms and agribusinesses skewing the average.
48: Broomfield County, Colorado
A consolidated city and county between Denver and Boulder. Its wealth is driven by a strong presence of technology, aerospace, and telecommunications companies.
49: Norfolk County, Massachusetts
An affluent suburban county south of Boston. It is a major center for technology, healthcare, and finance, home to several mutual fund companies and corporate headquarters.
50: Albemarle County, Virginia
Home to the University of Virginia and the city of Charlottesville. Its economy is driven by education, healthcare, and technology, attracting a highly educated and affluent population.
51: Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
A historic and affluent northern suburb of Philadelphia. It features wealthy towns along the Main Line and has a strong economy in healthcare, education, and pharmaceuticals.
52: King County, Washington
Home to Seattle and tech giant Amazon, as well as Microsoft in nearby Redmond. The concentration of high-paying tech jobs drives the county’s very high median household income.
53: Morgan County, Utah
A mountainous county with a small population. Its high income is driven by its status as a second-home destination for Salt Lake City’s affluent residents and professionals.
54: Waukesha County, Wisconsin
A prosperous suburb of Milwaukee. It has a strong manufacturing base, particularly in precision instruments and engines, and is home to a well-educated, affluent population.
55: Scott County, Minnesota
A southern suburb of the Twin Cities. It has experienced rapid growth and rising incomes, driven by a strong job market in healthcare, finance, and retail corporate offices.
56: Napa County, California
World-famous for its wine industry. Its wealth is derived from high-value agriculture, tourism, and the influx of affluent owners and investors into the viticulture business.
57: Teton County, Wyoming
Home to Jackson Hole, a renowned destination for the ultra-wealthy. Its economy is based on tourism, real estate, and as a haven for affluent remote workers and retirees.
58: Union County, North Carolina
A fast-growing suburb of Charlotte. Its affluence is driven by a influx of high-income families and professionals working in finance, healthcare, and technology in the metro area.
59: Middlesex County, Massachusetts
A major economic engine, home to Harvard and MIT. Its wealth is driven by education, biotechnology, and technology sectors, creating a concentration of high-income professionals.
60: Placer County, California
An affluent suburban and exurban county stretching from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe. Its economy is diverse, with strength in technology, healthcare, and tourism, attracting wealthy residents.
61: Williamson County, Texas
An affluent suburb of Austin, it’s a major hub for technology companies. Its rapid growth is fueled by a thriving job market, excellent schools, and a high quality of life, attracting well-paid professionals.
62: Fort Bend County, Texas
One of the most diverse and fastest-growing counties in the U.S. Its affluence is driven by its proximity to Houston’s energy sector, with high concentrations of engineers, managers, and professionals.
63: Denton County, Texas
A northern suburb of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. It boasts a strong and diverse economy with major corporations, top-rated schools, and a rapidly growing population of high-income residents.
64: Collin County, Texas
A key part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, hosting numerous corporate headquarters. Its wealth is driven by jobs in technology, finance, and telecommunications, drawing affluent families to the area.
65: Dallas County, Iowa
A fast-growing suburb of Des Moines, its high median income is fueled by a strong insurance and financial services industry, drawing wealthy professionals to its communities and new developments.
66: Hamilton County, Ohio
Home to Cincinnati, its economy is a mix of manufacturing, healthcare, and consumer goods. A revitalized urban core and affluent suburbs contribute to its strong median income.
67: Oakland County, Michigan
An affluent suburban county north of Detroit. It has successfully diversified its economy from automotive to technology, healthcare, and professional services, attracting a high-income workforce.
68: Wake County, North Carolina
Home to the state capital, Raleigh, and part of the Research Triangle. Its economy is driven by technology, research, and education, creating a large population of high-earning professionals.
69: Orange County, California
A large and populous county known for its tourism, beaches, and affluent suburbs. Its diverse economy includes technology, biotechnology, and finance, supporting a high standard of living.
70: Hennepin County, Minnesota
Home to Minneapolis, it is the economic center of the Midwest. A diverse economy in finance, healthcare, and technology supports a high median income and a strong quality of life.
71: Bucks County, Pennsylvania
An affluent historic county northeast of Philadelphia. It features picturesque towns, a strong economy in healthcare and manufacturing, and a large population of commuters to New York City.
72: Monroe County, Pennsylvania
Part of the Pocono Mountains region, it has become a commuter county for New York City and New Jersey. Its growth is fueled by professionals seeking more space and affordability.
73: Johnson County, Kansas
A wealthy suburb of Kansas City, Missouri. It is a center for telecommunications and pharmaceutical companies, offering excellent schools and a high quality of life for its residents.
74: Summit County, Utah
Home to Park City and several world-class ski resorts. Its economy is driven by tourism, real estate, and an influx of affluent remote workers and second-home owners.
75: Washtenaw County, Michigan
Home to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Its economy is driven by education, research, healthcare, and technology, attracting a highly educated and affluent population.
76: Utah County, Utah
South of Salt Lake City, it’s known as “Silicon Slopes” for its booming tech industry. A young, growing population of high-earning professionals drives its rapidly rising median income.
77: Charles County, Maryland
A growing commuter county for Washington, D.C. Its affluence is driven by a high concentration of federal employees and contractors working in the nation’s capital.
78: St. Mary’s County, Maryland
Home to the Patuxent River Naval Air Station, a major employer for engineers and military personnel. This federal presence is the primary driver of the county’s high median income.
79: Calvert County, Maryland
A commuter county for Washington, D.C. and military installations. Its affluence is driven by a high concentration of federal employees and contractors, alongside a growing residential base.
80: Queen Anne’s County, Maryland
A rural yet affluent county on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. It serves as a commuter base for Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, and is known for its waterfront properties and high income.
81: Kitsap County, Washington
Across the Puget Sound from Seattle, its economy is tied to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. The high concentration of skilled federal employees and contractors boosts its median income.
82: Snohomish County, Washington
North of Seattle, it is a major aerospace hub due to Boeing’s presence. The industry provides high-paying manufacturing and engineering jobs, supporting a strong median household income.
83: Thurston County, Washington
Home to the state capital, Olympia. A significant portion of its workforce is employed by state government, contributing to a stable and above-average median income for the region.
84: Clackamas County, Oregon
A suburb of Portland, it features a mix of urban and rural areas. Its economy includes manufacturing, technology, and healthcare, supporting a comfortable and affluent population.
85: Washington County, Oregon
Part of the Portland metro area and home to numerous tech companies, notably Intel. This concentration of high-paying technology jobs drives the county’s significant wealth and growth.
86: Midland County, Texas
The heart of the Permian Basin oil field. Energy sector booms create extremely high wages for engineers, geologists, and oilfield workers, resulting in a volatile but very high median income.
87: Eau Claire County, Wisconsin
An economic and educational hub in western Wisconsin. A diverse economy in manufacturing, healthcare, and education supports a stable and rising median income for its residents.
88: Olmsted County, Minnesota
Home to the Mayo Clinic, a global leader in healthcare. The clinic is the dominant employer, providing a high concentration of well-paid medical professionals and researchers.
89: Travis County, Texas
Home to the state capital, Austin, and a booming technology sector. It attracts high-income professionals in tech, government, and entertainment, driving a rapid increase in median income.
90: Dane County, Wisconsin
Home to the state capital, Madison, and the University of Wisconsin. A strong economy in government, education, biotechnology, and healthcare supports a highly educated, affluent population.
91: Monroe County, Illinois
A standout in the Midwest, this county benefits from its proximity to St. Louis, Missouri. Its high median income is driven by a combination of agriculture, commerce, and affluent commuters.
92: Carver County, Minnesota
A fast-growing suburb of the Twin Cities. Its high median income is fueled by a strong local economy in healthcare and technology, along with an influx of affluent families.
93: Delaware County, Ohio
A wealthy suburb of Columbus, it is one of the fastest-growing counties in the U.S. Its prosperity is linked to education, insurance, and a diverse, strong local economy.
94: Hamilton County, Indiana
An affluent northern suburb of Indianapolis. It is a hub for life sciences and technology companies, drawing well-educated, high-earning professionals to its communities.
95: Forsyth County, Georgia
An affluent and fast-growing exurb of Atlanta. It attracts high-income families with its top-rated school system, new housing developments, and strong local job market.
96: Stafford County, Virginia
A key commuter county for the D.C. metro area, with many residents working for the federal government or as contractors. Its growth is fueled by relative affordability and good schools.
97: Howard County, Maryland
Positioned between Baltimore and D.C., it’s a center for biotechnology and cybersecurity. Renowned for its top-rated school system and planned communities like Columbia, attracting affluent residents.
98: San Mateo County, California
Another core Silicon Valley county, hosting Facebook’s headquarters and numerous venture capital firms. Its coastal location and thriving tech economy sustain its high median income.
99: Falls Church City, Virginia
An independent city often ranked as a county, it’s known for its exceptional public school system and convenient access to the job markets of Arlington and Washington, D.C.
100: Loudoun County, Virginia
A hub for data centers and tech companies, Loudoun boasts the highest median income nationally. Its proximity to Washington, D.C. and a highly educated workforce fuel its affluent economy.
Closing
This list reveals clear patterns: wealth clusters around major capital cities like Washington, D.C., tech epicenters like Silicon Valley, and financial hubs like New York. High median incomes are sustained by specialized job markets, excellent public services, and valuable property. While these counties represent pockets of significant affluence, they also highlight the geographic economic disparities that characterize the modern American landscape.