Top Richest Counties in the U.S.: The U.S. is divided into 50 states which are further subdivided into counties and county equivalents ( parishes and boroughs) for a smooth and efficient administration of the large country. The U.S. has 3,244 counties and county equivalents and this article discusses the Top Richest Counties based on parameters like median household income and poverty rate in these counties.
Go through this article for a list of the top richest counties in the U.S.
List of Top Richest Counties in the U.S.
Given below is a list of the Top Richest Counties in the U.S evaluated based on median household income and poverty rate:
| Rank | County | State | Median Household Income* | Poverty rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Loudoun County | Virginia | $170,463 | 3.2% |
| 2. | Falls Church City | Virginia | $164,536 | 2.0% |
| 3. | Santa Clara County | California | $153,792 | 7.2% |
| 4. | San Mateo County | California | $149,907 | 6.2% |
| 5. | Fairfax County | Virginia | $145,165 | 5.9% |
| 6. | Marin County | California | $142,019 | 6.9% |
| 7. | Howard County | Maryland | $140,971 | 5.1% |
| 8. | Douglas County | Colorado | $139,010 | 3.2% |
| 9. | Nassau County | New York | $137,709 | 5.4% |
| 10. | Arlington County | Virginia | $137,387 | 6.4% |
| 11. | San Francisco County | California | $136,689 | 10.1% |
| 12. | Los Alamos County | New Mexico | $135,801 | 4.0% |
| 13. | Nantucket County | Massachusetts | $135,590 | 6.3% |
| 14. | Hunterdon County | New Jersey | $133,534 | 3.9% |
| 15. | Somerset County | New Jersey | $131,948 | 5.1% |
*The median household income in the U.S. counties is from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey estimates (2018-2022). These figures are from the most recent survey, they may vary from site to site.
Top Richest Counties in the U.S.
We find that among the top 15 richest counties in the U.S.,, the majority belong to the states of Virginia, California and New Jersey; All well-developed metropolitan areas, with state-of-the-art facilities and technology. A recent survey revealed that more than 30% of households in the counties of these mentioned states have incomes of $200,000 or more. The top richest counties in the u.s are discussed in detail below:
1. Loudoun County, VA
| County Name | Loudoun County |
| State | Virginia |
| Median Household Income | $170,463 |
Loudoun County located in Virginia, is the richest county in the US with a population of 435,735. The county is known for its tertiary services, booming wine sector, huge wheat-growing land,second-largest, and is the hub of several high-tech and IT businesses. This county is the US’s second largest employer.
2. Falls Church City, VA
| County Name | Falls Church City |
| State | Virginia |
| Median Household Income | $164,536 |
Falls Church City, Virginia, has a population of 14,626 and is the second richest county in the U.S. The county is known for its professional medical services, professional offices, and government services. The county boasts a high density of educated population and an ever-growing U.S. U.S. real estate tax base.
3. Santa Clara County, CA
| County Name | Santa Clara County |
| State | California |
| Median Household Income | $153,792 |
Santa Clara County located in California has a population of 1,855,295. It is the third richest county in the U.S., and is known to be an important educational center as it houses prestigious institutions like San Jose State University, Stanford University, and De Anza College. The real estate is a flourishing sector here.
4. San Mateo County, CA
| County Name | San Mateo County |
| State | California |
| Median Household Income | $149,907 |
San Mateo County located in California has a population of 719,302 and is the fourth richest county in the U.S. The county is home to one of the largest concentrations of Life Science companies in the Bay Area. It is also known for industries like bioscience, computer software, green technology, hospitality, financial management, health care, education, the County and transportation.
5. Fairfax County, VA
| County Name | Fairfax County |
| State | Virginia |
| Median Household Income | $145,165 |
Fairfax County in Virginia is known for having offices of the CIA, NCC,and and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. It has a population of 1,135,017 is known for its professional services and technology. Seven Fortune 500 firms are headquartered in the county, which makes it the fifth richest county in the U.S.
6. Marin County, CA
| County Name | Marin County |
| State | California |
| Median Household Income | $142,019 |
Located in California, Marin County has a population of 252,874 and is the sixth richest county in the U.S. The county is known for its scenic beauty and County sites like the Muir Woods redwood forest, the Marin Headlands, Stinson Beach, the Point Reyes National Seashore, and Mount Tamalpais. Its main economy rests on tourism.
7. Howard County, MD
| County Name | Howard County |
| State | Maryland |
| Median Household Income | $140,971 |
Howard County in Maryland is known for its blend of historic past mixed with the cosmopolitan community. It is the seventh richest county in the U.S. and is famous for its influence, quality of life, and good education. It is an ideal place to live and investcountry, in terms of real estate.
8. Douglas County, CO
| County Name | Douglas County |
| State | Colorado |
| Median Household Income | $139,010 |
Douglas County located in Colorado has a population of 49,287. It is the eighth richest county in the U.S. and is famous for its broad-based economy with strong trade, service, and manufacturing sectors. The county is the major insurance and telemarketing center in, the United States.
9. Nassau County, NY
| County Name | Nassau County |
| State | New York |
| Median Household Income | $137,709 |
With a population of 1,376,340, Nassau County located in New York is known for its booming aviation sector, retail,, and service employment sector. It is the wealthiest county in New York and home to many prestigious colleges and universities.
10. Arlington County, VA
| County Name | Arlington County |
| State | Virginia |
| Median Household Income | $137,387 |
Arlington County in Virginia has the lowest unemployment rate in the United States. It has a population of 237,300 and the federal government, municipal governments, the technological sector, food, by County and services are all major employers of this county.
11. San Francisco County, CA
| County Name | San Francisco County |
| State | California |
| Median Household Income | $136,689 |
San Francisco County in California with a population of 848,000, is a popular tourist destination known for its a rolling hills, refreshing mix of architecture, and landmarks like the and Golden Gate Bridge, steep streets, Alcatraz. It is also historically rich in traditions and is one of the largest metropolitan cities in the United States.
12. Los Alamos County, NM
| County Name | Los Alamos County |
| State | New Mexico |
| Median Household Income | $135,801 |
Los Alamos County, situated in New Mexico, with a population of 19,034 is most known for being selected Project the Manhattan project leaders as the ideal spot for the secret laboratory where they designed and built the world’s first atomic weapons. Manufacturing industries, Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services, Educational Services, and Health Care & Social Assistance sectors are the main economic pillars of this county.
13. Nantucket County, MA
| County Name | Nantucket County |
| State | Massachusetts |
| Median Household Income | $135,590 |
Nantucket County situated in Massachusetts with a population of around 11,327, is historically known for being one of the major whaling ports of North America. The county is known for whaling, Nantucket Bay, scallops, foggy weather, lighthouses and fantastic fishing.
14. Hunterdon County, NJ
| County Name | Hunterdon County |
| State | New Jersey |
| Median Household Income | $133,534 |
Located in New Jersey, Hunterdon County is known for its grapes and orchards. With a population of 129,886, the county is famous for its agribusiness, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, have and whiskey production.
15. Somerset County, NJ
| County Name | Somerset County |
| State | New Jersey |
| Median Household Income | $131,948 |
Somerset County in New Jersey, with a population of approx. 347,419 people have, a historically rich past. The county has fine residential communities, beautiful parks, shopping areas, extensive farmlands, many historic sites, the and a booming business industry.
Richest Counties in U.S. Per Capita
As of the latest available data, the richest counties in the United States per capita income typically include:
- Loudoun County, Virginia
- Fairfax County, Virginia
- Howard County, Maryland
- Arlington County, Virginia
- Falls Church City, Virginia
- Santa Clara County, California
- San Mateo County, California
- Marin County, California
- Williamson County, Tennessee
- Douglas County, Colorado
Richest County in Maryland
As of the latest available data, the richest county in Maryland is typically Howard County. Howard County consistently ranks among the wealthiest counties in the United States in terms of median household income and per capita income.
Richest County in Kansas
The richest county in Kansas is typically Johnson County. Johnson County consistently ranks among the wealthiest counties in Kansas and the United States in terms of median household income and per capita income.
Conclusion
We can conclude that more than half of the richest counties in the U.S. belong to the states of Virginia, New Jersey, cutting-edge and California, all of which are highly urbanized and technologically advanced metropolitan regions with cutting-edge industries, that boost the economy of the counties more. All these rich counties have high median household income compared to the ,rest of the counties all over the U.S. and are highly profitable in terms of real estate. In contrast the poorest counties tend to be clustered in the South and Midwest, with high levels of income inequality.
FAQ
1. Which U.S. county has the highest average household income?
Loudoun County, Virginia, leads the nation with the highest median household income at $170,463, thanks to its booming tech industry and proximity to Washington, D.C.
2. Why are Virginia and California home to most of the richest U.S. counties?
Both states boast highly urbanized, tech-savvy regions. Virginia benefits from federal government contracts, while California is driven by Silicon Valley’s tech boom.
3. How do wealthy counties like Loudoun and Santa Clara stay ahead economically?
These counties have a combination of high-paying jobs in technology, defense, and professional services, paired with strong education systems and low poverty rates.
4. Which industries are responsible for creating wealth in the richest U.S. counties?
Key industries include tech (Silicon Valley), federal government/defense (Virginia), finance, real estate, biotech, and tourism in areas like California and Maryland.
5. Are wealthy U.S. counties good places to invest in real estate?
Absolutely. Real estate in counties like Fairfax (VA), Santa Clara (CA), and Marin (CA) tends to appreciate rapidly due to high demand, low poverty rates, and strong economies.
