Special Report
The Richest County in Each State
January 29, 2015 6:58 am
Last Updated: December 4, 2019 7:14 am
36. Canadian County, Oklahoma
> County median household income: $63,629
> State median household income: $45,339
> Pct. households in county making $200,000 or more: 3.3%
> 2013 county unemployment rate: 4.6%
Canadian County households had a median annual income of $63,629 over the five years through 2013, the highest in the state, but not especially high compared with the rest of the nation. Just 3.3% of households earned at least $200,000 over that period, the second lowest rate among the states’ wealthiest counties. The county also had one of the nation’s lowest poverty rates at 7% on average over the five years through 2013. The comparable national figure was more than double that.
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37. Clackamas County, Oregon
> County median household income: $64,352
> State median household income: $50,229
> Pct. households in county making $200,000 or more: 5.4%
> 2013 county unemployment rate: 6.8%
A typical household in Clackamas County earned $64,352 annually over the five years through 2013. Residents were not particularly wealthy compared to the wealthiest counties of other states, although they had the highest incomes statewide. As with other wealthy areas, Clackamas is located near a large city. County residents likely commuted to nearby Portland, where the higher concentrations of businesses likely offered more job opportunities.
38. Chester County, Pennsylvania
> County median household income: $86,050
> State median household income: $52,548
> Pct. households in county making $200,000 or more: 13.0%
> 2013 county unemployment rate: 5.8%
Pennsylvania had a median annual household income of $52,548 over the five years through 2013, less than the comparable national figure. The household median income in Chester County, however, was not just the highest in Pennsylvania but also among the highest in the nation. The median annual income of more than $86,050 was well more than double the typical income in the state’s poorest county. Many residents likely earned higher incomes due to the county’s proximity to nearby Philadelphia, where more employment opportunities were available to people within commuting distance.
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39. Washington County, Rhode Island
> County median household income: $72,138
> State median household income: $56,361
> Pct. households in county making $200,000 or more: 7.4%
> 2013 county unemployment rate: 8.1%
With a 2013 unemployment rate of more than 8%, Washington County was one of only three wealthy areas reviewed where the job market was worse than the overall national job market. Residents, however, were still quite wealthy as well as among the most likely to have health insurance. Less than 7% did not have health coverage over the five years through 2013, less than half the comparable national figure.
40. Beaufort County, South Carolina
> County median household income: $57,316
> State median household income: $44,779
> Pct. households in county making $200,000 or more: 6.3%
> 2013 county unemployment rate: 6.8%
With a median annual income of $57,316 over the five years through 2013, Beaufort households were some of the poorest among the states’ wealthiest counties. The area’s poverty and unemployment rates were still slightly better than the comparable national figures. However, residents had relatively poor health coverage. More than 17% did not have health insurance over the five years through 2013, higher than the national figure.
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