Special Report

The Richest County in Every State

Samuel Stebbins

Published: January 25, 2018 5:32 pm

Last Updated: January 12, 2020 4:04 am

Americans are generally satisfied with many aspects of their jobs, but not their paycheck. Only about 41% of U.S. workers are completely content with their pay, according to a recent Gallup poll, compared to 71% who are satisfied with their coworkers and 65% who are satisfied with their job security. However, in some parts of the country, Americans are far more likely to be satisfied with their salary than in others.

Nationwide, the typical American household earns $55,322 a year, but incomes vary across the country and within states. In every state there is at least one county with a higher median income than the U.S. as a whole. Even in poor states, like West Virginia and Mississippi, there are some relatively high-income areas. In wealthier states, like Virginia and Maryland, the median household income in the wealthiest county is more than double the median household income nationwide.

24/7 Wall St. reviewed median household incomes in every U.S. county to identify the wealthiest county in each state. While the counties on this list span all 50 states, most of them share a number of social, economic, and geographic characteristics in addition to high incomes.

Click here to see the wealthiest county in every state.
Click here to see our detailed findings and methodology.

Source: Rivers Langley; SaveRivers / Wikimedia Commons

1. Shelby County, Alabama
> County median household income: $72,310
> State median household income: $44,758
> Poverty rate: 8.5%
> Nov. unemployment: 2.6%

With a median annual household income of $44,758, Alabama is one of the poorest states in the country. In some parts of the state, however, residents are relatively well off financially. In Shelby County, located just southeast of Birmingham, the typical household earns $72,310 a year, or about $17,000 more than the typical American household.

Better-educated populations are more likely to secure high paying jobs, and the educational attainment rate in Shelby County is the highest in the state. Some 41.4% of adults in the area have a bachelor’s degree or higher, well above the 24.0% of adults across the state and the 30.3% of American adults with similar education.

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Source: emperorcosar / Shutterstock.com

2. Juneau, Alaska
> County median household income: $87,436
> State median household income: $74,444
> Poverty rate: 7.4%
> Nov. unemployment: 4.9%

The typical household in Alaska earns $74,444 a year, far more than the median household income nationwide of $55,322. Incomes in the borough that includes the state’s capital city are even higher. The typical household in Juneau earns $87,436 a year.

Property values are typically higher in higher income areas, and the Borough of Juneau is no exception. The typical area home is worth $329,500, well above the median home value statewide of $257,100.

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3. Maricopa County, Arizona
> County median household income: $55,676
> State median household income: $51,340
> Poverty rate: 16.5%
> Nov. unemployment: 3.7%

Home to the city of Phoenix, Maricopa is the largest and most densely populated county in Arizona. It is also the wealthiest. The typical area household earns $55,676 a year, about $4,000 more than the typical Arizona household.

In the vast majority of states, there is at least one county that is far wealthier than the nation as a whole. Arizona is a notable exception. The median household income in Maricopa is roughly in line with the median annual household income nationwide of $55,322.

Source: Brandonrush / Wikimedia Commons

4. Benton County, Arkansas
> County median household income: $59,016
> State median household income: $42,336
> Poverty rate: 11.4%
> Nov. unemployment: 2.7%

With a median annual household income of only $42,336, Arkansas is one of the poorest states in the country. Even Benton, the state’s highest earning county, is not much wealthier than the nation as a whole. The typical county household earns $59,016 a year, only about $3,700 more than the typical American household.

For both individuals and populations, incomes often track closely with educational attainment. In Benton County, 30.7% of adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher, roughly in line with the 30.3% of American adults and well above the 21.5% of adults across Arkansas as a whole with similar educational attainment.

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Source: SpVVK / iStock

5. Santa Clara County, California
> County median household income: $101,173
> State median household income: $63,783
> Poverty rate: 9.3%
> Nov. unemployment: 2.6%

One of only 16 U.S. counties with a six-figure median household income, Santa Clara is the highest earning county in California and one of the highest earning in the United States. The county covers much of Silicon Valley, a tech hub at the southern end of the San Francisco Bay Area.

The area’s high incomes are attributable to the presence of some of the most recognizable and innovative companies in the world. Some of the region’s largest employers include Adobe Systems, Apple, Intel, Lockheed Martin, and NASA. The concentration of major companies also largely explains the county’s low jobless rate. Only 2.6% of workers in Santa Clara County are out of a job, well below California’s 4.0% unemployment rate.

Source: RandyStephensPhotography / iStock

6. Douglas County, Colorado
> County median household income: $105,759
> State median household income: $62,520
> Poverty rate: 3.8%
> Nov. unemployment: 2.5%

Douglas County is situated just south of Denver. With easy access to high paying jobs in the state’s capital and largest city, Douglas is wealthiest county in the state. The typical county household earns $105,759 a year, well above the median household income of $62,520 across Colorado.

I addition to having the state’s highest median income, the county also has the lowest poverty rate. Only 3.8% of of the county’s 314,000 residents live below the poverty line, less than a third of the state’s 12.2% poverty rate.

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Source: stockphoto52 / iStock

7. Fairfield County, Connecticut
> County median household income: $86,670
> State median household income: $71,755
> Poverty rate: 8.8%
> Nov. unemployment: 4.1%

Fairfield is the wealthiest county in one of the wealthiest states. The typical Fairfield household earns $86,670 a year, compared the statewide median of $71,755 and the nationwide median of $55,322. As is the case in the vast majority of counties on this list, Fairfield residents have access to high paying jobs in a major city, with many workers commuting to jobs in New York City.

The county’s high incomes are reflected in the area’s property values. The typical Fairfield house is worth $413,400, far more than in any other county in the state and more than double the $184,700 median home value nationwide.

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Source: JERRYE and ROY KLOTZ MD / Wikimedia Commons

8. New Castle County, Delaware
> County median household income: $66,283
> State median household income: $61,017
> Poverty rate: 11.4%
> Nov. unemployment: 4.0%

The typical household in New Castle, the northernmost county in Delaware, earns $66,283 a year — about $5,000 more than the median income across the state and over $10,000 more than the median incomes in Kent and Sussex, the only other two counties in the state. Wealthy counties are often more densely populated than those with lower incomes, and New Castle is no exception. There are 1,263 people per square mile in the county, compared fewer than 280 people per square mile in the state’s other two counties.

Incomes tend to increase with educational attainment, and 35.4% of adults in New Castle County have a bachelor’s degree or higher, well above the comparable rates of 23.9% in Sussex County and 23.1% in Kent County.

Source: Thinkstock

9. St. Johns County, Florida
> County median household income: $69,523
> State median household income: $48,900
> Poverty rate: 9.0%
> Nov. unemployment: 3.0%

The typical household in St. Johns County earns $69,523 a year, more than every other county in the state and about $20,600 more than the typical household in Florida. As is the case in the vast majority of counties on this list, joblessness is relatively uncommon in Florida’s wealthiest county. Only 3.0% of workers in the county are out of a job, compared to the state’s 3.8% and nationwide 4.1% unemployment rates.

The area’s high incomes and a healthy job market are attributable to the presence of several major employers. The Flagler Hospital and a manufacturing plant of defense contractor Northrop Grumman account for some 3,000 jobs in the region.

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Source: Thomson200 / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

10. Forsyth County, Georgia
> County median household income: $91,842
> State median household income: $51,037
> Poverty rate: 6.4%
> Nov. unemployment: 3.5%

Although Georgia is not a particularly wealthy state, with a median household income below the nationwide median, the typical household in Forsyth County, the state’s richest, earns over $90,000 a year. Located northeast of Atlanta, but still within commuting distance, county residents have access to jobs and cultural amenities in one of the largest cities in the country. Jobs in Atlanta likely help keep Forsyth’s unemployment rate low. While Georgia’s 4.3% unemployment rate is above the 4.1% U.S. rate, the jobless rate in Forsyth County is only 3.5%.

Source: sorincolac / iStock

11. Honolulu County, Hawaii
> County median household income: $77,161
> State median household income: $71,977
> Poverty rate: 9.5%
> Nov. unemployment: 1.9%

Honolulu County comprises the entire island of Oahu — home to the state’s capital city of Honolulu. The typical household on the island earns $77,161 a year, far and away the highest median household income of any of the state’s five counties.

High-income areas often have a strong job market and an educated workforce — and Honolulu County is no exception. The county’s 1.9% unemployment rate is the lowest in the state. Additionally, some 33.4% of adults on the island have a bachelor’s degree or higher, by far the largest share of any county in Hawaii.

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Source: Teacherdad48 / iStock

12. Teton County, Idaho
> County median household income: $58,173
> State median household income: $49,174
> Poverty rate: 12.3%
> Nov. unemployment: 3.8%

Located in eastern Idaho along the Wyoming state border, Teton County is relatively rural and sparsely populated. The typical household in Teton earns $58,173 a year, more than any other county in the state.

Unlike most counties on this list, joblessness is a bigger problem in Teton than across its home state. Some 3.8% of Teton’s labor force is out of a job, compared to Idaho’s 3.1% unemployment rate. Within the county, the government and leisure and hospitality industries account for over a third of all jobs. However, many working adults in Teton commute to higher-paying jobs in Wyoming.

Source: Jauerback / Wikimedia Commons

13. Kendall County, Illinois
> County median household income: $85,736
> State median household income: $59,196
> Poverty rate: 5.4%
> Nov. unemployment: 4.2%

The typical household in Kendall County earns $85,736 a year — at least $4,000 and as much as $56,000 more than other counties in the state. Higher income individuals are more likely to own a home, and Kendall County’s 81.9% homeownership rate is among the highest of any county in Illinois.

Located in northeast Illinois, within commuting distance of Chicago, county residents have access to jobs in the largest city in the Midwest. Partially as a result, only 4.2% of workers in the county are out of a job, compared to the statewide 4.7% unemployment rate.

Source: Derek Jensen / Wikimedia Commons

14. Hamilton County, Indiana
> County median household income: $87,782
> State median household income: $50,433
> Poverty rate: 5.1%
> Nov. unemployment: 2.7%

Far wealthier than the rest of the state, the typical household in Hamilton County earns $87,782 a year, or about $15,000 more than the typical household in Hendricks County, the next highest earning county in Indiana. Situated just north of the Interstate 465 beltway around Indianapolis, county residents have access to jobs in the state’s capital and largest city.

Like most counties on this list, Hamilton’s population is well educated. Some 56.3% of area adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher, more than double the 24.6% share across the state as a whole.

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Source: Stephen Matthew Milligan / Wikimedia Commons

15. Dallas County, Iowa
> County median household income: $78,918
> State median household income: $54,570
> Poverty rate: 5.7%
> Nov. unemployment: 1.8%

Located just west of the state capital of Des Moines, Dallas County is the wealthiest in Iowa. The typical area household earns $78,918 a year, or about $24,000 more than the typical Iowa household.

In addition to employment opportunities inherent in any capital city, Dallas County is also something of a financial hub. The county’s largest employers include Wells Fargo, Athene, and Farm Bureau Insurance — which together provide over 6,000 jobs in the area. Partially as a result, the county’s 1.8% unemployment rate is well below the 4.1% nationwide and 2.5% statewide unemployment rates.

Source: Stephen Edmonds / Flickr

16. Johnson County, Kansas
> County median household income: $78,186
> State median household income: $53,571
> Poverty rate: 6.0%
> Nov. unemployment: 2.8%

Johnson is the only county in Kansas where over half of all adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Areas with higher educational attainment typically report higher incomes, and Johnson County is no exception. The typical household in the county earns $78,186 a year, about $25,000 more than the typical household across Kansas.

The area’s high incomes are reflected in the county’s property values. The typical home in Johnson County is worth $222,400. In comparison, the typical Kansas house is worth only $135,300.

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17. Oldham County, Kentucky
> County median household income: $86,324
> State median household income: $44,811
> Poverty rate: 6.0%
> Nov. unemployment: 3.0%

With a median household income nearly $11,000 less than the nationwide median annual income of $55,322, Kentucky is one of the poorest states in the country. However, not all parts of the state are low income. In Oldham County, located just northeast of Louisville along the Ohio River, the typical household earns $86,324 a year, nearly double the median household income across the state of $44,811.

Higher-income Americans are more likely to own their home than those with lower incomes, and Oldham’s 84.7% homeownership rate is also the highest of any county in the state.

Source: Prayitno / Flickr

18. Ascension Parish, Louisiana
> County median household income: $71,752
> State median household income: $45,652
> Poverty rate: 11.5%
> Nov. unemployment: 3.5%

Louisiana is a relatively poor state, and Ascension is the only parish in the state with a median household income above $70,000 a year. The relatively high median income is partially attributable to a healthy economy — at least as measured by unemployment. Only 3.5% of workers in the parish are out of a job, compared to 4.2% of workers across Louisiana.

The area’s incomes and job market are bolstered by a strong chemical manufacturing sector in the town of Geismar. BASF Corporation, Shell Chemical, and Huntsman Chemicals have plants in the town and combined, employ over 2,000 people.

Source: Rapidfire / Wikimedia Commons

19. Cumberland County, Maine
> County median household income: $61,902
> State median household income: $50,826
> Poverty rate: 11.1%
> Nov. unemployment: 2.4%

Cumberland County, the wealthiest in Maine, is located along the Atlantic coast in the south of the state. Due in part to high-paying jobs in Portland, the largest city in the state, the typical household in the county earns $61,902 a year, or about $11,000 more than the median household income across Maine as a whole.

The area’s high incomes are reflected in the property values. With a median home value of $251,300, Cumberland is the only county in Maine where most homes are worth over a quarter of a million dollars. In comparison, the typical home in the state is worth $176,000.

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Source: Thinkstock

20. Howard County, Maryland
> County median household income: $113,800
> State median household income: $76,067
> Poverty rate: 4.9%
> Nov. unemployment: 3.1%

With an annual median household income of $76,067, Maryland is the wealthiest state in the country. Located between Baltimore and Washington D.C., Howard is the wealthiest county in the state and one of the wealthiest in the country. The typical household in the county earns $113,800 a year, more than double the median income of $55,322 across the U.S. as a whole.

The area’s wealth is further highlighted by the small share of residents facing serious financial hardship. Only 4.9% of Howard County’s population lives below the poverty line, less than a third of the U.S. poverty rate of 15.1% and less than half the poverty rate across Maryland of 9.9%.

Source: cmh2315fl / Flickr

21. Norfolk County, Massachusetts
> County median household income: $90,226
> State median household income: $70,954
> Poverty rate: 6.7%
> Nov. unemployment: 3.0%

Primarily located south of Boston, stretching from Quincy Bay inland to the Rhode Island state border, Norfolk is the wealthiest county in Massachusetts. The typical area household earns $90,226 a year — nearly $20,000 more than the median income across the state as a whole.

Norfolk County’s economy is supported in large part by the health care industry. Medical Information Tech. Inc., Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare, and Norwood Hospital are among the area’s largest employers, accounting for thousands of jobs.

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Source: Dwight Burdette / Wikimedia Commons

22. Livingston County, Michigan
> County median household income: $76,764
> State median household income: $50,803
> Poverty rate: 5.9%
> Nov. unemployment: 2.8%

Livingston County is located in between Detroit and Lansing and just north of Ann Arbor. With access to jobs in major urban centers, the county has both the lowest unemployment rate and highest median household income of any county in Michigan.

Only 2.8% of the labor force in the area is unemployed, compared to a 4.0% statewide unemployment rate. Not only are there enough jobs for area residents, but also many of them are high paying. The typical Livingston County household earns $76,764 a year, or about $26,000 more than the typical Michigan household.

Source: AlexiusHoratius / Wikimedia Commons

23. Scott County, Minnesota
> County median household income: $90,198
> State median household income: $63,217
> Poverty rate: 5.7%
> Nov. unemployment: 2.1%

Located in the Southwest quadrant of the Twin Cities metropolitan region, Scott County benefits from access to interstate highways, railways, and the job market of a major urban area. It is the only county in the state where the typical household earns over $90,000 a year. In comparison, the typical household in Minnesota earns $63,217 a year.

Not only do many area residents enjoy high incomes, but also relatively few live in poverty. Only 5.7% of Scott County residents live below the poverty line, compared to 10.8% of residents statewide and 15.1% nationwide.

Source: Bill Herndon / Flickr

24. Madison County, Mississippi
> County median household income: $65,924
> State median household income: $40,528
> Poverty rate: 12.7%
> Nov. unemployment: 3.5%

With a median household income of $40,528 a year, Mississippi is the poorest state in the country. Still, not all parts of state are poor, and some areas are wealthier than the nation as a whole. For example, in Madison County, located just north of Jackson, the typical household earns $65,924 a year — nearly $11,000 more than the median household income nationwide.

Better-educated populations typically report higher incomes, and Madison County is no exception. Some 45.7% of adults in the county have a bachelor’s degree or higher, the largest share of any county in the state and more than double Mississippi’s 21.0% bachelor’s degree attainment rate.

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Source: Kbh3rd / Wikimedia Commons

25. St. Charles County, Missouri
> County median household income: $75,603
> State median household income: $49,593
> Poverty rate: 6.1%
> Nov. unemployment: 2.6%

The typical household in St. Charles County earns $75,603 a year, or about $5,000 more than Missouri’s second wealthiest county and $26,000 more than the median income statewide. Like many of the counties on this list, St. Charles residents have access to high paying jobs in a major city as the county is within commuting distance of St. Louis.

Relatively few St. Charles residents face serious financial hardship. Only 6.1% of the county’s population live below the poverty line, the smallest share in the state and well below Missouri’s 15.3% poverty rate.

Source: Tim Kiser / Wikimedia Commons

26. Richland County, Montana
> County median household income: $65,638
> State median household income: $48,380
> Poverty rate: 8.6%
> Nov. unemployment: 3.5%

Income tracks closely with educational attainment, and in many cases, the wealthiest county in a given state is also the best educated. Richland County, Montana is a notable exception. Though the typical county household earns $65,638 a year, about $17,000 more than the typical household in the state, only 18.4% of county adults have a bachelor’s degree, compared to 29.9% of adults across the state.

Located along the North Dakota state border within the Bakken shale region, the high incomes in Richland County are likely attributable to the area’s abundant natural resources. Natural gas fracking in the region in the last decade has transformed it into one of the fastest growing in the country — both in terms of population and wealth.

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Source: Ammodramus / Wikimedia Commons

27. Sarpy County, Nebraska
> County median household income: $72,269
> State median household income: $54,384
> Poverty rate: 6.2%
> Nov. unemployment: 2.3%

The typical household in Sarpy County earns $72,269 a year, or about $18,000 more than the typical household in Nebraska. The area’s relative financial prosperity is underscored by its lowest-in-the-state poverty rate. Only 6.2% of Sarpy County residents live below the poverty line, half the 12.4% statewide poverty rate.

A number of well-known companies are located in the area, offering advanced, high-paying jobs. Northrop Grumman, PayPal, and Hillcrest Health Systems are among the largest employers in Sarpy County.

Source: Visitor7 / Wikimedia Commons

28. Elko County, Nevada
> County median household income: $74,672
> State median household income: $53,094
> Poverty rate: 10.5%
> Nov. unemployment: 3.5%

Elko County, which comprises the northeastern corner of Nevada along the state borders of Idaho and Utah, is the wealthiest county in Nevada. The typical household in Elko earns $74,672 a year — about $21,500 more than the typical household in Nevada.

The wealthiest county in most states is home to a higher than typical concentration of college educated adults. Elko, however, is an exception. Only 18.1% of adults in the county have a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 23.2% of adults across the state. The seeming disconnect is partially explained by the considerable share of area workers employed in mining — an industry that often does not require an advanced education and can pay well.

Source: Kirkikis / iStock

29. Rockingham County, New Hampshire
> County median household income: $82,398
> State median household income: $68,485
> Poverty rate: 5.1%
> Nov. unemployment: 2.7%

With a median household income of $82,298 a year, Rockingham County is the wealthiest in New Hampshire. Rockingham’s 5.1% poverty rate is also the lowest of any county in the state. Several high-paying employers in the area largely explain many area residents’ relatively high incomes. Among the largest employers are a U.S. State Department passport office, Liberty Mutual Insurance, and Portsmouth Regional Hospital, which together employ thousands of residents.

Rockingham is the easternmost county in New Hampshire and is the state’s only county with real estate along the Atlantic Ocean.

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Source: JERRYE and ROY KLOTZ MD / Wikimedia Commons

30. Hunterdon County, New Jersey
> County median household income: $108,177
> State median household income: $73,702
> Poverty rate: 4.5%
> Nov. unemployment: 3.7%

With a median annual household income of $73,702, New Jersey is one of the wealthiest states in the country. And with a median household income of $108,177, Hunterdon is one of three New Jersey counties where over half of all households earn a six figure annual income, and also the richest in the state.

Adults with a bachelor’s degree are more likely to secure high paying jobs. In Hunterdon County, 49.6% of adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 37.5% of New Jersey adults and 30.3% of U.S. adults. While the county is home to major, high-paying companies, including New York Life, many area residents likely commute to high-paying jobs in nearby New York City.

Source: Dean_Fikar / iStock

31. Los Alamos County, New Mexico
> County median household income: $105,902
> State median household income: $45,674
> Poverty rate: 5.1%
> Nov. unemployment: 3.7%

Los Alamos is one of only two counties in the country with a median household income more than double that of its home state. The typical household in Los Alamos earns $105,902 a year, compared to the $45,674 that the typical New Mexico household earns.

The area’s high incomes are largely driven by jobs at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. The facility — which shares a name with its home county — was established in 1943 with the sole purpose of designing and building the atomic bomb. Today, the laboratory is still largely focused on weapons development, boasts a $2.5 billion budget, and employs some 11,200 people. Many jobs at the Lab are highly specialized, and its presence in the area has attracted some top talent. An estimated 64.6% of adults in Los Alamos County have a bachelor’s degree, by far the largest share of any county in the state and the third largest share of any U.S. county.

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Source: DanTD / Wikimedia Commons

32. Nassau County, New York
> County median household income: $102,044
> State median household income: $60,741
> Poverty rate: 6.0%
> Nov. unemployment: 4.2%

Nassau is the only county in New York state where most households earn over $100,000 a year. As is typically the case in wealthy counties, Nassau residents tend to be relatively well educated. Some 43.5% of Nassau’s adult residents have a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 34.7% of adults across the state.

Situated on Long Island between Queens and Suffolk Counties, Nassau County’s labor force is well within commuting distance of high-paying jobs in New York City.

Source: Thinkstock

33. Wake County, North Carolina
> County median household income: $70,620
> State median household income: $48,256
> Poverty rate: 10.8%
> Nov. unemployment: 3.8%

The typical household in Wake County earns $70,620 a year, about $22,000 more than the typical household in North Carolina.

The area’s high incomes are largely the product of a well-educated population and the presence of some high skill, well paying jobs. Home to seven four-year colleges and in close proximity to several others, including Duke University and UNC Chapel Hill, 50.1% of adults in Wake County have a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to only 29.0% of state adult residents. The largest employers in the area include IBM, Lenovo, and drug maker GlaxoSmithKline.

Source: chamey / iStock

34. Williams County, North Dakota
> County median household income: $90,080
> State median household income: $59,114
> Poverty rate: 9.8%
> Nov. unemployment: 2.3%

Williams County, North Dakota is located just across the state border and slightly north of Richland County, Montana. Like Richland, Williams is the wealthiest county in its respective state. The high incomes and close proximity of the two counties are likely no coincidence. Located in the Bakken shale region, Williams County residents have benefited tremendously from a natural gas fracking boom in recent years.

Resource extraction can be a lucrative business, even for those without much in the way of a formal education. While most of the counties on this list have relatively well-educated populations, Williams is an exception. Only 22.5% of county adults have a bachelor’s degree, compared to 28.2% of adults across the state.

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35. Delaware County, Ohio
> County median household income: $94,234
> State median household income: $50,674
> Poverty rate: 4.9%
> Nov. unemployment: 3.1%

The typical household in Delaware County earns $94,234 a year — about $18,000 more than the median income in Warren, the state’s next wealthiest county, and $43,500 more than the median income in Ohio. Delaware County is located just north of the state capital Columbus, and in addition to government jobs, many area residents are likely employed in high-paying jobs at JPMorgan Chase, the largest private employer in the county.

Real estate values track closely with incomes, and Delaware is the only county in Ohio where the majority of homes are worth over a quarter million dollars. In comparison, the typical home in Ohio is worth only $131,900.

Source: katsrcool / Wikimedia Commons

36. Canadian County, Oklahoma
> County median household income: $66,664
> State median household income: $48,038
> Poverty rate: 8.0%
> Nov. unemployment: 3.0%

The typical household in Canadian County earns $66,664 a year, the most of any county in Oklahoma and well above the median household income statewide of $48,038. As is the case in most counties on this list, Canadian County residents have easy access to a major urban area. Bisected by Interstate 40, the county is located just west of the state capital Oklahoma City.

The area’s low poverty rate is further evidence of its relative financial security. Only 8.0% of Canadian County residents live below the poverty line, the lowest poverty rate of any Oklahoma County and less than half the statewide poverty rate of 16.5%.

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Source: M.O. Stevens / Wikimedia Commons

37. Washington County, Oregon
> County median household income: $69,743
> State median household income: $53,270
> Poverty rate: 11.1%
> Nov. unemployment: 3.3%

Located just west of Portland, the largest city in the state, Washington County is the wealthiest in Oregon. The typical household in the county earns $69,743 a year, compared to $53,270 the typical household statewide earns.

The area’s high incomes are largely due to the several high-paying employers in and around the Portland metro area. The area’s largest employers include Intel, Nike, Boeing, and Xerox. Partially because many major companies operate in the region, only 3.3% of Washington County’s labor force are out of a job, compared to the 3.9% statewide unemployment rate.

Source: Smallbones / Wikimedia Commons

38. Chester County, Pennsylvania
> County median household income: $88,995
> State median household income: $54,895
> Poverty rate: 7.2%
> Nov. unemployment: 3.2%

Located just west of Philadelphia, Chester County residents have access to jobs in one the largest cities in the country, in addition to a number of major companies within county lines. Chester County’s largest employers include Vanguard, Siemens, and Johnson & Johnson.

High-income jobs typically require an advanced education. As a result, the wealthiest county in a given state also often has a relatively well-educated population. Chester County is the only county in Pennsylvania where over half of all adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher. In comparison, only 29.3% of adults in the Keystone State have a four-year college degree.

Source: Swampyank / Wikimedia Commons

39. Washington County, Rhode Island
> County median household income: $74,302
> State median household income: $58,387
> Poverty rate: 10.0%
> Nov. unemployment: 3.8%

Of Rhode Island’s five counties, Washington County is the wealthiest, with a median annual household income of $74,302. In comparison, the typical household in the state earns only $58,387 a year.

Higher income individuals are more likely to own, rather than rent, their home. Not only does Washington County have the highest median household income in the state, but also it boasts the highest homeownership rate. Some 72.4% of heads of household own their home in the county, compared to a 59.7% statewide homeownership rate.

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Source: fallbrook / iStock

40. Beaufort County, South Carolina
> County median household income: $59,227
> State median household income: $46,898
> Poverty rate: 12.4%
> Nov. unemployment: 3.8%

Beaufort is a coastal county situated in between Savannah, Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina. The wealthiest county in the state, Beaufort’s median annual household income of $59,227 is well above the statewide median household income of $46,898.

Real estate prices tend to track closely with income, and property values in Beaufort County are the highest in the state. The typical area home is worth $273,000, compared to the median home value in South Carolina of $143,600.

Source: AlexiusHoratius / Wikimedia Commons

41. Lincoln County, South Dakota
> County median household income: $77,455
> State median household income: $52,078
> Poverty rate: 3.7%
> Nov. unemployment: 2.6%

Lincoln County is located in southeast South Dakota, just south of Sioux Falls along the Iowa state border. The county’s median household income of $77,455 a year is about $25,000 higher than the comparable statewide figure. The wealthiest county in the state, Lincoln also has the smallest share of residents facing serious financial hardship. Only 3.7% of the Lincoln population lives below the poverty line, less than one-third of the statewide 14.0% poverty rate.

Financial security in the county is bolstered by a strong job market. Only 2.6% of the area’s workers are unemployed. Statewide, 3.3% of workers are out of a job.

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Source: Ichabod / Wikimedia Commons

42. Williamson County, Tennessee
> County median household income: $100,140
> State median household income: $46,574
> Poverty rate: 5.2%
> Nov. unemployment: 2.5%

Along with Los Alamos County, New Mexico, Williamson County is the only other county nationwide with a median household income more than double that of its home state. The typical household in Williamson County earns $100,140 a year, compared to the median income across Tennessee of $46,574.

With Williamson County just south of Nashville, residents have easy access to jobs in the state capital. The county is also home to several major employers, including Nissan’s North American headquarters and Verizon’s Tennessee headquarters, in addition to a number of major hospitals and health care sector support operations. Partially as a result, only 2.5% of the county’s labor force is unemployed, below the 3.3% statewide unemployment rate.

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Source: Larry D. Moore / Wikimedia Commons

43. Fort Bend County, Texas
> County median household income: $91,152
> State median household income: $54,727
> Poverty rate: 8.2%
> Nov. unemployment: 4.0%

Fort Bend County is located just outside of Houston, the largest city in the state and one of the largest in the country. In addition to jobs in the city proper, the local economy is bolstered by a number of energy companies, including Schlumberger Technology Corp. and Sunoco Logistics, as well chemical production company and engineering company Nalco Champion and Fluor Corp. Other major area employers include UPS, Frito Lay, and Minute Maid.

The typical household in Fort Bend County earns, $91,152 a year compared to the $54,727 the typical household in Texas earns.

Source: J. Stephen Conn / Flickr

44. Summit County, Utah
> County median household income: $91,470
> State median household income: $62,518
> Poverty rate: 7.9%
> Nov. unemployment: 3.1%

Major cities often have a high concentration of high skilled, high-paying jobs. Partially as a result, wealthy counties are often those located in close proximity to major urban areas. No exception, Summit County, Utah is located just east of the state capital Salt Lake City.

The typical household in Summit County earns $91,470 a year, well above the $62,518 median income across Utah. Serious financial hardship is also relatively uncommon in the county. Only 7.9% of the population lives in poverty, compared to 11.7% of the state population.

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Source: Thinkstock

45. Chittenden County, Vermont
> County median household income: $66,414
> State median household income: $56,104
> Poverty rate: 11.5%
> Nov. unemployment: 2.0%

Chittenden County, which encompases Burlington, the largest city in the state, is wealthiest county in Vermont. The typical area household earns $66,414 a year, or over $10,000 more than both the typical Vermont and the typical American household.

Home to a several colleges and universities, including the University of Vermont and Champlain College, Chittenden County also has the best-educated population in the state. Some 49.4% of adults in Chittenden have a bachelor’s degree or higher, well above the 36.2% of adults in Vermont and the 30.3% of adults nationwide who do.

Source: John Athayde Yorktown / Wikimedia Commons

46. Loudoun County, Virginia
> County median household income: $125,672
> State median household income: $66,149
> Poverty rate: 4.0%
> Nov. unemployment: 3.0%

With a median annual household income of $125,672, Loudoun County is the wealthiest county in both Virginia and the United States. Living just outside the Interstate 495 Beltway around the nation’s capital, Loudoun County residents have access to a number of high paying jobs with the federal government and government contractors. Such jobs typically have high educational requirements. Indeed, 58.8% of adults living in the county have a bachelor’s degree or higher, one of the largest shares of any U.S. county.

Home values often track closely with incomes, and property in Virginia’s wealthiest county is expensive. The typical Loudoun County home is worth $462,100, well above the median home value of $248,400 across Virginia.

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47. King County, Washington
> County median household income: $78,800
> State median household income: $62,848
> Poverty rate: 10.7%
> Nov. unemployment: 3.9%

Encompassing Seattle, the largest city in Washington state, King is the most populated county in the state. It is also the wealthiest and best educated. The typical household in King County earns $78,800 a year, or about $16,000 more than the typical household in the state. High-paying jobs often require a college education, and 49.1% of adults in King County have a bachelor’s degree or higher. In comparison, only 33.6% of adults in the state and 30.3% of American adults have similar educational attainment.

Source: Jim Surkamp / Flickr

48. Jefferson County, West Virginia
> County median household income: $69,753
> State median household income: $42,644
> Poverty rate: 10.9%
> Nov. unemployment: 3.0%

With a median annual household income of only $42,644, West Virginia is one of the poorest states in the country. However, not all parts of the state are struggling financially. In Jefferson County, the easternmost county in the state, the typical household earns $69,753 a year, about $27,000 more than the state’s median income and $14,000 more than the median income nationwide.

A healthy job market bolsters area incomes. Only 3.0% of workers in Jefferson County are out of work, the lowest unemployment rate of any county in the state and well below West Virginia’s 5.0% unemployment rate.

Source: n8nhale / Flickr

49. Ozaukee County, Wisconsin
> County median household income: $78,415
> State median household income: $54,610
> Poverty rate: 5.5%
> Nov. unemployment: 2.3%

Ozaukee County, the wealthiest county in Wisconsin is located along the shore of Lake Michigan, just north of Milwaukee. The county’s median annual household income of $78,415 is about $24,000 higher than the statewide median household income.

Areas with better-educated populations often report higher incomes, and Ozaukee is no different. Some 46.7% of area adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher, nearly the largest share of any county in the state.

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Source: Joe Ennesser / Flickr

50. Campbell County, Wyoming
> County median household income: $80,822
> State median household income: $59,143
> Poverty rate: 8.1%
> Nov. unemployment: 4.3%

The typical household in Campbell County earns $80,822 a year, the highest median household income of any county in Wyoming. While high-income areas typically report relatively high educational attainment, Campbell County is an exception. Only 19.1% of area adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 26.0% of adults in the state.

The population’s low educational attainment is partially due to the area’s industrial composition. Coal mining is a major industry in the county, and resource extraction jobs can be high paying and require relatively little in the way of formal educational.

Detailed Findings & Methodology

High-paying jobs are often high skilled and require a college education at the very least. Partially as a result, the wealthiest county in every state also often has a well-educated population. In 31 of 50 states, the share of adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher is at least 10 percentage points higher than the comparable share across the state.

Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, and Wyoming are the only states with a higher educational attainment rate than their wealthiest county. This phenomenon is attributable to strong mining and natural gas extraction industries in the wealthiest counties — resource extraction can offer high-paying jobs, even for those without much in the way of a formal education.

High paying jobs are often concentrated in cities, and as a result, with only a handful of exceptions, every county on this list either contains or is in close proximity to a major metropolitan area. In several Northeastern states, the wealthiest counties are clustered around New York City. In the mid-Atlantic, the wealthiest counties are often within commuting distance of Washington D.C. In other parts of the country, the wealthiest county is often within commuting distance of the state’s capital or largest city.

Jobs in major cities are not only high paying, but also often abundant. Of the 50 counties on this list, 44 have a lower unemployment rate than their respective state. A strong job market can go a long way to boosting earnings across a population.

Further underscoring the relative wealth of these counties is the relative lack of poverty. Nationwide, some 15.1% of Americans live below the poverty line. With a 16.5% poverty rate, Maricopa County, Arizona is the only county on this list with a poverty rate above the national figure. Additionally, every county on this list has a lower poverty rate than its home state.

Real estate values and homeownership tend to track closely with incomes. Of the 50 counties on this list, 41 have a higher homeownership rate than that of their respective state. And in every state, the typical home in the wealthiest county is worth more than the typical home across the state as a whole. In Ohio, Tennessee, Utah, and West Virginia, the median home value in the wealthiest county is more than double the median home value across the state.

To identify the richest county in each state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed median annual household incomes for each U.S. county with a population of at least 10,000 from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS). We also reviewed in each county the percentage of adults who have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher, as well as poverty rates, the percentage of owner-occupied housing units (the homeownership rate), and median home values from the ACS. All ACS data are five-year averages for 2012-2016. Unemployment rates are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and are for November 2017, the most recently available period. Population density came from the Census Bureau’s 2010 decennial census.