Special Report

America's Richest and Poorest States

From 2016 to 2017, the U.S. economy improved in several key metrics. The median household income increased by more than $1,500, unemployment dropped from 4.9% to 4.4%, and the poverty rate fell from 14.0% to 13.4%.

While this is good news, the effects weren’t felt equally across all 50 states, and much of the gains in median household income went to households that were already wealthy. Income inequality in the U.S. remains high and incomes vary dramatically at the state level as well. The typical household in the wealthiest state earns over $37,000 more each year than the typical household in the poorest state.

The South holds a higher-than-average concentration of the poorest states in the country. Many of the wealthiest are coastal states in the West, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast regions. Both states outside of the lower 48 — Alaska and Hawaii — are among the 10 richest states.

24/7 Wall St. ranked all 50 states according to the newly-released median household income figures from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2017 American Community Survey.

Click here to see America’s Richest and Poorest States.
Click here to see our detailed findings and methodology

Sponsored: Tips for Investing

A financial advisor can help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of investment properties. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

Investing in real estate can diversify your portfolio. But expanding your horizons may add additional costs. If you’re an investor looking to minimize expenses, consider checking out online brokerages. They often offer low investment fees, helping you maximize your profit.