The United States has some of the highest levels of income and wealth inequality in the world. U.S. Federal Reserve data shows that the wealthiest 10% of Americans control $93.8 trillion, more than double the $40.3 trillion in the hands of the remaining 90% of Americans.
The income and wealth divide only appears to be growing wider. A January 2020 report published by the Pew Research Center found that over the last four decades, income growth for the top 5% of families by earnings has far outpaced income growth for families in the lower income strata.
In a nation as large as the U.S., varied levels of income inequality may be expected, and in a few areas in the country, extreme wealth and extreme poverty exist side by side. In nearly every state, there is at least one town where income inequality is far more pronounced than it is on average nationwide.
Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey, 24/7 Wall St. identified the town with the widest income gap in each state. Towns are ranked by their Gini coefficient, a measure of income inequality based on the distribution of income across a population on a 0 to 1 scale — 0 representing perfect equality and 1 representing the highest possible level of inequality. For the purposes of this story, towns are defined as any place covered by the census with populations between 1,000 and 25,000.
Though each town on this list has the highest degree of income inequality in its state, Gini scores vary considerably — from 0.491 up to 0.771. Nationwide, the Gini coefficient stands at 0.482.
Causes behind rising inequality in the United States are complex and varied. A report published by the National Bureau of Economic Research ties the rising disparity to a range of economic factors, including globalization, technological advancement, a stagnant minimum wage, and the decline of labor unions.
Click here to see the town with the widest income gap in every state
Click here to see our detailed methodology
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Alabama: Livingston
> Gini index: 0.636 (Alabama: 0.479)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $111,573 (Alabama: $177,811)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $858 (Alabama: $10,538)
> Share of all income in Livingston that went to top 20%: 67.3% (Alabama: 50.9%)
> Share of all income in Livingston that went to bottom 20%: 0.5% (Alabama: 3.0%)
> Median household income: $11,969 (Alabama: $50,536)
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Alaska: Soldotna
> Gini index: 0.491 (Alaska: 0.428)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $230,014 (Alaska: $230,147)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $16,168 (Alaska: $18,977)
> Share of all income in Soldotna that went to top 20%: 53.0% (Alaska: 46.7%)
> Share of all income in Soldotna that went to bottom 20%: 3.7% (Alaska: 3.8%)
> Median household income: $60,491 (Alaska: $77,640)
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Arizona: Quartzsite
> Gini index: 0.571 (Arizona: 0.466)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $109,204 (Arizona: $202,970)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $709 (Arizona: $13,587)
> Share of all income in Quartzsite that went to top 20%: 58.5% (Arizona: 50.3%)
> Share of all income in Quartzsite that went to bottom 20%: 0.4% (Arizona: 3.4%)
> Median household income: $20,979 (Arizona: $58,945)
Arkansas: Mountain View
> Gini index: 0.573 (Arkansas: 0.477)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $137,525 (Arkansas: $170,176)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $5,973 (Arkansas: $11,049)
> Share of all income in Mountain View that went to top 20%: 60.0% (Arkansas: 51.1%)
> Share of all income in Mountain View that went to bottom 20%: 2.6% (Arkansas: 3.3%)
> Median household income: $23,039 (Arkansas: $47,597)
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California: Stanford
> Gini index: 0.627 (California: 0.489)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $462,450 (California: $278,638)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $5,042 (California: $15,827)
> Share of all income in Stanford that went to top 20%: 66.4% (California: 52.1%)
> Share of all income in Stanford that went to bottom 20%: 0.7% (California: 3.0%)
> Median household income: $58,906 (California: $75,235)
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Colorado: Aspen
> Gini index: 0.561 (Colorado: 0.457)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $416,389 (Colorado: $239,479)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $22,961 (Colorado: $17,187)
> Share of all income in Aspen that went to top 20%: 60.2% (Colorado: 49.4%)
> Share of all income in Aspen that went to bottom 20%: 3.3% (Colorado: 3.5%)
> Median household income: $78,292 (Colorado: $72,331)
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Connecticut: Greenwich
> Gini index: 0.608 (Connecticut: 0.496)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $671,005 (Connecticut: $298,915)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $15,104 (Connecticut: $16,569)
> Share of all income in Greenwich that went to top 20%: 63.9% (Connecticut: 52.9%)
> Share of all income in Greenwich that went to bottom 20%: 1.5% (Connecticut: 2.9%)
> Median household income: $109,500 (Connecticut: $78,444)
Delaware: Milton
> Gini index: 0.552 (Delaware: 0.454)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $255,196 (Delaware: $221,085)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $10,681 (Delaware: $15,768)
> Share of all income in Milton that went to top 20%: 57.7% (Delaware: 49.1%)
> Share of all income in Milton that went to bottom 20%: 2.4% (Delaware: 3.5%)
> Median household income: $57,754 (Delaware: $68,287)
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Florida: Crystal River
> Gini index: 0.655 (Florida: 0.486)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $207,971 (Florida: $209,841)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $3,936 (Florida: $13,086)
> Share of all income in Crystal River that went to top 20%: 67.9% (Florida: 52.3%)
> Share of all income in Crystal River that went to bottom 20%: 1.3% (Florida: 3.3%)
> Median household income: $24,225 (Florida: $55,660)
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Georgia: Quitman
> Gini index: 0.677 (Georgia: 0.482)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $241,262 (Georgia: $212,411)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $2,994 (Georgia: $12,798)
> Share of all income in Quitman that went to top 20%: 71.7% (Georgia: 51.5%)
> Share of all income in Quitman that went to bottom 20%: 0.9% (Georgia: 3.1%)
> Median household income: $30,269 (Georgia: $58,700)
Hawaii: Wailea
> Gini index: 0.572 (Hawaii: 0.441)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $457,190 (Hawaii: $247,294)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $18,258 (Hawaii: $17,890)
> Share of all income in Wailea that went to top 20%: 62.0% (Hawaii: 47.7%)
> Share of all income in Wailea that went to bottom 20%: 2.5% (Hawaii: 3.5%)
> Median household income: $81,932 (Hawaii: $81,275)
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Idaho: McCall
> Gini index: 0.511 (Idaho: 0.446)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $225,051 (Idaho: $178,921)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $10,797 (Idaho: $13,921)
> Share of all income in McCall that went to top 20%: 54.4% (Idaho: 48.5%)
> Share of all income in McCall that went to bottom 20%: 2.6% (Idaho: 3.8%)
> Median household income: $50,711 (Idaho: $55,785)
Illinois: Pinckneyville
> Gini index: 0.553 (Illinois: 0.482)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $160,333 (Illinois: $237,616)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $5,527 (Illinois: $14,052)
> Share of all income in Pinckneyville that went to top 20%: 57.0% (Illinois: 51.4%)
> Share of all income in Pinckneyville that went to bottom 20%: 2.0% (Illinois: 3.0%)
> Median household income: $33,485 (Illinois: $65,886)
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Indiana: Newburgh
> Gini index: 0.531 (Indiana: 0.453)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $293,737 (Indiana: $183,445)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $15,607 (Indiana: $13,570)
> Share of all income in Newburgh that went to top 20%: 57.8% (Indiana: 48.9%)
> Share of all income in Newburgh that went to bottom 20%: 3.1% (Indiana: 3.6%)
> Median household income: $56,611 (Indiana: $56,303)
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Iowa: Denison
> Gini index: 0.572 (Iowa: 0.442)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $244,732 (Iowa: $187,874)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $6,173 (Iowa: $14,836)
> Share of all income in Denison that went to top 20%: 58.2% (Iowa: 47.9%)
> Share of all income in Denison that went to bottom 20%: 1.5% (Iowa: 3.8%)
> Median household income: $54,190 (Iowa: $60,523)
Kansas: Coffeyville
> Gini index: 0.523 (Kansas: 0.456)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $148,038 (Kansas: $197,458)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $7,113 (Kansas: $14,449)
> Share of all income in Coffeyville that went to top 20%: 55.6% (Kansas: 49.4%)
> Share of all income in Coffeyville that went to bottom 20%: 2.7% (Kansas: 3.6%)
> Median household income: $33,750 (Kansas: $59,597)
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Kentucky: Pikeville
> Gini index: 0.626 (Kentucky: 0.479)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $244,679 (Kentucky: $178,883)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $5,244 (Kentucky: $10,912)
> Share of all income in Pikeville that went to top 20%: 64.7% (Kentucky: 51.0%)
> Share of all income in Pikeville that went to bottom 20%: 1.4% (Kentucky: 3.1%)
> Median household income: $32,281 (Kentucky: $50,589)
Louisiana: Lake Providence
> Gini index: 0.771 (Louisiana: 0.495)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $251,217 (Louisiana: $185,481)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $1,586 (Louisiana: $9,757)
> Share of all income in Lake Providence that went to top 20%: 79.2% (Louisiana: 52.3%)
> Share of all income in Lake Providence that went to bottom 20%: 0.5% (Louisiana: 2.8%)
> Median household income: $18,316 (Louisiana: $49,469)
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Maine: Waterville
> Gini index: 0.526 (Maine: 0.451)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $169,155 (Maine: $185,447)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $8,030 (Maine: $13,702)
> Share of all income in Waterville that went to top 20%: 55.2% (Maine: 48.7%)
> Share of all income in Waterville that went to bottom 20%: 2.7% (Maine: 3.6%)
> Median household income: $38,862 (Maine: $57,918)
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Maryland: Perryman
> Gini index: 0.611 (Maryland: 0.454)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $282,182 (Maryland: $272,042)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $5,620 (Maryland: $18,854)
> Share of all income in Perryman that went to top 20%: 63.0% (Maryland: 48.8%)
> Share of all income in Perryman that went to bottom 20%: 1.3% (Maryland: 3.4%)
> Median household income: $56,830 (Maryland: $84,805)
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Massachusetts: Falmouth
> Gini index: 0.562 (Massachusetts: 0.483)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $249,143 (Massachusetts: $284,857)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $11,526 (Massachusetts: $15,520)
> Share of all income in Falmouth that went to top 20%: 58.6% (Massachusetts: 51.1%)
> Share of all income in Falmouth that went to bottom 20%: 2.7% (Massachusetts: 2.8%)
> Median household income: $41,343 (Massachusetts: $81,215)
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Michigan: Sandusky
> Gini index: 0.564 (Michigan: 0.467)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $172,129 (Michigan: $196,731)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $6,812 (Michigan: $13,156)
> Share of all income in Sandusky that went to top 20%: 58.9% (Michigan: 50.2%)
> Share of all income in Sandusky that went to bottom 20%: 2.3% (Michigan: 3.4%)
> Median household income: $39,125 (Michigan: $57,144)
Minnesota: Wayzata
> Gini index: 0.603 (Minnesota: 0.449)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $590,010 (Minnesota: $228,793)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $20,286 (Minnesota: $17,300)
> Share of all income in Wayzata that went to top 20%: 65.3% (Minnesota: 48.7%)
> Share of all income in Wayzata that went to bottom 20%: 2.3% (Minnesota: 3.7%)
> Median household income: $86,852 (Minnesota: $71,306)
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Mississippi: Greenwood
> Gini index: 0.626 (Mississippi: 0.481)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $175,345 (Mississippi: $160,084)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $2,852 (Mississippi: $9,367)
> Share of all income in Greenwood that went to top 20%: 64.0% (Mississippi: 51.0%)
> Share of all income in Greenwood that went to bottom 20%: 1.0% (Mississippi: 3.0%)
> Median household income: $26,965 (Mississippi: $45,081)
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Missouri: Hayti
> Gini index: 0.567 (Missouri: 0.464)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $135,474 (Missouri: $190,290)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $7,181 (Missouri: $13,281)
> Share of all income in Hayti that went to top 20%: 60.4% (Missouri: 50.0%)
> Share of all income in Hayti that went to bottom 20%: 3.2% (Missouri: 3.5%)
> Median household income: $23,563 (Missouri: $55,461)
Montana: Libby
> Gini index: 0.549 (Montana: 0.459)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $178,777 (Montana: $184,017)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $9,999 (Montana: $13,337)
> Share of all income in Libby that went to top 20%: 59.5% (Montana: 49.6%)
> Share of all income in Libby that went to bottom 20%: 3.3% (Montana: 3.6%)
> Median household income: $37,802 (Montana: $54,970)
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Nebraska: Broken Bow
> Gini index: 0.58 (Nebraska: 0.444)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $240,630 (Nebraska: $193,357)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $11,881 (Nebraska: $15,168)
> Share of all income in Broken Bow that went to top 20%: 61.5% (Nebraska: 48.2%)
> Share of all income in Broken Bow that went to bottom 20%: 3.0% (Nebraska: 3.8%)
> Median household income: $42,890 (Nebraska: $61,439)
Nevada: Incline Village
> Gini index: 0.497 (Nevada: 0.462)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $429,272 (Nevada: $203,124)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $27,168 (Nevada: $14,239)
> Share of all income in Incline Village that went to top 20%: 53.8% (Nevada: 49.8%)
> Share of all income in Incline Village that went to bottom 20%: 3.4% (Nevada: 3.5%)
> Median household income: $99,006 (Nevada: $60,365)
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New Hampshire: Hanover
> Gini index: 0.58 (New Hampshire: 0.438)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $586,021 (New Hampshire: $236,675)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $11,644 (New Hampshire: $18,862)
> Share of all income in Hanover that went to top 20%: 59.5% (New Hampshire: 47.7%)
> Share of all income in Hanover that went to bottom 20%: 1.2% (New Hampshire: 3.8%)
> Median household income: $109,514 (New Hampshire: $76,768)
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New Jersey: Spring Lake
> Gini index: 0.614 (New Jersey: 0.481)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $550,856 (New Jersey: $294,079)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $14,488 (New Jersey: $16,981)
> Share of all income in Spring Lake that went to top 20%: 65.6% (New Jersey: 51.3%)
> Share of all income in Spring Lake that went to bottom 20%: 1.7% (New Jersey: 3.0%)
> Median household income: $86,200 (New Jersey: $82,545)
New Mexico: Los Ranchos de Albuquerque
> Gini index: 0.595 (New Mexico: 0.478)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $409,269 (New Mexico: $175,925)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $11,664 (New Mexico: $10,558)
> Share of all income in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque that went to top 20%: 61.4% (New Mexico: 50.9%)
> Share of all income in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque that went to bottom 20%: 1.8% (New Mexico: 3.1%)
> Median household income: $64,732 (New Mexico: $49,754)
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New York: Palmyra
> Gini index: 0.613 (New York: 0.514)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $353,496 (New York: $276,728)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $14,836 (New York: $13,020)
> Share of all income in Palmyra that went to top 20%: 64.7% (New York: 54.3%)
> Share of all income in Palmyra that went to bottom 20%: 2.7% (New York: 2.6%)
> Median household income: $60,500 (New York: $68,486)
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North Carolina: Boone
> Gini index: 0.634 (North Carolina: 0.476)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $162,934 (North Carolina: $196,793)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $2,551 (North Carolina: $12,761)
> Share of all income in Boone that went to top 20%: 65.0% (North Carolina: 51.2%)
> Share of all income in Boone that went to bottom 20%: 1.0% (North Carolina: 3.3%)
> Median household income: $22,434 (North Carolina: $54,602)
North Dakota: Grafton
> Gini index: 0.495 (North Dakota: 0.454)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $201,992 (North Dakota: $208,518)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $12,451 (North Dakota: $14,804)
> Share of all income in Grafton that went to top 20%: 52.7% (North Dakota: 48.8%)
> Share of all income in Grafton that went to bottom 20%: 3.3% (North Dakota: 3.5%)
> Median household income: $52,760 (North Dakota: $64,894)
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Ohio: The Plains
> Gini index: 0.608 (Ohio: 0.465)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $185,622 (Ohio: $192,225)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $6,132 (Ohio: $12,861)
> Share of all income in The Plains that went to top 20%: 61.8% (Ohio: 50.0%)
> Share of all income in The Plains that went to bottom 20%: 2.0% (Ohio: 3.3%)
> Median household income: $36,250 (Ohio: $56,602)
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Oklahoma: Wilburton
> Gini index: 0.572 (Oklahoma: 0.469)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $174,950 (Oklahoma: $183,130)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $8,497 (Oklahoma: $12,268)
> Share of all income in Wilburton that went to top 20%: 60.6% (Oklahoma: 50.4%)
> Share of all income in Wilburton that went to bottom 20%: 2.9% (Oklahoma: 3.4%)
> Median household income: $33,464 (Oklahoma: $52,919)
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Oregon: Ashland
> Gini index: 0.514 (Oregon: 0.459)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $226,549 (Oregon: $208,393)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $10,727 (Oregon: $14,622)
> Share of all income in Ashland that went to top 20%: 54.3% (Oregon: 49.5%)
> Share of all income in Ashland that went to bottom 20%: 2.6% (Oregon: 3.5%)
> Median household income: $56,315 (Oregon: $62,818)
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Pennsylvania: Lewisburg
> Gini index: 0.594 (Pennsylvania: 0.472)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $242,111 (Pennsylvania: $214,725)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $9,179 (Pennsylvania: $13,887)
> Share of all income in Lewisburg that went to top 20%: 63.2% (Pennsylvania: 50.6%)
> Share of all income in Lewisburg that went to bottom 20%: 2.4% (Pennsylvania: 3.3%)
> Median household income: $39,830 (Pennsylvania: $61,744)
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Rhode Island: Narragansett Pier
> Gini index: 0.53 (Rhode Island: 0.47)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $269,108 (Rhode Island: $222,204)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $8,355 (Rhode Island: $13,273)
> Share of all income in Narragansett Pier that went to top 20%: 54.3% (Rhode Island: 49.9%)
> Share of all income in Narragansett Pier that went to bottom 20%: 1.7% (Rhode Island: 3.0%)
> Median household income: $58,875 (Rhode Island: $67,167)
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South Carolina: Mullins
> Gini index: 0.626 (South Carolina: 0.474)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $190,056 (South Carolina: $186,571)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $4,780 (South Carolina: $11,736)
> Share of all income in Mullins that went to top 20%: 64.5% (South Carolina: 50.8%)
> Share of all income in Mullins that went to bottom 20%: 1.6% (South Carolina: 3.2%)
> Median household income: $31,022 (South Carolina: $53,199)
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South Dakota: Vermillion
> Gini index: 0.533 (South Dakota: 0.444)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $191,616 (South Dakota: $183,626)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $8,754 (South Dakota: $14,543)
> Share of all income in Vermillion that went to top 20%: 55.9% (South Dakota: 48.2%)
> Share of all income in Vermillion that went to bottom 20%: 2.5% (South Dakota: 3.8%)
> Median household income: $40,874 (South Dakota: $58,275)
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Tennessee: Somerville
> Gini index: 0.6 (Tennessee: 0.479)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $179,100 (Tennessee: $191,924)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $5,031 (Tennessee: $12,221)
> Share of all income in Somerville that went to top 20%: 65.7% (Tennessee: 51.3%)
> Share of all income in Somerville that went to bottom 20%: 1.9% (Tennessee: 3.3%)
> Median household income: $24,266 (Tennessee: $53,320)
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Texas: Eastland
> Gini index: 0.609 (Texas: 0.479)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $231,527 (Texas: $224,146)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $10,507 (Texas: $14,034)
> Share of all income in Eastland that went to top 20%: 65.2% (Texas: 51.4%)
> Share of all income in Eastland that went to bottom 20%: 3.0% (Texas: 3.2%)
> Median household income: $33,375 (Texas: $61,874)
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Utah: Park City
> Gini index: 0.529 (Utah: 0.426)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $481,441 (Utah: $214,437)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $19,285 (Utah: $19,112)
> Share of all income in Park City that went to top 20%: 55.7% (Utah: 47.0%)
> Share of all income in Park City that went to bottom 20%: 2.2% (Utah: 4.2%)
> Median household income: $111,000 (Utah: $71,621)
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Vermont: White River Junction
> Gini index: 0.507 (Vermont: 0.448)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $190,375 (Vermont: $196,616)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $10,579 (Vermont: $14,666)
> Share of all income in White River Junction that went to top 20%: 54.1% (Vermont: 48.4%)
> Share of all income in White River Junction that went to bottom 20%: 3.0% (Vermont: 3.6%)
> Median household income: $45,000 (Vermont: $61,973)
Virginia: University of Virginia
> Gini index: 0.576 (Virginia: 0.469)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $178,444 (Virginia: $256,360)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $1,786 (Virginia: $16,508)
> Share of all income in University of Virginia that went to top 20%: 59.2% (Virginia: 50.4%)
> Share of all income in University of Virginia that went to bottom 20%: 0.6% (Virginia: 3.3%)
> Median household income: $35,446 (Virginia: $74,222)
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Source: Teacherdad48 / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Washington: Dayton
> Gini index: 0.542 (Washington: 0.457)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $215,366 (Washington: $244,742)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $10,624 (Washington: $17,314)
> Share of all income in Dayton that went to top 20%: 56.8% (Washington: 49.5%)
> Share of all income in Dayton that went to bottom 20%: 2.8% (Washington: 3.5%)
> Median household income: $50,313 (Washington: $73,775)
Source: 6381380 / iStock via Getty Images
West Virginia: Williamson
> Gini index: 0.602 (West Virginia: 0.467)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $157,944 (West Virginia: $158,941)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $6,138 (West Virginia: $10,504)
> Share of all income in Williamson that went to top 20%: 63.2% (West Virginia: 49.9%)
> Share of all income in Williamson that went to bottom 20%: 2.5% (West Virginia: 3.3%)
> Median household income: $24,058 (West Virginia: $46,711)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
Wisconsin: Fox Crossing
> Gini index: 0.52 (Wisconsin: 0.445)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $262,641 (Wisconsin: $194,624)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $17,834 (Wisconsin: $15,311)
> Share of all income in Fox Crossing that went to top 20%: 56.2% (Wisconsin: 48.3%)
> Share of all income in Fox Crossing that went to bottom 20%: 3.8% (Wisconsin: 3.8%)
> Median household income: $58,090 (Wisconsin: $61,747)
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Wyoming: Buffalo
> Gini index: 0.535 (Wyoming: 0.436)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $225,387 (Wyoming: $193,249)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $5,887 (Wyoming: $15,572)
> Share of all income in Buffalo that went to top 20%: 55.4% (Wyoming: 47.2%)
> Share of all income in Buffalo that went to bottom 20%: 1.5% (Wyoming: 3.8%)
> Median household income: $58,679 (Wyoming: $64,049)
Methodology
To determine the town with the widest income gaps in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed five-year estimates of the Gini Index of income inequality from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey.
The Gini Index of income inequality summarizes income dispersion in an area on a scale from 0 to 1. A value of 0 indicates perfect equality — everyone in the area receives an equal share of income. A value of 1 indicates perfect inequality — only one recipient receives all the income.
We used census “place” geographies — a category that includes 29,573 incorporated legal entities and census-designated statistical entities. Of those, 29,319 had boundaries that fell within one of the 50 states, while the rest were in the District of Columbia or Puerto Rico.
We defined towns based on population thresholds — having at least 1,000 people and less than 25,000 people — and 13,332 of the places fell within these thresholds.
Towns were excluded if the Gini Index was not available in the 2019 ACS, if there were fewer than 1,000 housing units, or if the sampling error associated with a town’s data was deemed too high.
The sampling error was defined as too high if the coefficient of variation — a statistical assessment of how reliable an estimate is — for a town’s Gini Index was above 15% and greater than two standard deviations above the mean CV for all towns’ Gini Indices. We similarly excluded towns that had a sampling error too high for their population, using the same definition.
The remaining 7,698 places were ranked within their state based on their Gini Index. To break ties, we used the share of aggregate household income earned by the top 20% of households.
Additional information on average household income by quintile, share of aggregate household income by quintile, and median household income are also five-year estimates from the 2019 ACS.
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