A five-year survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau looked at median household income to determine the wealthiest counties in the country. In results that may come as no surprise to residents subjected to soaring rent and housing costs, four of the seven richest areas are in Northern Virginia, according to U.S. News & World Report.
Overall, the national median household income grew by about 10 percent to $64,994 in this survey, covering 2016 to 2020. The previous American Community Survey was conducted between 2011 and 2015. Few areas saw that growth in greater numbers than the counties encircling the District of Columbia.
At number seven, and edging out population hubs like San Francisco County, California (12), and Nassau County, New York (10), was Arlington County, where the reported median household income was $122,604.
With a median household income of $127,866, Fairfax County arrives on the list at number five. Fairfax is Commonwealth’s most populous county, with the 2020 census showing a population of 1.15 million .
Falls Church city, which is considered a county equivalent in the report, claimed the second spot in the rankings with a median household income of $146,922, edging out California locales San Mateo (4) and Santa Clara (3).
And rounding out the top of list as the wealthiest county in America, and no shock to locals who have witnessed its development boom in recent years, is Loudoun County, which boasts a median household income of $147,111.
Also included in the top 10, meanwhile, was another Washington-adjacent location, Maryland’s Howard County.
The full report also explores poverty analytics and median household income based on race. Explore the report in its entirety here.
Feature image, MJ Kerr/stock.adobe.com
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