- GoBankingRates just released their annual list of the richest towns in the US.
- Some towns report costs of living much higher than the US average. Clyde Hill, a town outside of Seattle, Washington, has a cost of living that is 318% higher than the national average, according to Best Places.
- The towns on this list also typically have high median incomes and high home values in addition to a lower unemployment rate than the latest national average of 3.6%. Merton, a town west of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has an unemployment rate of just 2.6%.
- The richest tiny town in the entire country, Atherton, is in northern California and is home to high income tech executives and million-dollar mansions.
- Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.
GoBankingRates just released their annual round-up of the richest small towns in every US State.
To determine the richest small towns, GoBankingRates analyzed income data from the US Census Bureau, specifically focusing on locations with 500 to 15,000 households.
The towns featured typically have median incomes well over $100,000, high home values, lower unemployment rates than the latest US average of 3.6%, and in turn, higher costs of living.
For example, Clyde Hill, a town outside of Seattle Washington, has a cost of living that is 318% higher than the national average. However, that’s far from the highest figure on this list; the wealthiest tiny town in the entire country (Atherton, California) has a cost of living that is a whopping 813.5% higher than the national average.
Keep reading to find out the richest enclaves in each US state, listed in alphabetical order by state.
All population, median income, and median home value data is sourced from the US Census Bureau and is the latest available data at the time of publication.
The richest town in Alabama is Highland Lakes.
Population: 6,746
Median income: $149,307
Median home value: $436,900
Highland Lakes is 30 miles outside of Birmingham, Alabama. It has an unemployment rate of 2.9%, which is under the current national average of 3.6%.
The richest town in Alaska is Cordova.
Population: 2,160
Median income: $95,227
Median home value: $319,500
The closest major city to Cordova is Anchorage, Alaska. It is 148 miles away. Cordova is known for its winter sports.
The richest town in Arizona is Paradise Valley.
Population: 14,502
Median income: $175,673
Median home value: $1,406,700
Paradise Valley is right outside of Phoenix. It is known for its luxury golf courses.
The richest town in Arkansas is Cave Springs.
Population: 4,970
Median income: $103,676
Median home value: $281,100
Cave Springs, just outside of Fayetteville, Arkansas, is one of the more moderately affluent places on this list. The cost of living is just 1.7% higher than the national average.
The richest town in California is Atherton.
Population: 7,187
Median income: $250,000+*
Median home value: $2,000,000+*
Atherton is in Northern California between Palo Alto and San Mateo. Its known as the most expensive town in the country and is where many tech moguls reside.
*Per the US Census Bureau, an '+' following a median estimate means the median falls in the upper interval of an open-ended distribution. While Atherton's exact median income and median home value are unknown, its latest available average household income (in 2017 inflation-adjusted dollars) is $450,696 and 91.9% of the town's owner-occupied homes are valued at $1 million or more.
The richest town in Colorado is Cherry Hills Village.
Population: 6,650
Median income: $238,750
Median home value: $1,269,000
Cherry Hills Village is a suburb of Denver. The wealthy neighborhood has been home to people like NFL icon Peyton Manning.
The richest town in Connecticut is Old Greenwich.
Population: 6,860
Median income: $236,250
Median home value: $1,386,700
Old Greenwich, Connecticut, is 30 miles outside of New York City. The enclave has long been known as a place Wall Street types would put down roots.
The richest town in Delaware is North Star.
Population: 7,980
Median income: $141,618
Median home value: $435,300
North Star, Delaware, is 30 miles outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The cost of living in North Star is 29.3% higher than the national average.
The richest town in Florida is Pinecrest.
Population: 19,591
Median income: $152,643
Median home value: $887,700
Pinecrest is a suburb of Miami. It boasts a collection of gated communities and million-dollar waterfront properties.
The richest town in Georgia is Berkeley Lake.
Population: 2,129
Median income: $125,592
Median home value: $376,800
Berkeley Lake is 20 miles outside of Atlanta, Georgia. The cost of living in Berkeley Lake is 31.3% higher than the national average.
The richest town in Hawaii is Maunawili.
Population: 2,040
Median income: $143,750
Median home value: $948,400
Maunawili is on the island of Oahu and is a suburb of Honolulu.
The richest town in Idaho is Hidden Springs.
Population: 2,515
Median income: $118,519
Median home value: $400,000
Hidden Springs is a suburb of Boise, which was recently named one of the best places to buy a home by WalletHub.
The richest town in Illinois is Winnetka.
Population: 12,385
Median income: $216,875
Median home value: $1,019,800
Winnetka is a suburb of Chicago and is famously the setting of the beloved Christmas movie "Home Alone."
The richest town in Indiana is Zionsville.
Population: 27,153
Median income: $127,152
Median home value: $360,100
Zionsville is a suburb of Indianapolis, Indiana. The unemployment rate in Zionsville is 2.9%, while the national average is 3.9%.
The richest town in Iowa is Robins.
Population: 3,492
Median income: $120,938
Median home value: $286,700
The closest major city to Robins is Madison, Wisconsin, which is 135 miles away.
The richest town in Kansas is Mission Hills.
Population: 3,576
Median income: $250,000+*
Median home value: $978,500
Mission Hills is an affluent suburb of Kansas City, Missouri.
*Per the US Census Bureau, an '+' following a median estimate means the median falls in the upper interval of an open-ended distribution. While Mission Hills' exact median income is unknown, its latest available average household income (in 2017 inflation-adjusted dollars) is $393,148.
The richest town in Kentucky is Anchorage.
Population: 2,432
Median income: $172,188
Median home value: $663,600
Anchorage is right outside Louisville, Kentucky. The cost of living in Anchorage is 62.3% higher than the national average.
The richest town in Louisiana is Prien.
Population: 7,810
Median income: $94,444
Median home value: $210,700
Prien is equidistant to Houston, Texas, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Both are 128 miles away.
The richest town in Maine is Cumberland Center.
Population: 2,492
Median income: $109,048
Median home value: $304,500
Boston, Massachusetts, is the closest major city to Cumberland Center, at roughly 100 miles away. Cumberland Center is also the most educated town in the state of Maine.
The richest town in Maryland is Chevy Chase.
Population: 711
Median income: $250,000+*
Median home value: $1,225,200
Chevy Chase is a suburb of Washington DC. The ultrawealthy enclave with a sky-high median income is home to a number of politicians.
*Per the US Census Bureau, an '+' following a median estimate means the median falls in the upper interval of an open-ended distribution. While Chevy Chase's exact median income is unknown, its latest available average household income (in 2017 inflation-adjusted dollars) is $429,993.
The richest town in Massachusetts is Wellesley.
Population: 29,004
Median income: $176,852
Median home value: $1,042,300
Wellesley is a suburb of Boston. Its eponymous women's-only college is the town's biggest attraction.
The richest town in Michigan is Bloomfield Hills.
Population: 4,009
Median income: $186,563
Median home value: $840,300
Bloomfield Hills is 20 miles outside of Detroit. The cost of living is 33.3% higher than the national average.
The richest town in Minnesota is Minnetrista.
Population: 7,912
Median income: $148,783
Median home value: $445,900
Minnetrista is just 22 miles outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Minneapolis is said to have the healthiest and most well-rested residents, according to a recent study on the best US cities for enjoying a balanced lifestyle.
The richest town in Mississippi is Madison.
Population: 25,676
Median income: $103,121
Median home value: $250,200
Madison is in the Jackson metropolitan area. It is the most educated town in the state.
The richest town in Missouri is Ladue.
Population: 8,635
Median income: $203,250
Median home value: $798,500
Ladue is a suburb of Saint Louis, Missouri, where homes were recently selling for $1 to save less maintained parts of the city from decay.
The richest town in Montana is Montana City.
Population: 2,770
Median income: $96,089
Median home value: $313,600
Montana City is part of the Helena metropolitan area. Despite being the richest area in Montana, its cost of living is actually 5.5% lower than the national average.
The richest town in Nebraska is Hickman.
Population: 2,300
Median income: $89,609
Median home value: $180,000
Hickman is about 60 miles southwest of Omaha, Nebraska.
The richest town in Nevada is East Valley.
Population: 1,391
Median income: $103,224
Median home value: $613,400
The cost of living in East Valley is 73.8% higher than the average in the US. It is located just over 53 miles from Reno.
The richest town in New Hampshire is Hanover.
Population: 11,428
Median income: $118,250
Median home value: $539,900
Hanover is located a little over 100 miles outside of Boston, Massachusetts. It is the home of Dartmouth College and the Appalachian Trail runs through the town.
The richest town in New Jersey is Essex Fells.
Population: 2,085
Median income: $200,875
Median home value: $834,400
Essex Fells is 16 miles outside of New York City. In 2000, The New York Times reported that the town has "no apartment buildings, town houses, condominiums, office towers, malls, restaurants, traffic lights, or even stores" due to an ordinance passed in 1928, which limited commercial activity in the area.
The richest town in New Mexico is White Rock.
Population: 5,878
Median income: $121,518
Median home value: $283,100
White Rock is 50 miles outside of Albuquerque and is known for White Rock Canyon, a natural wonder formed from the lava that oozed from the Caja del Rio Caldera volcanic eruptions.
The richest town in New York is Brookville.
Population: 3,602
Median income: $250,000+*
Median home value: $1,815,600
In the 17th century, Brookville was owned by the Matinecock Native Americans, who later sold the land to settlers. It is 24 miles outside of New York City.
*Per the US Census Bureau, an '+' following a median estimate means the median falls in the upper interval of an open-ended distribution. While Brookville's exact median income is unknown, its latest available average household income (in 2017 inflation-adjusted dollars) is $425,300.
The richest town in North Carolina is Marvin.
Population: 6,592
Median income: $170,500
Median home value: $633,300
Marvin is right outside Charlotte, North Carolina. The cost of living in Marvin is 65.7% higher than the US average.
The richest town in North Dakota is Horace.
Population: 2,847
Median income: $110,870
Median home value: $254,200
The closest major city to Horace is Minneapolis, Minnesota, which is over 200 miles away. The unemployment rate in Horace is only 2.3%.
The richest town in Ohio is The Village of Indian Hill.
Population: 5,887
Median income: $215,679
Median home value: $947,000
The Village of Indian Hill is located in the greater Cincinnati, Ohio, area.
The richest town in Oklahoma is Nichols Hills.
Population: 3,919
Median income: $144,833
Median home value: $686,300
Nichols Hill is a suburb of Oklahoma City. 80.6% of the population holds at least a bachelor's degree, making it the wealthiest and most educated town in Oklahoma.
The richest town in Oregon is Bethany.
Population: 23,177
Median income: $121,149
Median home value: $479,700
Bethany is a suburb of Portland, Oregon. Its unemployment rate of 3.4% is just below the US average of 3.9%, and its cost of living is 42.7% higher than the nation's average.
The richest town in Pennsylvania is Woodside.
Population: 2,482
Median income: $169,306
Median home value: $485,100
Woodside is just under 25 miles outside of Philadelphia. The cost of living in Woodside is 51.1% higher than the national average.
The richest town in Rhode Island is Kingston.
Population: 6,983
Median income: $93,051
Median home value: $336,500
Kingston is less than 30 miles away from Providence, Rhode Island. It is also the home of the University of Rhode Island.
The richest town in South Carolina is Tega Cay.
Population: 10,863
Median income: $121,623
Median home value: $306,600
Tega Cay is right on the border of South Carolina and North Carolina. It's located 20 miles outside of Charlotte, North Carolina.
The richest town in South Dakota is Dakota Dunes.
Population: 2,950
Median income: $98,787
Median home value: $277,500
The closest major city to Dakota Dunes is Omaha, Nebraska, at just under 90 miles away. Dakota Dunes' unemployment rate of 3.3% is just below the national average of 3.9%
The richest town in Tennessee is Belle Meade.
Population: 2,881
Median income: $195,000
Median home value: $1,330,200
Belle Meade is a suburb of Nashville. The town is known for its namesake plantation, which spans roughly 5,400 acres.
The richest town in Texas is Hunters Creek Village.
Population: 4,891
Median income: $250,000+*
Median home value: $1,525,700
Hunters Creek Village is just 10 miles away from Houston, Texas.
*Per the US Census Bureau, an '+' following a median estimate means the median falls in the upper interval of an open-ended distribution. While Hunters Creek Village's exact median income is unknown, its latest available average household income (in 2017 inflation-adjusted dollars) is $410,151.
The richest town in Utah is Silver Summit.
Population: 4,205
Median income: $133,281
Median home value: $717,600
Silver Summit is less than 15 miles away from Park City, Utah.
The richest town in Vermont is Norwich.
Population: 3,341
Median income: $109,648
Median home value: $454,500
At just over 100 miles away, the closest major city to Norwich is Boston, Massachusetts. Norwich is known for its historical roots, including The Norwich Inn, whose history dates back to 1797.
The richest town in Virginia is Great Falls.
Population: 15,589
Median income: $230,450
Median home value: $1,130,400
Great Falls is just outside of Washington DC, with views of the Potomac River.
The richest town in Washington is Clyde Hill.
Population: 3,384
Median income: $205,500
Median home value: $1,686,700
Clyde Hill is just east of Seattle. The cost of living in Clyde Hill is 318% higher than the national average.
The richest town in West Virginia is Cheat Lake.
Population: 9,540
Median income: $87,125
Median home value: $273,800
Right outside of Morgantown, West Virginia, and roughly on the Pennsylvania border, Cheat Lake is home to the 1,730 acre man-made reservoir of the same name.
The richest town in Wisconsin is Merton.
Population: 3,731
Median income: $151,818
Median home value: $437,100
Merton is just west of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Merton's unemployment rate of 2.6% is below the national average of 3.9%.
The richest town in Wyoming is Wilson.
Population: 1,991
Median income: $115,363
Median home value: $1,121,400
Wilson is right outside of Jackson, the most unequal place in America.