The Most Affluent Towns In America, Ranked (Per 2020 U.S. Census Data)

Some of the wealthiest spots in America come as no surprise, while others will catch you off guard. From the coast of California to the quaint historic villages of the northeast, these are the most affluent towns in the US.

For context, these rankings are based on the average household incomes of each town. But, before getting to the rankings, let’s give an honorable mention to some of the places that made the cut in 2019, but dropped off in 2020.

Potomac, Maryland (Honorable Mention)

There are a lot of towns located near the United States capital that made today’s list, including the town of Potomoc. It makes sense, as a lot of the wealthiest and most powerful people have ties to the area.

Named after the nearby Potomac River, the town was once the most affluent town with a population of 25,000 or more. It’s also one of the most educated small towns in the country, based on the percentage of residents with college degrees.

Chevy Chase, Maryland (Honorable Mention)

Chevy Chase, Maryland is a desirable town even closer to the luxuries of Washington D.C. than Potomac. In addition, it’s one of the wealthiest (and whitest) towns in the entire United States of America.

In case you were wondering, the town did not get its name from the famous comedic actor. In actuality, Cornelius Crane Chase’s grandmother nicknamed him Chevy Chase after the wealthy Maryland community.

Inverness, Illinois (Honorable Mention)

Located northwest of Downtown Chicago, it’s still possible to commute to or from Inverness in less than an hour. The town is also closely situated to Harper College and Arlington International Racecourse.

Inverness is especially well known for its large and beautiful residential lots. As a matter of fact, Williamsburg Village is the only business development in town – but with Chicago nearby, there’s still plenty to do nearby.

North Caldwell, New Jersey (Honorable Mention)

North Caldwell is a borough in northwestern Essex County and a suburb of New York City. Purchased from Lenape Native Americans in the 1700s, the name is derived from Presbyterian minister James Caldwell.

In HBO’s The Sopranos, the house used to portray the home of Tony Soprano and his family is located in North Caldwell. In addition, many scenes were filmed in North Caldwell and other communities in North Jersey.

Lawrence, New York (Honorable Mention)

Lawrence is a wealthy village located just south of downtown New York City. It almost touches the Atlantic Ocean, with just Atlantic Beach and the Reynolds Channel separating citizens from the sea.

Old Lawrence, or Back Lawrence, is comprised primarily of large homes, mansions, beachside villas, and even a few former plantations. Some of these properties date all the way back to the American Revolution.

50. Darnestown, Maryland (Average Household Income: $262,988)

Add Darnestown to the list of wealthy towns situated near Washington, D.C. The town borders Travilah to the east, which is another wealthy town mentioned later in this list, and the Potomac River to the south.

The name Darnestown comes from William Darne, who was the largest landowner near the beginning of the 19th century. Today, wealthy residents still live in large homes on large lots, which is reflected in the high average income and low housing density.

49. Long Grove, Illinois (Average Household Income: $263,939)

Similar to Inverness, Long Grove is also located northwest of Downtown Chicago. The village has strict building ordinances to preserve its country atmosphere – sidewalks, fences, and residential street lights aren’t allowed.

The Long Grove area is known for its historic downtown, exclusive million-dollar homes, and annual events. These include the chocolate, strawberry, and apple festivals that take place in May, June, and September, respectively.

48. New Albany, Ohio (Average Household Income: $264,639)

The first of three Ohio towns to make this list, New Albany is located northeast of Columbus. It has a large, vibrant Jewish population and has also been very supportive of the arts over the years.

Abercrombie & Fitch, part of the retail clothing conglomerate built by entrepreneur Les Wexner, is headquartered in New Albany. There are also large distribution centers for the retailer next to the corporate office.

47. Wolf Trap, Virginia (Average Household Income: $265,175)

If it wasn’t already glaringly obvious at this point, some of the suburbs surrounding Washington D.C. are extremely well-off. The community of Wolf Trap, Virginia is no exception to the trend.

There are many beautiful parks found within this suburb. One of the most notable is the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, a performing arts center located on 117 acres of gorgeous national parkland.

46. Lake Forest, Illinois (Average Household Income: $265,477)

At this point, we can add Chicago suburbs right up there with Washington, D.C. suburbs when it comes to attracting wealthy families. Lake Forest is approximately 30 miles north of Chicago and borders Lake Michigan to the east.

It has been named a “Tree City USA” by the National Arbor Day Foundation in recognition of its commitment to community forest. The actor Mr. T notably angered the town by cutting down more than 100 oak trees on his estate.

45. Upper Montclair, New Jersey (Average Household Income: $265,482)

Let’s consider adding New York City as a magnet for wealthy families, while we’re at it. Upper Montclair is a suburb west of the Big Apple, close enough to commute back and forth within an hour each way.

It is home to many parks and nature reserves. These include Anderson Park, Yantacaw Brook Park, Bonsal Nature Reserve, Mountainside Park, Presby Memorial Iris Gardens, and parts of Mills Reservation and Brookdale Park.

44. Montecito, California (Average Household Income: $265,940)

East of Santa Barbara with a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean, Montecito is the first town in California to be named on this particular list. It sits just south of the beautiful Santa Ynez Mountains.

One of the most famous residents of Montecito is Oprah, but there’s a bevy of other names associated with the town. Some include Troy Aikman, Jason Bateman, Tom Cruise, Ellen DeGeneres, Steve Martin, John Travolta, and Bruce Willis.

43. Pepper Pike, Ohio (Average Household Income: $267,268)

While Cleveland doesn’t have too many accolades, it is just west of Pepper Pike, home to Ursuline College, Ohio’s oldest catholic school. Lake Erie is also in close proximity to this wealthy town.

Like Lake Forest, Pepper Pike has been nicknamed “Tree City USA” for several consecutive years by the National Arbor Day Foundation. Adding to the greenery are a number of pristine golf courses.

42. Tiburon, California (Average Household Income: $270,969)

Tiburon is just across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco, located on the Tiburon Peninsula. Tiburon is now a commuter and tourist town, linked by ferry services to San Francisco and Angel Island.

It’s very difficult to develop properties in Tiburon. While there is open space, the biodiversity and presence of rare and endangered species are often used as reasons to prevent further building projects.

41. Glen Ridge, New Jersey (Average Household Income: $271,826)

Another suburb west of New York City, Glen Ridge is a rather narrow-shaped community that’s a frequent location for film, television, and commercial shoots. Notable works shot in town include Winter Solstice and Mona Lisa Smile.

The founders of the town left behind several legacies, but it’s especially famed for its gas lamps. There are only 3,000 gaslights remaining in operation in the entire country, and Glen Ridge has 665 of them lighting its streets.

40. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey (Average Household Income: $272,573)

The community of Upper Saddle River is approximately twenty-five miles north of Glen Ridge, New Jersey, in Bergen County. The northern part of the town shares its border with the great state of New York.

Predominantly a residential community, Upper Saddle River contains a library, police station, fire station, ambulance corps, municipal hall, and three primary schools. Commerce and industrial businesses are concentrated along the western border.

39. Blackhawk, California (Average Household Income: $272,940)

Blackhawk is an unincorporated planned community east of Danville and Oakland. It has a country club, two golf courses, a sports complex, restaurants, and the adjacent Blackhawk Plaza shopping center.

Governed by county rules, regulations, and an HOA, Blackhawk has round-the-clock security. Additional law enforcement contracted through the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office is provided to residents, and paid for by HOA dues.

38. East Hills, New York (Average Household Income: $273,306)

East Hills is located on the North Shore of Long Island. It is far less condensed than the southern neighborhoods and has a lot more greenery, as well as larger plots of land for residents to enjoy.

On Labor Day of 2006, The Park at East Hills opened at the former location of the Roslyn Air National Guard Base. It has a pool, nature walks, senior facilities, and tennis and basketball courts for residents to enjoy.

37. Malibu, California (Average Household Income: $275,675)

A beach town west of Los Angeles, Malibu is iconic for a number of reasons. With the Santa Monica Mountains to the north and great surf spots to the south, it’s a perfect location for those willing to pay a premium for southern California.

Being close to Hollywood, Malibu has been a location or setting for many films, TV programs, fashion shoots, and music videos. Some well-known shows and movies featuring Malibu include Planet of the Apes, Iron Man, and Two and a Half Men.

36. Wellesley, Massachusetts (Average Household Income: $277,508)

Southwest of Boston, Wellesley is a historic as well as a wealthy town. Most of the houses there were built around the 1860s and qualify as protected buildings certified by the town’s historic commission.

Wellesley College, Babson College, and a campus of Massachusetts Bay Community College are all located in the heart of Wellesley. There are also several business complexes on the east side of town.

35. Bellaire, Texas (Average Household Income: $278,350)

Bellaire, Texas is adjacent to West University Place, another one of the wealthy towns included on this list. It’s also located less than ten miles from the hustle and bustle of downtown Houston.

Known as the “City of Homes” due to its residential character, most Bellaire residential lots are slightly bigger than those in West University Place. However, there are still businesses along the major thoroughfares.

34. Hinsdale, Illinois (Average Household Income: $281,855)

Hinsdale is another thriving suburb of Chicago that often attracts rich families. The town has rolling, wooded topography, despite being just a 22-minute express train ride to downtown Chicago.

The downtown area of Hinsdale is a National Register Historic District. There are several other buildings and architectural landmarks scattered throughout the town with historic designations, too.

33. Southlake, Texas (Average Household Income: $282,834)

Southlake is, as one might expect, south of the Grapevine Lake reservoir. The lake itself is actually a manmade feature, and Southlake only got its name four years after the completion of the reservoir.

It’s a suburb of the Dallas and Fort Worth area and sits comfortably between both downtowns. The town really started to take off in the 1970s with the completion of DFW International Airport (pun intended).

32. Ladue, Missouri (Average Household Income: $286,291)

West of downtown St. Louis and south of the airport, Ladue is the only town in the state of Missouri to make this list. As such, it is home to many of the best private schools and golf courses in the area.

Ladue is, statistically, Missouri’s most well-educated city. It also has the highest median household income of any city in the state, despite boasting a rather small population hovering just over 1,000.

31. Alamo, California (Average Household Income: $288,541)

Alamo is situated to the east of Orinda, another wealthy town in Northern California that made this list. Despite being less than thirty miles from San Francisco, Alamo is an outdoorsman’s paradise.

Mount Diablo State Park is situated just outside the borders of the town. In addition, Alamo contains other appealing natural attractions such as China Wall and the Diablo Foothills Regional Park.

30. McLean, Virginia (Average Household Income: $293,323)

Located just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., McLean is famous for being a town blessed with extreme wealth and power. Perhaps not coincidentally, it’s also the location of the headquarters of the CIA.

McLean residents have included former Vice President Dick Cheney, Ethel Kennedy, and former Secretary of State Colin Powel. There are many other diplomats, military men, members of Congress, and government officials who reside in McLean, too.

29. Orinda, California (Average Household Income: $293,898)

A tad more inland than the next town on this list, Orinda has far more open space to work with. However, the commute to the concrete jungles of downtown Oakland and San Francisco still isn’t too bad.

Orinda’s many parks and trails make it a destination for many hikers and naturalists in California. Tilden Regional Park, a 2,079-acre park, contains hiking trails, a golf course, a lake, and a merry-go-round.

28. Piedmont, California (Average Household Income: $295,742)

Piedmont, California got its name from the Piedmont region of Italy, which literally means foothill in Italian. This wealthy town is completely surrounded by the city of Oakland in the beautiful East Bay.

A short trip across the Bay Bridge is all that separates Piedmont from the excitement of San Francisco. It’s also close to the University of California: Berkeley, which is located just to the north of town.

27. Rye, New York (Average Household Income: $297,011)

Rye is located north of New York City and rather close to the border of Connecticut. There are two particularly historic landmarks within Rye: the Boston Post Road Historic District and Playland Amusement Park.

It’s characterized by a significant quantity of rock, marshes, and wetlands, which makes the town both desirably scenic and also challenging for developers. This could explain why it’s so expensive to live there.

26. Greenville, New York (Average Household Income: $297,128)

An inner suburb of New York City, Greenville is commonly known by the locals as Edgemont. Most of its residents refer to the area as Edgemont, which is also the name of its accompanying school district.

It was originally a development of summer homes for wealthy families, designed by a variety of different architects. Greenville is now known for its stunning antique colonial homes and outstanding schools.

25. Travilah, Maryland (Average Household Income: $300,607)

Most of the famous people working in and around the nation’s capital don’t actually call the city their home. Instead, many of them live in the surrounding suburbs, such as Travilah, Maryland.

For those in politics who decide to live in Maryland, most end up in Montgomery County, and the richest of the rich end up in Travilah. Since Travilah doesn’t have its own zip code, it’s usually referred to as part of “The Potomac”.

24. Los Altos, California (Average Household Income: $302,068)

Like many on this list, Los Altos, California has landed itself on this list because of its close proximity to Silicon Valley. A lot of wealthy tech wizards and entrepreneurs pay a lot to live in the area.

Los Altos means “the Heights” in Spanish, which adds up since several towns in this vicinity have Spanish names. It’s located just south of Stanford University, and also just south of the wealthiest town in the country.

23. Westport, Connecticut (Average Household Income: $304,439)

There must be something about the Long Island Sound, as a handful of the richest towns in the United States have excellent views of it. Westport is one of those towns situated along Connecticut’s Gold Coast.

Westport residents enjoy close proximity to New York City, while still getting the comfort of one of the world’s nicest suburbs. The Stepford Wives was filmed in Westport, which proves just how quintessential of an American suburb it is.

22. Riverside, Connecticut (Average Household Income: $309,401)

This town cozies right up against Old Greenwich, another wealthy town mentioned later down on this list. The luxurious Riverside Yacht Club is one of the primary attractions of the community.

Notable residents of Riverside include retired NFL player Tiki Barber, actress Kathie Lee Gifford, and former NHL player Marc Staal. They likely appreciate the beautiful views of the cove and the easy train ride to and from New York City.

21. Kentfield, California (Average Household Income: $311,015)

Across the Golden Gate Bridge to the north, Kentfield just is a short commute into San Francisco. It was the former home of California Governor Gavin Newsom, who currently has his hands full with the COVID crisis.

Kentfield is known for having some of the most incredible homes and the most beautiful scenery and hiking in the area. The natural beauty may be due in part to Kentfield having one of the highest average rainfalls in the San Francisco Bay Area.

20. Great Falls, Virginia (Average Household Income: $311,915)

Located west of McLean (number 30 on this list) Great Falls is the richest suburb in Washington D.C. Some powerful Great Falls residents include political elites like former Senator Rick Santorum and Washington Redskins Owner Dan Snyder.

Great Falls sits against the Potomac River, which separates Virginia from Maryland. There are some beautiful overlooks of the waterfalls on the eastern side of the town, which makes sense given the name of the town.

19. University Park, Texas (Average Household Income: $313,255)

Home to Southern Methodist University, it’s easy to see how University Park got its name. Campus venues include McFarlin Auditorium, a stately theater for concerts and high-profile lectures, and the Meadows Museum, with Spanish art from the 15th century on.

Downtown Dallas is a short, easy public commute for the very wealthy residents of the area. Even downtown Fort Worth isn’t the worst commute in the world for the residents of University Point.

18. Palm Beach, Florida (Average Household Income: $314,090)

Palm Beach is known as a great vacation town, as it’s located right on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Those lucky enough to make this vacation town their home are, understandably, the envy of many.

It’s a little island getaway, connected to the mainland by only a select few bridges. With water surrounding both the east and west, it’s hard to find a few that’s not beautiful in the town of Palm Beach.

17. The Village of Indian Hill, Ohio (Average Household Income: $318,319)

Located near the Ohio and Kentucky border, The Village of Indian Hill has large residential lots, unlike a lot of surrounding neighborhoods. There are also beautifully-maintained parks and even an arboretum.

In 1904, the founders of the small town had something else in mind, as they sought out farmers looking to start an agricultural community. Later, The Village grew in popularity as a weekend getaway for those from Cincinnati.

16. Old Greenwich, Connecticut (Average Household Income: $321,377)

Old Greenwich, Connecticut has long been considered a haven for a number of big-wig Wall Street executives. As a matter of fact, Bernie Madoff’s wife, Ruth, is one of the town’s most notable residents.

In several write-ups about Old Greenwich, authors describe it as a town of huge houses that manages to maintain a seemingly small-town vibe. It shares a view of Long Island Sound with the next town on this list.

15. Larchmont, New York (Average Household Income: $324,835)

Larchmont is located on the west end of Long Island Sound, and it has a lot of history. The oldest home in the town was built way back in 1797 by the nephew of America’s first chief justice of the Supreme Court, John Jay.

That home sits on more than twelve acres of land, and it is now known as the Manor House. It’s one of many estates in Larchmont and is also one of the few waterfront parks open to the public in the area.

14. Paradise Valley, Arizona (Average Household Income: $328,353)

Paradise Valley is located in the northern part of the Phoenix greater metro area. Considering the wealth of its residents, it’s really no wonder that this region is referred to as “paradise” by locals and passersby.

Bret Michaels, Michael Phelps, David Spade, and Mike Tyson have all lived in Paradise Valley at one point. Actress Emma Stone even grew up in the area, and her parents are still residents of the community.

13. Bronxville, New York (Average Household Income: $330,421)

Bronxville is only one square mile, but it packs a lot of wealth within it. Situated in the area of Eastchester, it is yet another escape for wealthy families who make their money in nearby Manhattan.

According to the New York Times, Bronxville has managed to maintain its wealthy digs without becoming “too fancy or flashy.” True to form, it’s also the hometown of John, Joseph, Robert, Rose, and Ted Kennedy.

12. Rumson, New Jersey (Average Household Income: $337,696)

Rumson is located in northeast New Jersey, very close to the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a small town with a population of approximately 7,000 – however, it’s home to some pretty well-known citizens and celebrities.

Some famous residents include Jon Bon Jovi, Charlie Puth, Queen Latifah, Heather Locklear, and Bruce Springsteen. These celebrities probably enjoy the colossal estates that Rumson is best known for.

11. West University Place, Texas (Average Household Income: $352,418)

This Houston suburb is named after nearby Rice University, and every street is named after famous authors and poets. It’s also surrounded by several other attractions such as the Houston Zoo, multiple museums, and sports stadiums.

Incredibly, the average West University Place resident makes almost four times more than the typical American household. It makes sense, with that in mind, that homes are priced at a premium for residents.

10. Darien, Connecticut (Average Household Income: $352,839)

One of Darien’s most popular activities is yachting. While Darien is in another state, it’s still relatively close to downtown Manhattan and has become a preferred neighborhood for wealthy New York City workers.

Darien is the smallest town on Connecticut’s Gold Coast, but still has two public beaches, multiple country clubs, a hunting club, and a boat club. It’s only fitting that there’s also a yacht club.

9. Winnetka, Illinois (Average Household Income: $353,700)

Winnetka is the slightly-less-rich neighbor of Glencoe, Illinois, which we’ll get into on the next entry on the list. The two towns share a border, with Winnetka located to the south of Glencoe.

Many fans of the movie Home Alone make an effort to go to the home of the McCallister family that is featured in the film. While the neighborhood likely seems huge to a little kid on his own, Winnetka is actually less than four square miles.

8. Glencoe, Illinois (Average Household Income: $358,543)

Sticking with the movie theme, this picturesque town has been featured in two all-American classic films: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Sixteen Candles. Along with serving as a backdrop, Glencoe is also the wealthiest town in Illinois.

Located on the sprawling shores of Lake Michigan, Glencoe is considered by most to be a part of Chicago’s North Shore. As such, it’s a convenient thirty-minute drive from the heart of downtown Chicago.

7. Highland Park, Texas (Average Household Income: $365,025)

This Dallas suburb is the richest town in the state of Texas. Since Highland Park is situated only four miles north of downtown Dallas, it’s where many of the state’s most powerful and wealthy people reside.

For example, former Texas Governor Bill Clements picked Highland Park. Also, when picking where to film the show Dallas, the executives chose Highland Park as the preferred filming location for its attractive looks.

6. Short Hills, New Jersey (Average Household Income: $388,760)

New Jersey has a lot of wealthy towns, and Short Hills is perhaps the wealthiest one in the entire state. Big names like Anne Hathaway, Patti Stanger, and Rachel Zoe all call this charming suburb home.

For obvious reasons, it’s a popular area for well-off who commute to New York City but don’t necessarily want to live in the middle of the action. Short Hills is an unincorporated community within Millburn Township in Essex County.

5. Los Altos Hills, California (Average Household Income: $405,073)

The town of Los Altos Hills has an incredibly strict commercial ban on operating businesses within its limits. In fact, there are only two retail shops in the entire community: a book store and a gift shop.

Rather than making it a commercial hub, the developers of Los Altos Hills created a space for some of Silicon Valley’s wealthiest. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better place to relax and slip away from the business world.

4. Cherry Hills Village, Colorado (Average Household Income: $406,314)

The Denver suburb is the richest town not on or near a coastline. Cherry Hills Village has attracted attention for its mega-mansions and famous residents, including retired football player Peyton Manning.

Known for its incredible natural beauty, the town has hosted multiple PGA Championships and a US Women’s Open in the past. For the locals, there are plenty of trails and open space for exercise and adventure.

3. Hillsborough, California (Average Household Income: $430,681)

With beautiful open space for wildlife to the west and the San Francisco Bay to the east, Hillsborough is a prime place to call home. It’s also home to the Flintstone House, which is an odd sight to see from the freeway.

Just north of Silicon Valley in the Bay Area, Hillsborough is home to some of the tech world’s wealthiest entrepreneurs, along with some of America’s top stars. Celebrities like Jimmy Kimmel and Alicia Silverstone call it home.

2. Scarsdale, New York (Average Household Income: $452,041)

Scarsdale, New York is the single richest town on the eastern seaboard. Conveniently enough it’s located north of downtown New York City, and it almost shares a border with the state of Connecticut.

It has become such a desired destination for some of New York’s wealthiest that there has been a running rumor that Beyonce and Jay-Z have a secret home there. However, this gossip has yet to be confirmed.

1. Atherton, California (Average Household Income: $525,324)

Holding the top spot by a wide margin, Atherton is home to some absolutely staggering mega-mansions. The town is also in close proximity to Stanford University, one of the top schools in the country.

Situated between San Jose and San Francisco, it has become the hometown of some of Silicon Valley’s wealthiest entrepreneurs. Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg, Google’s Eric Schmidt, and Hewlett-Packard’s Meg Whitman all live in Atherton.