Piggybacking U.S. Census counts, congressional redistricting regularly accounts for population changes in each state, currently resulting in the delineations making up the 118th Congress. Still, day-to-day life may look very different in the richest and poorest congressional districts in America. While the latest U.S. Census Bureau data puts the median household income in the United States at $77,719, some congressional districts more than double this. And this range can leave diverse footprints on the economies and politics of these areas.
With this in mind, SmartAsset ranked U.S. congressional districts based on the percent of households with over $200,000 in annual income – the IRS’s threshold for “high-earners”.
Key Findings
- The median household income in California’s 17th Congressional District is $175,010. Potentially due to its proximity to Silicon Valley, 44.3% of households in this district earn over $200,000 per year. This makes it the richest congressional district in the U.S.
- New York’s richest congressional district earns a median $149,367. Situated in Manhattan, NY-12 is the third-richest across the nation. This district has 156,102 households earning over $200,000 annually, or 39.7% of households. This brings the mean income up to $237,485.
- 25.4% of households are high-earners in Texas’s richest district. The 24th congressional district, situated in the suburbs between Fort Worth and Dallas, has a median income of $114,631. A total of 73,848 households earn over $200,000 here – or 25.4% of households – making it the richest district in Texas and 38th-richest across the U.S.
- Florida’s richest congressional district has 51,838 high-earning households. The 27th district, located in Miami-Dade County, ranks 90th across the U.S., with 17.2% of households earning $200,000 or more. Otherwise, the median income is on par with the U.S. at large with $77,440.
10 Richest Congressional Districts
Congressional districts across the U.S. are ranked by the highest percent of households earning $200,000 or more.
1. Congressional District 17, California
South Bay and East Bay regions of the San Francisco Bay Area
- Percent of households earning $200,000+: 44.3%
- Number of households earning $200,000+: 122,609
- Median income: $175,010
- Mean income: $221,645
- Total households: 276,769
2. Congressional District 16, California
Portions of Santa Clara and San Mateo counties
- Percent of households earning $200,000+: 43.4%
- Number of households earning $200,000+: 117,981
- Median income: $165,918
- Mean income: $253,193
- Total households: 271,845
3. Congressional District 12, New York
Portion of Manhattan
- Percent of households earning $200,000+: 39.7%
- Number of households earning $200,000+: 156,102
- Median income: $149,367
- Mean income: $237,485
- Total households: 393,204
4. Congressional District 10, Virginia
Rappahannock, Fauquier and Loudoun Counties, parts of Fairfax and Prince William Counties, as well as the independent cities of Manassas and Manassas Park
- Percent of households earning $200,000+: 36.8%
- Number of households earning $200,000+: 99,521
- Median income: $154,020
- Mean income: $186,951
- Total households: 270,438
5. Congressional District 10, California
Parts of the eastern San Francisco Bay Area
- Percent of households earning $200,000+: 35.5%
- Number of households earning $200,000+: 97,188
- Median income: $150,078
- Mean income: $196,038
- Total households: 273,768
6. Congressional District 15, California
Most of San Mateo County and the southeast side of San Francisco
- Percent of households earning $200,000+: 34.9%
- Number of households earning $200,000+: 89,892
- Median income: $141,704
- Mean income: $200,604
- Total households: 257,570
7. Congressional District 11, California
Most of San Francisco
- Percent of households earning $200,000+: 34.7%
- Number of households earning $200,000+: 117,208
- Median income: $129,584
- Mean income: $197,921
- Total households: 337,775
8. Congressional District 11, Virginia
Most of Fairfax County
- Percent of households earning $200,000+: 34.4%
- Number of households earning $200,000+: 97,937
- Median income: $148,511
- Mean income: $186,331
- Total households: 284,700
9. Congressional District 36, California
South Bay and Westside regions of Los Angeles
- Percent of households earning $200,000+: 33.2%
- Number of households earning $200,000+: 107,512
- Median income: $129,277
- Mean income: $189,635
- Total households: 323,832
10. Congressional District 8, Maryland
Montgomery County and a small portion in Prince George's County
- Percent of households earning $200,000+: 33.0%
- Number of households earning $200,000+: 95,336
- Median income: $132,789
- Mean income: $182,885
- Total households: 288,897
Data and Methodology
To determine the richest congressional districts, SmartAsset examined U.S. Census Bureau data for 2023 Rich households are defined as those with adjusted gross incomes of $200,000 or more, which the IRS deems as the threshold for “high earners”. The median income for households with available data was also examined.
Questions about our study? Contact us at press@smartasset.com
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