Where America's Richest ZIP Codes and Lowest-Income Neighborhoods Reveal Economic Divides

The saying “location, location, location” has never been more relevant when examining America’s residential landscape. A comprehensive financial analysis reveals starkly contrasting income patterns across different regions of the United States, mapping where household wealth concentrates and where communities face economic challenges. Understanding these geographic divisions provides insight into the nation’s broader economic inequality.

To identify patterns in American residential income distribution, researchers examined ZIP codes nationwide using data from the U.S. Census American Consumer Survey. This analysis incorporated multiple metrics including median household income, mean household income, total household populations, and income level distributions across neighborhoods. The resulting findings demonstrate that the richest zip code areas and poorest communities often exist in dramatically different geographic clusters, revealing significant regional economic disparities.

The Geography of Affluence: Where America’s Wealthiest Households Concentrate

The nation’s most prosperous neighborhoods display remarkable income concentration. These affluent areas, identified through median and mean household income analysis, showcase where the richest zip code communities in America maintain their economic foothold.

East Lynn, Illinois (60932) leads with a median household income of $210,811, paired with a mean income of $162,707. Notably, 58.27% of households in this richest zip code area earn over $150,000 annually, while only 16.77% earn under $25,000. Golf, Illinois (60029) follows closely with a median income of $211,100 and exceptional mean earnings of $302,020, indicating substantial wealth concentration with 36.29% earning above $150,000.

Gillett, Texas (78116) represents another top wealth center with median household income of $196,429 and mean income reaching $255,591. The Texas community shows 49.05% of households in the highest income brackets, demonstrating strong economic performance across the region. Sacramento’s 95837 ZIP code maintains median income of $139,167 with 46.23% of households exceeding $150,000 annually.

Additional wealthy neighborhoods include San Geronimo, California (94963) with $170,938 median income, Rockland, Delaware (19732) at $159,167, Rollins, Montana (59931) at $153,542, and Headrick, Oklahoma (73549) at $114,519. Each of these richest zip code communities demonstrates concentrated household earnings, with significant portions of residents maintaining upper-income status.

Income Distribution Patterns in Affluent Areas

The richest zip codes in America consistently show distinct income composition. Beyond median figures, these neighborhoods maintain substantial percentages of households earning $150,000 or more, typically ranging from 36% to 58%. Simultaneously, lower-income households represent smaller portions of these communities—generally under 21% earning less than $25,000 annually.

Vienna, New Jersey (07880) maintains median income of $123,750 with 37.45% earning above $150,000, while Rumsey, Kentucky (42371) shows $129,583 median income with 37.17% in top brackets. These patterns confirm that the richest zip code regions maintain robust upper-income populations supporting local economic activity.

The Contrast: America’s Lowest-Income Communities

The nation’s economic divide becomes starkly apparent when examining neighborhoods facing financial hardship. These lowest-income ZIP codes present dramatically different household earnings profiles compared to affluent regions.

Kansas City, Missouri (64147) records the lowest median household income at just $7,453, with mean income of $12,846. Notably, 67.91% of households earn under $25,000 in this struggling community, with essentially no households exceeding the $150,000 threshold. Pointe à la Hache, Louisiana (70082) shows median income of $11,148 with 81.82% of households below $25,000 earnings, indicating severe economic concentration at the lower end.

Bishop, Virginia (24604) presents median household income of $22,713 with an alarming 87.79% of households earning under $25,000. Mississippi’s Mayersville (39113) records median income of $11,607, while Ann Arbor, Michigan (48109) shows median income of $11,404 despite higher mean income of $73,118, suggesting income inequality within the community.

Additional challenged communities include Enloe, Texas (75441) with $14,114 median income, Miami, West Virginia (25134) at $23,730, Gulston, Kentucky (40830) at $19,483, Hines, Illinois (60141) at $14,539, and Garfield, New Mexico (87936) at $18,925. Each represents neighborhoods where economic opportunity appears concentrated outside local household brackets.

What These Numbers Reveal About Regional Economic Inequality

The comparison between richest zip code areas and lowest-income neighborhoods illustrates America’s geographic economic stratification. The wealthiest communities maintain median incomes exceeding $200,000 while the poorest hover under $25,000—a tenfold disparity. This gap extends beyond raw numbers to community composition: affluent areas rarely include residents in poverty-level income brackets, while challenged communities virtually lack upper-income households.

The data, sourced from the U.S. Census American Consumer Survey and current as of 2023, reveals persistent regional patterns that likely reflect historical economic development, employment concentration, and generational wealth distribution. Understanding where the richest zip codes concentrate—predominantly in Illinois, California, Texas, and selected Mountain West areas—provides context for broader discussions about residential mobility, real estate value appreciation, and neighborhood stability.

The methodology behind identifying these richest zip codes examined mean income, median income, household population totals, and income-level distributions across neighborhoods. By cross-referencing with United States Postal Service ZIP Code Finder data, researchers mapped actual communities alongside financial metrics, creating a comprehensive portrait of American economic geography.

These patterns underscore that location remains a fundamental determinant of household financial circumstances, confirming the traditional real estate adage’s continuing relevance in understanding modern American residential economics.