The 20 Richest Towns in America

From California to New York and from Colorado to Florida, here's where the wealthiest people in America live, work and play.

By: Erin Gifford

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The Richest Places Index

Bloomberg created the annual Richest Places Index to uncover the most affluent towns in the United States. While some towns are chock full of tech moguls and uber-rich celebs, not every "richest place" on this list has high-profile residents.

These towns all have mega mansions and manicured lawns, of course, but they are more in demand for their gorgeous outdoor spaces and top-rated schools. Many are also close — but not too close — to a bustling downtown scene.

Bloomberg created and ordered this list by annual household income. Every one of the top 20 towns have households that bring in at least $300,000 a year. While Silicon Valley and the New York metro area make up a big chunk of this list, the richest people in America also take up residences in Arizona, Florida, Colorado and Virginia. Here are the 20 towns with the richest people in America.

1. Atherton, California

Unless you live in or near Silicon Valley, you may not know of the sleepy town of Atherton, California. Nearly equidistant from San Francisco and San Jose, this village of less than 7,500 residents is home to the wealthiest households in America. The average household income tops a whopping $525,000. Tech moguls, like Facebook's Sheryl Sandberg and Google's Eric Schmidt, call Atherton home. Assorted celebs and athletes, like NBA star Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors, have lavish mansions here, too.

2. Scarsdale, New York

Just 35 minutes north of Manhattan, Scarsdale has made a name for itself as the wealthiest town on the East Coast with an average annual household income of more than $450,000. The charming village of Scarsdale is known for classic architecture in its lavish homes and luxe retail shops, as well as some of the most highly-rated public schools in Westchester County. The tony Murray Hill neighborhood boasts estates with manicured lawns, circular driveways and multi-million-dollar price tags. Notable residents have included Rob Reiner and Liza Minelli.

3. Hillsborough, California

Hillsborough is a short 25-minute drive north of Atherton, and the money flows freely here too, despite an average household income that's nearly $100,000 less than Atherton. Not that anyone would scoff at $430,000. In Hillsborough, the median home sales price in 2020 was $4.6 million, according to Compass. You'd be hard-pressed to find a single-family home for less than $2 million. Maybe a condo. Interestingly, this wealthy town of less than 12,000 in San Mateo County has its quirks, most notably a super-size statue of Junipero Serra. Widely considered the "Founder of California," some say the statue looks like it was made from mashed potatoes.

4. Cherry Hills Village, Colorado

You'll need to open up your wallet to live in Cherry Hills Village, at least if you want to own a home in this exclusive suburb of Denver. One glance at Zillow and you'll note that not a single home has a price tag that's less than $1 million. The average household income is $430,000, so that certainly helps with the mortgage. The ritzy enclave attracts the affluent with a strong desire to be close to the outdoors, yet also close to downtown Denver. It's no surprise that Cherry Hills Village also hosts an annual exotic car show where moneyed locals can show off their sweet rides.

5. Los Altos Hills, California

Santa Clara County is home to Los Altos Hills, an uber-wealthy suburb of San Jose. A short drive to the Googleplex in Mountain View, Los Altos Hills is home to Google co-founder Sergey Brin and CEO Sundar Pichai. Known for large parcels of land and rolling hills, Los Altos Hills is where super-rich techies go for privacy, as well as a manageable commute to Silicon Valley. You may find a condo or townhome for $1 million, but for a single-family home, you'll really need to open up your wallet and most certainly have an income at or above the average household income of $405,000.

6. Short Hills, New Jersey

Short Hills is not so much a town as it is an upscale residential neighborhood in Milburn. There is no mayor or high school. The Mall at Short Hills is simply in the Short Hills section of Milburn. It's also one of the best shopping malls in New Jersey. Short Hills is a commuter area, thanks to an easy 45-minute drive into Manhattan. At the end of the work day, residents return to tree-lined streets, charming Tudor-style homes and large manicured lawns. According to PropertyShark, real estate in Short Hills is the third most-expensive in the state. The median home price is $1.4 million in the 07078 zip code.

7. Highland Park, Texas

Just four miles north of Dallas sits the well-to-do suburb of Highland Park. It's home to celebs and dignitaries, both in real-life and on television, including Claire Hale Underwood, the 47th President of the United States on Netflix's popular series, House of Cards. Actress Angie Harmon was born in Highland Park, and more than a few notables have been spotted at Highland Park Village, an upscale shopping district, including George W. and Laura Bush. Highland Park has top-rated schools, multi-million-dollar mansions and gorgeous outdoor spaces, like Flippen Park.

8. Glencoe, Illinois

Set on the shores of Lake Michigan, Glencoe is a vibrant residential suburb 30 minutes north of Chicago. The affluent flock to this small village on Chicago's North Shore for beautiful outdoor spaces, like the Chicago Botanic Garden, as well as Glencoe Beach, a stunning stretch of sandy lakeshore beach. The well-heeled also like that Glencoe is removed from the bustling downtown scene. Homes typically come with price tags in the $1 to $5 million range, but can you really put a price on the peace and tranquility of this idyllic suburb?

9. Winnetka, Illinois

Just two miles south of Glencoe on Chicago's North Shore is Winnetka. This wealthy suburb is home to luxe country clubs, highly-rated public schools, and yes, the swanky red brick home from Home Alone. It's been more than 30 years since this holiday movie debuted and the colonial-style home on Lincoln Avenue continues to draw onlookers out to the burbs. An iron fence around the half-acre lot keeps fans from getting too close. The average household income is $353,000 and price tags on homes across town start at $1 million.

10. Darien, Connecticut

Situated on Connecticut's "Gold Coast," Darien has been home to more than a few notables over the years, including actress Kate Bosworth and Yankees general manager Brian Cashman. If you live in Darien, you're doing well. As in, very well. The average household income in this coastal village is $352,000. Meanwhile, the median home price is upwards of $1.7 million, according to Realtor.com. Darien's residents have plenty of money to spend at the yacht and beach clubs when not commuting on the express train into Midtown Manhattan, of course.

11. West University Place, Texas

West University Place — or simply, West U — is not only home to some of the richest people in America, it's also a plain old great place to live. An easy 15-minute drive southwest of Houston, West U is known for its Little League scene, a low crime rate and top-rated public schools. Well, one school. There's just one public school in West University Place — West University Elementary — but it's one of the best in the entire state. Rub elbows with the likes of former head coach of the Houston Texans football team, Bill O'Brien, and ESPN basketball analyst, Jeff Van Gundy.

12. Rumson, New Jersey

Rumson is home to a number of wealthy individuals who've snapped up their own pieces of the Jersey Shore. New Jersey native Jon Bon Jovi, one of the Shore's biggest names, once called Rumson home. It's easy to see the appeal of Rumson, especially among the well-to-do, considering the sweeping ocean views, top-performing public schools, beautiful public parks and white sand beaches. More than a few Wall Street execs call Rumson home, thanks to an easy 45-minute ferry ride into New York's Financial District. You may be able to pick up a cozy beach cottage for under $1 million, but most single-family homes in Rumson have much higher price tags.

13. Bronxville, New York

Bronxville is another affluent town in Westchester County that's chock full of beautiful million dollar homes and white-collar commuters bound for Manhattan. At just one square mile, this charming, walkable village is what well-to-do residents desire after a work day spent in the city and a train ride home on the Metro-North Harlem Line to Bronxville station. The average household income is $330,000, so you'll find plenty of wealthy residents walking the postcard-perfect streets on their way to their historic Tudor-style homes.

14. Paradise Valley, Arizona

For a piece of paradise (pun intended) that's not in Silicon Valley or the New York metro area, the well-to-do can look to Paradise Valley. This wealthy suburb of Phoenix has plenty of affluent residents and exclusive communities boasting luxury homes with price tags well into the millions of dollars. The wide open spaces lure in residents. The views of Mummy Mountain, Camelback Mountain and the McDowell Mountains are spectacular. Award-winning golf courses, world-class restaurants and high-end shopping are a few more draws.

15. Larchmont, New York

Larchmont is the third (and final) affluent village in New York's Westchester County that made the list of towns with the richest people. While property taxes in Westchester County can be rather high, an average household income of nearly $325,000 helps residents pay the bills. Many well-to-do say it's worth it for a place to call their own in this low-key suburb on the Long Island Sound. A popular summer destination with wealthy city-dwelling socialites, more than a few grand Victorian homes can be found in the Larchmont Manor neighborhood.

16. Old Greenwich, Connecticut

In Connecticut, Old Greenwich is a coastal community that's among the wealthiest in the United States. Greenwich may be glamourous and bustling, but Old Greenwich is quaint and relaxing. A one-hour drive from Manhattan, Old Greenwich allows you to free yourself of the day's cares and stresses. To be clear, you do need money to live here. Some call it "quieter" money, given the laid-back nature of the area. The median home price is $2 million, according to Realtor.com. Thankfully, Old Greenwich also has the lowest property taxes in the New York metro area.

17. The Village of Indian Hill, Ohio

The Village of Indian Hill — or simply, Indian Hill — is the most affluent suburb of Cincinnati, with an average household income of $318,000. This small village of less than 6,000 residents is home to the Stanley Rowe Arboretum and the Cincinnati Country Day School, the second-best private high school in the Greater Cincinnati area. It's also a stone's throw from the Great American Ball Park, home to the Cincinnati Reds. This quiet bedroom community draws in the affluent with its small town feel, good schools and manicured outdoor spaces.

18. Palm Beach, Florida

In South Florida, Palm Beach is where the rich and famous go to play, especially in winter when warm ocean breezes and gently swaying palm trees attract the wealthy. It's not just where millionaires go, but billionaires. Founded by oil magnate Henry Morrison Flagler in 1894, Palm Beach has been a mainstay for uber-wealthy families, like the Vanderbilts, Fords and DuPonts. Even today, the likes of Bill Gates, Tiger Woods and Jimmy Buffett own homes in Palm Beach County. You can find condos for less than $1 million, but in Palm Beach, mega mansions can go for upwards of $30 million.

19. University Park, Texas

The priciest homes in all of Texas are in Highland Park (see #7), but two miles north in University Park, you'll find more than a few expensive homes. The two neighborhoods in the Dallas suburbs are referred to as the Park Cities, an area well-known for ritzy estates and mega mansions with elevators and fireplaces in every bedroom. It's also home to the main campus of Southern Methodist University, which is frequently ranked among the most beautiful campuses in America. Posh homes on the market now run from $1 to $7 million, so you're likely to bump into more than a few of the richest people in Texas.

20. Great Falls, Virginia

Great Falls may be best known for 800-acre Great Falls Park, which boasts miles of hiking trails and gorgeous cascading falls, but it's also known for dream homes set back on large parcels of land. This close-knit community is where the Washington, DC elite — politicians, lobbyists, tech tycoons and Beltway power brokers — rest their heads. With an average household income of $311,000, the affluent have plenty of money to enjoy the bucolic hunt country and horsey lifestyle of Great Falls far away from the bustling city center of DC.