Distribution of Personal Income by Counties
November 7,
2014 by in General 
Wonder where the money is in the U.S.? This factoid compares the percentage breakdown between the number of counties and their total personal income. It looks at the distribution of personal income among the 3,141 counties by total county income range and categorizes the highest to lowest total personal income.
The highest income counties (over $50 billion in personal income) only number 46 (1% of total counties); however, they are responsible for one-third of the total U.S. personal income.
Top 10 Counties (over $50 Billion in personal income)
1. Los Angeles, CA –Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale Market
2. Cook, IL –Chicago-Joliet-Naperville Market
3. Harris, TX –Houston-Sugarland-Baytown Market
4. New York, NY –New York-White Plains-Wayne Market
5. Orange, CA –Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine Market
6. San Diego, CA –San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos Market
7. Maricopa, AZ –Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale Market
8. Santa Clara, CA –San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara Market
9. King, WA –Seattle-Bellevue-Everett Market
10. Dallas, TX –Dallas-Plano-Irving Market
Although the top two county income ranges, Over $50 Billion and $10 Billion to $50 Billion, are only 8% of total counties (238 counties), they make up 68% of total personal income . The middle range, $1 Billion to $10 Billion, contribute 27% to personal income and has the largest number of counties –39% and totaling 1,214.
Well over half the counties in the country (1,664) are responsible for just 5% of total personal income.