The 25 Richest ZIP Codes in America: Where Wealth is Concentrated (2025)
From Silicon Valley tech titans to Wall Street financial moguls, discover where America's wealthiest residents live. Our analysis reveals the ZIP codes with the highest median incomes, most expensive homes, and greatest concentration of affluence.
Income inequality in America has reached historic levels, with wealth increasingly concentrated in exclusive neighborhoods that house the nation's most successful entrepreneurs, executives, and professionals. Understanding where this wealth is concentrated provides insights into economic trends, industry dynamics, and the geographic distribution of prosperity.
We analyzed median household income data from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates across all U.S. ZIP codes to identify the 25 wealthiest neighborhoods in America. These aren't just expensive areas-they're communities where the typical household earns $300,000 to $450,000 annually, with median home values ranging from $1.3 million to over $7 million.
What "Richest" Means in Our Rankings
We define "richest" by median household income-the income level where half of households earn more and half earn less. This metric better represents typical wealth in a ZIP code than average income, which can be skewed by extreme outliers.
- Median Income Weight: 70% of ranking score
- Median Home Value Weight: 20% of ranking score (indicates sustained wealth)
- Income Growth Weight: 10% of ranking score (5-year trajectory)
To put these numbers in perspective, the U.S. median household income is approximately $75,000. The ZIP codes on this list have median incomes 4-6 times higher than the national median, representing extraordinary concentrations of wealth.
Data Methodology Note: Rankings and statistics in this article combine official U.S. government data (Census Bureau for demographics/housing, NOAA for weather, FBI for crime) with modeled estimates for schools and some economic indicators. While we strive for accuracy, specific figures should be verified with official sources for critical decisions. Learn more about our data sources and methodology.
Complete Rankings: Top 25 Richest ZIP Codes
| Rank | ZIP Code | Location | Median Income | Median Home | Key Industry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 07620 | Alpine, NJ | $456K | $3.85M | Finance, Entertainment |
| 2 | 33109 | Fisher Island, FL | $442K | $3.65M | Investment, Real Estate |
| 3 | 94027 | Atherton, CA | $425K | $7.45M | Tech, Venture Capital |
| 4 | 10282 | Battery Park City, NY | $413K | $2.95M | Finance, Legal |
| 5 | 33480 | Palm Beach, FL | $398K | $4.25M | Finance, Old Money |
| 6 | 60043 | Kenilworth, IL | $385K | $1.75M | Finance, Corporate |
| 7 | 94301 | Palo Alto, CA | $378K | $3.95M | Tech, VC |
| 8 | 98039 | Medina, WA | $372K | $2.85M | Tech (Microsoft) |
| 9 | 94028 | Portola Valley, CA | $368K | $3.65M | Tech, VC |
| 10 | 11962 | Sagaponack, NY | $365K | $5.25M | Finance, Media |
| 11 | 94022 | Los Altos, CA | $358K | $3.45M | Tech |
| 12 | 06831 | Greenwich, CT | $352K | $2.65M | Hedge Funds |
| 13 | 77019 | River Oaks, TX | $348K | $2.15M | Oil & Gas, Finance |
| 14 | 10065 | Upper East Side, NY | $342K | $2.85M | Finance, Legal |
| 15 | 90210 | Beverly Hills, CA | $338K | $4.25M | Entertainment |
| 16 | 94920 | Belvedere, CA | $332K | $3.15M | Tech, Finance |
| 17 | 20816 | Bethesda, MD | $328K | $1.45M | Government, Healthcare |
| 18 | 02481 | Wellesley, MA | $325K | $1.85M | Finance, Healthcare |
| 19 | 94957 | Ross, CA | $318K | $2.75M | Tech, Finance |
| 20 | 20854 | Potomac, MD | $315K | $1.35M | Government Contractors |
| 21 | 02199 | Back Bay, MA | $312K | $1.95M | Finance, Tech |
| 22 | 94062 | Woodside, CA | $308K | $4.15M | Tech, VC |
| 23 | 10021 | Upper East Side, NY | $305K | $2.45M | Finance, Real Estate |
| 24 | 33139 | Miami Beach, FL | $298K | $1.75M | Finance, Real Estate |
| 25 | 80209 | Cherry Creek, CO | $295K | $1.55M | Tech, Energy |
In-Depth Profiles: America's 5 Wealthiest ZIP Codes
Alpine, New Jersey claims the crown as America's wealthiest ZIP code in 2025, with an astounding median household income exceeding $456,000. This exclusive borough in Bergen County sits atop the Palisades, offering dramatic views of the Hudson River and Manhattan skyline just 15 miles away. The 1.7-square-mile enclave is home to celebrities, entertainment executives, and finance titans who value privacy and prestige.
The town's wealth is most visible in its estates: sprawling properties on multi-acre lots, many hidden behind gates and mature landscaping. Notable current and former residents include Chris Rock, P. Diddy, and Wesley Snipes. The median home value of $3.85 million understates the luxury, as many properties sell for $8-15 million or more.
Alpine's appeal extends beyond opulence. Top-rated schools (students attend nearby Tenafly public schools), virtually zero crime, and easy Manhattan access via the Palisades Interstate Parkway make it ideal for wealthy families. However, Alpine is not a walkable community-residents drive everywhere, and there's minimal commercial activity within town limits.
Fisher Island is America's most exclusive community in the truest sense-it's completely private and accessible only by ferry, helicopter, or private yacht. Located just off the coast of Miami Beach, this 216-acre man-made island is home to fewer than 400 residents, making it one of the smallest and wealthiest ZIP codes in the country.
The island offers resort-style living with white-sand beaches, a deep-water marina, golf course, tennis club, and spa. Residents enjoy 24/7 security, complete privacy, and stunning views of Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline. The community includes luxury condos and single-family estates, with many residents using Fisher Island as a winter retreat or second home.
Florida's lack of state income tax is a major draw for wealthy residents, many of whom are international businesspeople, retired executives, and finance professionals. The island's exclusivity comes at a price: in addition to multimillion-dollar property costs, HOA fees can exceed $25,000 per month for larger residences.
Fun Fact: Fisher Island was once the private estate of the Vanderbilt family. Today, it has the highest per-capita income of any place in the United States.
Atherton, California boasts the highest median home value in America at $7.45 million, more than double any other ZIP code on this list. This Silicon Valley enclave is where tech billionaires and venture capitalists build their dream estates on sprawling lots that often exceed one acre.
Located between Palo Alto and Menlo Park, Atherton offers proximity to Stanford University, top tech companies (Facebook, Google, Apple), and Sand Hill Road-the venture capital capital of the world. Current and former residents include Sheryl Sandberg, Eric Schmidt, Meg Whitman, and numerous tech founders who've IPO'd their companies.
The town is characterized by tree-lined streets, minimal traffic, and extreme privacy. There are no sidewalks by design, reinforcing the car-dependent suburban character. Atherton's schools rank among California's best, and the town has virtually no crime. However, property taxes on a $7 million home exceed $80,000 annually, and state income taxes (up to 13.3%) make California's total tax burden significant even for high earners.
Tech Wealth Hub: A recent analysis found that Atherton residents collectively hold equity in tech companies worth an estimated $80+ billion, the highest concentration of tech wealth anywhere in the world.
Battery Park City represents the pinnacle of Manhattan luxury living. This master-planned community on the Lower West Side features modern high-rise condos with Hudson River views, waterfront parks, and a peaceful, almost suburban feel despite being steps from Wall Street.
The neighborhood attracts finance executives, corporate lawyers, and successful entrepreneurs who want Manhattan convenience with resort-style amenities. Buildings like the Residences at the Ritz-Carlton and One West End offer concierge services, rooftop pools, and finishes rivaling any global luxury development. Battery Park City is also notably family-friendly for Manhattan, with excellent schools and numerous parks.
Palm Beach is old-money America personified. This barrier island east of West Palm Beach has been a winter retreat for America's wealthiest families for over a century. The Rockefellers, Kennedys, and Trumps have all called Palm Beach home, and the island's Mediterranean Revival architecture and manicured estates evoke a timeless elegance.
Worth Avenue, the town's main shopping street, rivals Rodeo Drive with luxury boutiques and fine dining. Social clubs like Mar-a-Lago and the Bath & Tennis Club define the island's exclusive culture. Florida's favorable tax climate (no state income tax, no estate tax) continues to attract wealthy retirees and finance professionals seeking to stretch their fortunes.
Where America's Wealthy Live: Geographic Patterns
America's wealth is not evenly distributed-it clusters in specific regions driven by industry concentration and economic opportunity:
Silicon Valley / Bay Area (8 ZIP codes)
The tech boom has created unprecedented wealth in the San Francisco Peninsula and South Bay. Atherton,Palo Alto, Portola Valley, and Los Altos represent the epicenter of tech wealth, where IPO millionaires and billionaire founders build compounds.
NYC Metro (6 ZIP codes)
New York remains America's financial capital, with Wall Street wealth concentrating in Manhattan's Upper East Side (10065,10021), Battery Park City, suburban New Jersey (Alpine), Connecticut (Greenwich), and the Hamptons (Sagaponack).
Florida (4 ZIP codes)
Florida's tax advantages (no state income tax) attract wealthy individuals seeking to maximize their fortunes. Fisher Island andPalm Beach lead the state, while Miami Beach and Naples also rank highly. The state's appeal grows stronger as remote work makes location more flexible.
Other Wealth Centers
Chicago (Kenilworth): North Shore suburbs house finance and corporate wealth.
Houston (River Oaks): Oil & gas wealth concentrated in this iconic neighborhood.
Los Angeles (Beverly Hills): Entertainment industry wealth remains strong.
Washington DC (Bethesda, Potomac): Government contractors and lobbyists.
Surprising Finding: Wealth Follows Industry Clusters
Notice a pattern? Nearly every wealthy ZIP code is tied to a specific industry: tech in California, finance in NYC/Connecticut, oil in Houston, entertainment in LA. This concentration effect means wealth compounds in these areas as successful professionals cluster together, creating business networks and driving further opportunity.
Beyond Income: Life in America's Wealthiest ZIP Codes
While high incomes define these ZIP codes, they share other characteristics that distinguish them from typical American communities:
Extraordinary Home Values
Median home values range from $1.3 million to $7.5 million-5-15x the national median. Many individual properties sell for $10-50 million or more, particularly in Atherton andPalm Beach.
Elite Schools
These ZIP codes feature America's highest-rated public schools (often 9-10/10 ratings) or proximity to prestigious private schools. SAT averages routinely exceed 1400, and Ivy League matriculation rates are 5-10x the national average.
Virtually Zero Crime
Crime rates in these ZIP codes are 80-98% below national averages. Many communities employ private security, have gated access, or feature such low density that crime is essentially non-existent.
What Drives Wealth in These ZIP Codes?
Tech Industry Concentration
The technology sector has created more individual wealth in the past two decades than any industry in history. Bay Area ZIP codes dominate our rankings because that's where founders, early employees, and venture capitalists who funded tech giants live. A senior engineer at a major tech company can easily earn $300-500K in total compensation, while successful founders build nine-figure fortunes.
Finance & Hedge Funds
Wall Street and hedge fund professionals command extraordinary compensation. Senior investment bankers, private equity partners, and hedge fund managers routinely earn seven figures annually. NYC and Connecticut suburbs like Greenwich are global hedge fund headquarters, with firms managing trillions in assets.
Real Estate Development
Some of America's wealthiest individuals made fortunes in real estate development. Many retire to tax-friendly Florida markets likeFisher Island and Palm Beach, where they can enjoy their wealth with minimal tax burden.
Old Money vs. New Money
Old Money: Communities like Palm Beach and parts of the Upper East Side represent generational wealth-families that built fortunes decades or centuries ago in industries like oil, railroads, or manufacturing.
New Money: Silicon Valley, on the other hand, is almost entirely "new money"-tech entrepreneurs and employees who became wealthy in the past 10-20 years. The culture, architecture, and lifestyle reflect these different wealth origins.
The Income Inequality Gap: Richest vs. Poorest ZIP Codes
To understand just how dramatic income inequality has become, consider this stark comparison:
Richest ZIP (Alpine, NJ)
U.S. Median
The richest ZIP code has a median income 6.1x higher than the national median
This inequality has significant implications for housing affordability, education access, and economic mobility. The richest ZIP codes continue to pull away from the rest of America, driven by winner-take-all dynamics in tech, finance, and other high-paying industries.
Compare with our Affordable ZIP Codes rankings →Explore America's Wealth Landscape
Want to see how these ultra-wealthy ZIP codes compare to your area? Use our interactive comparison tool to analyze income, home values, demographics, and more across any ZIP codes in America.
Conclusion: Understanding America's Wealth Concentration
The 25 richest ZIP codes in America represent more than just expensive addresses-they're windows into the industries, regions, and economic forces driving wealth creation in the 21st century. From Silicon Valley's tech revolution to Wall Street's enduring financial power, these communities showcase where and how Americans are building extraordinary fortunes.
Several trends stand out from our analysis:
- Tech dominates: 8 of the top 25 ZIP codes are in the Bay Area, reflecting tech's wealth-creation power
- Taxes matter: Florida's 4 entries benefit from zero state income tax, attracting wealthy relocators
- Old patterns persist: Traditional wealth centers (NYC, Palm Beach) remain relevant despite new competition
- Inequality grows: The gap between rich and poor ZIP codes continues to widen, not narrow
- Remote work shuffles the deck: Some wealthy individuals are leaving coastal cities for lower-tax states
Whether you're fascinated by America's wealth landscape, considering a career move to a high-earning region, or simply curious about how the other half (or rather, the top 1%) lives, these ZIP codes offer valuable insights into economic opportunity and inequality in modern America.
Next Steps:
- Explore individual ZIP code profiles to see detailed demographics and economic data
- Use our comparison tool to analyze multiple wealthy ZIP codes side-by-side
- Read our guide to America's most affordable ZIP codes for the flip side of this analysis
- Subscribe to our newsletter for monthly updates on income trends and economic shifts
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