America is known as the land of opportunity – and in some zip codes, residents have seized those opportunities to rise to uncommon affluence.
Across the 50 states, several small towns and villages stand out for the sheer concentration of wealth found within their borders.
Home to some of the richest and most highly educated power players in industries like finance, tech, healthcare, and real estate, these communities resemble bastions of the upper crust.
From sprawling Greenwich mansions to exclusive gated enclaves, the privileged residents enjoy premium amenities, services, culture, and connections befitting the moniker of America’s richest places.
Based on metrics like household income, property values and resident net worth, here are some of the nation’s most prosperous towns.
10 Richest Cities In US
1. Atherton, California
Key Attractions
Holbrook-Palmer Park is a beautiful 22-acre park featuring walking trails that meander through oak and redwood groves, sports fields, a playground, and a scenic duck pond. It hosts events like summer concerts, Easter egg hunts, and the annual Holiday Tree Lighting.
Jennings Pavilion is an elegant Spanish colonial revival-style event venue located in Holbrook-Palmer Park. With scenic views and vintage charm, it is a sought-after location used for stylish weddings, galas, and community events year-round.
The recently renovated Atherton Library is part of the San Mateo County Library system. Patrons can browse expanded collections in its spacious, modern interior bathed in natural light. There is also a redwood grove outdoors that creates an inspiring reading nook.
Famous Residents
Several tech billionaires and successful businesspeople in industries like finance and real estate call Atherton home due to its proximity to Silicon Valley.
Some of the town’s richest and most influential residents include Google co-founder Sergey Brin, WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum, Charles Schwab (founder of Charles Schwab Corporation), as well as sports stars like Jerry Rice.
Economic Drivers
Boasting the highest median property values in the country at over $7 million as of 2020, Atherton’s concentration of extremely affluent residents contributes significantly to the local economy through real estate activity and local spending.
Atherton lies in the heart of Silicon Valley and is conveniently located near the headquarters of iconic tech companies like Google, Facebook, Intuit and Franklin Templeton Investments. Many residents hold lucrative positions in the technology or investment sectors.
2. Scarsdale, New York
Education System
The Scarsdale Union Free School District is frequently ranked among the top school districts statewide and even nationally for its exceptional college acceptance rates averaging above 95% annually.
Scarsdale High School is continually ranked in the top 100 schools nationally by U.S. News and World Report for its rigorous academics, stellar SAT scores, and abundance of Advanced Placement courses.
Historical Landmarks
The elegant Scarsdale Woman’s Club which dates back to 1928 is a spacious half-timbered Tudor Revival house designed by architect Penrose Stout.
It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and hosts concerts, lectures, meetings, and community events in its grand hall throughout the year.
The Scott House and Garden is an impeccably restored 18th century farmhouse showcasing decorative arts. Its manicured English cottage-style gardens provide a breath of fresh air for visitors to meander through.
Community Events
The Scarsdale Concours charity car show takes place every spring, attracting car collectors from all over to showcase over 200 vehicles ranging from antique models to modern luxury sports cars on the sprawling lawns at Scarsdale High School and Village Hall. Proceeds support local scholarships and charities.
Scarsdale hosts an annual Sidewalk Sale in October drawing big crowds to the Village Center for discounted designer fashion, home goods, and vintage finds. The event spans a whole weekend and features live music and activities.
3. Cherry Hills Village, Colorado
Outdoor Activities
Quincy Farm is a sprawling historic 117-acre farm in Cherry Hills Village operated by the non-profit group Friends of Quincy Farm.
Public hiking and biking trails wind through the property, offering access to fishing ponds, bee apiaries, botanical and edible gardens, as well as panoramic views of the Front Range and downtown Denver skyline along the High Line Canal trail.
Cherry Hills Country Club is an exclusive members-only golf club with an 18-hole course nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Golf legend Arnold Palmer designed the world-class course and offers challenging terrain with elevation changes of over 200 feet.
Local Cuisine
Carboy Winery is a popular urban winery located in a converted 1930’s fire barn, now transformed into an airy, modern tasting room in the Cherry Hills Marketplace.
They focus on locally sourced ingredients for their charcuterie boards and small plates, perfectly paired with their handcrafted wines. The space also hosts live music nights and private events.
Izakaya Den is a contemporary high-end Japanese restaurant located in the Cherry Hills Marketplace, specializing in sushi, robata grilled skewers, and small shareable plates meant for sampling a variety of flavors.
The sleek and modern interior juxtaposed with the warmth of the sushi counter and open kitchen creates an enjoyable dining experience.
Real Estate Market
As an affluent Denver suburb, Cherry Hills Village commands some of the highest residential real estate values in all of Colorado. Sprawling luxury properties with mountain views or golf course frontage routinely sell for multimillion figures.
The median home value sits at over $2 million as of early 2023, appreciating steadily by 3-5% annually over the last decade due to high demand.
4. Los Altos Hills, California
Tech Industry Influence
Los Altos Hills’ proximity to Silicon Valley and concentration of notable tech executives as residents including Google’s Eric Schmidt, WhatsApp CEO Jan Koum, and LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman shape local culture with an entrepreneurial, forward-thinking spirit.
These influential residents also impact local policies, priorities, and civic developments, steering initiatives around sustainability, transportation, housing, and education.
Environmental Initiatives
The city has undertaken extensive environmental preservation and stewardship efforts including establishing a committee focused exclusively on championing environmental sustainability and conservation initiatives locally.
Over 300 acres within city limits are set aside as permanent open space. Los Altos Hills also promotes eco-friendly building standards for new construction.
Public Services
Los Altos Hills invests heavily in public services and infrastructure to maintain its premium residential status.
The town spends over $2,500 annually per resident on vital services including emergency preparedness programs, sheriff and fire protection, infrastructure improvements, as well as community events and amenities.
This level of service is enabled by Los Altos Hills affluent tax base and priorities on quality of life factors.
5. Hillsborough, California
Architectural Styles
Hillsborough is renowned for its concentration of sprawling luxury homes in late 19th and early 20th century architectural styles ranging from Mediterranean villas to Tudor mansions, French country estates, and Colonial Revival manors.
The town has strict design and reviews regulations in place to maintain its unique old-world architectural aesthetic amid continuing new constructions.
Local Government
Hillsborough operates under a city council-city manager form of local government focused on preserving the town’s spacious residential neighborhoods and wooded, rural character.
There are strict ordinances governing construction, requiring minimum lot sizes of half an acre and minimum home sizes of 3,500 sq ft along with lengthy design review processes for any development.
Neighborhood Safety
With low density development and Hillsborough’s isolated, wooded location nestled into the foothills, it consistently ranks as one of the safest towns in America based on metrics of violent assaults and property crime rates.
The city runs its own police department staffed with around 36 sworn officers patrolling this small, tranquil community around the clock.
6. Short Hills, New Jersey
Shopping Destinations
As one of the most profitable malls in America, the Mall at Short Hills features over 160 luxury and high-end retail stores spanning over 1 million leasable square feet focused on coveted brands.
Anchor tenants include Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom plus retail heavy hitters like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Fendi. Brands clamor to secure retail space, which commands rents of over $1,200 per square foot annually.
Cultural Diversity
According to census demographic data, Short Hills has a large Jewish population which constitutes around 30% of residents.
It also has sizable Asian communities with about 20% claiming Asian heritage, as well as a growing Indian population – quadrupling over the past decade.
This cultural diversity is reflected in the cuisine, places of worship, events, and local businesses found in town.
Transportation Options
Short Hills township has its own New Jersey Transit train station providing direct commuter rail service to Hoboken and New York City, enabling a straightforward commute to Manhattan.
It is also conveniently located near several major highways like I-78, I-280, Route 24, and the Garden State Parkway, allowing easy car access both locally and into New York City within 30 minutes.
7. Highland Park, Texas
Sports and Recreation
As a highly active community, Highland Park maintains extensive public recreational facilities including four public golf courses suited for golfers of all skill levels, twenty-three public parks totaling over 400 acres of space, sixty-two tennis courts, a sprawling equestrian center, and facilities for ice skating, hockey, swimming, soccer and baseball – all supported through hefty taxpayer investments.
Philanthropic Efforts
With one of the highest concentrations of millionaires and billionaires statewide, many prominent families like the Hicks, Hunts, Perots, and Crowes have established private family foundations and contribute significantly to local arts, education, healthcare, and social causes.
These influential philanthropic efforts shape funding for major cultural institutions, education initiatives, medical research, and social programs benefiting communities across Dallas and Texas at large.
Business Opportunities
Highland Park Village is an upscale open-air shopping plaza featuring high-end boutiques and restaurants that has become a famous Dallas landmark, drawing over 3 million visitors annually.
As one of the oldest shopping centers in America, opened in 1931, its Spanish colonial architecture houses renowned fashion and jewelry brands, making it a major generator of sales tax revenue along with office space rentals.
8. Darien, Connecticut
Maritime History
Once a small coastal farming and fishing village, Darien still celebrates its maritime ties as part of the town’s cultural identity through preservation initiatives and events.
The town has restored several historic lighthouses dotting its shoreline including the Stamford Harbor Lighthouse built in 1882 still used for navigation.
Small museums like the Darien Historical Society offer a glimpse into the town’s past role as a shipbuilding port enabling sailing and trade.
School Districts
Darien is home to some of the top public school districts in not only Connecticut but also nationally, making quality education a major draw for families in the area.
Blue-ribbon schools, negligible dropout rates, 100% college acceptance, average SAT scores exceeding 1300, and robust arts/athletics programs give Darien schools an elite reputation reinforced by consistent rankings in the top 20 schools statewide.
Healthcare Facilities
As a Gold Coast community, Darien attracts doctors drawn by the area’s affluence and proximity to hospital hubs in Stamford and New Haven.
Medical facilities include outpatient satellites of Stamford Hospital featuring specialty care suites and the system’s second-largest urgent care outlet.
Local non-profit Darien Health Department also provides home care services and community wellness programming relying on public and private backing.
9. Bronxville, New York
Art and Culture
Founded in 1922, The Bronxville Women’s Club has a long legacy of championing the arts, offering 150 cultural events annually open to the community spanning concerts, author talks, youth theater productions, and art exhibitions.
The club also provides over $25,000 in arts scholarships and grants each year to promising local students selected through competitive evaluation.
Population Demographics
Covering just over 1 square mile with strict zoning policies, Bronxville’s population hovers around 6,500 as of 2021 according to census data. Residents tend to be 91% white, and affluent with over 60% of households boasting annual income above $200,000.
The population also skews educated, with 71% holding advanced degrees – a factor of parents moving to access the excellent school district.
Job Market
Many Bronxville residents hold lucrative white-collar jobs with Wall Street financial firms or corporate headquarters located a 30-minute train ride away in downtown Manhattan.
Within Bronxville itself, top employers include The Bronxville School district, higher education institutions like Concordia College, and several boutique firms in industries like tech, finance, healthcare, and real estate.
10. Glencoe, Illinois
Parks and Nature
Covering over 60% of Glencoe’s total land area, the sprawling Chicago Botanic Garden and The Glencoe Park District Natural Areas offer stunning open green spaces and wooded trails nestled along the shore of Lake Michigan just north of Chicago.
The Chicago Botanic Garden features 27 distinct gardens over 385 acres while the Cook County Forest Preserves offer beaches, bird sanctuaries, picnic spots and scenic ravines flanked by white oaks, maples and other deciduous trees presenting dazzling fall displays.
Housing Trends
As a highly desirable and affluent bedroom community on Chicago’s picturesque North Shore, real estate in Glencoe carries a premium price tag.
The median sale price for Glencoe homes sits at around $1.3 million as of 2022, appreciating over 5% annually in recent years due to high buyer competition. New construction in town mostly consists of luxury estates and major remodels rather than tear-downs.
Local Economy
Charming downtown Glencoe still maintains a quaint, small-town appeal anchored by locally-owned boutiques, upscale restaurants, salons, design studios, and art galleries along Park Avenue and Hazel Avenue.
Supporting independent businesses is a priority for the village which strives to limit chain retailers and encourage unique shops and dining options that foster community ties and reflect resident values.