Highest-earning counties in Washington
Written by:
April 9, 2021
SounderBruce // Wikimedia Commons
Highest-earning counties in Washington
The 2019 median household income in the U.S. was $68,703, up 6.8% from 2018. COVID-19 in 2020 drastically altered income and poverty levels, along with consumer habits and job opportunities.
Stacker compiled a list of the highest-earning counties in Washington using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by 2019 5-year estimate median household income. Keep reading to discover which counties in your state rake in the most cash.
Data shows that annual income depends heavily on an individual’s educational attainment, race, ethnicity, gender, and even location. One cluster of the United States is particularly well off: The five counties with the highest median household income in the country can all be found in the Washington D.C. metropolitan areas of Maryland and Northern Virginia. These counties can likely attribute their wealth to their proximity to Washington D.C., which attracts highly educated and skilled people in areas of law and public policy. And people in those fields often marry each other, making two high-earning households one very high-earning household.
Keep reading to learn more about the highest-earning counties in Washington.
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Kevmi // Wikimedia Commons
#39. Ferry County
- Median household income: $41,939
--- 43.2% below state median, 33.3% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 20.1%
--- #1,381 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 17.6%
--- #453 highest rate among all counties nationwide
--- 43.2% below state median, 33.3% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 20.1%
--- #1,381 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 17.6%
--- #453 highest rate among all counties nationwide
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Ilyaunfois // Wikimedia Commons
#38. Whitman County
- Median household income: $42,745
--- 42.1% below state median, 32.0% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 18.1%
--- #1,734 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 20.8%
--- #228 highest rate among all counties nationwide
--- 42.1% below state median, 32.0% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 18.1%
--- #1,734 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 20.8%
--- #228 highest rate among all counties nationwide
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Sam Beebe // Wikimedia Commons
#37. Pacific County
- Median household income: $46,733
--- 36.7% below state median, 25.6% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 16.9%
--- #1,973 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 15.0%
--- #786 highest rate among all counties nationwide
--- 36.7% below state median, 25.6% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 16.9%
--- #1,973 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 15.0%
--- #786 highest rate among all counties nationwide
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Bouldernavigator // Wikimedia Commons
#36. Okanogan County
- Median household income: $47,240
--- 36.0% below state median, 24.8% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 15.4%
--- #2,259 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 13.7%
--- #1,030 highest rate among all counties nationwide
--- 36.0% below state median, 24.8% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 15.4%
--- #2,259 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 13.7%
--- #1,030 highest rate among all counties nationwide
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Joe Mabel // Wikimedia Commons
#35. Adams County
- Median household income: $48,294
--- 34.5% below state median, 23.2% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 17.7%
--- #1,817 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 12.1%
--- #1,442 highest rate among all counties nationwide
--- 34.5% below state median, 23.2% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 17.7%
--- #1,817 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 12.1%
--- #1,442 highest rate among all counties nationwide
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Ruthven78 // Wikimedia Commons
#34. Pend Oreille County
- Median household income: $50,591
--- 31.4% below state median, 19.5% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 17.4%
--- #1,891 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 12.9%
--- #1,230 highest rate among all counties nationwide
--- 31.4% below state median, 19.5% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 17.4%
--- #1,891 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 12.9%
--- #1,230 highest rate among all counties nationwide
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Joe Mabel // Wikimedia Commons
#33. Grays Harbor County
- Median household income: $51,240
--- 30.5% below state median, 18.5% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 18.7%
--- #1,610 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 12.0%
--- #1,462 highest rate among all counties nationwide
--- 30.5% below state median, 18.5% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 18.7%
--- #1,610 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 12.0%
--- #1,462 highest rate among all counties nationwide
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Michael S. Shannon // Wikimedia Commons
#32. Yakima County
- Median household income: $51,637
--- 30.0% below state median, 17.8% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 18.4%
--- #1,663 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 10.2%
--- #1,984 highest rate among all counties nationwide
--- 30.0% below state median, 17.8% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 18.4%
--- #1,663 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 10.2%
--- #1,984 highest rate among all counties nationwide
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BrandonHansen18 // Wikimedia Commons
#31. Stevens County
- Median household income: $51,775
--- 29.8% below state median, 17.6% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 19.0%
--- #1,553 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 13.0%
--- #1,197 highest rate among all counties nationwide
--- 29.8% below state median, 17.6% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 19.0%
--- #1,553 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 13.0%
--- #1,197 highest rate among all counties nationwide
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Neonstar // Wikimedia Commons
#30. Clallam County
- Median household income: $52,192
--- 29.3% below state median, 16.9% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 19.8%
--- #1,427 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 11.7%
--- #1,537 highest rate among all counties nationwide
--- 29.3% below state median, 16.9% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 19.8%
--- #1,427 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 11.7%
--- #1,537 highest rate among all counties nationwide
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Walter Siegmund // Wikimedia Commons
#29. Wahkiakum County
- Median household income: $53,227
--- 27.9% below state median, 15.3% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 25.3%
--- #719 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 9.0%
--- #2,336 highest rate among all counties nationwide
--- 27.9% below state median, 15.3% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 25.3%
--- #719 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 9.0%
--- #2,336 highest rate among all counties nationwide
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John Stanton // Wikimedia Commons
#28. Columbia County
- Median household income: $53,423
--- 27.6% below state median, 15.0% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 24.5%
--- #794 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 14.8%
--- #823 highest rate among all counties nationwide
--- 27.6% below state median, 15.0% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 24.5%
--- #794 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 14.8%
--- #823 highest rate among all counties nationwide
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Steven Pavlov // Wikimedia Commons
#27. Lewis County
- Median household income: $53,484
--- 27.5% below state median, 14.9% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 20.1%
--- #1,372 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 10.9%
--- #1,794 highest rate among all counties nationwide
--- 27.5% below state median, 14.9% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 20.1%
--- #1,372 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 10.9%
--- #1,794 highest rate among all counties nationwide
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Williamborg // Wikimedia Commons
#26. Asotin County
- Median household income: $53,715
--- 27.2% below state median, 14.5% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 21.1%
--- #1,225 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 8.7%
--- #2,395 highest rate among all counties nationwide
--- 27.2% below state median, 14.5% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 21.1%
--- #1,225 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 8.7%
--- #2,395 highest rate among all counties nationwide
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Sam Beebe // Wikimedia Commons
#25. Cowlitz County
- Median household income: $54,506
--- 26.1% below state median, 13.3% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 21.8%
--- #1,126 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 10.7%
--- #1,834 highest rate among all counties nationwide
--- 26.1% below state median, 13.3% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 21.8%
--- #1,126 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 10.7%
--- #1,834 highest rate among all counties nationwide
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Publichall // Wikimedia Commons
#24. Lincoln County
- Median household income: $54,631
--- 25.9% below state median, 13.1% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 22.0%
--- #1,097 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 9.3%
--- #2,263 highest rate among all counties nationwide
--- 25.9% below state median, 13.1% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 22.0%
--- #1,097 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 9.3%
--- #2,263 highest rate among all counties nationwide
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Adbar // Wikimedia Commons
#23. Jefferson County
- Median household income: $55,127
--- 25.3% below state median, 12.3% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 22.9%
--- #973 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 12.0%
--- #1,462 highest rate among all counties nationwide
--- 25.3% below state median, 12.3% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 22.9%
--- #973 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 12.0%
--- #1,462 highest rate among all counties nationwide
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Irra // Shutterstock
#22. Grant County
- Median household income: $55,556
--- 24.7% below state median, 11.6% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 21.6%
--- #1,148 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 8.7%
--- #2,395 highest rate among all counties nationwide
--- 24.7% below state median, 11.6% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 21.6%
--- #1,148 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 8.7%
--- #2,395 highest rate among all counties nationwide
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MagicalT // Wikimedia Commons
#21. Klickitat County
- Median household income: $55,773
--- 24.4% below state median, 11.3% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 21.5%
--- #1,171 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 12.9%
--- #1,230 highest rate among all counties nationwide
--- 24.4% below state median, 11.3% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 21.5%
--- #1,171 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 12.9%
--- #1,230 highest rate among all counties nationwide
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Calvin Beale // Wikimedia Commons
#20. Garfield County
- Median household income: $55,900
--- 24.2% below state median, 11.0% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 14.9%
--- #2,333 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 8.4%
--- #2,479 highest rate among all counties nationwide
--- 24.2% below state median, 11.0% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 14.9%
--- #2,333 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 8.4%
--- #2,479 highest rate among all counties nationwide
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MrX // Wikimedia Commons
#19. Kittitas County
- Median household income: $56,004
--- 24.1% below state median, 10.9% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 22.0%
--- #1,097 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 14.4%
--- #909 highest rate among all counties nationwide
--- 24.1% below state median, 10.9% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 22.0%
--- #1,097 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 14.4%
--- #909 highest rate among all counties nationwide
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Ron Reiring // Wikicommons
#18. Spokane County
- Median household income: $56,904
--- 22.9% below state median, 9.5% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 23.6%
--- #873 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 10.5%
--- #1,895 highest rate among all counties nationwide
--- 22.9% below state median, 9.5% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 23.6%
--- #873 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 10.5%
--- #1,895 highest rate among all counties nationwide
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Ian Poellet // Wikimedia Commons
#17. Mason County
- Median household income: $57,634
--- 21.9% below state median, 8.3% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 23.7%
--- #866 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 9.9%
--- #2,072 highest rate among all counties nationwide
--- 21.9% below state median, 8.3% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 23.7%
--- #866 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 9.9%
--- #2,072 highest rate among all counties nationwide
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Squarestate7 // Wikicommons
#16. Walla Walla County
- Median household income: $57,858
--- 21.6% below state median, 7.9% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 25.7%
--- #679 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 11.8%
--- #1,512 highest rate among all counties nationwide
--- 21.6% below state median, 7.9% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 25.7%
--- #679 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 11.8%
--- #1,512 highest rate among all counties nationwide
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Jennifer Gottwald // Wikicommons
#15. Chelan County
- Median household income: $58,795
--- 20.3% below state median, 6.4% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 25.4%
--- #707 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 8.2%
--- #2,525 highest rate among all counties nationwide
--- 20.3% below state median, 6.4% below national median
- Households earning over $100k: 25.4%
--- #707 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 8.2%
--- #2,525 highest rate among all counties nationwide
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Thayne Tuason // Wikimedia Commons
#14. Douglas County
- Median household income: $62,951
--- 14.7% below state median, 0.2% above national median
- Households earning over $100k: 25.2%
--- #730 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 7.1%
--- #2,771 highest rate among all counties nationwide
--- 14.7% below state median, 0.2% above national median
- Households earning over $100k: 25.2%
--- #730 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 7.1%
--- #2,771 highest rate among all counties nationwide
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Nick Kelly / Faithlife Corporation
#13. Whatcom County
- Median household income: $62,984
--- 14.6% below state median, 0.2% above national median
- Households earning over $100k: 27.2%
--- #568 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 10.5%
--- #1,895 highest rate among all counties nationwide
--- 14.6% below state median, 0.2% above national median
- Households earning over $100k: 27.2%
--- #568 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 10.5%
--- #1,895 highest rate among all counties nationwide
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Williamborg // Wikimedia Commons
#12. Franklin County
- Median household income: $63,584
--- 13.8% below state median, 1.2% above national median
- Households earning over $100k: 27.2%
--- #572 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 7.1%
--- #2,771 highest rate among all counties nationwide
--- 13.8% below state median, 1.2% above national median
- Households earning over $100k: 27.2%
--- #572 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 7.1%
--- #2,771 highest rate among all counties nationwide
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Jelson25 // Wikimedia Commons
#11. San Juan County
- Median household income: $63,622
--- 13.8% below state median, 1.2% above national median
- Households earning over $100k: 29.8%
--- #422 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 9.0%
--- #2,336 highest rate among all counties nationwide
--- 13.8% below state median, 1.2% above national median
- Households earning over $100k: 29.8%
--- #422 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 9.0%
--- #2,336 highest rate among all counties nationwide
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U.S. Geological Survey // Wikimedia Commons
#10. Skamania County
- Median household income: $65,181
--- 11.6% below state median, 3.7% above national median
- Households earning over $100k: 30.2%
--- #407 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 10.8%
--- #1,811 highest rate among all counties nationwide
--- 11.6% below state median, 3.7% above national median
- Households earning over $100k: 30.2%
--- #407 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 10.8%
--- #1,811 highest rate among all counties nationwide
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Joe Mabel // Wikicommons
#9. Skagit County
- Median household income: $67,028
--- 9.1% below state median, 6.7% above national median
- Households earning over $100k: 28.1%
--- #510 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 8.2%
--- #2,525 highest rate among all counties nationwide
--- 9.1% below state median, 6.7% above national median
- Households earning over $100k: 28.1%
--- #510 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 8.2%
--- #2,525 highest rate among all counties nationwide
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Joe Mabel // Wikimedia Commons
#8. Island County
- Median household income: $68,604
--- 7.0% below state median, 9.2% above national median
- Households earning over $100k: 29.6%
--- #434 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 7.4%
--- #2,717 highest rate among all counties nationwide
--- 7.0% below state median, 9.2% above national median
- Households earning over $100k: 29.6%
--- #434 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 7.4%
--- #2,717 highest rate among all counties nationwide
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formulanone // Wikimedia Commons
#7. Benton County
- Median household income: $69,023
--- 6.4% below state median, 9.8% above national median
- Households earning over $100k: 32.3%
--- #320 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 7.9%
--- #2,605 highest rate among all counties nationwide
--- 6.4% below state median, 9.8% above national median
- Households earning over $100k: 32.3%
--- #320 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 7.9%
--- #2,605 highest rate among all counties nationwide
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Joe Mabel // Wikicommons
#6. Thurston County
- Median household income: $72,003
--- 2.4% below state median, 14.6% above national median
- Households earning over $100k: 31.9%
--- #337 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 7.8%
--- #2,641 highest rate among all counties nationwide
--- 2.4% below state median, 14.6% above national median
- Households earning over $100k: 31.9%
--- #337 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 7.8%
--- #2,641 highest rate among all counties nationwide
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SounderBruce // Wikimedia Commons
#5. Pierce County
- Median household income: $72,113
--- 2.3% below state median, 14.8% above national median
- Households earning over $100k: 33.1%
--- #295 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 7.4%
--- #2,717 highest rate among all counties nationwide
--- 2.3% below state median, 14.8% above national median
- Households earning over $100k: 33.1%
--- #295 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 7.4%
--- #2,717 highest rate among all counties nationwide
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Steve Morgan // Wikimedia Commons
#4. Clark County
- Median household income: $75,253
--- 2.0% above state median, 19.7% above national median
- Households earning over $100k: 35.4%
--- #232 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 6.2%
--- #2,918 highest rate among all counties nationwide
--- 2.0% above state median, 19.7% above national median
- Households earning over $100k: 35.4%
--- #232 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 6.2%
--- #2,918 highest rate among all counties nationwide
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Dcoetzee // Wikimedia Commons
#3. Kitsap County
- Median household income: $75,411
--- 2.2% above state median, 20.0% above national median
- Households earning over $100k: 34.9%
--- #243 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 7.2%
--- #2,757 highest rate among all counties nationwide
--- 2.2% above state median, 20.0% above national median
- Households earning over $100k: 34.9%
--- #243 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 7.2%
--- #2,757 highest rate among all counties nationwide
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SounderBruce // Wikimedia Commons
#2. Snohomish County
- Median household income: $86,691
--- 17.5% above state median, 37.9% above national median
- Households earning over $100k: 42.2%
--- #107 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 5.8%
--- #2,975 highest rate among all counties nationwide
--- 17.5% above state median, 37.9% above national median
- Households earning over $100k: 42.2%
--- #107 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 5.8%
--- #2,975 highest rate among all counties nationwide
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kan_khampanya // Shutterstock
#1. King County
- Median household income: $94,974
--- 28.7% above state median, 51.1% above national median
- Households earning over $100k: 47.7%
--- #54 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 6.9%
--- #2,803 highest rate among all counties nationwide
--- 28.7% above state median, 51.1% above national median
- Households earning over $100k: 47.7%
--- #54 highest rate among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 6.9%
--- #2,803 highest rate among all counties nationwide
