The role of money in politics is a contentious issue in the 2016 presidential race that has motivated the rise of anti-establishment candidates. Both Republican businessman Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders are running on platforms that promote their freedom from the influence of wealthy donors. The success of these candidates suggests that having affluent supporters does not necessarily translate into success in politics.
Beyond the money game of the national election, the richest voters have the power to choose who they want to represent their interests in Washington. Their representatives in Congress typically align with local needs. The relationship between political parties and money can be examined by looking at the wealthiest voters and their elected officials.
The data analysts at FindTheHome used 2014 American Community Survey information to identify the congressional districts with the highest average per capita income. All the neighborhoods have average per capita incomes that are at least $10,000 higher than the national average of $28,555. We also use data from InsideGov to provide the current representative’s name and party affiliation.
Here are the 15 wealthiest districts in the United States. See the complete top 50 list here.
#15 District 11 of Virginia
Average Per Capita Income in Virginia, FindTheHome
Average Per Capita Income: $45,049
Representative: Democratic Rep. Gerald E. Connolly
The 11th District of Virginia includes the city of Fairfax.
#14 District 4 of Massachusetts
Average Per Capita Income in Massachusetts, FindTheHome
Average Per Capita Income: $45,087
Representative: Democratic Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy III
Kennedy, a member of the Kennedy family, has served the 4th District of Massachusetts since 2013.
#13 The at-Large Delegate District of D.C.
Average Per Capita Income in District Of Columbia, FindTheHome
Average Per Capita Income: $46,502
Representative: Democratic Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton
Norton has been ranked as the third most liberal member of Congress.
#12 District 10 of Virginia
Average Per Capita Income in Virginia, FindTheHome
Average Per Capita Income: $48,395
Representative: Republican Rep. Barbara Comstock
Virginia’s 10th District includes the cities of Loudoun, Clarke and Frederick.
#11 District 8 of Maryland
Average Per Capita Income in Maryland, FindTheHome
Average Per Capita Income: $48,726
Representative: Democratic Rep. Chris Van Hollen
Van Hollen was recently ranked as the 29th most liberal member of Congress.
#10 District 11 of New Jersey
Average Per Capita Income in New Jersey, FindTheHome
Average Per Capita Income: $48,898
Representative: Republican Rep. Rodney P. Frelinghuysen
Frelinghuysen has been ranked as the 21st wealthiest member of Congress.
#9 District 3 of New York
Average Per Capita Income in New York, FindTheHome
Average Per Capita Income: $50,366
Representative: Democratic Rep. Steve Israel
New York’s 3rd District includes part of Long Island and Queens.
#8 District 7 of New Jersey
Average Per Capita Income in New Jersey, FindTheHome
Average Per Capita Income: $50,483
Representative: Republican Rep. Leonard Lance
Lance served as member of the New Jersey General Assembly and Senate before winning the 2008 congressional election.
#7 District 12 of California
Average Per Capita Income in California, FindTheHome
Average Per Capita Income: $52,031
Representative: Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi
California’s 12th District includes the city of San Francisco. Pelosi ranks as the eighth wealthiest member of Congress with an average net worth of $100,864,528.
#6 District 8 of Virginia
Average Per Capita Income in Virginia, FindTheHome
Average Per Capita Income: $52,137
Representative: Democratic Rep. Donald S. Beyer Jr.
District 8 of Virginia includes the cities of Arlington and Alexandria.
#5 District 4 of Connecticut
Average Per Capita Income in Connecticut, FindTheHome
Average Per Capita Income: $53,048
Representative: Democratic Rep. James A. Himes
Connecticut’s 4th District includes the cities of Bridgeport and Stamford.
#4 District 18 of California
Average Per Capita Income in California, FindTheHome
Average Per Capita Income: $57,633
Representative: Democratic Rep. Anna G. Eshoo
Eshoo represents the 18th District of California, which includes part of the Silicon Valley Region.
#3 District 10 of New York
Average Per Capita Income in New York FindTheHome
Average Per Capita Income: $59,827
Representative: Democratic Rep. Jerrold Nadler
New York’s 10th District includes parts of Manhattan such as the Financial District and Greenwich Village.
#2 District 33 of California
Average Per Capita Income in California FindTheHome
Average Per Capita Income: $63,505
Representative: Democratic Rep. Ted Lieu
The 33rd District of California is based in Los Angeles and includes the Beverly Hills and Malibu neighborhoods.
#1 District 12 of New York
Average Per Capita Income in New York FindTheHome
Average Per Capita Income: $79,172
Representative: Democratic Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney
New York’s 12th District includes parts of Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn.
