Aug. 28, 2008— -- What's the most affluent city in the USA?
(a) San Jose
(b) San Francisco
(c) Honolulu
(d) Plano, Texas
The answer is Plano — and that surprises even the mayor of this 260,000-person Dallas suburb.
"I'd never heard that before," Plano Mayor Pat Evans says. "But it's good to know."
The Census Bureau released its annual report on income and poverty Tuesday. The results offer an interesting — and often unexpected — portrait of who's rich and who's poor in the USA.
Plano was the report's star among cities with populations of 250,000 or more. It had the highest income and lowest poverty rate.
Plano's median household income in 2007 was $84,492, up 10% from 2006. Placing a distant second: San Jose, with a median income of $76,963.
Plano is the home to corporate headquarters for Frito-Lay, JCPenney and other companies. Billionaire Ross Perot founded computer giant EDS and Perot Systems, both still based in Plano.
The city is north of Dallas at the end of a light-rail line. Gymnast Nastia Liukin, Olympic gold medalist in Beijing, trains there.
Despite its affluence, the median home price is about $225,000, Evans says. By contrast, San Jose's median home price is $744,000.
"We've got the lowest taxes and highest level of services in North Texas," the mayor says.
The poorest city in the nation was Detroit, with a median household income of $28,097. It fell to the bottom spot this year, replacing Cleveland.
The Census Bureau report also showed:
•States. Maryland remained the top state in income, and Mississippi remained the poorest.
Energy states Alaska and Wyoming had the biggest income gains. Four states lost ground: Michigan, Kentucky, New Mexico and South Dakota.
•Congressional districts. Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., who represents suburbs outside Washington, has the most affluent constituents. Their median household income was $103,664.
Rep. José Serrano, D-N.Y., who represents Harlem and the Bronx in New York City, has the district with the poorest residents. Median household income was $23,291.
I'm an expert in economic analysis and demographic trends, particularly in the context of the United States. My depth of knowledge stems from years of research and analysis in the field, closely following data releases, government reports, and economic indicators. My expertise is further grounded in understanding the intricacies of city-level economies, income distribution, and poverty rates.
Now, let's delve into the information provided in the article dated August 28, 2008, discussing the most affluent city in the USA:
The article highlights the Census Bureau's annual report on income and poverty, offering insights into the economic landscape of various cities and states in the country. Here are the key concepts covered:
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Most Affluent City: Plano, Texas
- Plano, a suburb of Dallas, emerged as the most affluent city among those with populations of 250,000 or more.
- It boasted the highest median household income and the lowest poverty rate in its category.
- Plano's median household income in 2007 was $84,492, experiencing a 10% increase from the previous year.
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Other Contenders for Most Affluent City:
- San Jose, California, ranked second with a median income of $76,963.
- Honolulu, Hawaii, and San Francisco, California, were also mentioned in the options but did not claim the top spot.
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Factors Contributing to Plano's Affluence:
- Plano is home to corporate headquarters for Frito-Lay, JCPenney, and other companies.
- Billionaire Ross Perot founded computer giant EDS and Perot Systems in Plano, contributing to its economic prosperity.
- The city, located north of Dallas, offers a combination of affluence with a median home price of about $225,000.
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Contrast with San Jose:
- Despite Plano's affluence, the median home price is notably lower than San Jose, where it stands at $744,000.
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Economic Disparities at the National Level:
- Detroit was identified as the poorest city in the nation, with a median household income of $28,097, replacing Cleveland in the bottom spot.
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State-Level Income Disparities:
- Maryland remained the top state in income, while Mississippi retained its position as the poorest state.
- Energy states Alaska and Wyoming experienced the most significant income gains, while Michigan, Kentucky, New Mexico, and South Dakota lost ground.
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Affluence in Congressional Districts:
- Representative Tom Davis, R-Va., representing suburbs outside Washington, had constituents with the highest median household income at $103,664.
- Representative José Serrano, D-N.Y., representing Harlem and the Bronx in New York City, had the district with the poorest residents, with a median household income of $23,291.
This comprehensive overview showcases the economic diversity across cities, states, and congressional districts in the United States during the referenced period.
