This Is The Wealthiest Small Town In Wisconsin

WISCONSIN — Wealth can commonly be found in some of the nation's biggest cities, but what about in the small towns?

A new GoBankingRates study that set out to find pockets of wealth in the nation’s quieter communities found that the richest small town in Wisconsin is River Hills of Milwaukee County.

There, the median annual income is $178,750. That's compared to a statewide median income of $74,631 in 2023.

River Hills, Wisconsin, is a tightly knit, highly engaged village where residents take pride in local decision-making and community upkeep.

The town balances exclusivity, private roads, large home lots, and a focus on aesthetics, with a strong civic spirit, seen in well-attended events, resident-led initiatives, and a deep appreciation for public services like the police and library.

For the study, GoBankingRates analyzed income data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. “Small town” was defined as having between 500 and 15,000 households. Data is current as of May 16, 2023. Alaska wasn’t included because it doesn’t have enough data.

The top five wealthiest small towns in the nation are:

• Orinda, California (median income $248, 984)
• Noroton, Connecticut (median income $248,125)
• Fox Chapel, Pennsylvania (median income $247,930)
• University Park, Texas ($247,045)
• Flower Hill, New York ($246,533)

The least affluent of these wealthy small towns are:

• Shelburne, Vermont (median income $96,976)
• Cassville, West Virginia (median income $105,440)
• Inniswold, Louisiana (median income $106,759)
• Hickman, Nebraska (median income $107,604)
• Helena Valley Northeast, Montana (median income $115,833)