Census Bureau Data: Richest Counties Get Richer, Poorest Get Poorer

Dec. 19, 2010 — -- The rich get richer and the poor get poorer, at least judging by the most extreme neighborhoods for median household income in the latest Census Bureau data.

The census' American Community Survey, released last week, provides detailed neighborhood data, including languages spoken in a home, commute time and income levels.

The poorest county, Owsley County, Ky., had the lowest median household income outside of Puerto Rico. Its median income decreased to $18,869 from $20,346 in 2000. Of all the county or county equivalents, Falls Church, Va. had the highest median income, at $113,313, an increase from $96,449 in 2000.

Virginia also was home to the counties with the three highest median household incomes, and the only counties with median household incomes greater than $100,000. Fairfax County had a $104,259 median household income, and Loudoun County had one of $112,021.

The data came from surveys which were mailed to about 3 million addresses from January 2005 through December 2009. The Census Bureau's official 2010 census demographic data, which provide less detail on the neighborhood level, will be released on Dec. 21.

Those who are curious about their own neighborhoods can visit http://factfinder.census.gov, though not all county data on that website has been updated since 2000.

Cale Turner, county executive of Owsley County, Ky., said he was not surprised that Owsley once again was one of the poorest areas of the country, in part because of drug addiction.

"Those with drug addictions end up in prison without effective treatment," said Turner. "And it happens over and over in this community. The drug problem continues to get worse every year."

Turner said the lack of resources and insurance makes it difficult for addicts to obtain effective, long-term treatment.

"They're coming out of prison still addicted to drugs, and there's still little hope for them," said Turner.