Nielsen: The Young and Moneyed Dwell in D.C.

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September 10, 2009 10 Comments

Perhaps it’s the district’s mix of power and possibility, but Washington D.C. is increasingly drawing in the young and the wealthy, according to Nielsen Claritas. A new demographic spotlight finds that 16 of the top 50 counties where the highest concentration of the young and wealthy live are in the Washington D.C. area.

This demographic—those aged 25-34 who are making over $100,000 annually—is also prevalent in the high-density areas of San Francisco, New York City and Chicago.

The study reflects the subtle but significant shift of the demographic to the larger metropolitan areas as well as a slight shift to the East.

“In 1990 you had a lot more concentration of this demographic in the heartland and in Texas, likely driven by the oil economy, and some of the agribusiness,” said Michael Mancini, vice president of data product management for The Nielsen Company. “But now, there’s a densification of young money into the major metros.”

Top 10 Counties: Households Age 25-34, Income $100K+
RANK	County	Total HH	Age 25-34 $100K+	% Age 25-34 $100K+
1	Loudoun County, DC	104,327	10,494	10.06
2	Arlington County, DC	92,693	8,172	8.82
3	San Francisco County, CA	332,596	26,026	7.83
4	New York County, NY	768,292	58,448	7.61
5	Douglas County, CO	102,379	7,403	7.23
6	Forsyth County, GA	59,296	4,128	6.96
7	Alexandria City, DC	65,453	4,372	6.68
8	Delaware County, OH	62,451	4,151	6.65
9	Scott County, MN	45,157	2,975	6.59
10	Broomfield County, CO	20,834	1,360	6.53
TOTAL U.S.		115,300,000	2,476,00	2.15
Source: The Nielsen Company

Over the last two decades, the D.C. area has surged in popularity with the young and moneyed. Back in 1990, top-ranked Loudon County was in 24th position. By 2000, it had moved up to fourth place. Arlington, now second, was eighth in 1990 and third in 2000.

Arlington’s reputation as a place for rich young professionals has even inspired a recent mock-rap video on YouTube.

While D.C.’s rise has pushed San Francisco County from the top position it held in 2000, the percentage of young and wealthy households in San Francisco has increased, from 7 percent of the total in 2000 to 7.83 percent in 2009. In 1990, the young and wealthy accounted for only 1.29 percent of San Francisco’s total households.

In fact, there has been a significant increase in the concentration of the young and wealthy across the board in the top counties. While in 2009 Loudon County boasts 10.06 percent of its households are in the young and wealthy demographic, back in 1990, the top county only had 3.22 percent of its population in that bracket, which would not have even landed them in the top-50 this year).

Quick Facts

Young and wealthy households make up only 2.15 percent of the total U.S. population.
Only 15.9 percent of households are headed by persons aged 25-34, and only 13.48 percent of those in that age group make over $100K.
The median household income of that age group is $49,750.

For more information: contact us

Tags: Claritas, demographics, economy, Mike Mancini, Washington D.C., young and wealthy

10 Comments »

Survey indicates Delaware County has high population of young, affluent households @ Delaware County Port Authority said:

[...] more information on the survey, check out Nielsen Company’s blog. Delaware County Nielsen, Rank, [...]

# 12 September 2009 at 11:38 pm

Forsyth County is Where Young Wealthy Professionals Live | Atlanta New Homes in Forsyth County | Atlanta Real Estate Forum said:

[...] Nielsen Company recently released a very interesting list that ranks the top 10 Counties of the young and wealthy. The young and wealthy are households aged 25 – 34 with an income of over $100,000. We are [...]

# 14 September 2009 at 3:06 pm

Tracy said:

It would be interesting to also reflect what the unemployment rate is in these counties.

# 15 September 2009 at 8:27 am

R Hauge said:

The New York County location must be public sector employees. The only way to make really big money is to work in the public sector and bilk from the private sector.

# 16 September 2009 at 8:02 pm

Deeds and McDonnell debate today at 11 a.m., Michigan murderer may be tied to Springfield triple homicide, Young and rich coming this way, State tax revenues fall short and Sniper to be executed Nov. 10 | Northern Virginia Magazine said:

[...] Nielson [...]

# 17 September 2009 at 9:16 am

Valley Not the Place for America’s Young and Wealthy? « Twilight in the Valley of the Nerds said:

[...] a study from market-researcher Nielsen Claritas, though, America’s young and wealthy are voting with their well-heeled feet and congregating [...]

# 17 September 2009 at 4:33 pm

Howard Jennings said:

What is remarkable about the inclusion in the top ten of Arlington County, VA and Alexandria, VA both in the Washington, DC market, is that both are inner area jurisdictions right in the core of the region. They have used high-density, walkable, transit-oriented development as a way to create vibrant, mixed-use urban communities that are very attractive to the young creative class.

# 17 September 2009 at 5:15 pm

ebTDesign Forum - Blog Archive » Bringing Home the Hydrogen Convergence to Loudoun County said:

[...] and there’s land available for new commercial real estate development. Loudoun, also, has the highest number of young and wealthy households in the United [...]

# 28 September 2009 at 6:58 am

What does it take to get some fro-yo around here? « more excelsior said:

[...] it take to get some fro-yo around here? Jump to Comments So, I just found that I live in the U.S. county with the second highest concentration of affluent young professionals (25-34 year-olds making more than $100,000). My daily intake of anecdotal data definitely supports [...]

# 30 September 2009 at 12:13 am

I’m R$ch B$tch! | The Glass House said:

[...] according to a recent article on Nielsenwire.com, the Washington DC area has the highest concentration of young and wealthy adults. Out of 50 [...]

# 10 November 2009 at 10:21 pm