A pink stucco mansion behind an iron gate

States with the most people earning $1 million or more

November 23, 2022
Darryl Brooks // Shutterstock

States with the most people earning $1 million or more

Just 11 people in the U.S. earned an average of over $1 billion a year, from 2015 to 2018, including Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, Bloomberg co-founder Michael Bloomberg, and WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum. But a considerably higher number of people land in the millionaire club.

Stacker examined tax return data from the Internal Revenue Service to see which states had the highest share of people with an adjusted gross income of $1 million or more in 2019, the latest data available. This analysis used individual income tax returns filed between January and December 2020, from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Across the nation, more than half a million Americans had an adjusted gross income of $1 million or more. That's about 0.35% of all Americans who filed their income tax. However, the data does not represent the entire population of the U.S., since many people do not need to file an individual income tax return.

Washington D.C. had the highest rate of residents earning $1 million or more in 2019, and West Virginia had the lowest rate. The states with more top earners tend to be on the coasts, which also have a higher cost of living, while states with the lowest rates are in the South. To learn more about where the most million-dollar earners live in the U.S., keep reading.

The lobby of a luxurious hotel in White Sulphur Springs.
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Andriy Blokhin // Shutterstock

#51. West Virginia

- Total tax returns filed: 781,130
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 770
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 9.9 out of 10,000 returns

Two people on a luxury yacht in Mississippi.
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Kimberly Gazda // Shutterstock

#50. Mississippi

- Total tax returns filed: 1,280,630
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 1,490
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 11.6 out of 10,000 returns

Ski lifts in Red River.
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Roschetzky Photography // Shutterstock

#49. New Mexico

- Total tax returns filed: 962,880
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 1,360
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 14.1 out of 10,000 returns

Fourth Street Live, an entertainment and retail complex located in Louisville.
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Thomas Kelley // Shutterstock

#48. Kentucky

- Total tax returns filed: 1,967,010
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 3,110
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 15.8 out of 10,000 returns

A house on a lake in Northwest Arkansas with a beautiful landscape view.
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shuttersv // Shutterstock

#47. Arkansas

- Total tax returns filed: 1,288,700
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 2,100
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 16.3 out of 10,000 returns

The outside of the stately West Mansion in Portland, Maine.
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Jaclyn Vernace // Shutterstock

#46. Maine

- Total tax returns filed: 677,780
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 1,170
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 17.3 out of 10,000 returns

A luxury home with a swimming pool in Hawaii.
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EpicStockMedia // Shutterstock

#45. Hawaii

- Total tax returns filed: 714,760
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 1,270
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 17.8 out of 10,000 returns

Brucemore Estate in Cedar Rapids.
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Florida Chuck // Shutterstock

#44. Iowa

- Total tax returns filed: 1,489,460
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 2,650
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 17.8 out of 10,000 returns

An aerial view of a suburban neighborhood full of large single-family homes in Indiana.
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Brad Whitsitt // Shutterstock

#43. Indiana

- Total tax returns filed: 3,216,370
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 6,020
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 18.7 out of 10,000 returns

The inside of the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in Leeds, Alabama.
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Brett Welcher // Shutterstock

#42. Alabama

- Total tax returns filed: 2,130,570
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 4,140
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 19.4 out of 10,000 returns

A pontoon boat full of people and two speedboats race on a lake in Oklahoma.
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Vineyard Perspective // Shutterstock

#41. Oklahoma

- Total tax returns filed: 1,704,060
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 3,360
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 19.7 out of 10,000 returns

Luxury lakefront residences in Cleveland.
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Henryk Sadura // Shutterstock

#40. Ohio

- Total tax returns filed: 5,758,920
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 11,460
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 19.900 out of 10,000 returns

The moon setting over a snow-covered Mt. Mansfield in Stowe.
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Don Landwehrle // Shutterstock

#39. Vermont

- Total tax returns filed: 331,630
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 660
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 19.902 out of 10,000 returns

A cruise ship at a port in Juneau with a snow capped mountain and low-lying fog in the background.
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Allen.G // Shutterstock

#38. Alaska

- Total tax returns filed: 356,570
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 750
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 21.0 out of 10,000 returns

Hotel Monteleone on 214 Royal Street in the French Quarter in New Orleans.
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Wangkun Jia // Shutterstock

#37. Louisiana

- Total tax returns filed: 2,049,570
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 4,330
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 21.1 out of 10,000 returns

A sunset photo of a luxury ranch-style home in Omaha.
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Aspects and Angles // Shutterstock

#36. Nebraska

- Total tax returns filed: 932,190
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 1,980
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 21.2 out of 10,000 returns

The Campbell House Museum at night in downtown St. Louis.
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RozenskiP // Shutterstock

#35. Missouri

- Total tax returns filed: 2,871,980
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 6,160
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 21.4 out of 10,000 returns

Aerial view of Myrtle Beach at sunset.
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Kevin Ruck // Shutterstock

#34. South Carolina

- Total tax returns filed: 2,356,850
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 5,060
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 21.47 out of 10,000 returns

A Welcome to Big Sky Mountain Village sign.
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Zorro Stock Images // Shutterstock

#33. Montana

- Total tax returns filed: 529,800
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 1,140
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 21.52 out of 10,000 returns

A luxury covered patio with a fireplace in Clio, Michigan.
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J.A. Dunbar // Shutterstock

#32. Michigan

- Total tax returns filed: 4,850,520
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 10,710
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 22.1 out of 10,000 returns

Rows of sailing sloops facing one another across a wooden pier on Lake Superior in northern Wisconsin.
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Earl D. Walker // Shutterstock

#31. Wisconsin

- Total tax returns filed: 2,913,050
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 6,600
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 22.7 out of 10,000 returns

A three-story log home with decks in the mountains near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
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Kirk Fisher // Shutterstock

#30. Idaho

- Total tax returns filed: 824,350
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 1,880
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 22.8 out of 10,000 returns

A view of the luxury waterfront homes by the bay in Rehoboth Beach.
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Khairil Azhar Junos // Shutterstock

#29. Delaware

- Total tax returns filed: 485,490
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 1,120
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 23.1 out of 10,000 returns

The sun rising over a vineyard in Willamette Valley.
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Steven Madow // Shutterstock

#28. Oregon

- Total tax returns filed: 2,043,210
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 4,730
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 23.1 out of 10,000 returns

Aerial view the Breakers and Cliff Walk in Newport.
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Wangkun Jia // Shutterstock

#27. Rhode Island

- Total tax returns filed: 551,270
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 1,290
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 23.4 out of 10,000 returns

A sunny view of the landscape in Botanica, The Wichita Gardens.
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Kit Leong // Shutterstock

#26. Kansas

- Total tax returns filed: 1,367,910
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 3,300
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 24.1 out of 10,000 returns

The Charlotte skyline as seen from First Ward Park Fountain.
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Kevin Ruck // Shutterstock

#25. North Carolina

- Total tax returns filed: 4,796,770
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 12,000
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 25.0 out of 10,000 returns

A waterfall in Sioux Falls at sunset.
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Canva

#24. South Dakota

- Total tax returns filed: 436,360
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 1,100
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 25.2 out of 10,000 returns

Nashville's skyline at night viewed from a high rise's large windows.
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VideoFlow // Shutterstock

#23. Tennessee

- Total tax returns filed: 3,147,880
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 7,970
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 25.3 out of 10,000 returns

A luxury home with a swimming pool in Arizona.
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Allison J. Hahn // Shutterstock

#22. Arizona

- Total tax returns filed: 3,288,740
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 8,690
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 26.4 out of 10,000 returns

The inside of a hangar with retro cars in Bonanzaville USA museum in West Fargo.
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Kirkam // Shutterstock

#21. North Dakota

- Total tax returns filed: 371,950
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 1,020
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 27.4 out of 10,000 returns

A luxury limousine with an open door in downtown Philadelphia.
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TZIDO SUN // Shutterstock

#20. Pennsylvania

- Total tax returns filed: 6,354,250
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 17,640
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 27.8 out of 10,000 returns

Panola Valley Gardens in Lindstrom, filled with flowers.
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Linda McKusick // Shutterstock

#19. Minnesota

- Total tax returns filed: 2,843,060
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 8,240
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 28.98 out of 10,000 returns

Historic Antebellum house in Madison, Georgia.
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Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

#18. Georgia

- Total tax returns filed: 4,753,000
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 13,790
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 29.01 out of 10,000 returns

The historic McCune Mansion in Salt Lake City.
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Gary Whitton // Shutterstock

#17. Utah

- Total tax returns filed: 1,430,720
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 4,160
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 29.1 out of 10,000 returns

A private dock, chairs, and swimming area on Squam Lake.
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Karen Wunderman // Shutterstock

#16. New Hampshire

- Total tax returns filed: 723,640
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 2,230
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 30.8 out of 10,000 returns

An aerial view of new construction, luxury, single-family homes in Maryland.
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tokar // Shutterstock

#15. Maryland

- Total tax returns filed: 3,047,050
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 9,860
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 32.36 out of 10,000 returns

Luxury lakefront townhomes on Lake Anne in Reston.
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MarkVanDykePhotography // Shutterstock

#14. Virginia

- Total tax returns filed: 4,063,070
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 13,170
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 32.41 out of 10,000 returns

A panoramic view of the Las Vegas Strip at night.
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f11photo // Shutterstock

#13. Nevada

- Total tax returns filed: 1,540,270
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 5,320
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 34.5 out of 10,000 returns

Luxury houses on the coast of Lake Travis in Austin.
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amadeustx // Shutterstock

#12. Texas

- Total tax returns filed: 13,334,090
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 47,940
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 36.0 out of 10,000 returns

A stylish penthouse living room with skyline views of city and lakefront in Chicago.
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Fio Creative // Shutterstock

#11. Illinois

- Total tax returns filed: 6,174,280
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 22,480
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 36.4 out of 10,000 returns

Mount Crested Butte and its hillside houses.
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Kristi Blokhin // Shutterstock

#10. Colorado

- Total tax returns filed: 2,872,240
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 11,020
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 38.4 out of 10,000 returns

Modern, contemporary bedroom in Seattle with views of the financial district.
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MDV Edwards // Shutterstock

#9. Washington

- Total tax returns filed: 3,757,740
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 15,890
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 42.3 out of 10,000 returns

A resort swimming pool at twilight in Florida.
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Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

#8. Florida

- Total tax returns filed: 10,636,690
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 46,200
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 43.4 out of 10,000 returns

A cabin with a scenic view in Wind River Valley.
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David Byron Keener // Shutterstock

#7. Wyoming

- Total tax returns filed: 280,640
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 1,270
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 45.3 out of 10,000 returns

High-end yachts parked at docks boat club in Long Beach Island.
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Michael Moloney // Shutterstock

#6. New Jersey

- Total tax returns filed: 4,513,410
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 22,720
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 50.3 out of 10,000 returns

Traffic on Hollywood Boulevard at dusk.
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Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

#5. California

- Total tax returns filed: 18,638,920
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 94,120
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 50.5 out of 10,000 returns

Beautiful townhouses in Greenwich Village.
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Youproduction // Shutterstock

#4. New York

- Total tax returns filed: 9,760,870
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 55,100
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 56.4 out of 10,000 returns

Harwich garden park in Massachusetts.
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jo Crebbin // Shutterstock

#3. Massachusetts

- Total tax returns filed: 3,486,480
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 20,970
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 60.1 out of 10,000 returns

A sailboat just off shore of a luxury waterfront home in Greenwich.
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James Kirkikis // Shutterstock

#2. Connecticut

- Total tax returns filed: 1,794,020
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 12,190
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 67.9 out of 10,000 returns

Historic townhouses of the Shaw neighborhood.
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Andrei Medvedev // Shutterstock

#1. Washington, D.C.

- Total tax returns filed: 351,550
- Returns with an adjusted gross income of $1M or more: 2,530
- Rate of $1M+ earners: 72.0 out of 10,000 returns

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