1. Maryland
> Median household income: $75,847
> Population: 6,006,401 (19th highest)
> 2015 Unemployment rate: 5.2% (24th highest)
> Poverty rate: 9.7% (2nd lowest)
Maryland leads the nation with a median annual household income of $75,847. The state’s poverty rate of less than 10% is also nearly the lowest of any state. The prosperity can be partially explained by high levels of education among state residents. More than 38% of adults have at least a college degree, many of whom are likely among the state’s high-income residents. The state also contains Washington D.C., home to some of the nation’s highest-paying government occupations. More than 10% of Maryland workers are employed in public administration, which represents only one portion of such government jobs.