10. Maryland
GDP per Capita: $87,021
Maryland’s median household income data, which sits around $98,678, makes this one of the richest states in America, with the port of Baltimore handling a huge variety of raw materials and other bulk commodities.
While service industries employ the highest number of citizens, Maryland also boasts major manufacturing, with metals, electronic equipment, chemicals, and food products all made within its boundaries.
Perhaps the most unique product from Maryland is crabs, hauled off the state’s coast along with perch, flounder, and shellfish, such as oysters.
According to the 2013 U.S. Census Bureau data, Maryland boasted the highest median household income in the country, also featuring the most millionaires per capita in the same year.
Many of the high-paying jobs in Maryland are in the biotechnology sector, with hundreds of companies in this field found in the state, taking advantage of the higher education facilities and links to public sector institutions, such as the National Institutes of Health.
It’s also a popular destination for tourists, with a number of beach resort towns adding to the state’s overall job market and contributing to the overall low unemployment rate.
Summary
The history and economics of the richest states in America demonstrate the ever-changing dynamics of the industries and services that shape a nation’s fortune.
Where manufacturing and farming once dominated, new industries reflecting the shift into a digital age have emerged, reflecting a country, and a world, moving swiftly with the times.
Looking to the future, the richest states in America will continue to evolve, as new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, continue to drive progress and innovation.