3. Washington
GDP per Capita: $108,468
The third richest state in the country, Washington, is located on the Upper East Coast and takes its name from George Washington, the first President of the United States.
While many people associate California with American wine, Washington farmers are among the country’s largest wine producers, while also growing pears and cranberries in addition to wine grapes.
Washington’s status as the third richest state was built largely on agriculture, with the growth of lentils, dry peas, barley, and a range of vegetables earning much of its early wealth.
There’s also a significant forestry industry, with approximately three-fourths of the land used for commercial timber, with the remaining held as national forests and national parks for the purposes of preservation.
Some of the country’s largest corporations, including Boeing, Microsoft, and Amazon, have a firm presence that contributes to the state’s overall median income.
Washington’s unemployment rate and poverty rate are below the national average, while on the other end of the income spectrum, the third richest state is home to billionaires, including Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos.
(Jeff Bezos’ net worth alone indicates just how large his economic contribution is to the state.)