What is the average income for my zip code?

The U.S.

Census Bureau and IRS provide the most comprehensive data on average incomes by zip code, with the Census data offering more detailed household income statistics.

Several websites aggregate and visualize this income data, but the Census Bureau places a $250,000 cap on the maximum median household income that can be reported.

Income data sources may vary in the time periods and geographic levels covered, so users should carefully consider the limitations when analyzing zip code income statistics.

The top 8 zip codes in the U.S.

have a median household income greater than $250,000, the maximum figure reported by the Census Bureau.

Income data can vary significantly even within a local area, with neighboring zip codes sometimes showing large disparities in median household incomes.

Zip codes with the highest average incomes are often located in affluent suburbs and exurbs of major metropolitan areas, rather than within the urban cores.

In addition to household income, the IRS data provides insights into the distribution of income by adjusted gross income (AGI) brackets within a zip code.

Zip codes with a large share of high-income tax filers (e.g., those reporting AGI over $200,000) tend to have the highest overall average incomes.

Income levels can change rapidly over time, especially in areas experiencing rapid economic or demographic shifts, so the most current data is important for accurate analysis.

Understanding the average income in a zip code can provide valuable insights for businesses, policymakers, and individuals looking to target specific markets or understand local economic conditions.

Factors such as the cost of living, industry composition, and demographic characteristics all contribute to the wide variation in average incomes observed across different zip codes.

While zip code-level income data is useful, it's important to also consider other socioeconomic indicators, such as educational attainment, employment, and poverty rates, to get a more comprehensive picture of a local area.

The Census Bureau's American Community Survey provides the most granular income data by zip code, including median household income, mean household income, and income distribution by quintile.

Zip codes with a large share of retirees or older residents may have lower average household incomes, but higher average retirement incomes, which are tracked separately by the IRS.

Income data can be used by policymakers to target areas with low-income populations for economic development initiatives or social services programs.

Analyzing trends in zip code income data over time can reveal insights into the shifting economic landscape of a region, such as the emergence of new high-income enclaves or the decline of once-prosperous areas.

The spatial distribution of high-income zip codes can provide clues about the underlying drivers of income inequality, such as the concentration of high-paying industries or the role of housing costs and property values.

Zip code income data is often used by businesses to identify potential target markets for products and services, as well as to inform decisions about store locations, marketing campaigns, and investment strategies.

While median household income is a widely used metric, it can mask important differences within a zip code, such as the presence of both high-income and low-income households.

The IRS zip code income data includes information on the number of tax returns filed, the total adjusted gross income, and the distribution of income by various brackets, providing a more detailed perspective on the local income landscape.