Stafford among richest counties, list says

STAFFORD — According to a recent article whose writer sourced Census Bureau data from 2010 — the most recent data available — Stafford County is among 15 chosen counties in the U.S. on the article’s list with the highest median household income.

The article by Kali Geldis calls the counties the richest in America based on that factor, and notes that these counties are in the 1 percent.

The article states that even though the U.S. median household income declined 2.3 percent from 2009 to 2010, these counties still managed a median income that’s about double the national average of $49,445.

If we’re so rich, county residents may wonder, why is it that struggles are often seen in county government through the board of supervisors and in local school board budget balancing? Sure, everyone has their hand out when money is being doled out, but how can the budgets be better divvied and balanced to avoid this? Should schools, which receive the bulk of the money from the board of supervisors, stop expecting so much money?

For instance, last year, millions of dollars was used from retirees’ health benefits for teacher raises, according to the school board. 

Meanwhile, other services go without, including an animal shelter in need of expansion or assistance, according to Stafford Supervisor Paul Milde, R-Aquia, who has said that interest in assisting the shelter on the board seems lacking on the part of other board members, prior to new board members’ arrival.

But, Stafford has a median household income of $94,317, with 128,961 residents, according to Census data.  On the article’s list, it’s noted as the country’s 7^th Richest County (based on median household income).

It is one of the smallest population areas on the list of 15 counties, and what it lacks in size it makes up for in jobs, according to Geldis.

The county’s unemployment rate is just under 5 percent. The current national average is 8.3 percent.

Prince William County also made the list as the 9^th Richest County. Arlington and Fairfax counties are also on the list.

To view the list, visit: mainstreet.com/slideshow/money/investing/richest-counties-america

Tracy Bell is managing editor of the Stafford County Sun. Reach her at tbell@insidenova.com.