Did you know that China is the country that exports the most?
Inequality of income is very much present across the US, but in some states the gap between the rich and the poor is more pronounced than in others.
Estimations made using US Census data allow for Gini coefficients to be calculated. A Gini score is an index measure where 0 represents the top of equality when it comes to income distribution, and 100 represents the maximum level of inequality.
In this gallery, you'll find the top 30 states where the greatest income inequality. Click on.
All amounts are in USD.
Nevada has a Gini index score of 46.3 out of 100. The state has a poverty rate of 12%.
Nebraska has a Gini index score of 46.3 out of 100. The state has a median household income of $74,590 per year.
The Beaver State comes next with a Gini index score of 46.4 out of 100. Oregon has a poverty rate of 12.2%, which is the 20th highest in the country.
Arizona has a Gini index score of 46.5 out of 100. The share of households earning less than $25,000 per year is 14.3%, whereas those earning at least $200,000 per year is 10.8%.
The state's Gini index score is 46.6 out of 100. Michigan has a Bachelor’s degree attainment rate of 32.7%, which is the 17th lowest in the country.
At number 25 we have Rhode Island, with a similar Gini index score of 46.6 out of 100. With 13.1% of households earning at least $200,000 per year, the state has the 13th highest percentage among the 50 states.
West Virginia has a Gini index score of 46.8 out of 100. The state has the smallest percentage of households earning at least $200,000 per year, at 5.1%. West Virginia also has the lowest Bachelor’s degree attainment rate in the US, at 24.0%.
The Buckeye State comes next with a Gini index score of 47 out of 100. Ohio has a median household income of $67,769, which is the 10th lowest in the country.
The Evergreen State has a Gini index score of 47.0 out of 100. Washington has the country's sixth-highest percentage of households earning less than $25,000 and of those earning at least $200,000 per year.
In the 21st position, we have South Carolina. The state has a Gini index score of 47.2 out of 100. South Carolina has a poverty rate of 13.9%, which is the 11th highest in the country.
Virginia's Gini index score is 47.2 out of 100. The state has the seventh-highest Bachelor’s degree attainment rate in the country, at 42.4%.
North Carolina places at number 19 with a Gini index score of 47.3 out of 100. The state sits in the middle of the table with a poverty rate of 12.8%, which is the 16th highest in the US.
Oklahoma has a Gini index score of 47.4 out of 100. The Sooner State has the fifth-smallest percentage of households earning at least $200,000 per year: 6.5%.
Arkansas comes next with a Gini index score of 47.4 out of 100. The state has the third-lowest Bachelor’s degree attainment rate in the country: 26.2%.
Kentucky's Gini index score is 47.6 out of 100. The state has the country's fourth-largest share of households earning less than $25,000 per year: 20.9%.
The southern state comes next, with a Gini index score of 47.6 out of 100. Tennessee has a poverty rate of 14%, which is the 10th highest among all states.
Alabama places in number 14 of the ranking, with a Gini index score of 47.7 out of 100. The state has the seventh largest share of households earning less than $25,000 per year: 20.2%.
New Mexico has a Gini index score of 47.7 out of 100. The state has the third-highest poverty rate in the country, and the fifth-largest percentage of households earning less than $25,000 per year: 20.5%.
Pennsylvania has a Gini index score of 47.7 out of 100. The state has a median household income of $73,824, which is the 23rd lowest in the country.
Georgia comes next with a Gini index score of 47.9 out of 100. The state has the 20th highest percentage of households earning at least $200,000 per year: 11%.
Texas cracks the top 10 with a Gini index score of 47.9 out of 100. The state has the 12th highest poverty rate in the country at 13.7%.
New Jersey also has a Gini index score of 47.9 out of 100. The Garden State has the second-highest median household income in the country: $99,781.
Illinois has a Gini index score of 48.1 out of 100. The state has the 14th highest rate of Bachelor’s degree attainment in the US: 38.3%.
Florida comes next, with a Gini index score of 48.3 out of 100. The Sunshine State has a median household income of $73,311, which is the 21st lowest in the country.
Mississippi has a Gini index score of 48.4 out of 100. The state has the country's largest share of households earning less than $25,000 per year: 24.1%. It also has the lowest median household income in the US: $54,203.
The Golden State comes in fifth place, with a Gini index score of 48.7 out of 100. California has the third-largest percentage of households earning at least $200,000 per year: 19.1%.
Massachusetts ranks in fourth place, with a Gini index score of 48.8 out of 100. The state has both the highest median income in the country ($99,858) and the highest share of households earning at least $200,000 per year (21.1%). Massachusetts also has the highest Bachelor’s degree attainment rate in the US, at 47.8%.
Connecticut comes next, with a Gini index score of 49.5 out of 100. The state has the fifth-largest percentage of households earning at least $200,000 per year: 17.5%.
The runner-up is Louisiana, with a Gini index score of 49.7 out of 100. The state has the highest poverty rate in the country: 18.9%.
New York tops the ranking of the states with the widest gap between the rich and poor, with a Gini index score of 51.6 out of 100.
Sources: (24/7 Wall St.) (US Census)
See also: US cities with the best and worst work-life balance
The 30 states with the widest gap between the rich and poor
Income distribution in these states varies greatly
LIFESTYLE Inequality
Inequality of income is very much present across the US, but in some states the gap between the rich and the poor is more pronounced than in others.
Estimations made using US Census data allow for Gini coefficients to be calculated. A Gini score is an index measure where 0 represents the top of equality when it comes to income distribution, and 100 represents the maximum level of inequality.
In this gallery, you'll find the top 30 states where the greatest income inequality. Click on.
All amounts are in USD.