Did you know Wyoming has the most billionaires per person in the U.S.? Most people think that all the billionaires in the U.S. live in places like New York or California, and they’re not totally wrong, but here’s the big surprise: the state that actually has the highest concentration of billionaires per person is not one of the big, shiny ones. It’s Wyoming. Yes, the state with cowboys, wide-open skies, and way less than a million people.
I don’t know if you knew this, but even though Wyoming has only 7 billionaires in total, because the population is so small (about 587,000), it means the state has almost 12 billionaires for every million people. That’s more than New York, Florida, or even California if you look at it by population. So, let’s find out why this state is so special for the richest people.
Why is this state so special?
Most billionaires have the freedom to choose where they want to live, anywhere in the world. So there must be an important reason behind choosing Wyoming over more famous cities like New York or California, right? And sure there is: privacy, taxes, and lifestyle. Wyoming is known for its big landscapes, mountains, and nature, so if you are super rich and want peace and quiet, that’s the perfect place. Also, the state has very friendly tax laws, which means billionaires don’t have to pay as much as in other states.
What’s more, this state offers space and security. Imagine being able to own a giant ranch or a home where nobody bothers you. For billionaires, that’s like a dream come true (and for some of us too).
Three main facts about billionaires in Wyoming
- The biggest concentration in the U.S.: As I told you before, this state may only have 7 billionaires, but with such a small population, it ends up being the state with the highest rate of billionaires per person: 11.91 per million. That’s way above New York, which has 140 billionaires but almost 20 million people.
- It beats New York and Florida (kind of): Most people would think billionaires are in New York or in luxury yachts in Florida. And yes, this conception is still true, but those states have way more billionaires in total. However, Wyoming wins because we are comparing population size.
- The lifestyle billionaires want: Many of these wealthy people in Wyoming are attracted to its quality of life. You can ride horses, enjoy nature, or just live far from paparazzi and busy city life. Some also choose it because of business opportunities in energy, ranching, and tourism. It may not sound glamorous like Hollywood, but for billionaires, it’s the perfect spot to live their most desired life.
A simple way to understand it
Now you might be wondering: “Okay, but how can I compare Wyoming to other states?” Let’s see some figures that might help you with this:
- Wyoming: 7 billionaires → 11.91 per million people.
- New York: 140 billionaires → 7.05 per million.
- Nevada: 19 billionaires → 5.81 per million.
- Florida: 117 billionaires → 5.01 per million.
As you can see, if we do the math, Wyoming is the true billionaire spot, although states like New York and Florida sound richer.
Don’t underestimate Wyoming
Wyoming is more than mountains and cowboys, it’s also a state where billionaires love to live. Even with only a few ultra-rich people, its small population makes it stand out above the rest. Who would have thought that Wyoming would beat places like New York or California in something like this? We never stop learning new things. If you were a billionaire, would you choose Wyoming too?