The Austin Business Journal came up with a ranking for the 10 Wealthiest Zip Codes in Austin. They state in their write-up that they are using "average household income" for the basis of their rankings. However, I would like to stop them there as "Household Income" does not equate to "Wealth".
Household Income is the money brought in by the workers in the house, obviously. This does not account for debts those households have. Do they make the "median household income of more than $90,807" but have expenses out the ying yang? As we know, the American people like to overspend. Most feel they're entitled to it.
Wealth is the money you're able to save and put back into your own life. Are you one that can save 20% each year and put into a 401k or other retirement account? Do you save money for a rainy day and live well below your means? Yes, many "Wealthy" people know how to live below their means very well. That's how they got wealthy in the first place.
What the study isn't taking into account is areas where there are many retirees where they wouldn't necessarily have an income, but are living off their retirement accounts and social security. One such area that comes to mind is Lakeway TX and the Lake Travis area 78734. There are some very wealthy people living in the Lakeway and Lake Travis area that have water front properties and nice houses, and they're living there because they earned it. They no longer have a "Household Income" but still have wealth.
Just my thoughts on reports like this. If you are interested in the findings, they're below. The top 9 are deemed "in Austin" with #10 being in Round Rock, however that's not true. I live in Bee Cave 78738, not Austin, and we're #7 on the list. Steiner Ranch is a huge part of 78732 and they are not "in Austin", they are just "Travis County". West Lake Hills 78746 is not "in Austin" either... Just a few more inconsistancies for the list...
#1 - 78730 - Income $134,080 - Riverplace area South of 2222 down to Lake Austin - West of 360 in Austin
#2 - 78739 - Income $125,472 - Circle C area SW of Austin
#3 - 78732 - Income $123,523 - Steiner Ranch area West of Austin
#4 - 78746 - Income $118,892 - West Lake Hills, just West of Austin
#5 - 78726 - Income $116,249 - Four Points area like Canyon Creek - Far West Austin and splits 620 on both sides
#6 - 78733 - Income $116,181 - West of West Lake Hills, Senna Hills and Barton Creek area
#7 - 78738 - Income $115,649 - Bee Cave and parts of Lakeway and The Hills, West of Austin
#8 - 78717 - Income $103,386 - Avery Ranch area, Far North Austin
#9 - 78737 - Income $93,051 - South West of Austin, mostly Travis County but parts are Hays County
#10 - 78618 - Income $90,807 - Round Rock, West of I35 and North of the 45 Tollway
As I look at this list more closely, only 3 zip codes are actually "in" Austin: 78730, 78726, and 78717... but these are all deemed the 10 Wealthiest Zip Codes in Austin.
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Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
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Copyright© 2012 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Austin Business Journal - 10 Wealthiest Zip Codes in Austin TX * was first published on donnahomesblog.com.
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