This year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
What are America’s wealthiest ZIP codes?
What do Short Hills, N.J., Great Falls, Va., and South Lake, Texas have in common? They are among the richest towns in America, according to a new report by Time magazine.
New York--Time magazine just released a list of what it says are the richest towns in the United States, and many of them are located just outside major cities in the Northeast.
A research engine called FindtheBest year income averages from the U.S. Census Bureau and calculating which ZIP codes had the highest percentage of households that earn $150,000 a year or more. (Only ZIP codes with 10,000 or more residents were included.)
No. 1, according to Time, is 07078, Short Hills, N.J., which is located west of New York City and is popular among those who commute into the Big Apple for work.
The second richest town in the country is 22039, Fairfax Station, Va., which is located just southwest of Washington, D.C. and, like Short Hills, is home to many professionals who commute into the large, nearby city for work.
Ranking third on Time’s list was another town with many residents who commute into New York, 06883, Weston, Conn.
The rest of the towns on Time’s list of the top 10 wealthiest communities in the country, which can be found in its entirety on Time.com, were:
4. 22066, Great Falls, Va.
5. 10514, Chappaqua, N.Y.
6. 20854, Potomac, Md.
7. 21029, Clarksville, Md.
8. 06820, Darien, Conn.
9. 76092, South Lake, Texas.
10. 22101, McLean, Va.
For jewelers whose stores don’t fall in or near these ZIP codes, don’t be dismayed.
Shortly after Time posted its story, National Public Radio countered with this report questioning the methodology used.
A Rutgers University professor interviewed by NPR said that just looking at the percentage of residents who make $150,000 a year or up in a particular ZIP code is not enough to declare it the wealthiest.
There are other ZIP codes in the U.S. with more billionaires and more assets--the famous 90210 ZIP code of Beverly Hills, Calif., for example--but that are more diverse and have a greater percentage of the population living below the poverty line. Thus, a smaller percentage residents in these ZIP codes make $150,000 a year or more.
For retailers still concerned with the concentration of wealth in their particular ZIP code or codes, don’t forget: There’s always online shopping, which allows consumers to buy from stores anywhere in the country, regardless of their home ZIP code.
The Latest

As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.

Discover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.

When investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.

The “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.


The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

Two existing executives have been given new roles.

More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.

Meredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.

It will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”

From design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.

The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.

Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.

The designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.

On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.

The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.

The actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.

The company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."

The large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.

Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.

Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.

The diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.

The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.

Between tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.

Designed by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.

However, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.

The pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.