Maryland is the richest state in the union, with a median household income of $70,004, a cool $20k about the national average. The U.S. South continues to lag behind with Mississippi’s median income of $36,919 putting the state at the lowest in the country.  According to the data from the 2011 American Community Survey (ACS) conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, nationwide household income in the U.S. has dropped as the economy continues to struggle – with census data showing decrease of  1.3 per cent from $51,144 in 2010 to $50,502 in 2011/

POOREST STATES       RICHEST STATES

1. Mississippi: $36,919             1. Maryland:  $70,004
2. West Virginia: $38,482       2. Alaska:  $67,825
3. Kentucky: $41,141                 3. New Jersey:  $67,458
4. Alabama: $41,415                  4. Connecticut: $65,753
5. Tennessee: $41,693               5. District of Columbia: $63,124