Money Magazine Ranks Mercer Island #23 as 'Top-earning Town' in US

Telling someone that Mercer Island is a community of relative wealth isn't usually news, but CNN Money is reporting Mercer Island ranks 23rd in the nation as a home to "Top Earners". 

A collaborative partnership between cable TV-giants CNN and Money Magazine, the list lauds Mercer Island's "outdoorsy" resources and natural beauty, 300 acres of parks and setting on Lake Washington.

"A shared appreciation for nature, physical activity and great schools helps this diverse community gel," states the ranking, which is based largely on older (and in some cases outdated) U.S. Census data.

A D.C. Beltway-funded wealth-boomlet boosted Great Falls, Virginia to a No. 1 ranking on the list, followed by Hillsbourough, California and Scarsdale, New York.

According to the ranking — which is based solely on median income, Mercer Islanders currently earn a median income of $146,570. That's about $3,000 less annually than wealthy Birmingham, Ala.-enclave #22 Mountain Brook and $3,000 more than median earners make in Houston, Texas bedroom community #24 Bellaire. Mercer Island is the only community in Washington state listed.

The median is a value representing the center between the top 50 percent and the bottom 50 percent of a population. According to Money Magazine, the current median sales price of a home on Mercer Island is $754,000. Some of the information may be slightly out-of-date.  and , however, appear to be out-of-date.  

The "Top-Earner Towns" ranking appears to be a sublist of Money's list of the top 100 "best" small towns to live in the country. Other Top-25 lists include Affordable homes, Pricey homes, Job growth, Fast commutes, Slow commutes, Hottest, Coldest, Rich and single, Youngest and Clean air.

On its website, Money pointed out the criteria its editors used to select towns this year:

"These terrific small towns stand out in the qualities American families care about most - great job opportunities, top-notch schools, safe streets, economic strength, nice weather, plenty to do, and more," according to text posted on Money's website.

The full summary about Mercer Island, which includes demographic data, can be found online.