Highest-income areas in: Maryland

Getty Images

Highest-income areas in: Maryland

Baltimore-Towson

2009 per capita income: $47,962
2008 per capita income: $47,881
Metro's wealth rank in U.S.: 17
Unemployment rate: 8.2 percent
Most populous city in state: Baltimore

Part of the Baltimore-Towson MSA is Howard County, the third-wealthiest county in the country, according to 2006-08 data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Howard County is about 20 miles north of Washington, D.C., and 10 miles southwest of Baltimore, according to the county government website. Some of the major employers in area are Northrop Grumman, John's Hopkins University, GBMC Healthcare, and Franklin Square Hospital Center, according to the Baltimore Metropolitan Council.