Millionaires

Joel flags me to the news that my natal state, cold, rocky, infertile New Hampshire, now lies eighth on the list of states with the most millionaires, just ahead of California and behind Alaska. "Millionaire" in this case means a million in liquid assets (i.e., not counting real estate), so tax returns aren't the point. Re New Hampshire, let's just say it wasn't that way when I was a kid, but things have changed now that southern New Hampshire has caught all the spill from the Massachusetts tech boom (and with famously low taxes to boot). I'll bet places like Berlin and Colebrook till look pretty much like they did when I was a kid, though.

Cynics will glom onto the fact that Maryland, Virginia and DC all make the list, as evidence of civil-service/government bloat. There's probably some truth to that--I suspect that civil servants, aside from being comparatively well paid, are more prudent than the common ruck, more likely to lay up treasure for a rainy day. Or maybe it is just all those lobbyists.

It's interesting that New York does not make the list (though Connecticut and New Jersey both do). Brings me back to a point I think I've made before: DC may be prosperous, but it is not the home of obscene riches. Can't argue with the number on millionaires, but for zillionaires, I bet you still have to go to Manhattan's Upper East Side.