10 Wealthiest Zip Codes in the U.S. (#7 Surprised Us)

Many people believe that real estate prices correlate with the wealthiest locations in America, but that's not exactly true. Supply, demand, and other market factors significantly influence the cost of the house, not necessarily the income of the owner.

The best way to figure out the wealthiest areas in the country is to look at zip code per capita income, as those people have built substantial wealth. That yields a much different set of cities than you'd expect, with #7 coming as a big shock.

So here are the 10 most expensive ZIP codes per capita using the latest United States Census data. (excluding ZIP codes with populations under 1,000)

Per capita income: $222,147

The elite of the elite in New York reside in the luxury cooperative of North Shore Towers in the borough of Queens.

With its own 18-hole golf course and its independent power plant, the community has the highest per capita concentration of wealthy people in the nation. The complex even has its own underground mall and movie theater. Talk about exclusive!

Per capita income: $209,000

One of the classic upscale neighborhoods in New York, TriBeCa has limited housing stock and plenty of luxury condos. Plus, it's close to Lower Manhattan and the hub of finance and media. Given all those factors, it makes sense that the neighborhood would wind up near the top of the list.

Per capita income: $207,028

Located just a few steps away from Wall Street, Battery Park City is an extravagant planned community that has some of the highest net worth individuals in the country.

Built on reclaimed land, this is one of the most expensive parks in NYC. With dazzling waterfront views and luxury apartments, it skews towards very high-income earners who can afford top dollar.

Per capita income: $203,239

A sleepy suburb nestled right next to Stanford University and Menlo Park, Atherton also has fairly restrictive zoning laws, restricting demand to only the wealthiest individuals.

From NBA stars like Steph Curry to Silicon Valley executives, this city has earned its reputation as one of the priciest areas to own a house.

Per capita income: $196,165

In the heart of the bustling downtown of one of the most expensive cities in the country, SoMa/Transbay leads San Francisco in per capita income.

With luxury high rises nestled next to the Salesforce Tower and Google offices, this is a densely packed, high-income area, so it's not a surprise that the annual income of residents is so high.

Per capita income: $194,906

With no state income tax, Florida is a tax haven for high-income individuals. Palm Beach features restrictive large-lot residential districts and a barrier island geographically that restricts development. Throw in all of the high-end, luxury amenities, and the city brings in wealthy people from all over the world.

Per capita income: $184,134

Surprise, surprise! Charlotte, specifically the Myers Park neighborhood, comes in at #7 in the list. Considering the city is a massive finance hub that's home to the likes of Bank of America and some of the best hospitals in the country, Charlotte is one of the East Coast hubs for the ultra-wealthy.

Per capita income: $176,069

Sitting in the hills above Palo Alto and Silicon Valley, Portola Valley is home to the tech elite. Its proximity to some of the world's wealthiest companies, along with the large lot requirements, makes housing scarce and accessible only to those with exceptionally high incomes.

Per capita income: $175,892

One of the classic American cities, Boston has become a prominent East Coast hub for corporations in recent years.

That, coupled with a focus on building luxury condos on the water in the Seaport area, makes it the highest per capita section of the city. With the combination of luxury amenities, valuable companies, and a lack of new buildings, Seaport has a high concentration of wealth.

Per capita income: $173,421

With ultra-limited housing supply and large lot requirements of more than two acres, this ultra elite township just outside Philadelphia is an ideal place for wealthy individuals to settle down.

The zoning restrictions, coupled with a nationally recognized school system, draw in more affluent people from the big city.

It's the per capita income, not the home values, that gives you the best idea of where the country's wealth is actually located. That's why so many of these areas have a tiny footprint, with restrictive zoning laws and luxury condos.

Yes, Charlotte still stands out as the jaw-dropper among the rest of the zip codes on the list, but given the concentration of old money and banking, it makes sense. The residents living in these communities have made sure to get ahead financially to the point where they can afford the substantial housing costs.

These areas also have tiny households, with few children, and they skew a lot older. North Shore Towers, for example, has 1.4 persons per household with a median age of 80.6, making it the wealthiest retirement community in the country as well.