{"id":11396,"date":"2026-11-12T13:40:53","date_gmt":"2026-11-12T20:40:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/outside\/?p=11396"},"modified":"2026-11-12T13:40:54","modified_gmt":"2026-11-12T20:40:54","slug":"jackson-hole-is-the-richest-place-in-america-a-wyoming-born-sociologist-found-its-also-the-most-unequal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/outside\/2026\/11\/12\/jackson-hole-is-the-richest-place-in-america-a-wyoming-born-sociologist-found-its-also-the-most-unequal\/","title":{"rendered":"Jackson Hole Is the Richest Place in America. A Wyoming-Born Sociologist Found It\u2019s Also the Most Unequal."},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Billionaire Wilderness<\/i> frames Jackson Hole as a microcosm of wealth disparity and inequality driven by peoples\u2019 desire to be near wilderness, regardless of their income. (Photo: Jon Hicks\/Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Jackson Hole Is the Richest Place in America. A Wyoming-Born Sociologist Found It\u2019s Also the Most Unequal.<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Teton County\u2019s top 1 percent earn an average of $28.2 million a year, while the average worker makes about $41,000. Yale sociologist Justin Farrell\u2019s Billionaire Wilderness asks who America\u2019s wild places are really for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Heather Hansman<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Published: Nov 12, 2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Head in any direction from the picturesque square at the center of Jackson Hole<\/a>, Wyoming, and you\u2019ll soon be on public land, among the spiny peaks of the Tetons<\/a> or meadows full of elk. Along the way, you will inevitably roll past sprawling ranches and huge houses that dot the landscape. Unless you\u2019re paying close attention, you may miss the trailers tucked into the hollows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A new book by Yale sociologist Justin Farrell, Billionaire Wilderness<\/a><\/em>, posits that Teton County has become an extreme example of a widespread dynamic in the West, where land protections limit development and drive up prices. Concurrently, the local economy tends to rely on tourism and recreation\u2014industries that require both low-wage jobs and incoming wealth. \u201cThis is the richest area in the U.S., but it\u2019s also the most unequal,\u201d Farrell writes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teton County is home to two of the country\u2019s most popular national parks, Yellowstone<\/a> and Grand Teton<\/a>, plus three ski areas\u2014and 97 percent of it is public land. That means that while casual tourists will mostly notice the wide ranges of open space, private landowners and businesses must squeeze into the tiny parcels that are available to develop. Lots of people who commute to the area for work can\u2019t afford to live there: in 2018, the average price for a single-family home in Jackson, the county\u2019s main town, was $2.65 million. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Billionaire Wilderness<\/em> frames Jackson as a microcosm of wealth disparity and inequality driven by peoples\u2019 desire to be near wilderness, regardless of their income, a place where the reality of finite available land bumps up against outdated myths about the ever expanding American West. At the center of the breakdown between truth and romanticism are difficult questions about how we manage American wilderness. Who is it for? Who decides where it should be preserved? Is open space more important than affordability and access?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farrell brings a good mixture of information and perspectives <\/strong>to his research. He was raised in Wyoming and grew up watching his mother clean huge houses but was rocketed into a different socioeconomic sphere through his Ivy League sociology job. As he examines Teton County\u2019s inequality through lengthy interviews and data analysis, he wonders why an area with such a mind-boggling amount of wealth ignores things like social services and affordable housing. He concludes that it\u2019s a combination of tax policy, misguided philanthropy, and that tricky, mythological fascination with the rural West, which can be conveniently tailored to suit selfish needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through Farrell\u2019s analysis, readers of Billionaire Wilderness<\/em> learn that Teton County has the highest per capita income in the country: $194,485. That\u2019s more than 30 percent higher than Manhattan\u2019s rate, $148,002. But because eight out of ten dollars come from investment income instead of wages, the top 1 percent of the county makes an average of $28.2 million annually (mostly from investments), while the average worker makes $41,052 a year. The people who serve at restaurants and clean houses to support tourism in the area\u2014jobs necessary to keep the local economy running\u2014often don\u2019t earn enough to live in town. Instead, Farrell finds, they drive over sketchy mountain passes from Idaho or sleep in shifts in trailers <\/strong>to get by.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While many people want to live in the area because it\u2019s beautiful and offers great outdoor access, Farrell finds that part of the draw for the wealthy is less prosaic: lenient taxes. Wyoming is number one on Bloomberg Wealth Management\u2019s<\/a> ranking of America\u2019s most wealth-friendly states, thanks to its lack of income tax and minimal property taxes. A household making $10 million could save $700,000 in taxes by switching its legal residency from, say, Connecticut, which exacerbates local inequality even more. \u201cLawyers and doctors are middle class in Jackson,\u201d one disgruntled local tells Farrell. \u201cEven they can\u2019t make it work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With so much money in such a small place, it seems like an equitable county should<\/em> be possible. Can\u2019t such extreme wealth solve the problems it creates, simply by redirecting resources? Indeed, Farrell discovers that Teton County is one of the most philanthropic places in the nation. Community events like Old Bill\u2019s Fun Run for Charities<\/a> have raised more than $14 million in a single morning for groups such as the Art Association of Jackson Hole or the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. But donors contribute most to organizations aligned with their moral and philosophical views\u2014usually revolving around conservation and art\u2014not the groups that address Teton County\u2019s direst needs. Philanthropy is frequently used as a tax break, a way to get in with the right crowd, or a way for guilty business titans to feel better about themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou see a lot of charity but very little justice,\u201d a nonprofit worker, Margarita Dixon, tells Farrell in the book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is a particular dilemma in Wyoming, where minimal taxes mean the state has extremely limited public funds. Private donations bankroll a lot of services in the county, such as housing assistance or mental-health counseling (\u201cbuzzkill issues,\u201d as Farrell puts it). Still, most <\/strong>ultrawealthy donors prefer giving to charities they can relate to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further complicating matters is the area\u2019s long history of rich people helicoptering in\u2014sometimes literally\u2014and cordoning off land against local wishes. Most famously, in 1927, John D. Rockefeller Jr. bought 114,170 acres of land north of Jackson Hole with the intent to conserve it for public good. That land became part of Grand Teton National Park<\/a> in 1950. The purchase is now lauded and deemed full of foresight, but it was locally unpopular when it happened. No one liked the idea of a wealthy Easterner <\/strong>coming in and dominating the valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days unfathomably affluent landowners continue to have outsize influence in the area by buying up huge swaths of land. But the idea of conservation through private ownership is fraught: not everyone will pull a Rockefeller and eventually make their land public. Jackson\u2019s elite frequently buy land through the Jackson Hole Land Trust, which puts a conservation easement on their purchases. The easement gives the land trust power to limit development on the property but offsets the new owner\u2019s property taxes as an incentive. Farrell illustrates the trend with maps of the valley in 1980 and then 2018, and in the latter, the area is a patchwork of easements. On one hand, that\u2019s good, because it preserves wild spaces; on the other hand, no one except the private landowner is able to go there, and the scarcity of developable land drives prices even higher into the stratosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farrell did more than 200 interviews and got to know his subjects at both ends of the socioeconomic spectrum. Rich property owners around Jackson, he found, generally idealize the wild, believing that nature is pure and that preserving it is good; some even believed their conservation efforts would absolve them of whatever less pure activities they\u2019d undertaken on their road to such extreme wealth. \u201cThe ultra-wealthy use nature to try to resolve key predicaments in their lives,\u201d he notes. He found that while they felt somewhat guilty about their immense local power, they thought they were doing good by preserving land and providing jobs. They tended either to be unaware of, or to gloss over, the fact that many workers in the area can barely scrape by. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jackson\u2019s elite also tended not to have a clear read on class dynamics: they frequently confused paid workers for friends or bragged about drinking beer with the lifties and contractors. Their lack of awareness also manifested in a detached understanding of rural work. To the rich, poverty in the West was often idealized as a romanticized part of rural culture or an enviable manifestation of ruggedness compared to poverty in the urban spaces where they\u2019d tended to make their money. But in Farrell\u2019s interviews, Teton County\u2019s workers were hyperaware of who paid them and how tenuous those relationships were. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farrell clearly outlines the roots of the problems: policy, western mythologies, tax breaks, and selfishness. <\/strong>As a reader, I wanted more analysis of what could bring both economic justice and land protections to areas like Teton County. Billionaire Wilderness<\/em> ponders what makes a good community in the 21st century; Farrell mentions trust and empathy, government incentives for smart growth and community development, and local policies designed to do less harm to low-income residents. But he doesn\u2019t squarely answer the question. Perhaps with so many conflicting interests, there is simply no clear answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Americans have gone west to escape the ills of society while bringing the ills of society with them, pretty much since Manifest Destiny; one regional myth was that, once here, everyone would have the chance to experience something wild. In reality, of course, settlement always brought land-access issues, prompted human displacement, and fueled socioeconomic disparity. That remains true now, as Billionaire Wilderness<\/em> makes evident through its examination of one of the most beloved playgrounds of this part of the nation. After outlining the conflicting interests between conservation and growth, affordable housing and preservation, Farrell concludes that we can\u2019t have it all. This has always been a region that was developed according to the interests of the ultrarich, and it\u2019s becoming more apparent who really gets to live out a western fantasy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buy the Book<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cWe\u2019re Kind of Crushing It.\u201d Why One Wyoming Mountain County Has a Life Expectancy of 94.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to new data, residents in Wyoming\u2019s Teton County have the highest average life expectancy in the country: 94 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jackson Hole News and Guide<\/em> first reported<\/a> the finding on November 4, and Travis Riddell, MD, MPH<\/a>, the director of the Teton County Health Department, first presented the data point at a Teton County Board of County Commissioners meeting<\/a> on October 26.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After looking at mortality data over a three-year period, between 2022 and 2024, using U.S. Census population projections for the county as the denominator, Dr. Riddell and experts at the Teton County Health Department found that residents of the county have a life expectancy of 94 years. Dr. Riddell said that beyond comparisons to national averages and Wyoming state averages, they also compared Teton County data to that of 13 other comparable counties with popular mountain towns\u2014called \u201cpeer counties\u201d\u2014including Vail in Eagle County, Colorado, Aspen in Pitkin County, Colorado, and Park City, Utah, in Summit County, among others. The numbers will be formally published in Teton County\u2019s Triennial Community Health Assessment in June 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To put the number in perspective, the average life expectancy across the United States is 79 years, per the most recent mortality data<\/a> from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy job here as the director of our health department is to encourage and promote health and the health of our community. And to see longevity like that, it almost makes me wonder if I will still have a job moving forward. We\u2019re kind of crushing it, at least in this specific metric,\u201d Dr. Riddell told Outside<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Longevity remains one of the biggest buzzwords in health conversations, with people trying any number of elixirs, fitness tests<\/a>, or extreme biohacking measures<\/a> to live longer. But what if living longer is as simple as getting outside and moving your body<\/a>? And how can people emulate the lifestyle of mountain residents to live a longer, healthier life?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s what Dr. Riddell and Ingrid Yang, MD<\/a>, an internal medicine physician specializing in longevity and not affiliated with the Teton County Health Department, had to say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to new data, residents in Wyoming\u2019s Teton County have the highest average life expectancy in the country: 94 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jackson Hole News and Guide<\/em> first reported<\/a> the finding on November 4, and Travis Riddell, MD, MPH<\/a>, the director of the Teton County Health Department, first presented the data point at a Teton County Board of County Commissioners meeting<\/a> on October 26.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After looking at mortality data over a three-year period, between 2022 and 2024, using U.S. Census population projections for the county as the denominator, Dr. Riddell and experts at the Teton County Health Department found that residents of the county have a life expectancy of 94 years. Dr. Riddell said that beyond comparisons to national averages and Wyoming state averages, they also compared Teton County data to that of 13 other comparable counties with popular mountain towns\u2014called \u201cpeer counties\u201d\u2014including Vail in Eagle County, Colorado, Aspen in Pitkin County, Colorado, and Park City, Utah, in Summit County, among others. The numbers will be formally published in Teton County\u2019s Triennial Community Health Assessment in June 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To put the number in perspective, the average life expectancy across the United States is 79 years, per the most recent mortality data<\/a> from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy job here as the director of our health department is to encourage and promote health and the health of our community. And to see longevity like that, it almost makes me wonder if I will still have a job moving forward. We\u2019re kind of crushing it, at least in this specific metric,\u201d Dr. Riddell told Outside<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Longevity remains one of the biggest buzzwords in health conversations, with people trying any number of elixirs, fitness tests<\/a>, or extreme biohacking measures<\/a> to live longer. But what if living longer is as simple as getting outside and moving your body<\/a>? And how can people emulate the lifestyle of mountain residents to live a longer, healthier life?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s what Dr. Riddell and Ingrid Yang, MD<\/a>, an internal medicine physician specializing in longevity and not affiliated with the Teton County Health Department, had to say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Do People in Mountain Towns Live So Long?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Teton County is the 12th-largest county by total area in Wyoming and has a population of roughly 23,000<\/a> people. It\u2019s known for its scenic mountain landscapes and is home to Grand Teton National Park<\/a>, around 40 percent<\/a> of Yellowstone National Park<\/a>, and Jackson Hole<\/a>\u2014a premier hub for outdoor recreation and winter sports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teton County isn\u2019t alone; other mountainous counties<\/a> also have high life expectancies, according to 2025 data from the Demographics Atlas, which draws on data from the CDC\u2019s National Center for Health Statistics. San Miguel County, home to Telluride, Colorado, has a life expectancy of 86.5 years<\/a>; Summit County, home to Park City, Utah, has a life expectancy of 84 years<\/a>; and Deschutes County, home to Bend, Oregon, has a life expectancy of 80.9 years<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Life expectancy<\/a> refers to how long a population in a specific place is expected to live. Because we can\u2019t predict how long people will live, public health experts rely on statistical data to determine average lifespan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLife expectancy is a really common metric used to measure health and longevity of various populations. And of course it\u2019s a broad number. It is not necessarily indicative of any one individual\u2019s expected life duration. That all depends on many, many factors, some of which we get to choose in life and others which we do not,\u201d Dr. Riddell said. Those factors may include geographic location, family medical history, access to healthcare and nutritious food, and disease risk, according to Cleveland Clinic<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mountain Towns Are Known for an Active Lifestyle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At nearly 20 percent higher than the national average, Teton County\u2019s 94-year life expectancy is an exceptional statistic. This recent data suggests that mountain towns<\/a> may be leading the charge in longevity. Why is that?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat is the million-dollar question for sure,\u201d Dr. Riddell said. Again, any conversation about why a population lives or dies isn\u2019t definitive, so while reasons why<\/em> the life expectancy is as high as it is are speculative, they are still informed by scientific data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe know that Teton County is a really, really healthy place. I think recreation opportunities here are off the charts. We have low smoking rates, we have low obesity rates, and we have low disease rates that are associated with all of those things,\u201d Dr. Riddell said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But there may be a bit of a chicken-and-egg scenario happening here, too, Dr. Riddell said. Teton County is a healthy place, but its culture of outdoor recreation and healthy living might attract people who already have an affinity for that lifestyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s a caveat, though. While exercise is largely protective<\/a> of joints and helps lower chronic inflammation over time, Dr. Yang told Outside<\/em>, the biggest risk to longevity in the mountains is trauma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSki, bike, and climbing injuries such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears damage joints far more than [regular] wear and tear does.\u201d Extreme lifelong endurance training has been linked with higher rates of atrial fibrillation<\/a> (an irregular heartbeat<\/a>) in some athletes, Dr. Yang said. This doesn\u2019t negate the overall benefits, though, she explained. Staying active is still a protective measure. \u201cFor almost everyone, the danger is too little activity, not too much,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other facets of mountain town life, Dr. Yang said, like social connection, proximity to green spaces<\/a>, and cleaner air, are also associated with long-term health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wealth and Living at Altitude Also Play a Role in Life Expectancy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another major factor is wealth. \u201cTeton County is the wealthiest county in the U.S., with one of those measures being per capita income. That brings resources that another county this size might not have,\u201d Dr. Riddell said. He named health delivery services, high-end food options, and restaurants as a few of those beneficial resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn the U.S., income<\/a> is one of the strongest predictors of how long people live,\u201d Dr. Yang said.<\/em> \u201cA 2016 study<\/a> reported that at age 40, the richest one percent outlive the poorest one percent by 14.6 years (men) and 10.1 years (women),\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Yang said that living at altitude may also play a role in longevity. \u201cTeton County sits at an average elevation of 7,800 feet<\/a>. At that height, moderate altitude is linked with lower cardiovascular mortality and better metabolic profiles<\/a>,\u201d she said. Still, Dr. Yang noted that the people who live there and their overall lifestyle outweigh any potential effect of altitude. And very high altitude\u2014above 11,500 feet\u2014Dr. Yang said, is linked with accelerated aging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Apply Mountain Town Living to Your Own Lifestyle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To reap the benefits of mountain-town living no matter where you\u2019re based, Dr. Yang suggests keeping the following in mind:<\/p>\n\n\n\n