In an article by MainStreet it was reported that the number of millionaires in the US has declined in 2009 by almost 1 million since the beginning of the recession in 2007.  The data is based on a report from Phoenix Marketing International, which defines a millionaire as a household that has at least $1 million in liquid assets.  This definition excludes any real estate assets.

According to the report, in 2009 there were 5,139,383 millionaire households in the United States, or the equivalent of 4.46% of all the households in the country.  The article also provided the number of millionaires and the median household income by state.   If you are curious to know the top five richest states in the US are in terms of the percentage of millionaire households, here you have it:

5. Virginia

Total number of millionaire households: 166,596

Percent of population that are millionaires: 5.51%

Median household income: $61,210

4. Connecticut

Total number of millionaire households: 82,837

Percent of population that are millionaires: 6.15%

Median household income: $68,294

3. New Jersey

Total number of millionaire households: 197,694

Percent of population that are millionaires: 6.22%

Median household income: $70,347

2. Maryland

Total number of millionaire households: 133,299

Percent of population that are millionaires: 6.26%

Median household income: $70,482

1. And the Richest State in the USA: Hawaii

Total number of millionaire households: 28,363

Percent of population that are millionaires: 6.41%

Median household income: $66,701

But if you want to know where the most millionaires live, the data shows that it is in California.  California has a total of 662,735 millionaires, which represents 5.28% of all households in the state.  Between Hollywood and Silicon Valley, California has plenty to offer to those who are seeking the upper crust in America’s society.