The five counties with the highest median incomes all surround the Big Government of Washington, D.C., according to the U.S. census.

Why it matters: The big get bigger, the rich get richer, the more powerful get more powerful — all in a place many Americans disdain or distrust.

The highest:

Loudoun County, Va.

Fairfax County, Va.

Howard County, Md.

Falls Church City, Va.

Arlington County, Va.

The lowest:

McCreary County, Ky.

Holmes County, Miss.

Sumter County, Ala.

Bell County, Ky.

Harlan County, Ky.

Go deeper: America's BIG problem is fueling us-versus-them