[Aqwis]

How come Alaska is so wealthy?

[tptacek]

I was more surprised by Maryland, just comparing the third quartiles.

[cperciva]

Oil.

[carbocation]

For those interested but unfamiliar, google the "permanent fund". (It is not the explanation for Alaska's income distribution; well-paying oil-related jobs are. But it is interesting in its own right and indicative of Alaska's oil wealth.)