If you want to start 2016 by building your roster of high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients, these wealthy cities and communities are the ones you should be targeting.

Read: 12 top international places to retire

These might be smaller cities located within bigger metro areas, or small, exclusive communities.

They may also be called a "Census-designated place" or CDP, which identifies a concentration of population that is classified as such for statistical purposes by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Analysts at FindTheHome.com, a website that tracks real estate trends, took a look at the average per capita income in American cities larger than 4,000 people from the data provided by the Census’ American Community Survey (ACS). The ACS is an ongoing survey that provides vital information on a yearly basis about the United States.

The analysts spotted different trends within the demographics in these affluent communities, where opportunities abound for advisors across the nation.

For example, the wealthiest communities are usually located near major metro areas, which provide higher-paying jobs.

Also, the population might be highly educated because the skilled nature of many high-paying jobs requires it. The report also found that affluent areas tend to attract married couples who have, or are planning on having, children.

Read: Frugality of high earners lingers

So, which places made it onto the list? Keep reading to find out:

piedmont

No. 20: Piedmont, California

The City of Piedmont is located in Alameda County, California and is surrounded on all sides by the city of Oakland. Today, it is mostly residential and a semi-suburband city.

Population: 10,957

Average per capita income in Piedmont: $101,794

Average per capita income in California: $29,906

Percentage with bachelor’s degree or higher: 84%

Percentage married: 71%

short hills

No. 19: Short Hills, New Jersey

Located within the Millburn Township in Essex County, New Jersey, the city is a popular "commuter town" for people who work in New York City. In 2014, Time magazine named it the "Richest Town in America."

Population: 12,729

Average per capita income in Short Hills: $102,528

Average per capita income in New Jersey: $36,359

Percentage with bachelor’s degree or higher: 88.7%

Percentage married: 73.4%

glencoe il

No. 18: Glencoe, Illinois

Glencoe is a village in Cook County, Illinois, located on Chicago's suburban North Shore. According to the Village of Glencoe website, it is "one of the most attractive business districts along the North Shore."

Population: 8,824

Average per capita income in Glencoe: $103,788

Average per capita income in Illinois: $30,019

Percentage with bachelor’s degree or higher: 85.3%

Percentage married: 73.7%

fox chapel

No. 17: Fox Chapel, Pennsylvania

A borough of Allegheny Country and a Pittsburg suburb, Fox Chapel is convinently located just 6 miles northeast of downtown. Fox Chapel is also 100 percent residential, its website says.

Population: 5,397

Average per capita income in Fox Chapel: $104,737

Average per capita income in Pennsylvania: $28,912

Percentage with bachelor’s degree or higher: 85%

Percentage married: 70.1%

pelican bay

No. 16: Pelican Bay, Florida

Even though Pelican Bay is not a city, it is part of the Naples-Marco Island Metropolitan Statistical Area. The area is divided into residential and common areas, and includes a mangrove forest that is a natural resource protected area.

Population: 5,426

Average per capita income in Pelican Bay: $105,516

Average per capita income in Florida: $26,499

Percentage with bachelor’s degree or higher: 63.1%

Percentage married: 78%

west u

No. 15: West University Place, Texas

Often referred to as "West U," this city is located near Houston, Texas. It is mostly a commuter city made up of upper-class families. The name comes from the area's proximity to Rice University.

Population: 15,223

Average per capita income in West University Place: $106,583

Average per capita income in Texas: $26,513

Percentage with bachelor’s degree or higher: 88%

Percentage married: 68.9%

bronxville

No. 14: Bronxville, New York

A small village only 15 miles from midtown Manhattan, Bronxville prides itself in having a community spirit and beautiful architecture, according to their website.

Population: 6,378

Average per capita income in Bronxville: $107,327

Average per capita income in New York: $32,829

Percentage with bachelor’s degree or higher: 80.2%

Percentage married: 61.6%

kentfield

No. 13: Kentfield, California

Located near San Rafael, Kentfield is not exactly a city, but a CDP.

Population: 6,667

Average per capita income in Kentfield: $109,976

Average per capita income in California: $29,906

Percentage with bachelor’s degree or higher: 76.5%

Percentage married: 63.4%

hunters

No. 12: Hunters Creek Village, Texas

Located west of Houston, Hunters Creek Village is also northwest of West University Place. The city was incorporated in 1954, according to its website.

Population: 4,545

Average per capita income in Hunters Creek Village: $112,585

Average per capita income in Texas: $26,513

Percentage with bachelor’s degree or higher: 84%

Percentage married: 74.4%

scarsdale

No. 11: Scarsdale, New York

One of the northern suburbs of New York City, Scarsdale is a town with its own village government.

Population: 17,471

Average per capita income in Scarsdale: $113,535

Average per capita income in New York: $32,829

Percentage with bachelor’s degree or higher: 86.7%

Percentage married: 73%

old greenw

No. 10: Old Greenwich, Connecticut

A CDP with its own ZIP code, Old Greenwich is within the Greenwich city limits and is known for its tight-knit community feel. The town was also featured in an article in The New York Times.

Population: 6,520

Average per capita income in old Greenwich: $115,502

Average per capita income in Connecticut: $38,480

Percentage with bachelor’s degree or higher: 84%

Percentage married: 71.3%

cherry hills

No. 9: Cherry Hills Village, Colorado

One of the most affluent places in Colorado, Cherry Hills Village is located south of Denver's downtown. The village was featured in an article in Forbes, which named it as one of the 25 top places to retire rich. Cherry Hills Village has hosted three U.S. Open golf tournaments.

Population: 6,234

Average per capita income in Cherry Hills Village: $120,898

Average per capita income in Colorado: $31,674

Percentage with bachelor’s degree or higher: 77.5%

Percentage married: 72.6%

indian hill

No. 8: The City of The Village of Indian Hill, Ohio

Yes, that's the full name of this city. An affluent suburb of the Greater Cincinnati area, this "village" was designated a city in 1970 after its population exceeded 5,000.

Population: 5,802

Average per capita income in The Village of Indian Hill: $121,411

Average per capita income in Ohio: $26,520

Percentage with bachelor’s degree or higher: 86.3%

Percentage married: 77.2%

los altos

No. 7: Los Altos Hills, California

Los Altos Hills is a "Silicon Valley residential community" adjacent to the city of Los Altos, just five miles south of Stanford University.

Population: 8,244

Average per capita income in Los Altos Hills: $123,127

Average per capita income in California: $29,906

Percentage with bachelor’s degree or higher: 82.8%

Percentage married: 72.7%

highland park

No. 6: Highland Park, Texas

Only 4 miles north of downtown Dallas, Highland Park is a town known for the Dallas Country Club, for its parks ... and for being one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the area.

Population: 8,796

Average per capita income in Highland Park: $123,793

Average per capita income in Texas: $26,513

Percentage with bachelor’s degree or higher: 83.3%

Percentage married: 66.6%

wood

No. 5: Woodside, California

Woodside is a small town that is part of San Mateo County. It is known for being home to many of the Silicon Valley elite.

Population: 5,427

Average per capita income in Woodside: $125,559

Average per capita income in California: $29,906

Percentage with bachelor’s degree or higher: 69.4%

Percentage married: 62.6%

hillsb

No. 4: Hillsborough, California

A small town that started as a ranch, Hillsborough is an incorporated town in San Mateo County. Today, it is a mostly suburban town, dominated by large homes.

Population: 11,148

Average per capita income in Hillsborough: $127,868

Average per capita income in California: $29,906

Percentage with bachelor’s degree or higher: 75.7%

Percentage married: 71.2%

palm

No. 3: Palm Beach, Florida

The town of Palm Beach is best known for its beautiful beaches, mansions and resorts. Its first hotel opened in 1880; the Coconut Grove House.

Population: 8,344

Average per capita income in Hillsborough: $129,941

Average per capita income in California: $26,499

Percentage with bachelor’s degree or higher: 61.3%

Percentage married: 57.9%

ath

No. 2: Atherton, California

The town of Atherton California is easily recognized by the many oaks and ornamental trees that cover its six square miles, according to its website.

Population: 7,034

Average per capita income in Atherton: $144,197

Average per capita income in California: $29,906

Percentage with bachelor’s degree or higher: 83.3%

Percentage married: 63%

No. 1: Portola Valley, California

Reminiscent of its pastoral past life, Portola Valley has 1,900 acres of permanent open space within the town, with only around 1,700 households today, its website says.

Population: 4,478

Average per capita income in Portola Valley: $152,128

Average per capita income in California: $29,906

Percentage with bachelor’s degree or higher: 78.6%

Percentage married: 64.9%

Instant Insights /

20 wealthiest places in the U.S.

More From HR Executive

Related Stories

Recommended For You