Among the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

Americans have long understood that their birthplace can significantly affect their futures, and academics have increasingly been able to connect tangible early life factors like where they live and the friendships they’ve cultivated with potential future income.

Among the most recent studies shedding light on what’s known as economic mobility—a person’s ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

As part of a national analysis, Wealth Enhancement Group used data from Harvard University‘s Social Capital Atlas project to identify where in Georgia children have the best (and worst) chances at upward economic mobility.

The research draws on a privacy-protected dataset representing 21 billion friendships from Facebook made public through its parent company Meta’s Data for Good project. It also uses anonymous tax records, according to the authors. The scholars assigned a score to locales according to how economically connected low- and high-income people living in the area have historically been over at least a decade, per that data. The dataset does not include scores for about 180 of the 3,000 or so counties in the U.S.

The research attempts to fill in the gaps of previous efforts to study American economic mobility that did not consider a person’s vast social networks nor their importance in creating better lives for themselves and their children.

It turns out the ability to cultivate friendships linking people of different socioeconomic backgrounds with one another is the strongest factor in determining whether a child can surpass the earning potential of their parents, Harvard researchers found. They call this economic connectedness.

Read on to find out where economic connectedness is strongest in your state.Among the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#50. Heard County

– Economic connectedness: 0.66
– Median Income: $55,635
– Population: 11,440
— 86.2% white
— 9.9% Black
— 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 0.8% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#49. Rockdale County

– Economic connectedness: 0.66
– Median Income: $64,230
– Population: 92,983
— 33.5% white
— 56.3% Black
— 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 1.9% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#48. Chatham County

– Economic connectedness: 0.66
– Median Income: $61,064
– Population: 294,815
— 50.6% white
— 40.4% Black
— 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 2.8% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#47. Walker County

– Economic connectedness: 0.67
– Median Income: $48,633
– Population: 67,772
— 91.4% white
— 4% Black
— 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 0.8% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#46. Jasper County

– Economic connectedness: 0.67
– Median Income: $52,322
– Population: 14,478
— 76% white
— 18.4% Black
— 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 0.2% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#45. DeKalb County

– Economic connectedness: 0.67
– Median Income: $69,423
– Population: 758,634
— 32.6% white
— 52.8% Black
— 0.8% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 6.1% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#44. Bulloch County

– Economic connectedness: 0.68
– Median Income: $50,583
– Population: 79,635
— 64% white
— 27.9% Black
— 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 1.5% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#43. Lincoln County

– Economic connectedness: 0.68
– Median Income: $44,087
– Population: 7,686
— 67.7% white
— 29% Black
— 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 0.1% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#42. Habersham County

– Economic connectedness: 0.68
– Median Income: $56,680
– Population: 45,767
— 83.5% white
— 3.3% Black
— 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 2% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#41. Glascock County

– Economic connectedness: 0.68
– Median Income: $53,125
– Population: 2,903
— 88.7% white
— 10.2% Black
— 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 0% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#40. Henry County

– Economic connectedness: 0.69
– Median Income: $73,491
– Population: 236,615
— 43% white
— 46.7% Black
— 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 3.3% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#39. Butts County

– Economic connectedness: 0.69
– Median Income: $53,613
– Population: 24,950
— 67% white
— 28.1% Black
— 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 0.3% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#38. Haralson County

– Economic connectedness: 0.7
– Median Income: $57,752
– Population: 29,685
— 91.2% white
— 4.8% Black
— 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 0.3% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#37. Rabun County

– Economic connectedness: 0.7
– Median Income: $48,652
– Population: 16,731
— 90.9% white
— 1.4% Black
— 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 0.6% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#36. Carroll County

– Economic connectedness: 0.7
– Median Income: $62,498
– Population: 118,402
— 71.9% white
— 20% Black
— 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 0.8% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#35. Douglas County

– Economic connectedness: 0.71
– Median Income: $67,731
– Population: 143,520
— 42.6% white
— 48.3% Black
— 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 1.8% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#34. Liberty County

– Economic connectedness: 0.71
– Median Income: $50,617
– Population: 64,334
— 42.2% white
— 41.4% Black
— 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 1.9% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#33. Dade County

– Economic connectedness: 0.71
– Median Income: $47,675
– Population: 16,313
— 94.2% white
— 1.1% Black
— 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 0.7% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#32. Fannin County

– Economic connectedness: 0.71
– Median Income: $49,810
– Population: 25,198
— 94.2% white
— 0.3% Black
— 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 0.5% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#31. Jones County

– Economic connectedness: 0.72
– Median Income: $61,701
– Population: 28,297
— 72% white
— 24.4% Black
— 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 0.6% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#30. Banks County

– Economic connectedness: 0.73
– Median Income: $57,893
– Population: 18,061
— 89.5% white
— 2.6% Black
— 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 1.3% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#29. Bartow County

– Economic connectedness: 0.73
– Median Income: $65,559
– Population: 107,868
— 80.6% white
— 10.3% Black
— 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 1% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#28. Union County

– Economic connectedness: 0.73
– Median Income: $52,509
– Population: 24,183
— 94.5% white
— 0.8% Black
— 1.2% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 0.3% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#27. Pike County

– Economic connectedness: 0.74
– Median Income: $76,152
– Population: 18,754
— 87.8% white
— 8.6% Black
— 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 0.4% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#26. Long County

– Economic connectedness: 0.74
– Median Income: $52,742
– Population: 16,398
— 59.7% white
— 23.2% Black
— 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 0.9% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#25. Clarke County

– Economic connectedness: 0.75
– Median Income: $44,070
– Population: 128,195
— 60.6% white
— 27.8% Black
— 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 3.9% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#24. Towns County

– Economic connectedness: 0.75
– Median Income: $53,084
– Population: 12,300
— 94.3% white
— 2.3% Black
— 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 0.4% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#23. Gwinnett County

– Economic connectedness: 0.77
– Median Income: $75,853
– Population: 948,505
— 42.6% white
— 28.3% Black
— 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 12.3% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#22. Walton County

– Economic connectedness: 0.77
– Median Income: $71,692
– Population: 95,453
— 75.7% white
— 18.4% Black
— 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 1.5% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#21. Barrow County

– Economic connectedness: 0.77
– Median Income: $68,365
– Population: 82,138
— 73.6% white
— 12.5% Black
— 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 4% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#20. Fulton County

– Economic connectedness: 0.78
– Median Income: $77,635
– Population: 1,054,286
— 42.5% white
— 43.5% Black
— 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 7.5% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#19. Catoosa County

– Economic connectedness: 0.78
– Median Income: $62,669
– Population: 67,579
— 90.9% white
— 2.3% Black
— 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 1.6% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#18. Effingham County

– Economic connectedness: 0.78
– Median Income: $72,279
– Population: 63,448
— 78.6% white
— 13.6% Black
— 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 0.7% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#17. Harris County

– Economic connectedness: 0.78
– Median Income: $82,244
– Population: 34,316
— 78.1% white
— 15.7% Black
— 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 0.6% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#16. Cobb County

– Economic connectedness: 0.79
– Median Income: $86,013
– Population: 762,500
— 55% white
— 27.5% Black
— 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 5.5% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#15. Coweta County

– Economic connectedness: 0.8
– Median Income: $83,486
– Population: 144,928
— 74.5% white
— 17.6% Black
— 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 2.1% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#14. Jackson County

– Economic connectedness: 0.8
– Median Income: $73,455
– Population: 73,839
— 83.9% white
— 7.4% Black
— 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 1.9% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#13. White County

– Economic connectedness: 0.8
– Median Income: $64,729
– Population: 27,886
— 92% white
— 1.7% Black
— 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 0.6% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#12. Pickens County

– Economic connectedness: 0.81
– Median Income: $71,637
– Population: 32,814
— 87.8% white
— 1.3% Black
— 0.8% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 0.3% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#11. Camden County

– Economic connectedness: 0.81
– Median Income: $61,636
– Population: 54,256
— 71.2% white
— 18.4% Black
— 0.7% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 2.1% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#10. Columbia County

– Economic connectedness: 0.84
– Median Income: $85,928
– Population: 154,274
— 71% white
— 16.9% Black
— 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 4.1% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#9. Bryan County

– Economic connectedness: 0.85
– Median Income: $81,032
– Population: 43,278
— 73.6% white
— 14.2% Black
— 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 1.7% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#8. Lumpkin County

– Economic connectedness: 0.88
– Median Income: $64,179
– Population: 33,188
— 93.5% white
— 1.5% Black
— 0.6% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 1.5% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#7. Paulding County

– Economic connectedness: 0.9
– Median Income: $80,234
– Population: 165,688
— 71.8% white
— 20.3% Black
— 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 1.2% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#6. Fayette County

– Economic connectedness: 0.93
– Median Income: $96,084
– Population: 117,828
— 62.9% white
— 24% Black
— 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 4.7% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#5. Dawson County

– Economic connectedness: 0.93
– Median Income: $77,630
– Population: 26,202
— 93.9% white
— 0.9% Black
— 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 0.8% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#4. Chattahoochee County

– Economic connectedness: 0.96
– Median Income: $50,018
– Population: 9,533
— 62.9% white
— 19.5% Black
— 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 3.1% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#3. Cherokee County

– Economic connectedness: 0.97
– Median Income: $90,681
– Population: 262,155
— 83% white
— 7.3% Black
— 0.6% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 1.8% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#2. Oconee County

– Economic connectedness: 0.99
– Median Income: $106,165
– Population: 41,006
— 86.7% white
— 3.6% Black
— 0.7% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 3.8% AsianAmong the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.

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#1. Forsyth County

– Economic connectedness: 1.04
– Median Income: $120,999
– Population: 245,754
— 72.6% white
— 3.8% Black
— 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native
— 15.4% Asian

This story features data reporting and writing by Dom DiFurio and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.

This story originally appeared on Wealth Enhancement Group and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.


Among the most recent studies shedding light on what's known as economic mobility—a person's ability to move themselves and their families up the socioeconomic ladder over their lifetime—are a series of papers authored by Harvard University researchers leveraging vast troves of social networking data.
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