Summary of Key Points
The list of the top ten counties in China for per capita disposable income of urban residents in 2025 has been released, with Yiwu leading with an income of over 100,000 yuan (even surpassing the four major first-tier cities), and all of the top eight counties exceeding 90,000 yuan. These strong counties rely on their distinctive industries for success (such as Yiwu’s small commodities, Yuhuan’s auto and motorcycle parts, Jiangyin’s manufacturing, and Kunshan’s industrial transformation). They also excel in attracting talent and upgrading consumer spending—not only retaining skilled workers but also becoming targets for high-end consumer brands like Sam’s Club.
County Income Ranking: Yiwu Far Ahead, with the Top Eight All Exceeding 90,000 Yuan
The top ten counties in terms of urban residents’ income in 2025 are: Yiwu, Yuhuan, Jiangyin, Kunshan, Zhuji, Changshu, Zhangjiagang, Taicang, Ruian, and Yueqing. For the first time, Yiwu’s income exceeded 100,000 yuan (101,816 yuan), which is higher than that of the four major first-tier cities; the income of the top eight counties all exceeds 90,000 yuan, equivalent to what an average salaried worker could save in a year, and this is higher than the income of residents in many second-tier cities. These counties are mainly located in Zhejiang (Yiwu, Yuhuan, Zhuji, Ruian, Yueqing) and southern Jiangsu (Jiangyin, Kunshan, Changshu, Zhangjiagang, Taicang), all of which are economically developed “star counties.”
Why Is Yiwu So Successful? Thanks to Its Global Small Commodities Business
Yiwu is the world’s largest distribution center for small commodities, with total imports and exports reaching 836.4 billion yuan in 2025 (a 25% increase), of which exports accounted for 730.6 billion yuan. “Market procurement trade” accounts for 82% of exports—simply put, it’s more convenient to export large quantities of small commodities without complex procedures, allowing Yiwu’s products to be quickly sold worldwide. For example, 70% of the merchandise related to the 2026 World Cup (such as jerseys, keychains, and flags) came from Yiwu; in 2025, Yiwu’s sports goods exports exceeded 10 billion yuan (a 20% increase), and there was a surge in orders in the first quarter of this year. A stress-relieving football keychain sold 400,000 units within just one month, demonstrating how popular its products are.
The Strengths of Other Strong Counties
- Yuhuan (second place): Supports its economy through six distinctive industries—auto and motorcycle parts, valves and plumbing fixtures, furniture, etc., all of which are closely related to daily life and generate stable profits.
- Jiangyin (third place): The birthplace of the “southern Jiangsu model,” it started as a small-town enterprise and is now known as the “number one manufacturing county” with numerous factories and a solid industrial foundation.
- Kunshan (fourth place): Successfully transformed its industry from producing pen chains to focusing on the “apple supply chain,” “automotive parts,” and “intelligent manufacturing.” Its GDP in 2025 reached 561.5 billion yuan (a 5.8% increase), ranking first among the top 100 counties in China for 22 consecutive years.
These Strong Counties Have Become Talent Magnets
Economically prosperous counties are not only wealthy but also attract talent:
- Kunshan: Had a total population of 600,000 people by the end of 2025, including 62,000 high-level professionals, with an additional 15,500 skilled workers added throughout the year. It has been awarded “Best Talent Attraction City” for three consecutive years.
- Yiwu: Introduced 70,000 new college graduates in 2025 (a 33% increase), attracting young people due to its vibrant industries and numerous opportunities.
Upgrading County Consumption: High-End Brands Are Flocking In
Residents in these strong counties have high incomes and strong purchasing power, attracting even high-end brands like Sam’s Club. Sam’s Club has already opened stores or signed agreements to open stores in Yiwu, Jiangyin, Kunshan, Jinjiang, and Zhangjiagang. Previously, high-end brands were thought to only target large cities, but now the county markets are becoming very attractive, indicating that the consumption standards of these residents are rising, and their quality of life is increasingly similar to that of larger cities.
In summary, these economically strong counties have generated wealth through their distinctive industries. With higher incomes, they attract talent and brands, creating a positive cycle of “industry → income → talent → consumption,” which could lead to even greater success in the future.