Zhonghuali in Taipei Overtakes Hsinchu’s Guanxin as Taiwan’s Wealthiest Neighborhood
TAIPEI, July 1 – A major shift in Taiwan’s wealth landscape has been revealed with the release of the latest comprehensive income tax statistics by the Ministry of Finance. For the first time in years, Zhonghua Village (Zhonghuali) in Songshan District, Taipei City, has claimed the top spot as the wealthiest village in Taiwan, dethroning the long-standing leader, Guanxin Village in Hsinchu City.
According to the 2023 figures, households in Zhonghuali reported an average annual comprehensive income of NT$5.266 million, a dramatic jump from NT$2.137 million just a year earlier. The sudden rise is believed to be influenced by an influx of ultra-wealthy individuals, alongside increased interest and dividend income among local business elites.
What Makes Zhonghuali Stand Out?
Zhonghuali is nestled in one of Taipei’s most prestigious areas, bounded by Dunhua North Road, Jiankang Road, and Section 4 of Nanjing East Road. The area is home to corporate headquarters including Formosa Plastics and KPMG Capital, making it a preferred residence for top executives and business owners.
Real estate expert Chen Dingzhong from Taiwan Real Estate Group noted that the neighborhood is also popular among medical professionals due to its proximity to Taipei Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. It boasts convenient access to major city landmarks such as the Taipei Arena and Breeze Nanjing Department Store, making it both commercially strategic and highly livable.
A Closer Look at the Income Surge
Chen explained that the dramatic leap in income may stem from a peak period of dividend payouts by publicly listed companies between 2022 and 2023, as well as successive interest rate hikes by the central bank. These factors contributed to elevated interest earnings for high-asset households.
Interestingly, the median income in Zhonghuali was just NT$984,000, significantly lower than the average, suggesting a small group of high-income earners had an outsized impact on the area’s overall figures.
Taiwan’s Top 5 Wealthiest Villages in 2023
Based on the Ministry of Finance’s “113 Annual Comprehensive Income Tax Return Preliminary Verification Statistics,” here are the top five richest neighborhoods in Taiwan by average household income:
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Zhonghuali, Songshan District, Taipei City – NT$5.266 million
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Guanxinli, Hsinchu City – NT$4.614 million
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Yongfu Village, Shilin District, Taipei City – NT$3.46 million
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Dongping Village, Zhubei City, Hsinchu County – NT$3.416 million
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Sanfeng Village, Baoshan Township, Hsinchu County – NT$3.371 million
Regional Income Rankings
While Zhonghuali led among individual villages, Hsinchu City remained at the top in terms of average city-wide income, at NT$1.524 million, followed by Hsinchu County (NT$1.353 million), and Taipei City (NT$1.287 million).
This reshuffling of Taiwan’s wealthiest districts underscores not only the shifting dynamics of real estate and personal wealth but also highlights how the movement of just a few high-net-worth individuals can dramatically alter the financial profile of an entire community.
