In American Cities, Ranks of Wealthy Donors to Solicit Thin

The number of millionaires in the biggest 10 cities in the United States declined by more than 15 percent last year, a discouraging sign for fund raisers.

But that decline was smaller than the 18.5 percent drop in millionaires nationwide, according to a new study by Capgemini, a consulting and technology company.

The company’s U.S. Metro Wealth Index found that the ranks of the wealthy declined the most precipitously in some mid-size cities such as Orlando (which lost 42 percent of its millionaires last year), Las Vegas (38 percent), and Phoenix (34 percent). Declining tourism and real-estate values contributed to the loss of wealth in those cities, the study said.

Among the 10 biggest cities, Houston lost the most millionaires (21 percent), followed by Philadelphia (18 percent), and Boston (17 percent).

The number of millionaires in New York City and San Jose declined the least, by 13.6 percent and 13.9 percent, respectively.

There are now about 561,000 millionaires in New York City, according to the study, followed by 208,000 in Los Angeles and 172,000 in Chicago.