Generally well-educated and well-positioned for the changes coming in the 21st century, America’s Monied ‘Burbs are places the high-end retailers look to locate. The homes are wired for high-speed Internet and the kitchens have been remodeled.

And there are a lot of people who live in these places. The Monied ‘Burbs hold 84 million people, living in 304 counties. Most of these places are counties just outside our biggest cities, such as Philadelpia, Cleveland, Milwaukee and Detroit, in battleground states. Some are also counties that encompass the nation’s wealthier and less-diverse cities themselves.

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They’ve been hit hard by gas prices, as the daily commute has become pricier and education looms large — These people are always interested in getting their children into the best schools. But like other places in the United States, the economy now reigns supreme.

Throughout this election year, these places have been eyeing the nation’s economic troubles warily, but feeling somewhat protected by their economic position. That’s changed with the troubles on Wall Street. These communities are the most heavily invested in Wall Street in one form or another. And this week they are opening up their 401(k) statements and wondering, What happened? The residents of the Monied ‘Burbs aren’t in danger of living in a box any time soon, but they have retirements to think about and the kids’ college funds.

Not all of these places are equally well-off. Some sit on the line between middle and upper-middle class, and they want to hold on to what they have. The 30 percent of America that lives here split its vote between President Bush and Sen. John Kerry in 2004, and in the last few weeks “change” has become a more palatable — or at least less risky — idea for them.

— Dante Chinni

Read more about the Patchwork Nation communities at The Takeaway’s election Web site, vote2008.thetakeaway.org »