Why is the wealth to count "the richest" measures only by the net worth of the richest in the city and not by some other more sensible measure? If I were to fin

Why is the wealth to count "the richest" measures only by the net worth of the richest in the city and not by some other more sensible measure? If I were to find myself in what's allegedly the richest city in the richest country I would be shocked to see even a single homeless person, let alone trash and rats everywhere. I think the word "richest" is being used weirdly or perhaps even incorrectly to describe NYC.