Tainan Village Retains 'Wealthiest' Title Amidst Science Park Boom

Lian Tan Village in Tainan's Shanhua District has once again been recognized as the wealthiest and most equitable village in the city. This marks the third consecutive year the village has held this distinction, with an average annual income of NT$2.276 million and a median income of NT$1.781 million, according to the Ministry of Finance's 2024 tax statistics. The prosperity of Lian Tan Village is closely linked to the rapid development of the Southern Science Park, which is adjacent to the village. The science park's growth has significantly boosted the local economy, leading to population increases and development in surrounding areas. Shanhua District itself has seen a steady rise in affluent villages. For three consecutive years, the district has added at least one village where the average income surpasses NT$1 million. In 2024, the district now has nine such villages, including Lian Tan, Dong Guan, Zuo Jia, Xi Mei, Guang Wen, Xiao Xin, Wen Zheng, Ding Jie (added in 2023), and Wen Chang (added in 2024). Lian Tan Village has also become the largest village in Shanhua, with its population growing from 3,092 in April 2017 to 7,643 in July 2024. The village also stands out for its low aging index, at 110.2%, significantly below Tainan City's average of 188%. The economic success of the area is further evidenced by the Southern Science Park's performance, which reported nearly NT$3 trillion in revenue and employed close to 100,000 people last year, driving substantial regional growth.