What Is Average Net Worth in the United States
The average net worth in the United States is the total value of assets minus liabilities for households and individuals, reported by federal agencies and research organizations using the newest available public data. The Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances provides the most comprehensive benchmark for household net worth, while Forbes and other outlets track high-net-worth individuals and billionaires. These figures help investors, planners, and policymakers understand wealth distribution, savings trends, and financial health across different demographics. You can see the latest household balance sheet data on the Federal Reserve Board website Federal Reserve household balance sheet data.
Average net worth differs from median net worth because extreme values among the wealthiest households can skew the mean upward, making the median a better measure of typical household wealth. Researchers and journalists often compare both metrics to show how wealth concentrates at the top and how the middle class is positioned relative to the overall average. The most recent Survey of Consumer Finances release and related analyses from institutions such as the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis offer updated tables on mean and median net worth by age, race, and income group FRED net worth series.
Average Net Worth by Age Group
Household net worth tends to rise with age as families accumulate home equity, retirement accounts, and business ownership, while younger households often carry student loans and other debt that depresses their average net worth. The newest available data from the Survey of Consumer Finances and related analyses show that the 35 to 44 age bracket typically holds a higher average net worth than the 25 to 34 bracket, while the 65 and older cohort often reaches the highest levels due to decades of saving and home appreciation Forbes average net worth by age.
Key Age Benchmarks
In the 25 to 34 age range, average net worth is often well below the overall household average because of higher debt levels and shorter savings histories, while the 45 to 54 range usually shows a sharp increase driven by peak earnings and home ownership. By the 55 to 64 range, many households have paid down major debts and built substantial retirement balances, pushing the average net worth higher. The 65 and older group often shows the highest average net worth, reflecting a lifetime of asset accumulation, home equity, and retirement account growth, though this group also includes households with very high wealth that can lift the average Forbes average net worth by age.
Average Net Worth by Income and Wealth Tier
Average net worth rises sharply with income because higher earners can save and invest more each year, buy homes sooner, and access tax-advantaged accounts that compound over time. Federal data and Forbes analyses break households into income quintiles and wealth tiers, showing that the top 10 percent of families by income hold a disproportionate share of total net worth, while the bottom half typically has much lower averages driven by debt and limited financial assets Forbes average net worth by income.
High-Net-Worth and Billionaire Benchmarks
High-net-worth individuals are commonly defined as those with invest