A household at the 25th percentile has a net worth of about $27,000: three in four American households have more. Many households near this line are young, renting, or still paying off student and car loans, and some have more debt than assets. These figures are our calculation from the Federal Reserve’s latest Survey of Consumer Finances.
Where the 25th Percentile Sits
| Percentile | Net Worth at or Above |
|---|---|
| 25th | $27,000 |
| 50th (median) | $192,700 |
| 75th | $659,000 |
| 90th (top 10%) | $1,936,900 |
| 95th (top 5%) | $3,795,600 |
| 99th (top 1%) | $13,615,400 |
| 99.9th (top 0.1%) | $62,125,100 |
Source: Federal Reserve, 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances, public data (2022 dollars). Families grouped by the age of the household head; percentiles computed from the survey's weighted records.
The 25th Percentile by Age
| Age of Household Head | 25th Percentile Net Worth |
|---|---|
| Under 35 | $3,900 |
| 35–44 | $19,100 |
| 45–54 | $51,300 |
| 55–64 | $81,800 |
| 65–74 | $87,000 |
| 75 and older | $93,600 |
| All households | $27,000 |
Source: Federal Reserve, 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances, public data (2022 dollars). Families grouped by the age of the household head; percentiles computed from the survey's weighted records.
Under 35, the 25th percentile is only a few thousand dollars, and about 16.9% of young households owe more than they own. By retirement age the same percentile is much higher, mostly thanks to home equity. See where you fall with the net worth percentile by age calculator.
What the Bottom 25% Looks Like
The 25th percentile marks the bottom quarter of American households. Many households at this level are young, renting, or carrying student, car or credit card debt that roughly offsets their savings. About 7.5% of all households have a negative net worth.
How to Move Up
- Build a starter emergency fund so surprise bills stop becoming new debt
- Pay off credit cards and other high-rate debt first
- Capture any employer 401(k) match
- Automate a small monthly transfer to savings or investments
- Look for income growth: a raise, a job change or a side income usually moves this level faster than cutting costs
Related
- 50th percentile net worth
- 75th percentile net worth
- Net worth percentile calculator
- Average net worth by age
Part of the net worth guide.
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