Overview of US Family Net Worth
In the United States, family net worth is highly unevenly distributed. A small share of households holds a large share of total wealth, while many families have little or no net worth. Net worth equals assets minus debts, including home equity, savings, investments, and loans.
Key Percentiles and Medians
The Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances shows that the median US family net worth is much lower than the mean. The top 10 percent of families own roughly two-thirds of total wealth, while the bottom 50 percent hold a small fraction. Wealth gaps by race and age remain large.
Factors Driving the Distribution
Homeownership, stock market gains, inheritance, and education strongly shape net worth. Higher income families can save and invest more, compounding wealth over time. Economic shocks, such as recessions or health crises, can reduce net worth for lower and middle income families.
For detailed tables and methodology, see the Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances at https://www.federalreserve.gov/data/scf.htm.
