What Is Median Net Worth
Median net worth is the midpoint where half of US households have more and half have less. It is different from average net worth because it is less affected by very wealthy households. Net worth equals total assets minus total liabilities.
Median Net Worth by Age Group
According to the Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances, US median net worth rises with age. Younger households typically have lower balances due to less time to save and fewer assets, while middle-aged households often reach higher levels as earnings and home equity increase. Older households may hold the highest median values, though some see declines after retirement.
Factors That Influence Wealth by Age
Key factors include income, homeownership, retirement account balances, debt levels, and inheritance timing. Higher earnings and longer saving periods generally support greater net worth, while large debts can reduce it. For more detail on household wealth trends, see the Survey of Consumer Finances at https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/scf/
