What Is Household Net Worth
Net worth is the total value of what a household owns minus what it owes. It includes savings, investments, real estate, and retirement accounts, minus mortgages, credit card debt, and other loans. It is a common measure of financial health for American households.
Median Net Worth of American Households
The Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances reports that the median net worth of American households was about $192,000 in 2022. The mean net worth is higher because a small number of very wealthy households pull the average up. For most families, home equity and retirement accounts make up the largest share of wealth.
Recent Trends and Data Sources
Overall household net worth rose in the late 2010s and again during the post-pandemic period, driven mainly by gains in home values and financial assets. Changes in interest rates, inflation, and housing markets can quickly shift these figures. The Federal Reserve and the U.S. Census Bureau publish detailed data on net worth by income, age, and race.
