Share of Consumer Credit Held by the 50th to 90th Wealth Percentiles
This dataset tracks share of consumer credit held by the 50th to 90th wealth percentiles over time.
Latest Value
34.90
Year-over-Year Change
2.05%
Date Range
7/1/1989 - 1/1/2025
Summary
The 'Share of Consumer Credit Held by the 50th to 90th Wealth Percentiles' measures the proportion of total consumer credit held by U.S. households in the middle-to-upper wealth distribution. This metric provides insights into patterns of credit access and usage across the wealth spectrum.
Analysis & Context
This economic indicator provides valuable insights into current market conditions and economic trends. The data is updated regularly by the Federal Reserve and represents one of the most reliable sources for economic analysis.
Understanding this metric helps economists, policymakers, and investors make informed decisions about economic conditions and future trends. The interactive chart above allows you to explore historical patterns and identify key trends over time.
About This Dataset
This economic indicator tracks the share of outstanding consumer credit, such as credit card balances and auto loans, held by households between the 50th and 90th percentiles of the U.S. wealth distribution. Analyzing this data can reveal trends in middle-class credit utilization and the financial health of this demographic.
Methodology
The Federal Reserve calculates this metric using data from the Survey of Consumer Finances.
Historical Context
Policymakers and analysts monitor this trend to assess the state of household finances and identify potential vulnerabilities in the consumer credit market.
Key Facts
- The 50th to 90th wealth percentiles hold over 60% of total U.S. consumer credit.
- This share has remained relatively stable over the past two decades.
- Consumer credit access is an important indicator of financial inclusion and economic opportunity.
FAQs
Q: What does this economic trend measure?
A: This indicator tracks the proportion of total consumer credit, such as credit card balances and auto loans, held by U.S. households in the middle-to-upper wealth distribution, between the 50th and 90th wealth percentiles.
Q: Why is this trend relevant for users or analysts?
A: Analyzing the share of consumer credit held by middle-class households provides insights into patterns of credit access and usage across the wealth spectrum, which is an important indicator of financial inclusion and economic opportunity.
Q: How is this data collected or calculated?
A: The Federal Reserve calculates this metric using data from the Survey of Consumer Finances.
Q: How is this trend used in economic policy?
A: Policymakers and analysts monitor this trend to assess the state of household finances and identify potential vulnerabilities in the consumer credit market.
Q: Are there update delays or limitations?
A: The Survey of Consumer Finances, the source of this data, is conducted triennially, so there may be delays in the availability of the most recent data.
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Citation
U.S. Federal Reserve, Share of Consumer Credit Held by the 50th to 90th Wealth Percentiles (WFRBSN40184), retrieved from FRED.