How many Americans are 100% debt free?
Around 23% of Americans are debt free, according to the most recent data available from the Federal Reserve. That figure factors in every type of debt, from credit card balances and student loans to mortgages, car loans and more. The exact definition of debt free can vary, though, depending on whom you ask.
What percentage of America is debt-free? According to that same Experian study, less than 25% of American households are debt-free. This figure may be small for a variety of reasons, particularly because of the high number of home mortgages and auto loans many Americans have.
The average debt an American owes is $104,215 across mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, auto loans, credit card debt, student loan debt, and other debts like personal loans. Data from Experian breaks down the average debt a consumer holds based on type, age, credit score, and state.
In many ways, being debt-free is increasingly being regarded as the new rich. This doesn't necessarily mean having immense wealth in the traditional sense, but rather enjoying financial freedom and the peace of mind that comes with it.
Being debt-free is a financial milestone we often hear about people striving for. Without debt, you can focus on building more savings, investing those extra funds and just simply having more peace of mind about your finances.
Between mortgage loans, credit cards, student loans, and car loans, it's not uncommon for the typical American to have one or more types of debt. The ones who are living debt-free may seem like a rarity, but they aren't special or superhuman, nor are they necessarily wealthy.
Over time, paying down debt has the potential to significantly improve your health and overall quality of life. No matter how small, any step toward becoming debt-free is a positive move in the right direction.
Around 23% of Americans are debt free, according to the most recent data available from the Federal Reserve. That figure factors in every type of debt, from credit card balances and student loans to mortgages, car loans and more.
However, 35% of Americans reported that they're in the most debt of their lives. New York Fed data shows that U.S. household debt swelled to $17.5 trillion last quarter, with credit card balances making up about $1.13 trillion of it — a new high for credit card debt.
Credit card debt in America by the numbers
That represents a 4.6% increase in a single quarter, with cardholders shouldering thirteen-figure debt at $1.03 trillion for the first time. In short, that amounts to an average balance of $5,733 per cardholder.
At what age should I be debt free?
“Shark Tank” investor Kevin O'Leary has said the ideal age to be debt-free is 45, especially if you want to retire by age 60. Being debt-free — including paying off your mortgage — by your mid-40s puts you on the early path toward success, O'Leary argued.
The United States has the world's highest national debt with $30.1 trillion owed to creditors as of the first quarter of 2023. Washington's debt now stands at $31.4 trillion, raising further concerns about US government spending and borrowing costs.
The Standard Route is what credit companies and lenders recommend. If this is the graduate's choice, he or she will be debt free around the age of 58. It will take a total of 36 years to complete. It's a whole lot of time but it's the standard for a lot of people.
Studies show that such debt is correlated with stress. The size of the debt also matters: Unhappiness and burnout are higher when student loans are larger. Again, this is very likely because carrying the debt inhibits the satisfaction of making progress toward financial freedom and security.
A life free from debt requires careful planning, a lot of work and even a little luck. Depending on your financial situation, a debt-free lifestyle may not be a goal that's easily attainable.
The rule is to split your after-tax income into three categories of spending: 50% on needs, 30% on wants, and 20% on savings. 1. This intuitive and straightforward rule can help you draw up a reasonable budget that you can stick to over time in order to meet your financial goals.
Gen X (ages 43 to 58) not only carries the most debt on average of all the generations, but is also the debt leader in credit card and total non-mortgage debt.
You're not alone. According to a 2019 survey by CreditCards.com, 25% of Americans with debt say they'll never be able to pay off all of the money they owe.
You'll stand straighter, sleep better and be a more likable person when you're not stressed over how to make all those payments every month. Plus, you'll feel great about accomplishing what may have seemed an insurmountable goal before you hunkered down and got serious about eliminating debt.
It is entirely possible to use debt to your advantage in certain situations, allowing you to do things you couldn't have otherwise done and potentially allowing you to live a happier, more fulfilling life. And if I allow my fear of debt to take charge, I will never give those opportunities a fair chance.
How many Americans have no savings?
As of May 2023, more than 1 in 5 Americans have no emergency savings.
According to a 2019 Experian study, men carry more debt than women across nearly all categories, including credit card debt — the study found that men have $125 more in credit card debt than women on average.
The average FICO credit score in the US is 717, according to the latest FICO data. The average VantageScore is 701 as of January 2024. Credit scores, which are like a grade for your borrowing history, fall in the range of 300 to 850.
Gen X has the highest average debt balance in all categories, except for personal loans. Here's the breakdown: Credit cards: Gen X have the highest credit card balance compared to other age groups, at $8,215. Auto loans: Gen X have the highest auto loan balance, at $21,570.
At the end of September 2023, domestic creditors held 77 percent of the outstanding debt held by the public. Foreign creditors held the remaining 23 percent.
