How many people actually have an 850 credit score?
Only 3.1% of the American population has a credit score of 850 which is the highest FICO® Score anyone can achieve and is in the range of an “exceptional” FICO score, according to 2022 Experian® data.
Only 1.31% of Americans with a FICO® Score have a perfect 850 credit score. While a score this high is rare among any demographic, older generations are more likely to have perfect credit. Baby boomers make up a whopping 59.4% of the people with an 850 credit score.
A score of 850 can only be achieved with 10+ years of credit, excellent on-time payment history, low credit utilization, and no recent hard inquiries, which is a tall ask.
While older models of credit scores used to go as high as 900, you can no longer achieve a 900 credit score. The highest score you can receive today is 850. Anything above 800 is considered an excellent credit score.
Membership in the 800+ credit score club is quite exclusive, with fewer than 1 in 6 people boasting a score that high, according to WalletHub data.
Your score falls in the range of scores, from 800 to 850, that is considered Exceptional. Your FICO® Score and is well above the average credit score. Consumers with scores in this range may expect easy approvals when applying for new credit. 21% of all consumers have FICO® Scores in the Exceptional range.
A 900 credit score may be the highest on some scoring models, but this number isn't always possible. Only 1.31% of the population can achieve a credit score of 850, so there's a certain point where trying to get the highest possible credit score isn't realistic at all. Having good credit can start at around 700.
In the U.S., the average credit score is 716, per Experian's latest data from the second quarter of 2023. And when you break down the average credit score by age, the typical American is hovering near or above that score.
Just getting your credit score over 800, officially an excellent credit score, gives you the same advantages and benefits that come with a perfect credit score. Experian reports that 21 percent of all consumers have achieved excellent credit, compared to just 1.6 percent with a perfect 850 credit score.
The average FICO® Score☉ in the United States was 715 in 2023, according to Experian data, increasing by one point from its 714 average in the third quarter (Q3) of 2022.
What is the average credit score by age?
| Age | Average FICO Score |
|---|---|
| 25-40 | 686 |
| 41-56 | 705 |
| 57-75 | 740 |
| 76+ | 760 |
According to research by credit bureau Experian®, a score above 760 could qualify you for the best interest rates. Read on to learn more. Generally speaking, the highest credit score possible is 850, according to the most common FICO and VantageScore credit models.
The percent of the population with the highest credit score of 850 is relatively small but has been increasing. As of April 2023, about 1.7% of the U.S. scorable population had a perfect 850 FICO® Score.
| Generation | Average Credit Score in Sept. 2023 |
|---|---|
| Baby Boomers (59-77) | 740 |
| Generation X (43-58) | 705 |
| Millennials (27-42) | 683 |
| Generation Z (18-26) | 663 |
What's a good credit score for a 20-year-old? Consider yourself in “good” shape if your credit score is above the average for people in your age group. Given that the average credit score for people aged 18 to 25 is 679, a score between 679 and 687 (the average for people aged 26 to 41) could be considered “good”.
Your 840 FICO® Score falls in the range of scores, from 800 to 850, that is categorized as Exceptional. Your FICO® Score is well above the average credit score, and you are likely to receive easy approvals when applying for new credit. 21% of all consumers have FICO® Scores in the Exceptional range.
Even the most restrictive mortgage products have credit score requirements in the mid-700s. A credit score of 830 will generally qualify you for a lender's best interest rates. As a real-world example, the average 30-year fixed mortgage interest rate was just over 7% as of late October 2022.
Fewer than one-fourth of U.S. adults have credit scores of 800 or higher. Generally speaking, it takes a rather long history of responsible credit behavior to build your score to this level. A credit score of 840 tells lenders that you are highly likely to pay back money that you borrow.
| Generation | Average credit score (FICO) in 2023 |
|---|---|
| Generation Z (18-25) | 680 |
| Millennials (26-41) | 690 |
| Generation X (42-57) | 709 |
| Baby boomers (58-76) | 745 |
For most credit-scoring models, including VantageScore 3.0 and FICO, the highest credit score possible is 850. We were able to speak to two Americans who belong to the exclusive FICO 850 Club: Brad Stevens of Austin, Texas, and John Ulzheimer of Atlanta.
How long does it take to get a 850 credit score?
Most people who have an 850 credit score have at least seven years of perfect payment history. Essentially, to get an 850 credit score, you just need to follow one simple strategy: make all of your payments on time for a long time.
Your 850 FICO® Score is nearly perfect and will be seen as a sign of near-flawless credit management. Your likelihood of defaulting on your bills will be considered extremely low, and you can expect lenders to offer you their best deals, including the lowest-available interest rates.
Average credit score for people in their 30s
The average credit score for those in their 30s is 672. By now, you may have a 10-year credit history, more lines of credit and more types of credit, like a car loan.
Generally speaking, a good credit score is between 690 and 719 in the commonly used 300-850 credit score range. Scores 720 and above are considered excellent, while scores 630 to 689 are considered fair. Scores below 630 fall into the bad credit range.
Your credit score is a major factor in whether you'll be approved for a car loan. Some lenders use specialized credit scores, such as a FICO Auto Score. In general, you'll need at least prime credit, meaning a credit score of 661 or up, to get a loan at a good interest rate.
