Median Net Worth of the Top 10 Percent
The median net worth of the top 10 percent of American families is roughly $1.8 million to $2.2 million, depending on the survey year and source. This figure represents the midpoint, meaning half of the top decile holds more and half holds less. Federal Reserve data and related analyses consistently place the top decile's median in this range.
How It Compares to the Overall Distribution
The overall median net worth for U.S. families is far lower, typically around $190,000 to $200,000. The top 10 percent hold a large share of aggregate wealth, so their median is much higher than the national median. This gap highlights the concentration of assets among the wealthiest households.
What Contributes to This Wealth Level
Home equity, retirement accounts, and financial investments are major contributors. Business ownership, higher incomes, and longer compounding periods also play a role. These factors allow the top decile to build and preserve wealth at a much higher rate than the rest of the population.
For detailed tables and methodology, see the Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances at Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances.
