The distribution of wealth across the United States remains highly concentrated, with recent Federal Reserve figures illustrating the significant disparity between the richest households and the rest of the population. Understanding this distribution provides insight into the economic landscape and investment patterns across different segments of society.
According to data for the fourth quarter of 2024 from the Federal Reserve, the wealthiest 10% of US households collectively held assets valued at approximately $107.8 trillion. This upper echelon represents a substantial portion of the nation’s total wealth.
Wealth Breakdown by Percentile
Further analysis reveals stark contrasts within different wealth groups:
- The top 0.1% alone controlled roughly $22.14 trillion in assets.
- Households within the 90th to 99th percentile managed approximately $58.33 trillion.
- Those in the 50th to 90th percentile held significantly less, with total assets of $48.54 trillion.
- The bottom 50% of American households collectively possessed assets amounting to only $4.01 trillion.
Investment Preferences Across Tiers
Investment strategies also differ markedly based on wealth level. The top 10% heavily favor investments in corporate equities and mutual fund shares, allocating nearly $40.84 trillion to these financial instruments by the end of 2024. In contrast, households positioned between the 50th and 90th percentiles, as well as those in the bottom 50%, primarily invest in real estate. These groups held a combined total of $26.99 trillion in property assets. Their collective investments in stocks and mutual fund shares were considerably lower, standing at about $5.99 trillion.
Household Distribution within Wealth Segments
The number of households within each wealth bracket varies dramatically:
| Wealth Group | Approximate Number of Households |
| Top 0.1% | ~133,378 |
| 90th to 99th Percentile | ~11.99 million |
| 50th to 90th Percentile | ~53.3 million |
| Bottom 50% | ~66.6 million |
These figures from the Federal Reserve clearly illustrate the substantial concentration of wealth within the United States. A relatively small percentage of households controls a disproportionately large share of the country’s financial resources, highlighting ongoing economic disparities.
Maxwell Reed is the first editor of Cryptovista360. He loves technology and finance, which led him to crypto. With a background in computer science and journalism, he simplifies digital currency complexities with storytelling and humor. Maxwell began following crypto early, staying updated with blockchain trends. He enjoys coffee, exploring tech, and discussing finance’s future. His motto: “Stay curious and keep learning.” Enjoy the journey with us!