Wealthiest 10% of Americans Hold 85.5% of Nation's Assets

The Federal Reserve's latest data reveals a stark disparity in wealth distribution within the United States. As of the final quarter of 2024, the wealthiest 10% of Americans have amassed a staggering $107.794 trillion in assets and entitlements. This figure underscores the significant concentration of wealth among the top echelon of the population. The data further breaks down that the 50% to 90% cohort holds $48.54 trillion, while the bottom 50% possess a mere $4.01 trillion in wealth. The top 0.1% are worth a total of $22.14 trillion, and those in the 99% to 99.99% percentile have an overall wealth of $27.32 trillion. Americans in the 90%-99% percentile in terms of wealth control $58.334 trillion.

The allocation of assets among the wealthiest 10% shows a significant investment in corporate equities and mutual fund shares, totaling $40.84 trillion. In contrast, the 50% to 90% cohort and the bottom 50% have predominantly invested in real estate, with a combined total of $26.99 trillion allocated to properties. Additionally, they hold $5.99 trillion in stocks and mutual fund shares. This distribution highlights the differing investment strategies and access to financial instruments between the wealthiest segment and the rest of the population.

The Federal Reserve's data also provides insights into the number of households within each wealth percentile. There are 133,378 households in the top 0.1%, 1.198 million households in the 99% to 99.9% range, and 11.992 million households in the 90% to 99% bracket. Meanwhile, 53.305 million households fall within the 50% to 90% range, and the bottom 50% consists of 66.646 million households. This breakdown illustrates the vast difference in the number of households across different wealth tiers, further emphasizing the concentration of wealth at the top.

The data from the Federal Reserve underscores the significant wealth disparity in the United States. The top 10% of the population controls an overwhelming majority of the nation's wealth, with the bottom 50% holding a comparatively small amount. This disparity has implications for economic policy, social equity, and the overall well-being of the population. The concentration of wealth in the hands of a few raises questions about access to opportunities, financial stability, and the potential for economic mobility. Policymakers and economists will need to consider these factors as they develop strategies to address wealth inequality and promote a more equitable distribution of resources.