U.S. Wealth Distribution Data (1998)
Wealth distribution in the U.S. is extremely concentrated,
much more so than income. Data from The State of Working America
2000/2001.
- Household distribution of net worth (1998), i.e. total value of
assets:
| Percent of owners | Net worth | Cumulative
Percent | Cumulative net worth |
|---|
| Top 0.5% | 25.6% | Top
0.5% | 25.6% |
| Next 0.5% | 8.4% | Top
1% | 34.0% |
| Next 4% | 23.4% | Top
5% | 57.4% |
| Next 5% | 11.4% | Top
10% | 68.8% |
| Next 10% | 12.8% | Top
20% | 81.6% |
| Last 80% | 18.5% | All
100% | 100% |
- Average household wealth by wealth class (in 1998 dollars):
| Wealth class | Average wealth of
class |
|---|
| Top 1% | $10,203,700 |
| Next 4% | $1,441,200 |
| Next 5% | $623,500 |
| Next 10% | $344,900 |
| Next 20% | $161,300 |
| Next 20% | $61,000 |
| Next 20% | $11,000 |
| Last 20% | -$8,900 |
- Household distribution of common stocks in 1998 (i.e. who "owns"
the corporations and gets profits). Note that in 1998, only 48.2% of
Americans owned any stock at all (either directly or though mutual
funds, 401k-type defined-contribution plans)
and only 36% of Americans owned stocks
worth more that $5000.
| Percent of owners | Net stocks | Cumulative
Percent | Cumulative stocks |
|---|
| Top 0.5% | 37.0% | Top
0.5% | 37.0% |
| Next 0.5% | 10.7% | Top
1% | 47.7% |
| Next 4% | 27.2% | Top
5% | 74.9% |
| Next 5% | 11.3% | Top
10% | 86.2% |
| Next 10% | 9.8% | Top
20% | 96% |
| Last 80% | 4.1% | All
100% | 100% |