Net worth (or wealth) is an important indicator of economic well being. Because income alone does not provide a complete picture, measuring net worth is vital to understanding the economic health of households in the United States.

Median net worth of U.S. households in 2013 was $80,039. This estimate comes from the 2014 panel of the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), which is the first panel of the survey’s second major instrument redesign.

SIPP began measuring household net worth in 1984. Over time, changing asset ownership trends and financial offerings alter what makes up a household’s net worth. As a result, the measurement of net worth in SIPP has changed across the survey’s 1996 and 2014 redesigns.

Others in Series

Publication

What It's Worth: Field of Training and Economic Status in 2001

September 2005

This report explores issues related to school completion and degrees, fields of training, occupations pursued, and earnings obtained.

Publication

Support Providers: 2002

February 2005

This report looks at monetary support provided for people living in other households, particularly children under 21.

Publication

Participation Rates & Monthly Payments From Social Insurance Programs

March 14, 2017

Reports program participation rates and benefit amounts received by individuals for selected social insurance programs in 2013, as reported in the 2014 (SIPP).

View All

Related Information

TABLE

Wealth, Asset Ownership, & Debt of Households Detailed Tables: 2013

Wealth and Asset Ownership Publications

Survey of Income and Program Participation Publications

Page Last Revised - October 8, 2021

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