Business
Business

US household wealth reaches record high $77.3B

By Christopher S. Rugaber
Dec 10, 2013

Americans’ wealth reached an all-time this summer, buoyed by record-setting stock prices and a healthy recovery in home values.

The Federal Reserve says to U.S. net worth, a measure of household wealth, rose 2.6 percent to $77.3 trillion in the July-September quarter. Net worth reflects the value of homes, stocks, bank accounts and other assets minus mortgages, credit cards and other debts.

Rising stock prices boosted Americans’ net worth $917 billion. Higher home values added another $428 billion.

Greater net worth can create a “wealth effect,” which boosts economic growth by encouraging more households to spend.

But the gains haven’t been equally distributed. The wealthiest 10 percent of households own about 80 percent of stocks. And home ownership has declined since the recession, particularly among lower-income Americans.

About the Author

Christopher S. Rugaber
More Stories

Keep Reading

A drone image taken on Thursday, May 8, 2025, shows the Yates Power Plant in Newnan, Georgia. The plant has caught the attention of developers who want to build a large data center nearby, covering 4.9 million square feet. This proposed site is close to a big wooded area, and some local residents have shared their worries about the project. **This photo is to be used only with stories from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.** (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: TNS

Georgia Power says answer to state’s data center surge is more natural gas

Georgia Power officials will make their case beginning Tuesday for gas-fired power plants and solar and battery storage to meet electricity demand driven by data centers.

1h ago
DATA SURGE SERIES

As data centers grow larger, so does pushback across Georgia

Battles are playing out across the Atlanta region as data center projects become as common as kudzu.

Atlantic Station reshaped Atlanta 20 years ago. Now, it looks to the future.

The anniversary, Atlanta leaders say, is a testament to the role Atlantic Station played in rewriting the playbook for redeveloping polluted industrial sites.

2h ago

The Latest

Stellantis plans to open a 422,000-square-foot Mopar Parts Distribution Center in Forsyth, about 60 miles south of Atlanta. (Courtesy of Stellantis)

Credit: Courtesy of Stellantis

Stellantis car parts facility planned for Georgia could mean quicker repairs

Why are Subarus so popular?

OPINION

Is this the Corvette of the future?

Featured

A TSA officer checks the identification of travelers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Oct. 01, 2025 (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Hendren

Atlanta airport sees TSA staffing shortages amid shutdown

Hartsfield-Jackson recommends travelers allow extra time for security screening amid the government shutdown.

Geoff Duncan’s Democratic gamble in Georgia tests party loyalty

Former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan’s biggest challenge might not be money or organization, but trust. Once a Republican, he's now running as a Democrat.

Hulu tackles Murdaugh murders with big-budget series shot in Atlanta

Hulu’s “Murdaugh: Death in the Family,” shot in metro Atlanta, stars Jason Clarke and Patricia Arquette in a drama based on the downfall of a powerful South Carolina family.