Distribution of Consumer Debt Burdens

2004 Survey of Consumer Finances

Mean Values of Net worth and Debt in Thousands of Dollars

Percentiles of income
**********NW*Debt
INC<20 * 72.6 * 24.6
20-39.9 * 121.5 * 41.9
40-59.9 * 194.6 * 69.9
60-79.9 * 340.8 * 108.9
80-89.9 * 487.4 * 156.4
90-100 * 2,534.6 * 296.5

Percentiles of net worth
**********NW*Debt
NW<25 * -1.4 * 32.0
25-49.9 * 47.1 * 66.3
50-74.9 * 185.4 * 111.4
75-89.9 * 526.7 * 137.5
90-100 * 3,114.2 * 293.9

Source:http://www.federalreserve.gov/PUBS/oss/oss2/2004/scf2004home_modify.html

My Comments: This data is dated. The latest survey results are not out yet. A lot of analysis is needed to arrive at solid conclusions. How income,debt and ownership of earning assets are distributed is key. Without that most of these aggregate numbers do not mean much to me.