A Sobering Look at Household Wealth
For millions of Americans, the gap between what they own and what they owe has reached a breaking point. According to a new 2026 study from SmartAsset, 11.3% of U.S. households currently report a net worth of zero or less. This means that for more than one out of every ten households, total debts are equal to or greater than their total assets.
Understanding the Data
The study utilized data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), reflecting household asset and debt levels during the 2024 calendar year, as released in July 2026. Researchers defined 'net worth' as the simple calculation of all assets minus all liabilities. When that number hits zero or drops into the negative, it signals a household living without a financial buffer, making them particularly vulnerable to unexpected expenses or economic shifts.
- 11.3% of U.S. households fall into the zero or negative net worth category.
- Data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2024 SIPP estimates.
- Regional disparities exist, with certain states showing higher concentrations of households without positive net worth.
- The findings serve as a baseline for understanding the 'wealth behind the paycheck' across the country.
Why Geography Matters
The report highlights that financial stability is not evenly distributed. While the national average remains at 11.3%, specific states—including Mississippi, Oklahoma, and New York—show higher rates of households struggling to maintain a positive net worth. The study accounts for sampling error to ensure that these geographic rankings reflect true statistical differences rather than minor fluctuations in data collection.
A household with no wealth behind the paycheck is vulnerable in any state, and this study shows how common that vulnerability is across the country.
— SmartAsset Research