What Wealthy Households Own: 7 Assets, by the Numbers

7. Vehicles, owned by ninety-four point seven percent of the top tenth by net worth

Seven assets the wealthiest households own, starting with the cars in their driveway. Number seven: vehicles, owned by 94.7% of the top tenth by net worth. How much more vehicle value do the wealthiest families hold than everyone else? Their median is $52,000, among top-tenth families who own any vehicle.

For all families in the survey, the median is $26,000. By our count, the top tenth's median is exactly twice the median for all families. That multiple is the smallest of the seven assets in this list. 84.2% of all families own a vehicle of any kind.

Across all families, the vehicle is the most commonly held nonfinancial asset, the survey report says. Across all families with a vehicle, 99.9% have a car, van, motorcycle or truck. Boats, airplanes and other kinds are much less common. Families just below the top, between the seventy-fifth and ninetieth percentiles, have a median of $40,700.

Their ownership rate is almost the same as at the top. Mid-ladder families, between the fiftieth and seventy-fifth percentiles, have a median vehicle value of 28,600. So vehicle values rise slowly as net worth climbs. So vehicles do not set the top tenth far apart from the families just below.

Every asset still ahead in this list has a larger median at the top. These figures describe one country's families, and vehicle prices differ where you live. Next, the money these families keep in everyday accounts, and how much of it. If guides like this help you, subscribe: every survey figure here is linked below, and our own counts are marked.

6. Cash in everyday accounts

Number six: cash in everyday accounts, held by 100% of the top tenth. How big is that cash cushion for them? Their median balance is $135,000, the same household survey shows. These accounts cover checking, savings and money market accounts, plus cash accounts at brokerages.

For all families, the median in these accounts is $8,200. Families just under the top tenth hold a median of 44,900. By our count, top-tenth families hold a median balance about sixteen and a half times the median for all families. Against families just under them, the multiple is just above three.

Across all families, 98.7% hold such accounts, the most common financial asset in the survey. Nearly every family has one, at every level of net worth in the tables. Between the fiftieth and seventy-fifth percentiles of net worth, the median balance is $12,100. So cash balances climb steeply toward the top, far faster than vehicle values.

The top tenth's mean balance is $363,200, well above the median. Across all families, the report links such median and mean gaps to the large share held by some families. In twenty twenty-two, the top tenth's median cash balance was $139,000, adjusted for inflation. So that cushion has held close to the same size over three years.

Account types and deposit rules differ where you live, and these figures describe one country's families. Next, the homes they own beyond the one they live in.

5. Other homes they own beyond the one they live in

Number five: other homes they own beyond the one they live in. How common is a second property at the very top? 45.6% of the top tenth own one, with a median value of 700,000. The survey counts second homes, time shares and rentals of up to four units here.

Across all families, only 13.8% own such property, with a median of 280,000. Families just under the top tenth are at 32%, with a median of 276,000. By our count, 45.6% is about 3.3 times the share for all families. So a second property is common at the top, but still held by fewer than half.

Back in twenty twenty-two, 43.8% of the top tenth held this kind of property. Their median value then was $612,900, adjusted for inflation. Since twenty twenty-two, the median value of other real estate for all families rose 14% after inflation. Ownership across all families also rose slightly, from 12.9 to 13.8%.

In the middle of the ladder, between the fiftieth and seventy-fifth percentiles, 11.7% own such property. So a second property becomes common only near the top of the ladder. Property rules, taxes and rental laws differ where you live, so these numbers describe one country's families. Next, the home they live in, and how often the top tenth own it.

4. The home they live in

Number four: the home they live in, owned by 96.4% of the top tenth. What is a typical home worth at the top? The median home value at the top is $1 million, in the same survey. Respondents report what the home is worth, and mortgages are counted separately as debts.

Among all families, 65.6% own their home, with a median value of 375,000. One step down, between the seventy-fifth and ninetieth percentiles, ownership is 95%. By our count, homes at the top have a median value about two and two-thirds times that of all families. The ownership rate at the top is also almost thirty-one points higher than for all families.

Their median home was worth $984,900 in twenty twenty-two, adjusted for inflation. So the typical home at the top gained a little value even after inflation. The survey's homes include condominiums, townhouses, cooperatives, mobile homes and other single-family homes. In the middle of the net worth ladder, 90.1% already own one.

At the top, the mean home value is $1,349,700. Because the mean sits above the median, some homes at the top are worth much more. For all homeowners, the median home value minus mortgages and home loans was $230,000. Real housing wealth for owners stayed at a record high in twenty twenty-five, the report adds.

We are past halfway: vehicles, cash, other homes and the home itself are done. Still ahead are funds and stocks, a business, and the biggest median of the whole list. Home prices, property taxes and mortgage rules differ where you live, so these medians are one country's picture. Next, the funds and stocks they hold directly, outside any retirement account.

3. Investment funds, and stocks held directly, outside any retirement account

Number three: investment funds, and stocks held directly, outside any retirement account. Do wealthy families hold more in funds or in single stocks? 47.1% at the top hold pooled investment funds, with a median of 1,030,000. Those include stock funds, bond funds, exchange-traded funds and real estate investment trusts.

53% of the top tenth hold stocks directly, with a median of $533,300. Directly held means shares owned outright, not through a fund or a retirement plan. For all families, 11.1% hold such funds and 19% hold stocks directly. Their medians are $200,000 for funds and 30,000 for stocks.

By our count, in funds, the top tenth's median is just over five times the median for all families. In stocks, it is about 17.8 times the median for all families. Three years earlier, the top tenth's median fund holding was $656,600, adjusted for inflation. Their median stock holding was 337,800, so both grew strongly since then.

The survey report calls publicly traded stocks and private businesses higher-risk investments than most other asset classes. Share and fund prices move with the markets, so these values change from survey to survey. Stocks also sit inside retirement accounts and managed accounts, which the survey counts as separate assets. For all families, the median stock holding rebounded from 16,400 to $30,000.

In one breath: vehicles, cash, other homes, the home itself, and now funds and stocks are done. Two assets are left, and the last one has the biggest median of all. Investing rules, taxes and account types differ where you live, and none of this is advice to buy anything. Next, a business of their own, and what that stake is typically worth.

2. A business of their own

Number two: a business of their own, held by 43.9% of the top tenth. And what is that stake typically worth for them? Their median business equity is $1,235,100, the same survey shows. Equity here means the net value of the family's stake in the business.

Private businesses here include sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies and corporations that are not publicly traded. A family farm or ranch counts too, for the part used as a business. Across all families, 15.4% own business equity, with a median of $75,400. Just under the top tenth, the share is 24.7%.

By our count, 43.9% is about 2.85 times the share for all families. Their median stake is also about 16.4 times the median for all families. In twenty twenty-two, their median stake was $1,094,400, adjusted for inflation. So the typical business stake at the top grew over those three years.

The survey report says private business equity is less liquid than public stocks but offers greater operational control. In plain words, owners can steer the business, but its value is harder to turn into cash. Among all business owners in the survey, a few very high values pull the mean far above the median. At the top, the mean stake is $5,133,200.

Business rules, licenses and taxes differ where you live, and this is not advice to start or buy a business. Before number one, a guess: what is the top tenth's median retirement balance?

1. Retirement accounts, held by eighty-nine point three percent of the top tenth

Number one: retirement accounts, held by 89.3% of the top tenth. Was your guess close to their median balance? The median balance at the top is $1,400,000, the biggest median in this list. These accounts include personal retirement accounts and certain employer plans from current or past jobs.

In the whole survey, 54.9% hold retirement accounts, with a median of $106,000. The survey report calls them the second most commonly held financial asset, after everyday accounts. By our count, retirement balances at the top have a median about 13.2 times that of all families. That multiple is far bigger than for vehicles or homes.

The twenty twenty-two survey put their median at $992,600, adjusted for inflation. So the typical balance at the top grew strongly in those three years. One group down, 85.3% hold one, with a median of 400,000. So these accounts are common just below the top too, and the balances are larger higher up.

These balances leave out public retirement benefits and employer pensions based on pay and years of work. The report says future payments from those plans are hard to turn into a current value. Retirement plans can raise net worth through lower taxes on savings and employer contributions, the survey report says. Those accounts can usually be invested in stocks, bonds, funds and real estate, though employer plans sometimes offer fewer choices.

Plan rules, contribution limits and tax breaks differ where you live, and this is not advice on any plan. Next comes a short recap of all seven assets, from smallest to biggest. So, seven assets, from smallest median to biggest: vehicles, cash, other homes and the home itself. Then funds and stocks, a business, and retirement accounts at $1.4 million.

These medians describe one country's families, and rules differ where you live. So open the survey tables linked below and read one row for yourself. Which asset surprised you most? Tell us the number in the comments.

Results vary, and this is information only, not financial advice. This is Wealth Filings. Next on Wealth Filings, watch seven freelance skills beginners can sell online, and the platforms behind them.