Fed Survey Finds Wealth Gap Widened by Age After Pandemic
By Daily Caller News Foundation (/journals/dcnf)
A new report by the Federal Reserve published Friday indicates the wealth gap between affluent Americans and nearly everyone else has widened since the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the median family net worth rose 2%, to nearly $216,000, from 2022-2025, the median net worth of surveyed individuals under the age of 35 dropped 23% — to around $33,000 — during that time frame, according to the Fed’s 2025 Survey of Consumer Finances. Notably, the median net worth of those 75 or older climbed 37%, to around $504,900.
The White House did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment. The Fed told the DCNF that it didn’t have anything else to share beyond its report.
Other age brackets, however, didn’t appear to fare much better. The median net worth of respondents between the ages of 45 and 54 and 65 to 74 fell 6% and 4%, respectively. That metric, on the other hand, rose among respondents between the ages of 35 and 44 and 55 to 64 by 5% and 3%, respectively.
One factor which may have influenced these changes is participation in the stock market. Trading declined from 58% in 2022 to 56% in 2025, largely driven by lower participation of those outside of the top 10% of the income distribution identified in the report. The S&P 500 index, however, rose 78% from 2023 through 2025, The Motley Fool reported in January.
The report follows a study conducted by crypto casino BC Game finding the median costs of used cars, college, housing, weddings, and childcare outpaced wage growth from 1985 through 2026.
Both reports were released as Democrats and Republicans jockey over affordability ahead of the November midterm elections, when rising angst from younger generations concerning America’s current economic order may be prove to have a key effect on which party secures a majority in the next Congress.
Support for capitalism among Americans under the age of 30 dropped from 52% to 48% since 2018, while support for socialism rose from 19% to 21%, according to a CBS News poll published Sept. 24. However, Public Opinion Strategies pollster Micah Roberts told the outlet that the apparent rise in support for the Democratic Socialists of America’s agenda is “really about frustration with the status quo.”
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All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.