Your credit score is more than just a number — it's the key to your financial future. This three-digit score determines whether you qualify for mortgages, car loans, credit cards, and even apartment rentals, and what interest rates you'll pay.
Whether you're building credit for the first time or working to improve your score, understanding where you stand compared to other Americans is essential. These 2025 statistics reveal everything you need to know about credit scores in America.
Key Takeaways
- The average credit score in America is 715 (FICO) as of 2025
- 71.2% of Americans have a "good" credit score (670+) or better
- 24% of Americans have an "exceptional" credit score (800-850)
- 16.3% of Americans have "very poor" credit (below 600)
- The Silent Generation (78+) has the highest average score at 760
- Minnesota has the highest average credit score by state (742)
- A 140-point credit score difference can cost you $48,000+ in extra mortgage interest
What Is the Average Credit Score in America?
1. The average FICO credit score in America is 715
As of 2025, the average FICO score in the United States is 715, which falls right at the top of the "good" credit range (670-739). This score has remained relatively stable, unchanged from 2023 levels despite economic uncertainty.
2. The average credit score dropped 2 points from 2024 to 2025
According to FICO data, the average score fell from 717 to 715 — the first decline in years. This drop is partially attributed to student loan delinquencies being reported to credit bureaus again after pandemic-era pauses ended.
3. Over 2 million Americans lost 100+ points in early 2025
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York reports that more than two million borrowers experienced drops of 100 points or more in Q1 2025. Over one million consumers lost 150 points or more, primarily due to student loan defaults.
Important: Student loan delinquencies began appearing on credit reports again in 2024 after a multi-year pause. If you have federal student loans, check your credit report for accuracy.
How Are Credit Scores Distributed in America?
4. 71.2% of Americans have a "good" credit score or better
Nearly three-quarters of consumers have a credit score of 670 or higher, placing them in the good, very good, or exceptional categories. This is good news for most borrowers seeking competitive loan rates.
5. 24% of Americans have an "exceptional" credit score (800-850)
Nearly one in four Americans has achieved exceptional credit status. These consumers qualify for the best interest rates and most favorable loan terms available.
| Credit Score Range | Rating | % of Americans |
|---|---|---|
| 800-850 | Exceptional | 24.0% |
| 740-799 | Very Good | 24.0% |
| 670-739 | Good | 23.2% |
| 580-669 | Fair | 12.5% |
| 300-579 | Very Poor | 16.3% |
6. Only 1.54% of consumers have a perfect 850 credit score
While 24% of Americans have exceptional credit, achieving the maximum possible FICO score of 850 remains rare. Less than 2% of consumers have reached this credit score ceiling.
7. Nearly half of Americans (48%) score between 750-850
The "very good" to "exceptional" range captures almost half of all American consumers, indicating that most people who actively manage their credit achieve strong scores over time.
What Is the Average Credit Score by Generation?
8. The Silent Generation (78+) has the highest average credit score at 760
Americans aged 78 and older maintain the strongest credit profiles, with an average score of 760 falling in the "very good" range. Decades of credit history and paid-off mortgages contribute to these high scores.
9. Gen Z has an average credit score of 680 — down 3 points from 2024
Americans born between 1997-2012 experienced the largest year-over-year drop of any generation. Gen Z was also more likely to see a 10-point drop (14.1%) compared to Americans overall (10.1%).
10. Millennials carry an average student loan debt of $40,438
According to Experian data, Millennials aged 28-43 have the highest average student loan balances. This debt load impacts credit utilization and can make it harder to build credit in other areas.
| Generation | Age Range | Average Score | Credit Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silent Generation | 78+ | 760 | Very Good |
| Baby Boomers | 59-77 | 745 | Very Good |
| Gen X | 44-58 | 705 | Good |
| Millennials | 29-43 | 690 | Good |
| Gen Z | 18-28 | 680 | Good |
Good News for Young Borrowers: Gen Z and Millennials improve their credit scores faster than older generations. 30% of young "thin-file" consumers move up a credit tier within 2 years, compared to just 22% of older generations.
What Is the Average Credit Score by State?
11. Minnesota has the highest average credit score at 742
The North Star State leads the nation with an average FICO score of 742 — the only state whose average falls into the "very good" range. Minnesota's strong economy, low unemployment, and high financial literacy contribute to this ranking.
12. Mississippi has the lowest average credit score at 680
Despite being in the "good" range, Mississippi trails all other states by a significant margin. The state's 18%+ poverty rate — more than double the national average — is a major contributing factor.
| Rank | Highest Credit States | Average Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota | 742 |
| 2 | Wisconsin | 738 |
| 3 | Vermont | 737 |
| 4 | New Hampshire | 736 |
| 5 | Washington | 735 |
13. There's a 62-point gap between the highest and lowest state averages
The difference between Minnesota (742) and Mississippi (680) represents a significant disparity in financial health across the country. This gap can mean thousands of dollars in interest rate differences for borrowers.
14. All 50 states have improved their average scores since 2019
Despite economic challenges including the pandemic, every state has seen credit score improvements over the past five years. Most states remained stable or changed by just one point in 2024.
How Many Americans Have Bad Credit?
15. 16.3% of Americans have "very poor" credit (300-599)
According to FICO data from October 2024, approximately one in six Americans has a credit score below 600. These consumers face significant challenges qualifying for traditional loans and credit cards.
16. 68 million Americans have bad or poor credit scores
Using VantageScore metrics, approximately 30% of scoreable consumers — about 68 million Americans — have scores below 601. This population faces higher interest rates, limited credit options, and difficulty renting apartments.
17. 18% of Americans had a 30+ day late payment in the past year
As of April 2024, just over 18% of the population had a 30-day or worse past-due payment on at least one credit account — up 5% from April 2023. Rising delinquencies signal growing financial stress for many households.
What Factors Affect Your Credit Score?
18. Payment history accounts for 35% of your FICO score
Your track record of paying bills on time is the single most important factor in your credit score. Even one payment made 30 days late can significantly damage your score.
| Factor | FICO Weight | VantageScore Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Payment History | 35% | 40% |
| Credit Utilization | 30% | 20% |
| Length of Credit History | 15% | 21% |
| Credit Mix | 10% | 11% |
| New Credit Inquiries | 10% | 5% |
19. The average credit utilization rate jumped to 36.1% in 2025
Americans are using more of their available credit than in previous years. The average utilization rate increased from 21.3% in 2024 to 36.1% in February 2025 — well above the recommended 30% threshold.
20. People with perfect credit scores average just 6% utilization
Consumers who achieve 850 FICO scores typically keep their credit card balances extremely low. Keeping utilization below 10% can boost your score by 10-50 points compared to higher rates.
Pro Tip: Keep your credit utilization below 30% on each card — not just overall. High utilization on even one card can hurt your score, especially if you have a limited credit history.
How Does Your Credit Score Affect Interest Rates?
21. A 140-point score difference can cost $48,000+ on a mortgage
On a $300,000 30-year mortgage, a borrower with a 760 score might pay 7.16% APR ($2,029/month), while someone with a 620 score could pay 7.82% APR ($2,163/month). Over 30 years, that's nearly $50,000 in extra interest.
22. Auto loan rates spike to 16%+ for scores below 600
While borrowers with excellent credit (760+) can secure auto loans at 5-7% APR, those with poor credit may face rates of 15-20% or higher. On a $30,000 car loan, this difference could cost thousands per year.
| Credit Score Range | New Car APR (2024) | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|
| 760-850 (Excellent) | 5-7% | Low |
| 700-759 (Good) | 7-9% | Moderate |
| 640-699 (Fair) | 10-14% | Higher |
| 500-639 (Poor) | 15-20%+ | High |
How Often Do Americans Check Their Credit Score?
23. 59% of Americans check their credit score at least monthly
According to TransUnion, most consumers who check their scores do so regularly. Of those monthly checkers, 87% access their scores for free through credit card apps, banks, or free credit monitoring services.
24. Nearly 30% of Americans don't check their credit score annually
Despite free access to credit scores being widely available, almost one-third of Americans go an entire year without checking. This can leave errors and fraud undetected for extended periods.
25. Only 72% of Americans know their credit score (down from 78%)
Credit score awareness actually declined from 2023 to 2024, according to Experian's survey of 1,000+ consumers. The drop occurred across all age groups except those 65 and older.
26. Men check their credit scores more frequently than women (59% vs 41% monthly)
There's a notable gender gap in credit monitoring habits. Gen Xers are the most diligent about monthly credit checks, followed by Millennials.
Common Myth: Over 20% of consumers believe checking their credit score hurts it. This is false — checking your own credit is a "soft inquiry" that has no impact on your score. Only hard inquiries from loan applications affect your score.
How Have Credit Scores Changed Over Time?
27. The average credit score has increased 27 points since 2005
In 2005, the average FICO score was just 688. Today it's 715 — a 27-point improvement over two decades. Better financial education, easier credit monitoring, and post-recession lending reforms have all contributed.
28. Credit scores peaked at 718 in April 2023
The highest average FICO score on record was 718, achieved in April 2023. Since then, scores have declined slightly as pandemic-era stimulus ended and delinquencies resumed.
Summary
Credit scores remain a crucial factor in Americans' financial lives, affecting everything from mortgage rates to job applications. With the average score at 715, most Americans fall into the "good" credit category — but significant disparities exist across generations, states, and income levels.
The most important takeaway? Your credit score is largely within your control. Paying bills on time, keeping utilization low, and monitoring your credit regularly are the keys to building and maintaining a strong score.
Sources
- Experian 2024 Consumer Credit Review
- FICO Blog: Average U.S. FICO Score
- WalletHub: Average Credit Score Statistics 2025
- LendingTree: Credit Score Statistics
- BadCredit.org: How Many Americans Have Bad Credit
- CNBC Select: Average Credit Score in the US
- Bankrate: Auto Loan Interest Rates by Credit Score
- Federal Reserve Bank of New York Consumer Credit Panel