America's wealthiest households are pulling further ahead of everyone else, according to new data analyzed by the Center for American Progress using Federal Reserve statistics.
The top 0.1% of households gained an average of $9.6 million in net worth from the fourth quarter of 2024 through the first quarter of 2026, while the bottom half gained only about $1,200 each during the same period. Households in the top 1% averaged gains of $1.8 million over the same timeframe.
The wealth concentration has reached historic levels. The top 1 percent's share of total wealth climbed from 31% to 31.6%, while the bottom half remained flat at 2.5%. During three consecutive quarters in 2025, the top 0.1% and top 1% wealth shares hit the highest levels on Federal Reserve records dating back to 1989.
The disparity is particularly stark when examining the nation's wealthiest individuals. The 10 richest Americans saw their combined fortunes grow by $259 billion over the same period, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index—approximately $26 billion per person, or roughly 22 million times more than the $1,200 per household gained by the bottom half.
The Center for American Progress identified several factors driving the widening gap. Rising stock values have lifted the portfolios of the ultrawealthy to new highs, while other American households have not experienced similar gains from recent market performance. Assets of the bottom half, largely held in housing, have seen flattening growth in recent years following the housing price surge after the COVID-19 recession. Additionally, tax policy changes favoring higher earners and heavy debt loads for lower-wealth families have contributed to the divide.
