Net worth by race and gender in 2018 reflects long standing economic patterns and persistent inequality across households in the United States.
Examining median net worth, mean net worth, and distribution highlights how race and gender together shape financial security and opportunity.
| Race and Ethnicity | Gender | Median Net Worth | Mean Net Worth | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | Male | $151,500 | $690,700 | Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances 2018 |
| White | Female | $135,000 | $590,000 | Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances 2018 |
| Black | Male | $17,600 | $137,300 | Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances 2018 |
| Black | Female | $5,000 | $82,000 | Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances 2018 |
| Hispanic | Male | $22,000 | $178,900 | Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances 2018 |
| Hispanic | Female | $5,600 | $99,700 | Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances 2007-2016 |
| Asian | Male | $215,000 | $1,000,000+ | Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances 2018 |
| Asian | Female | $165,000 | $850,000+ | Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances 2018 |
Racial Wealth Gap Dimensions in 2018
Structural Drivers
In 2018, the racial wealth gap was shaped by historical policies in housing, education, and labor markets that affected asset accumulation differently by race.
Homeownership rates, access to employer retirement plans, and wage gaps combined to produce large disparities in median net worth by race gender.
Intersection with Gender
Gender layered onto racial lines, producing especially low net worth for Black and Hispanic women compared with their male counterparts and white women.
These outcomes reflected occupational segregation, care responsibilities, and weaker inherited wealth across generations.
2018 Data on Net Worth by Race Gender
White Household Patterns
White men and women held the highest median and mean net worth in 2018, reflecting stronger access to home equity, investments, and inheritance.
Even among white households, men typically recorded higher net worth, pointing to gendered differences in earnings and asset ownership.
Black Household Patterns
Black households had the lowest median net worth across gender, with Black women facing the sharpest constraints.
Lower homeownership, smaller retirement balances, and higher debt burdens contributed to this gap in 2018.
Economic Security and Policy Implications
Long Term Consequences
Large net worth gaps by race and gender translate into reduced resilience to shocks, limited entrepreneurship, and constrained retirement security.
Policies affecting taxation, housing, labor standards, and education finance can either narrow or widen these disparities over time.
Key Takeaways on Net Worth by Race Gender 2018
- Median net worth varied dramatically by race and gender in 2018, with white households at the top and Black and Hispanic households at the bottom.
- Gender consistently added to net worth differences within each racial group.
- Structural factors in housing, labor markets, and inheritance drove most of the observed gaps.
- Policy interventions targeting asset building could meaningfully reduce these disparities.
- Understanding these patterns is essential for designing fair economic strategies that promote wealth security across populations.
FAQ
Reader questions
How did the Federal Reserve measure net worth in the 2018 survey?
The Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finuses measured net worth by subtracting liabilities from assets, including home equity, retirement accounts, checking and savings, and business equity, based on interviews with a nationally representative sample of U.S. households.
What explains the low net worth for Black women in 2018?
Black women faced a combination of lower wages, higher likelihood of holding costlier debt, less access to homeownership, and weaker inherited wealth, all of which depressed median net worth relative to other groups.
How does gender interact with race to shape net worth gaps?
Gender layered onto racial identity amplifies disparities, as women of color often encounter both racial discrimination and gendered wage gaps, reducing earnings and asset accumulation.
Which policy changes could reduce these net worth disparities?
Policies that expand access to affordable homeownership, strengthen retirement savings for low income workers, reduce wage gaps, and invest in education can help narrow net worth gaps by race and gender.