In 2025, the United States remains the world’s largest credit card market, with more than 631 million active credit card accounts and total revolving credit card debt exceeding $1.18 trillion. Credit cards are used not only for credit, but for rewards, online spending, fraud protection, and everyday purchases.
This article provides a data-rich overview of U.S. credit card trends in 2025, including total cards issued, demographics, average balances, utilization, delinquencies, and market share.
Total Number of Credit Cards in the USA in 2025
The number of active credit cards in the United States continues to grow. In 2025, there are 631 million active credit card accounts, up from 617 million in 2024, reflecting both population growth and increased card adoption, especially among younger consumers.
| Year | Total Active Credit Card Accounts |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 500 million |
| 2023 | 600 million |
| 2024 | 617 million |
| 2025 | 631 million |
Credit Card Ownership by Demographics in USA
Credit card ownership in the U.S. in 2025 varies by age, income, and credit score. Higher-income households are more likely to have multiple cards, while younger adults are increasingly entering the credit system.
- 82% of U.S. adults hold at least one credit card.
- 95% of households earning over $100,000 annually have a credit card.
- 67% of Gen Z (born late 1990s to early 2010s) now have credit cards, up from 50% in 2021.
Older Americans (65+) hold the most cards on average, up to 4.8 per person. Younger generations are opening more credit accounts earlier, often to build credit and access rewards.
Average Number of Cards per Person
The average number of credit cards held by a U.S. cardholder continues to hover around four, driven by rewards programs, introductory offers, and diversified use cases.
| Group | Average Number of Cards |
|---|---|
| All cardholders | 4.1 |
| Gen Z (18–25) | 2.3 |
| Millennials (26–41) | 3.7 |
| Gen X (42–57) | 4.4 |
| Baby Boomers (58–76) | 4.8 |
Credit Card Balances and Debt Levels in 2025
Revolving credit card debt in the U.S. hit $1.18 trillion in 2025, the highest on record. The rise is attributed to both increased spending and higher interest rates.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Avg. credit card balance | $6,580 |
| Median balance | $2,800 |
| Households with a carried balance | 46% |
| Households making minimum payments only | 11% |
Credit Utilization Rates
Credit utilization, which is how much of a user’s available credit is being used, is a key driver of credit scores. A rate under 30% is considered healthy. In 2025:
The average utilization across all U.S. consumers is 21%.
Gen Z consumers have an average utilization of 33%.
Low-income households often have utilization rates exceeding 40%.
High utilization (over 80%) is seen in 11% of accounts, signaling potential financial stress.
Maintaining a low utilization ratio is critical for preserving creditworthiness and avoiding overextension.
Delinquency and Repayment Behavior
Delinquencies have risen in 2025 as more households struggle to make payments. A 30-day or longer delinquency can significantly harm a credit score and often indicates broader financial strain.
6.4% of credit card accounts are delinquent (30+ days), up from 4.9% in 2023.
Young adults (18–29) have the highest delinquency rate at over 9%.
More than 10% of cardholders are only making minimum payments, leading to long-term interest accrual.
Rising delinquencies are a growing concern for lenders and regulators, particularly among subprime borrowers.
Market Share by Card Network in 2025
The U.S. credit card market is dominated by four major credit card networks, with Visa and Mastercard leading in both card issuance and transaction volume.
| Network | Market Share (by transactions) |
|---|---|
| Visa | 50% |
| Mastercard | 25% |
| Amex | 15% |
| Discover | 8% |
| Others | 2% |
Credit Card Spending Volume
Credit card spending in the U.S. has surpassed $6.1 trillion in 2025, driven by e-commerce growth, increased travel, and inflation.
In-store purchases are increasingly cashless, with 85% of POS transactions via card or digital wallet.
E-commerce now accounts for over 65% of all online purchases made via credit cards.
Spending on subscriptions, groceries, and transportation now accounts for the majority of monthly credit card bills.
Americans are increasingly relying on credit cards for both essential and discretionary purchases.
Interest Rates and Fees
Credit card interest rates have climbed to historic highs in 2025, reflecting broader monetary policy trends. The average APR is now 21.6%, with some subprime cards exceeding 30%.
| Fee Type | Typical Value (2025) |
|---|---|
| Average APR | 21.6% |
| Store credit card APR | 26–30% |
| Late payment fee | Up to $41 |
| Cash advance fee | 3–5% + interest |
