The average FICO credit score in the United States is 718 in 2026 — solidly in the “Good” range. But averages vary dramatically by age: younger Americans are building credit history while older Americans benefit from decades of established accounts.
Average Credit Score by Age Group (2026)
| Generation | Age Range | Avg. FICO Score | FICO Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen Z | 18–27 | 680 | Good |
| Millennials | 28–43 | 690 | Good |
| Gen X | 44–59 | 709 | Good |
| Baby Boomers | 60–78 | 745 | Very Good |
| Silent Generation | 79+ | 760 | Very Good |
| National average | All ages | 718 | Good |
Source: Based on Experian State of Credit data and Federal Reserve consumer credit surveys, adjusted for 2026.
Why Scores Rise With Age
Credit scores are not arbitrary — they’re directly tied to behaviors that older consumers naturally accumulate:
1. Length of Credit History (15% of FICO Score)
A 25-year-old may have 4 years of credit history. A 55-year-old may have 35 years. FICO rewards longer average account age and time since oldest account opened. This factor alone explains much of the gap between Gen Z and Baby Boomers.
2. Established Payment History (35% of FICO Score)
Older consumers have more on-time payments on their record. A 60-year-old with 30 years of perfect payments has an enormous positive payment history buffer — a single late payment barely moves their score. A 22-year-old with 2 years of history is more vulnerable to individual negative events.
3. Lower Credit Utilization Over Time
Most people’s income grows with age, while credit limits also increase. Fixed monthly spending becomes a smaller percentage of available credit over time. Additionally, paid-down mortgages and installment loans no longer affect utilization.
4. More Credit Mix (10% of FICO Score)
Older Americans are more likely to have multiple credit types — credit cards, auto loans, mortgages — that demonstrate broad creditworthiness.
Average Credit Score Milestones by Decade
In Your 20s (Expected Range: 650–700)
You’re building. A score of 670+ in your 20s puts you ahead of peers. Typical challenges: short credit history, thin file, possible student loan debt, limited income. Focus on: Getting your first credit card, making every payment on time, keeping utilization under 10%.
In Your 30s (Expected Range: 680–720)
Scores typically improve as student loans are managed and credit histories deepen. You may take on a mortgage, which adds credit mix. Focus on: Paying down high-utilization cards, keeping old accounts open, not applying for credit unnecessarily before mortgage applications.
In Your 40s (Expected Range: 700–735)
Most Gen X consumers are well into “Good” territory. Mortgages, auto loans, and cards create a strong credit mix. Focus on: Maintaining perfect payment history, monitoring for errors (risk of identity theft rises with age), keeping utilization low.
In Your 50s+ (Expected Range: 730–760+)
Credit histories are long and deep. If you’ve had no major negative events (bankruptcy, foreclosure), scores in this range are common. Focus on: Keeping accounts active (use each card occasionally), protecting credit from identity theft, reviewing beneficiary accounts before retirement.
How Your Score Compares
| Your Score | Your Percentile | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 800+ | Top 23% | Exceptional — best rates available |
| 760–799 | Top 40% | Very Good — near-best rates |
| 720–759 | Top 52% | Above average — good rates |
| 680–719 | Average | Around national average |
| 620–679 | Below average | Higher rates, some rejections |
| Below 620 | Bottom 25% | Significant lending challenges |
Score Distribution Across the US Population
| Score Range | % of Americans |
|---|---|
| 800–850 (Exceptional) | 23% |
| 740–799 (Very Good) | 17% |
| 670–739 (Good) | 22% |
| 580–669 (Fair) | 17% |
| 300–579 (Poor) | 21% |
More Americans have exceptional credit (800+) than fair credit (580–669), largely because older, established consumers skew the distribution upward.
How to Get Above Average for Your Age Group
Regardless of your current age, these actions consistently move scores up:
- Pay every bill on time — payment history is 35% of your score; one 30-day late payment drops scores by 60–110 points
- Get utilization below 10% — pay down card balances or request credit limit increases
- Dispute errors immediately — see our guide on how to dispute credit report errors
- Don’t close old accounts — account age is 15% of your score
- Limit hard inquiries — each application dings your score by 5–10 points
For Gen Z and Millennials still building: being at or above your generation’s average is a strong foundation. Reaching 740+ by your mid-30s puts you on track for exceptional credit by your 50s with consistent behavior.
Related Guides
- What Is a Good Credit Score?
- Average Credit Score by State
- How to Build Credit from Scratch
- How to Improve Your Credit Score
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