How many Americans have a perfect 850 credit score? (2024)

FAQs

What percentage of people have a perfect 850 credit score? ›

And when it comes to credit, 850 is the highest the FICO Score scale goes. For more and more U.S. consumers, practice is making perfect. According to recent Experian data, 1.54% of consumers have a "perfect" FICO Score of 850. That's up from 1.31% two years earlier.

It's exceedingly rare for anyone to have a credit score over 900, as most credit scoring models have a maximum limit of 850, and even achieving that score is uncommon.

According to FICO, about 98% of “FICO High Achievers” have zero missed payments. And for the small 2% who do, the missed payment happened, on average, approximately four years ago. So while missing a credit card payment can be easy to do, staying on top of your payments is the only way you will one day reach 850.

Your score falls in the range of scores, from 800 to 850, that is considered Exceptional. Your FICO^® Score and is well above the average credit score. Consumers with scores in this range may expect easy approvals when applying for new credit. 21% of all consumers have FICO^® Scores in the Exceptional range.

Membership in the 800+ credit score club is quite exclusive, with fewer than 1 in 6 people boasting a score that high, according to WalletHub data.

What is the average credit score? The average FICO credit score in the US is 717, according to the latest FICO data. The average VantageScore is 701 as of January 2024. Credit scores, which are like a grade for your borrowing history, fall in the range of 300 to 850.

According to recent Experian data, 1.54% of consumers have a "perfect" FICO^® Score of 850.

The primary credit scoring models are FICO® and VantageScore®, and both are equally accurate. Although both are accurate, most lenders are looking at your FICO score when you apply for a loan.

Is there a difference between 800 and 850 credit scores? ›

The bottom line

If you have an 850 credit score, your credit is perfect — but any credit score over 800 is considered exceptional, and that's just as good.

The truth is there's no such thing as a “starting credit score.” Some people wonder whether the starting credit score is zero, for example, or whether we all start with a credit score of 300 (the lowest possible FICO score).

How many Americans have an 850 credit score? Only 1.31% of Americans with a FICO® Score have a perfect 850 credit score. While a score this high is rare among any demographic, older generations are more likely to have perfect credit.

What is a good credit score for your age? You might consider your score to be good if it meets or exceeds the average for your peers, but that isn't the best gauge. Following NerdWallet's general guidelines, a good credit score is within the 690 to 719 range on the standard 300-850 scale, regardless of age.

Your credit score helps lenders decide if you qualify for products like credit cards and loans, and your interest rate. A score of 750 puts you in a strong position. Roughly 48% of Americans had a score of 750 or above as of April 2023, according to credit scoring company FICO. FICO Blog.

A 790 FICO^® Score is above the average credit score. Borrowers with scores in the Very Good range typically qualify for lenders' better interest rates and product offers. 25% of all consumers have FICO^® Scores in the Very Good range.