How Your Credit Score Compares to the National Average and What It Means for You

Core Insights - The national average credit score in the U.S. is 715 as of September 2024, indicating a plateau since 2021 after a steady rise since 2011 [3][5] - Credit scores are crucial for determining interest rates on loans and creditworthiness, impacting financial decisions for consumers [2][3] - There are significant regional disparities in credit scores, with states like Mississippi and Louisiana averaging around 680, while Minnesota and Wisconsin have higher averages of 742 and 738, respectively [4][3] Credit Score Trends - The average credit score has remained stable at around 714 or 715 since 2021, following a consistent increase from approximately 689 in 2011 [5] - Recent data from FICO indicates a decline in average U.S. credit scores since mid-2023, attributed to rising student loan delinquencies as pandemic-related payment pauses ended [5] Regional and Demographic Variations - The lowest credit scores are found in Southern states, with Mississippi at 680 and other states like Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas ranging from 690 to 695 [4] - The highest credit scores are in states like Minnesota and Wisconsin, with averages above 735 in Washington, Vermont, and New Hampshire [4] - Gender and generational differences exist, with women having slightly lower average credit scores than men and older Americans generally having higher scores due to longer credit histories [7]