• Home
  • News
  • Coins2Day 500
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
FinanceMillennials

You Won’t Believe How Many Millennials Own Credit Cards

By
Sy Mukherjee
Sy Mukherjee
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Sy Mukherjee
Sy Mukherjee
Down Arrow Button Icon
June 13, 2016, 6:16 AM ET
Photograph by Getty Images

A strong majority of millennials continues to shun credit cards, according to a new survey.

A Bankrate study released Monday finds that 67% of millennials don’t have credit cards. It’s the only adult demographic group where credit card ownership is that low—55% and 62% of 30-to-49 year olds and 50-64-year olds, respectively, have them, while ownership among American 65 and older is even higher.

The survey also highlights several other distinct socioeconomic trends when it comes to credit cards. For instance, nearly three-quarters of poor American how make less than $30,000 per year don’t have them while 81% of those who make more than $75,000 do. There are similar disparities between high school diploma holders and college graduates.

“Millennials are clearly falling short in terms of credit card usage compared to their elders,” said Mike Cetera, Bankrate.com’s personal loans and credit analyst, in a statement. “A credit card shouldn’t be seen as taboo. Used correctly, a credit card can not only provide the added benefit of points and rewards, but also help establish a healthy credit score which will be valuable for such things as a lease or mortgage in the future.”

Previous Bankrate surveys have shown similar results, explaining that several factors including the availability of debit cards and concerns about possible debt play into millennials’ credit card avoidance.

Millennials stand apart from older generations in several facets of personal finance. For instance, not only are they less likely to own credit cards—the ones who do tend to have smaller outstanding balances (although they aren’t always as good at paying off those balances). A Fidelity report from earlier this year also found that millennials are outpacing other age groups in retirement savings.

Meanwhile, overall American credit card debt could hit $1 trillion this year, according to Federal Reserve data.

About the Author
By Sy Mukherjee
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Coins2Day 500
  • Global 500
  • Coins2Day 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Coins2Day Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Coins2Day Brand Studio
  • Coins2Day Analytics
  • Coins2Day Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Coins2Day
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Coins2Day Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Coins2Day Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.