CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - Mar 14, 2013) - The number of U.S. households with a net worth of $1 million or more, not including primary residence (NIPR), climbed by nearly 400,000, to 8.99 million in 2012, according to the Affluent Market Insights Report 2013 by Spectrem Group. The comeback continues for the fourth year, after millionaire households declined to 6.7 million in 2008, but the total millionaire population remains below the pre-recession peak in 2007 of 9.2 million.
The ranks of all affluent investors increased in 2012:
- Those with $100,000 or more in net worth NIPR climbed to 37.4 million from 36.7 million in 2011 and 31.2 million in 2008. All other wealth categories are included in this group.
- Those with $500,000 or more in net worth NIPR rose to 14.3 million from 13.8 million in 2011 and 11.3 million in 2008.
- Those with $5 million or more in net worth NIPR advanced to 1.14 million from 1.078 million in 2011 and 840,000 in 2008.
- Those with $25 million or more in net worth NIPR grew by 10,000 to 117, 000 in 2012 and up from 84,000 in 2008.
While the ranks of investors with at least $100,000 in net worth have finally surpassed the previous 2007 high, the numbers of households at the higher wealth levels are still below their 2007 highs. In general, though, those with more wealth have been better able to weather the downturn because of the diversity of their investments and willingness to stick, in part, with stocks.
"Just as the stock market crash triggered a steep drop in the net worth of wealthy investors, the rebound in equities has made it possible for many affluent households to largely recover," says George H. Walper Jr., President of Spectrem Group. "Wealthy investors who minimized stock ownership in recent years, however, have not seen their assets grow at the same rate."
As a group, wealthy investors with $500,000 up to $1 million showed the greatest reluctance to rely on stocks in recent years and held more of their assets in cash instruments longer than other wealth segments. As a result, that category of investors has the farthest yet to go before reaching its pre-recession total, even compared to those with $100,000 up to $500,000 in net worth.
Additional insights about wealthy investors from the Affluent Market Insights Report 2013 are available at Spectrem's Millionaire Corner, including:
Research methodology
Spectrem Group sizes the number of wealthy households using data from multiple sources including, Census Bureau Information and updates and projections from different companies. The Affluent Market Insights 2013 report also is based on monthly online research Spectrem Group conducted with more than 12,000 investors with net worth of at least $100,000 not including primary residence. All of the data in the report has a margin of error of 4%.
About Spectrem Group
Spectrem Group is a strategic consulting and market research firm specializing in the affluent and retirement markets. Spectrem Group strategically analyzes its ongoing primary research with investors to assist financial providers and advisors in understanding the Voice of the Investor.
About Spectrem's Millionaire Corner
Millionaire Corner is an independent online resource for investors and about investors. With its Find an Advisor service, investors are able to search for financial and investment advisors to assist in growing their wealth.