55% of Americans Own Stocks

55% of Americans own stocks, directly or through 401(k)s, individual retirement accounts, mutual funds, or other means.

Gallup found 55% of Americans reporting they own stock in April 2019, similar to the average of 54% Gallup has measured since 2010. This is based on a question asking respondents about any individual stocks they may own, as well as stocks included in mutual funds or retirement savings accounts, like a 401(k) or IRA.

Stock ownership was more common from 2001 to 2008 when an average 62% of U.S. adults said they own stock, but this fell toward the end of the 2007-2009 recession and has not fully rebounded.