American Household Debt Surges in Q3, Nearing Levels Not Seen Since 2008
American households increased their total debt by $78 billion in the third quarter, according to a study released by WalletHub. The average total debt owed by U.S. households at $145,319 at the end of the third quarter, $13,631 below the all-time high, set back in the fourth quarter of 2008. The report found that household mortgage debt increased by around $20 billion and credit card debt increased to around $1.08 trillion. This quarter’s total credit card debt is down $189 billion from the all-time high set back in the fourth quarter of 2008.