Minnesota residents have the highest average credit score—here's how other states compare (2024)

The average FICO Score in the U.S. hit a record high of 710 last year, according to Experian’s 2020 Consumer Credit Review. And a majority of states (33) managed to achieve or surpass this record high.

Minnesota residents topped the list for the ninth straight year with an average 739 credit score. Meanwhile, Mississippi residents continued to have the lowest credit score of any state (675) — though that’s an eight-point increase from last year (667).

All states experienced a credit score increase ranging from three to 10 points in 2020. That could be due to more on-time payments and lowered spending during a year of economic uncertainty.

Ahead, we give you a quick overview of what a FICO® Score is and reveal the states with the highest and lowest credit scores (jump to credit score by state if you don't need a refresher).

What is a FICO Score?

A high credit score qualifies you for the best interest rates and terms on everything from credit cards to mortgages. FICO Scores are used in over 90% of U.S. lending decisions, making it a must-know number before applying for any financial product.

FICO Scores are broken up into five categories that help lenders gauge your ability to repay loans.

Here are the credit score ranges for each category:

  • Very poor: 300 to 579
  • Fair: 580 to 669
  • Good: 670 to 739
  • Very good: 740 to 799
  • Excellent: 800 to 850

Take action: Check your FICO Score for free

What factors matter for a credit score?

The FICO credit scoring model looks at these five key factors and weighs each differently:

  1. Payment history (35%): Whether you’ve paid past credit accounts on time.
  2. Amounts owed (30%): The total amount of credit and loans you’re using compared to your total credit limit, also known as your utilization rate.
  3. Length of credit history (15%): The length of time you’ve had credit.
  4. New credit (10%): How often you apply for and open new accounts.
  5. Credit mix (10%): The variety of credit products you have, including credit cards, installment loans, finance company accounts, mortgage loans and so on.

Top 10 states with the highest credit scores

Midwestern states maintained the highest average credit scores for another year, ranging from 17 to 29 points higher than the overall average credit score (710). Here are the top 10 states with the highest credit scores in 2020:

  1. Minnesota: 739
  2. Wisconsin: 732
  3. South Dakota: 731
  4. Vermont: 731
  5. North Dakota: 730
  6. Washington: 730
  7. Massachusetts: 729
  8. New Hampshire: 729
  9. Nebraska: 728
  10. Hawaii: 727 / Oregon: 729

Top 10 states with the lowest credit scores

Southern states had lower average credit scores than the rest of the country, despite all states experiencing a boost (between 3 and ten points) in credit scores compared to 2019. Here are the top 10 states with the lowest credit scores in 2020:

  1. Mississippi: 675
  2. Louisiana: 684
  3. Alabama: 686
  4. Texas: 688
  5. Georgia: 689
  6. South Carolina: 689
  7. Arkansas: 690
  8. Oklahoma: 690
  9. New Mexico: 694
  10. Nevada: 695

Average FICO Scores by state in 2020

State 2019 2020 Change
Alabama6806866
Alaska7077147
Arizona69670610
Arkansas6836907
California7087168
Colorado7187257
Connecticut7177236
Delaware7017109
District of Columbia70371310
Florida6947017
Georgia6826897
Hawaii7237274
Idaho7117209
Illinois7097167
Indiana6997078
Iowa7207266
Kansas7117176
Kentucky6926986
Louisiana6776847
Maine7157216
Maryland7047128
Massachusetts7237296
Michigan7067148
Minnesota7337396
Mississippi6676758
Missouri7017076
Montana7207266
Nebraska7237285
Nevada6866959
New Hampshire7247295
New Jersey7147217
New Mexico6866948
New York7127186
North Carolina6947039
North Dakota7277303
Ohio7057116
Oklahoma6826908
Oregon7187279
Pennsylvania7137207
Rhode Island7137196
South Dakota7277314
Tennessee6906977
Texas6806888
Utah7167237
Vermont7267315
Virginia7097178
Washington7237307
West Virginia6876958
Wisconsin7257327
Wyoming7127197

Improve your credit with this free feature

Raising your credit score can be done in a number of ways, from reducing spending to paying on time, but there's also an alternative that doesn't require much work on your part:*Experian Boost™. This is a free feature that lets you get credit for positive, on-time utility, telecom and streaming subscription payments. Late payments aren't reported with Experian Boost, though your creditors typically notify the credit bureaus when a payment is late for 30 or more days.

All you need to do is connect your bills, then you'll instantly receive a new FICO® Score provided by Experian. This may reflect an increase, which can help boost your credit score into a higher tier. Take note that this feature only influences your Experian credit report.

Experian Boost™

On Experian's secure site

  • Cost

    Free

  • Average credit score increase

    13 points, though results vary

  • Credit report affected

    Experian®

  • Credit scoring model used

    FICO® Score

Results will vary. See website for details.

How to sign up for Experian Boost:

  1. Connect the bank account(s) you use to pay your bills
  2. Choose and verify the positive payment data you want added to your Experian credit file
  3. Receive an updatedFICO® Score

Learn more about eligible payments and how Experian Boost works.

Read more

Here's how Experian Boost can help raise your credit score for free

6 reasons why your credit scores are different and which one matters most

12 things you may not know affect your credit score

*Results may vary. Some may not see improved scores or approval odds. Not all lenders use Experian credit files, and not all lenders use scores impacted by Experian Boost.

Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.

Minnesota residents have the highest average credit score—here's how other states compare (2024)

FAQs

Minnesota residents have the highest average credit score—here's how other states compare? ›

The average credit score in the US

credit score in the US
The FICO Mortgage Score and FICO Score XD 2 are between 300 and 850. Higher scores indicate lower credit risk. Experian classifies FICO credit scores lower than 580 as very poor, 580–669 as fair, 670–739 as good, 740–799 as very good, and 800–850 as exceptional.
https://en.wikipedia.org › Credit_score_in_the_United_States
is 717, according to a report from FICO. High interest rates and lingering inflation contribute to more missed payments and debt levels. Minnesota has the highest average credit score at 742, while Mississippi has the lowest average at 680.

Which state has the highest credit score average? ›

Minnesota has the highest average FICO credit score, with an average FICO score of 742.

What state has the highest credit rating? ›

The average national credit score only increased by one point from 714 in 2022 to 715 in 2023. Minnesota has the best average credit score, 742. Mississippi has the worst credit score, 680. Southern states tend to have lower credit scores, with the bottom five states all being in that region.

What is the average credit score in Minnesota? ›

Average credit scores by state in 2021

Minnesota had the highest credit score in the country as of 2021, the latest state data available from Experian, with an average score of 742. Minnesota is the only state in the country with an average credit score above 740.

What percentage of Americans have a 700 credit score? ›

Credit score distribution: How rare is an exceptional 800 to 850 score?
FICO® Score rangePercent within range
600-6499%
650-69912%
700-74917%
750-79924%
4 more rows
5 days ago

What percentage of US population has 800 credit score? ›

71.3% of Americans have a FICO Score of 670 (good) or better. 21.2% have an exceptional FICO credit score of 800 or above. FICO credit scores generally increase with age, with older generations having higher averages.

What percentage of population has 750 credit score? ›

22% of U.S. Consumers Have Exceptional Credit
Percentage of Consumers by FICO® Score 8 Range
RangePercentage of Consumers
Good (670-739)21.6%
Very good (740-799)28.1%
Exceptional (800-850)21.9%
2 more rows
Apr 17, 2024

What is the credit rating of Minnesota? ›

In affirming Minnesota's AAA rating, Moody's Investors Service stated, “Minnesota's AAA issuer rating reflects the state's strong reserves and liquidity, low leverage from debt, pension and OPEB liabilities, and diverse and high income economy.

What's the average American credit score? ›

The average credit score in the United States is 705, based on VantageScore® data from March 2024. It's a myth that you only have one credit score. In fact, you have many credit scores, because there are many different types of credit scores and scoring models. It's a good idea to check your credit scores regularly.

Which state has the highest average credit card debt? ›

On average, Americans carry $6,194 in credit card debt, according to the 2019 Experian Consumer Credit Review. And Alaskans have the highest credit card balance, on average $8,026.

How rare is a 750 credit score? ›

Your credit score helps lenders decide if you qualify for products like credit cards and loans, and your interest rate. A score of 750 puts you in a strong position. Roughly 48% of Americans had a score of 750 or above as of April 2023, according to credit scoring company FICO. FICO Blog.

How common is a 900 credit score? ›

To give you an idea of how hard it is to get such a stellar credit score, some experts estimate that only between 1% to 6% of people have credit scores at or above 850. It's very difficult to achieve a perfect credit score of 900.

How common is a 780 credit score? ›

A 780 FICO® Score is above the average credit score. Borrowers with scores in the Very Good range typically qualify for lenders' better interest rates and product offers. 25% of all consumers have FICO® Scores in the Very Good range.

How rare is 825 credit score? ›

Membership in the 800+ credit score club is quite exclusive, with fewer than 1 in 6 people boasting a score that high, according to WalletHub data.

How rare is an 840 credit score? ›

Your 840 FICO® Score falls in the range of scores, from 800 to 850, that is categorized as Exceptional. Your FICO® Score is well above the average credit score, and you are likely to receive easy approvals when applying for new credit. 21% of all consumers have FICO® Scores in the Exceptional range.

What race has the highest credit score? ›

Key Takeaways

Other factors used to calculate credit scores can disproportionately affect certain racial groups. Credit scores generally favor mortgage holders over renters. White-Americans have the highest average credit scores, followed by Hispanics and then Blacks.

Where is the highest credit score? ›

A perfect score of 850 will give you bragging rights, but any score of 800 or up is considered exceptional and will usually give you access to the best rates on credit cards, auto loans, and any other loans.

What percentage of Americans have a 500 credit score? ›

16% of all consumers have FICO® Scores in the Very Poor range (300-579). Roughly 62% of consumers with credit scores under 579 are likely to become seriously delinquent (i.e., go more than 90 days past due on a debt payment) in the future.

How many people in the US have an 850 credit score? ›

It's how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures our experts' opinions aren't influenced by compensation. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page. Only about 3.57 million U.S. consumers have reached a perfect FICO® Score of 850.

Top Articles
Inflammatory Breast Cancer | Details, Diagnosis, and Signs
Why Should I Use & How to Set Up a Docking Station
Truist Bank Near Here
O'reilly's Auto Parts Closest To My Location
Noaa Charleston Wv
Robot or human?
Missing 2023 Showtimes Near Cinemark West Springfield 15 And Xd
Otis Department Of Corrections
Craigslist Mexico Cancun
Tx Rrc Drilling Permit Query
Phenix Food Locker Weekly Ad
Rubfinder
Youtube Combe
Garrick Joker'' Hastings Sentenced
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Negru dual-sim, 256 GB, 12 GB RAM - Telefon mobil la pret avantajos - Abonament - In rate | Digi Romania S.A.
Burn Ban Map Oklahoma
Mineral Wells Independent School District
Dignity Nfuse
Imagetrend Inc, 20855 Kensington Blvd, Lakeville, MN 55044, US - MapQuest
Roster Resource Orioles
Edicts Of The Prime Designate
Craigslist West Valley
Craigslist Prescott Az Free Stuff
Pokemon Unbound Shiny Stone Location
Samantha Aufderheide
Great Clips Grandview Station Marion Reviews
2011 Hyundai Sonata 2 4 Serpentine Belt Diagram
Safeway Aciu
Maths Open Ref
Darktide Terrifying Barrage
134 Paige St. Owego Ny
Acuity Eye Group - La Quinta Photos
Sports Clips Flowood Ms
Greater Keene Men's Softball
Nobodyhome.tv Reddit
Myql Loan Login
Tirage Rapid Georgia
Miami Vice turns 40: A look back at the iconic series
18006548818
Coffee County Tag Office Douglas Ga
Craigslist/Nashville
10 Types of Funeral Services, Ceremonies, and Events » US Urns Online
Killer Intelligence Center Download
Who uses the Fandom Wiki anymore?
Richard Mccroskey Crime Scene Photos
Mail2World Sign Up
Here’s What Goes on at a Gentlemen’s Club – Crafternoon Cabaret Club
Samantha Lyne Wikipedia
Grandma's Portuguese Sweet Bread Recipe Made from Scratch
Ippa 番号
Factorio Green Circuit Setup
Fishing Hook Memorial Tattoo
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Edmund Hettinger DC

Last Updated:

Views: 6533

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (78 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Edmund Hettinger DC

Birthday: 1994-08-17

Address: 2033 Gerhold Pine, Port Jocelyn, VA 12101-5654

Phone: +8524399971620

Job: Central Manufacturing Supervisor

Hobby: Jogging, Metalworking, Tai chi, Shopping, Puzzles, Rock climbing, Crocheting

Introduction: My name is Edmund Hettinger DC, I am a adventurous, colorful, gifted, determined, precious, open, colorful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.