Spreading the wealth: the number of millionaires grows

More people have achieved a net worth of at least $1 million, not including their primary residences. The Spectrum Group, which keeps track of these things, said the number of millionaires climbed for the third straight year to 8.6 million in 2011 (or 7.5% of all U.S. households). The growth in millionaires follows a 27% decline in 2008. But we’re still not back to the 2007 peak of 9.2 million.

Spectrum said the ranks of all affluent investors increased in 2011:

  • Those with $100,000 or more in net worth sans primary residence reached 36.7 million from 36.2 million in 2010 (about 32% of U.S. households)
  • Those with $500,000 or more in net worth climbed to 13.8 million from 13.5 million in 2010 (about 12% of U.S. households)
  • Those with $5 million or more in net worth rose to 1.078 million from 1.061 million in 2010 (slightly less than 1% of U.S. households)
  • Those with $25 million or more in net worth grew to 107,000 from 105,000 in 2010 (slightly less than .1% of households)