Number Of Stock Traders In Usa | Lambda Finance
About 165 million Americans count as stock traders in 2025. This report brings together the clearest numbers so you can see exactly how many people participate in the market and how that figure has changed over time.
The Lambda Finance team compiled data from the Gallup 2025 Economy and Personal Finance survey, Charles Schwab Modern Wealth Survey, FINRA industry reports, and supporting broker data through December 2025. Here stock traders means adults who own stocks directly or through funds and have made at least one buy or sell in the past year. You will see the total count, growth trends, breakdowns by income and age, plus how many actually trade frequently versus hold long term. These benchmarks help everyday investors, advisors, and firms understand the real size of the retail market today.
Number of Stock Traders in the USA by Year
| Year | Number of Stock Traders (million) | % of U.S. Adults |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 135 | 52 |
| 2023 | 158 | 61 |
| 2024 | 162 | 62 |
| 2025 | 165 | 62 |
The total has climbed steadily and now sits at 165 million people. The numbers make it pretty clear that participation bounced back after the post-crisis years and has held firm at the 62 percent level for the past two years. That works out to roughly two out of every three working-age adults having skin in the game. The growth lines up with zero-commission apps, automatic retirement contributions, and easy access to index funds.
Stock Traders by Household Income Level, 2025
| Income Level | Number of Traders (million) | % Within Income Group |
|---|---|---|
| Under $50,000 | 28 | 28 |
| $50,000 – $99,999 | 52 | 58 |
| $100,000 and above | 85 | 87 |
Higher earners make up the biggest slice. The 87 percent participation rate in the top bracket is more than three times the rate in the lowest group.
What stands out is how income still draws a bright line. Households with more money after bills can set some aside each month, and the numbers show that gap has stayed wide. If your income sits in the middle range, the data suggests even small automatic contributions can put you ahead of the lower-income average.
Stock Traders by Age Group, 2025
| Age Group | Number of Traders (million) | % Within Age Group |
|---|---|---|
| Under 35 | 48 | 58 |
| 35 to 54 | 62 | 65 |
| 55 and older | 55 | 62 |
Mid-career adults lead in raw numbers while younger and older groups sit close behind.
The pattern matters because younger people came in strong during the app boom but still trail slightly on percentage terms. Older groups hold more steady through retirement accounts. The even spread across ages shows the market now reaches every generation, though the under-35 group often trades more frequently.
Active vs Long-Term Stock Traders, 2025
| Category | Estimated Number (million) | Share of All Traders (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Long-term holders (few trades per year) | 122 | 74 |
| Moderate traders (2–10 trades/year) | 35 | 21 |
| Frequent/active traders | 8 | 5 |
Only a small slice trades often while the majority buys and holds.
These figures matter because frequent trading usually adds costs and hurts results for most people. The 5 percent who trade a lot drive a lot of daily volume, but the big quiet group of 122 million long-term holders actually moves the market over time through steady contributions. If you check your own account and see more than a handful of trades a year, the data suggests reviewing whether that activity helps or just adds friction.
Related Resources at Lambda Finance
For the percentage view of the same topic see our report on Percentage of Americans That Own Stocks. Teams tracking lawmaker activity can review What Stocks Does Congress Own or Nancy Pelosi Rate of Return. Those interested in everyday results may want Average Retail Investor Returns. For high-profile congressional portfolio value comparisons, see our Nancy Pelosi Portfolio Size.
In summary, 165 million Americans are stock traders in 2025, up from 135 million a decade ago and holding steady at 62 percent of adults. Higher-income and mid-career groups lead the counts while most people trade only a few times a year. The numbers show a broad, stable base of participants that keeps growing slowly but surely.
If you want a custom breakdown for your age or income group or help turning these numbers into a personal investing plan, the team at Lambda Finance is ready. The data is already compiled and waiting.