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Georgia Household Negative Net Worth Fell in 2024

A new report shows 11.6% of Georgia households had zero or negative net worth in 2024, down from 12.7% the year prior.

Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Debt Relief

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The percentage of Georgia households reporting zero or negative net worth declined to 11.6% in 2024, down from 12.7% the previous year. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Data from the 2024 U.S. Census Bureau Survey of Income and Program Participation indicates that 11.6% of Georgia households reported zero or negative net worth. This figure represents an improvement from the 12.7% rate observed in 2023.

Why it matters

A zero or negative net worth signifies that a household's total debts equal or exceed its assets. Tracking these rates provides insight into regional financial stability and the prevalence of debt burdens across different states.

The 2024 study estimates that 11.6% of Georgia households have zero or negative net worth, falling within a 90% confidence interval of 9.0% to 14.2%. By comparison, Hawaii reported the lowest state rate at 4.1%.

The players

U.S. Census Bureau

This federal agency is the primary source of demographic and economic data for the United States.

SmartAsset

This financial technology company produces reports and studies on personal finance trends.

The details

The analysis uses data from the Census Bureau to determine net worth by comparing household assets against liabilities. While Georgia saw a decrease in households with zero or negative net worth, other states including Oklahoma, Mississippi, and New York reported rates significantly higher than the 11.3% national average.

Timeline

  1. 2023: 12.7% of Georgia households had zero or negative net worth.

  2. 2024: The study period for the household net worth estimates.

  3. July 15, 2026: The Census Bureau released the 2024 SIPP data.

  4. September 2026: SmartAsset released the full report.

Market Dynamics

The report utilizes the U.S. Census Bureau's Survey of Income and Program Participation to measure wealth inequality trends across American states. This study updates the long-term national economic picture by benchmarking regional debt-to-asset ratios against historical survey findings.

The data highlights the ongoing prevalence of debt over assets for a notable segment of the population, which may influence personal savings and debt management strategies. Households may consider reviewing their own asset-to-debt ratios in light of these regional averages to assess their financial standing.

The takeaway

Maintaining a positive net worth requires a careful balance between managing debt obligations and accumulating tangible assets. Residents should focus on long-term debt reduction strategies to move toward greater financial security.

Further reading

Learn more about local financial trends in the Georgia Debt Relief section.

More information

Review the full statistics and state-by-state breakdowns in the full SmartAsset report.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Savannah Morning News.

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