Where do the SCF findings apply?
The Short Answer
The SCF is designed to represent U.S. families. It includes a broad geographic sample and a second sample that helps capture wealth concentrated among fewer families.
National estimates do not tell you the answer for every ZIP Code.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get an SCF wealth estimate for my ZIP Code here?
No. Our published figures are national. We do not turn them into ZIP Code or neighborhood estimates.
Does the survey cover only wealthy families?
No. The design represents families across financial circumstances and includes an additional sample to measure concentrated wealth more effectively.
Does a national median tell me what my family should have?
No. A median describes the middle of a distribution. It is not a personal target or a score for your household.
The Long Answer · Go deeper
The SCF is designed to describe U.S. families nationally. Its sampling strategy includes a geographically broad sample and a supplemental sample that helps measure wealth concentrated among a relatively small number of families. Survey weights connect the selected observations to the target population; raw interview counts alone do not produce national estimates.
National representativeness does not make every local subgroup representative. Applying a national median to a ZIP Code, neighborhood, or individual household creates an estimate the survey was not designed to support. Professional directory categories on this site help readers identify relevant kinds of assistance; they are not local financial rankings or evidence about a particular provider’s clients.
Read the Federal Reserve source ↗ · Independent Consumer Magazine explanation