Gold Ownership Statistics in America
Who Owns Gold, How Much, and Why It Matters
How many people own gold? Despite prices hitting $5,000 per ounce in 2026, only about 1 in 10 Americans owns physical gold. This page compiles the most current data on gold ownership in America.
10.8%
Of Americans Own Physical Gold
85%
Of Institutions Hold Gold
23%
Call Gold the Best Investment
8,133.5
Tonnes in U.S. Reserves
The Ownership Gap: Gold vs. Stocks
So how many people own gold compared to stocks? Only about 1 in 10 Americans owns physical gold, while 6 in 10 own stocks.
Physical Gold
10.8%
of Americans
Stocks
62%
of Americans
Source: Gold IRA Guide, Gallup.
What Americans Think Is the Best Long-Term Investment
Gallup's annual poll (2011–2025). In 2025, gold overtook stocks for second place at 23%.
Source: Gallup Economy and Personal Finance Poll, conducted annually in April.
Gold Ownership by Demographics
Gold ownership skews older, while lower-income Americans are more likely to view gold as the best long-term investment.
By Age
Source: Gallup
By Income (Gold as "Best Investment")
Source: Gallup 2025
Lower-income Americans are more likely to view gold as the best long-term investment. Higher earners prefer stocks.
How Americans Own Gold
Five categories of gold exposure, from direct physical ownership to indirect investment vehicles.
Physical Gold (Bars & Coins)
Approximately 10.8% of Americans own physical gold. The most direct form of ownership, requiring secure storage.
Gold ETFs
Growing fastest. U.S.-listed gold ETFs held a record 2,019 tonnes ($280B AUM) by end of 2025.
Gold IRAs
Increased interest from 2020–2025 as investors sought tax-advantaged precious metals exposure.
Mining Stocks & Funds
Indirect exposure through publicly traded gold mining companies and mutual funds.
Jewelry
The largest global category of gold ownership, though often not considered an 'investment' in the U.S.
Institutional Gold Ownership
The World Gold Council surveyed 525 North American professional investors in late 2023.
85%
of institutional investors hold gold
69%
2018
76%
2019
85%
2023
More than half held at least 1% of assets under management in gold. 24% had allocations of 3% or more.
U.S. Government Gold Reserves
The United States holds the world's largest sovereign gold reserve at 8,133.5 tonnes, representing 76% of total foreign reserves.
Data as of December 2025. The U.S. stores gold at Fort Knox (4,583 tonnes), Denver Mint, and West Point. Source: U.S. Treasury Fiscal Data.
| # | Country | Gold (Tonnes) | % of Reserves |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 8,133.5 | 76% |
| 2 | Germany | 3,351.5 | 74% |
| 3 | Italy | 2,451.8 | 71% |
| 4 | France | 2,437 | 72% |
| 5 | Russia | 2,332.7 | 32% |
| 6 | China | 2,279.6 | 6% |
| 7 | Switzerland | 1,040 | 9% |
| 8 | India | 876.2 | 11% |
| 9 | Japan | 846 | 6% |
| 10 | Poland | 765.2 | 20% |
Central Bank Gold Purchases (Tonnes Per Year)
Central banks purchased over 1,000 tonnes annually from 2022–2024, an unprecedented streak.
95% of central banks expect global gold reserves to increase.
A record 43% plan to increase their own holdings. Source: World Gold Council.
U.S. vs. Global Comparison
Despite having the world's largest government reserves, American consumers buy far less gold per capita than counterparts in Asia and Europe.
28%
of Germans have invested in gold
Source: World Gold Council
824.9t
Largest gold consumer: 824.9 tonnes in 2024
Source: World Gold Council
Cultural
Gold is a regular household budget item
Source: FICCI
Why Gold Ownership Remains Low in the U.S.
Four structural factors keep American gold ownership well below stock market participation.
Stock Market Dominance
62% of Americans own stocks via 401(k)s and IRAs. No equivalent auto-enrollment exists for gold.
No Yield
Gold generates no dividends or interest, a psychological barrier for income-focused investors.
Storage Friction
Physical gold requires secure storage and insurance, unlike digital stock holdings.
Price Barrier
At $5,000+/oz, a single coin costs more than many Americans have in emergency savings.
Methodology & Sources
This page is updated as new survey and demand data becomes available. Last updated: February 2026.
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