The Average Credit Score By Age

How Your Credit Score Changes Over Time: A Look at Averages by Age Group

Credit scores tend to change as people move through different life stages, and your age can play a big role in how your score evolves. On average, younger adults tend to have lower scores simply because they haven’t had as much time to build a credit history. As people get older, credit scores usually increase thanks to longer credit histories, more experience managing debt, and a solid track record of payments.

But it’s not just about age, it’s also about how you manage your credit over time. In this article, we’ll break down the average credit score by age group, so you can see where you stand, what’s normal, and what steps you might take to boost your score no matter your age.

Why Age Impacts Your Credit Score

Age doesn’t directly affect your credit score, but the things that come with age definitely do. Think about it, when you’re younger, you’re just getting started with credit. You might have a new credit card, a small personal loan, or maybe no credit at all. That means your credit history is short, and you haven’t had much time to prove you can manage debt responsibly.

As you get older, you likely have more accounts, a longer credit history, and hopefully a solid pattern of on-time payments. All of those things help boost your score over time.

So while your age itself isn’t factored in, the financial habits and experiences that come with age definitely play a part. The longer you’ve been using credit wisely, the better your score tends to be. That’s why older age groups often have higher average scores, time is on their side when it comes to building strong credit.

Average Credit Scores by Age Group

Ages 18–24

At this stage, most people are just starting out with credit. Maybe it’s a student credit card, a small loan, or even just being an authorized user on a parent’s card. Because their credit history is short and limited, average scores for this group tend to be the lowest, usually in the mid to high 600s. That’s totally normal and expected.

Ages 25–40

This group is in the building phase, with more accounts, bigger loans like cars or mortgages, and a few financial lessons along the way. Average scores here usually rise into the low to mid 700s, as credit histories grow and payment habits become more established.

Ages 41–65+

With decades of credit use under their belt, these individuals often have the highest scores, typically in the mid to high 700s. Long credit histories, diverse credit types, and consistent payments all help boost scores in these age brackets.

Common Credit Challenges at Different Life Stages

Credit challenges can look very different depending on where you are in life. For young adults just starting out, the biggest hurdle is often a lack of credit history. Without much time to build a track record, it can be tough to get approved for loans or even a decent credit card.

In your 30s and 40s, the focus shifts; this is when big financial moves like mortgages, car loans, and family expenses come into play. Managing debt while trying to grow your credit can feel like a balancing act.

Then, in your 50s and beyond, challenges often involve maintaining a strong score while approaching retirement, when income might decrease and priorities shift.

No matter your age, the key is being proactive, which means monitoring your credit, paying on time, and using credit wisely.

What Your Credit Score Says About Your Financial Journey

Your credit score is almost like a snapshot of how you’ve handled money over time. If you’ve made payments on time, kept your credit card balances low, and managed debt responsibly, chances are your score shows that.

However, missed payments or high credit utilization might have knocked it down a bit. But here’s the good news: your credit score isn’t set in stone. It changes as your habits do. Your score tells a story of where you’ve been and hints at where you’re headed. It’s a tool lenders use to judge risk, but it can also be a guide for you, showing what you’re doing right and where there’s room to grow. So, check in with it regularly!

Age definitely plays a role when determining your overall credit score, but it’s not the whole story. While it’s true that older adults tend to have higher scores thanks to longer credit histories and more financial experience, that doesn’t mean younger people can’t achieve strong credit early on.

It’s really important to stay consistent: pay your bills on time, keep your credit utilization low, and avoid taking on more debt than you can handle. No matter what age group you fall into, it’s never too late, or too early, to start building or improving your credit.