US household debt reaches $19.1 trillion as overdue share rises to 5%
US household debt rose by $334 billion in the third quarter of 2026, reaching about $19.1 trillion, according to the New York Fed. Mortgages accounted for most of the increase. The share of outstanding debt already overdue rose to 5%, although credit card balances newly entering delinquency improved slightly.
Economics & Markets··Midday
Mortgages dominate the increase
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York, a regional bank in the US central banking system, reported that household debt rose 1.8%, or $334 billion, in the third quarter of 2026. Balances reached approximately $19.1 trillion at the end of September. Mortgage debt increased $257 billion to about $13.4 trillion. PYMNTS also reported the quarterly increase, noting that mortgages made up most of it. The figures measure outstanding borrowing across households rather than the amount of new loans issued during the quarter.[1], [2]
Card and vehicle borrowing also grows
Credit card debt increased by $22 billion to approximately $1.29 trillion, and auto loan balances rose $21 billion to $1.73 trillion. Home equity lines of credit, which allow borrowing against housing equity, grew $23 billion to $481 billion, the largest increase in that category since 2005. New mortgage originations totalled $595 billion during the quarter. Aggregate credit card limits increased $115 billion; this is additional authorised borrowing capacity, distinct from the outstanding balances already owed.[1]
Overdue debt and new delinquencies diverge
The share of debt in some stage of delinquency rose from 4.7% in the preceding quarter to 5%. However, credit card balances newly entering early or serious delinquency improved slightly. Transitions into early delinquency increased for mortgages and auto loans. Mortgages newly becoming at least 90 days overdue also worsened, although the New York Fed said this remained low by historical standards and described housing credit quality overall as strong. Its report uses a nationally representative sample of anonymised Equifax credit records.[1], [2]
