>For a left political event that will happen soon, I need an up-to-date,
>accurate statistic on the percentage of wealth (assets, income, etc.)
>possessed by the top1% and top 10% of the U.S. population. I've seen
>figures for the top 1% ranging from 40% of the wealth to 99% of the
>wealth and figures for the top 10% from 70% to 90%. We want to present
>a correct set of figures. Can anyone be of help? Thanks.
According to Arthur Kennickell, who runs the Fed's Survey of Consumer Finances, in 1998, the richest 1% held 34% of all net worth, and 40% if you exclude the principal residence. The top 10% held 69% and 76% respectively. The bottom 60%, by the way, has next to nothing.
Doug