Ever wonder how your credit score stacks up against your peers? As of early 2025, the average credit score in the U.S. is holding steady at 715, according to Experian. But before you panic if you’re not quite there — take a breath. Scores vary a lot by age, and it’s totally normal for younger adults to have scores below that national average.
Let’s break down how credit scores change with age, what factors influence them, and how you can improve yours no matter where you’re starting from.
What Is a Credit Score, Really?
Your credit score is a three-digit number that tells lenders how trustworthy you are with borrowed money. It’s based on your credit reports, which track your payment history, debts, and more. Most scores fall between 300 and 850, with 670 and above generally considered “good.”
Here’s the twist: you don’t have just one credit score. You actually have several, depending on which credit bureau (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) and scoring model (like FICO or VantageScore) is being used. So, your FICO score with Experian might look slightly different than your VantageScore with TransUnion — and that’s totally normal.
Average Credit Score by Age in 2025
Here’s what the average FICO score looks like by age group, based on the latest data:
| Age Group | Average Credit Score |
|---|---|
| 18-24 (Gen Z) | 679 |
| 25-40 (Millennials) | 686 |
| 41-56 (Gen X) | 705 |
| 57-75 (Boomers) | 742 |
| 76+ (Silent Gen) | 760 |
As you can see, scores tend to climb as people get older. That’s largely because older adults have had more time to build credit histories, pay off debts, and avoid mistakes. Younger adults are still getting started — often while juggling student loans, high rent, and other financial hurdles.
What Impacts Credit Scores?
Some of the biggest factors include:
- Payment history (most important): Are you making payments on time?
- Credit utilization: How much of your available credit are you using?
- Length of credit history: The longer, the better.
- New credit: Too many new accounts or hard inquiries can ding your score.
- Credit mix: A variety of credit types (like loans and credit cards) can help.
How to Improve Your Score at Any Age
Whether you’re 19 or 69, your score isn’t set in stone. You can boost it by:
- Paying every bill on time (even minimum payments).
- Keeping credit card balances low.
- Avoiding unnecessary new credit inquiries.
- Checking your credit reports for errors.
Pro tip: Negative marks (like late payments or collections) drop off your credit report after 7 years, and their impact fades over time. So, if you’ve made mistakes in the past, know that you’re not stuck with them forever.
Where to Check Your Credit Score
You’ve got options:
- Many banks and credit card apps offer free score tracking.
- Credit bureaus like Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax have free tools.
- AnnualCreditReport.com is the only federally authorized site for checking your full credit reports — free once a week.
Keeping an eye on your scores and reports helps you spot issues early and track your progress.
Bottom Line
If your score is lower than average for your age group, don’t stress — just make a plan. Credit health is all about consistency. Stay on top of your bills, manage your balances, and let time do its thing. You’ve got this.
