Survey Data
The data for this study were collected through an online survey of 28,146 respondents (approximately 500 per state, plus D.C.), over a five-month period, June through October 2009. Within each state, data were weighted to match 2008 American Community Survey (ACS) distributions on age category by gender, ethnicity and education. Additional information on the ACS is available at www.census.gov/acs. All data in the surveys are self-reported by the respondents themselves.
- Download the Methodology summary and full data tables for all states and Census divisions.
- View the highest and lowest ranking states for each measure of financial capability.
- Researchers are encouraged to explore these data and perform additional analyses that can inform programs and policy, in order to improve Americans' financial literacy and increase their overall financial capability. Visit the FINRA Foundation website to view the survey instrument and download a raw data file for statistical analysis.
Related Research using data from the National Financial Capability Study
- In Our Best Interest: Women, Financial
Literacy and Credit Card Behavior, Gary R. Mottola, Ph.D., April 2012
- How Do Financial Literacy and Financial Behavior Vary by State?, Employee Benefit Research Institute, Sudipto Banerjee, November 2011
- Notes, Employee Benefit Research Institute, November 2011
- The Effects of Perceived and Actual Financial Knowledge on Credit Card Behavior, Networks Financial Institute, Allgood and Walstad, July 2011
- Prohibitions, Price Caps and Disclosures: A Look at State Policies and Alternative Financial Product Use, Urban Institute, November 2010
- Americans' Financial Capability, A Report Prepared for the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission, Lusardi, February 2010
