B
aby boomers own 51.7 % of U.S. wealth, despite being under 20 % of the population. They hold about 41 % of all real estate—roughly $20 trillion—making real estate 22.7 % of their total assets. Generation X controls 29.4 % of the country’s property, about $14 trillion, which is 12.2 % less than boomers at the same age. Millennials own 20.4 % of real estate, just under $10 trillion, and place 40.8 % of their wealth in property versus 15.5 % in equities and mutual funds. Overall, boomers are 5.2 times wealthier than millennials, while Gen X holds roughly 25 % of national wealth and millennials about 10 %.

    A Self Financial report, based on Federal Reserve data for 1946–1964 (boomers), 1965–1980 (Gen X), and 1981–1996 (millennials), excludes Gen Z due to limited data. Altrata’s analysis predicts that by 2040, the great wealth transfer will shift $84 trillion from boomers to younger heirs, enabling millennials and Gen Z to acquire significant assets.