How Many Americans Own Stock? The Answer Might Surprise You: 58% and Rising.

Key Points As of April 2026, 58% of Americans own stock. One of the most common ways to own stock is with exchange-traded funds (ETFs) like the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF. Owning stocks with low-cost index funds like VOO is often a good strategy for everyday investors to build long-term wealth. 10 stocks we like better than Vanguard S&P 500 ETF › Many people might assume that only rich people own stocks, or that the stock market is only important for "big money" institutional investors like banks , endowments, and pension funds. That's not true. More people own stock than you might expect. How many Americans own stock? According to Motley Fool research and Gallup polls, 58% of American adults own stock as of April 2026.