More Than You Ever Wanted To Know_ Credit Card Statistics_ Industry Facts_ Debt Statistics

At last tally, how many credit cards were in circulation? Which issuer had the most cards outstanding? Which has extended the most credit? Which card issuer sees the most debit-card use? Of the two, Visa and MasterCard, which has the largest presence? CreditCards.com has compiled a list of statistics and facts that will make any trivia buff smile. From the list:According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, there were 159 million credit cardholders in the United States in 2000, 173 million in 2006, and that number is projected to grow to 181 million Americans by 2010. (Source: Census Bureau)In 2006, the United States Census Bureau determined that there were nearly 1.5 billion credit cards in use in the U.S. A stack of all those credit cards would reach more than 70 miles into space — and be almost as tall as 13 Mount Everests. (Source: NY Times, Feb. 23, 2009)In 2007, 73.0 percent of U.S. families had credit cards in 2007. That’s a slight drop from 74.9 percent with cards in 2004. (Source: Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances, February 2009) As of Septembr 30, 2008, there were 339 million Visa credit cards and 314 million Visa debit cards in circulation in the United States. (Source: Visa.com)As of December 31, 2008, there were 263 million MasterCard credit cards and 126 million MasterCard debit cards in circulation in the United States. (Source: MasterCard.com)As of December 31, 2008, there were 54 million American Express credit cards in circulation in the United States. (Source: Nilson Report, February 2009)As of December 31, 2008, there were 57.1 million Discover credit cards in circulation in the United States. (Source: Nilson Report, February 2009)Two-thirds of survey respondents said they would consider switching their primary credit card if a better feature were offered. (Source: ComScore, September 2008)76 percent of undergraduates have credit cards, and the average undergrad has $2,200 in credit card. Additionally, they will amass almost $20,000 in student debt. (Source: Nellie Mae, “Undergraduate Students and Credit Cards in 2004: An Analysis of Usage Rates and Trends”)That’s just a fraction of the list. Head to CreditCards.com and check out the rest of it.