Consumer credit card debt fell 10% during the first half of the year and 17% from a year ago, and now totals $6,472, according to data Credit Karma released Wednesday. Credit scores held steady since the start of the year at 667, down two points from June 2010.
Consumers in Colorado had the highest amount of credit card debt at $7,543, followed by New Jersey at $7,531 and Connecticut at $7,479. Consumers in 12 states decreased credit card debt more than the national average including: New Hampshire, down 17%; Hawaii and Wisconsin, down 14%; Alabama, New York and West Virginia, down 13%; Minnesota, Missouri, Illinois, down 12% and California, Massachusetts and Texas, down 11%.
The states with the highest credit scores include California (685), Massachusetts (683), New Jersey (683), New York (679), Utah (679) and Washington (679). Consumers in Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina and West Virginia have credit scores of 650 or lower which is considered poor.
The report also revealed that since January the average consumer with an account increased student loan debt by 4% to $29,910 and auto loans by 5% to $13,998. In the same period, consumers saw a 1% decline in outstanding mortgage loans to $172,286 and a 4% decline in home equity loans to $47,537.
"Economists are optimistic about the second half of 2011 as gas prices continue to drop and home costs level off. The data supports this trend, reflected by stable credit scores this year and consumers reducing their credit card debt," says Kin Lin, CEO at CreditKarma.com.
CreditKarma.com's U.S. Consumer Credit Score Climate Report compares the credit scores of its user base with previous scores pulled at least 30 days prior and no more than 90 days prior to the stated month. The June 2011 report includes a comparison of more than 211,849 CreditKarma.com user scores.
