Owning assets that generate steady income is no longer reserved for the wealthy. Due to the pressure of inflation, traditional investment methods with low yields just don’t cut it anymore. Even those with little experience are rethinking how they invest. That’s why more households are jumping into the markets, making their money work for them. This form of investment isn’t new, and its popularity has been growing for years. What’s new is how many Americans are finally taking action and how simple it’s become to get started, thanks to low-cost investing tools and accessible online resources.
Market Participation Is No Longer an Elite Club
According to recent data, over 60% of Americans own stocks. A decade ago, that number was just above 50%. That shows a quiet transformation of how households think about money.
This isn’t just a trend among the wealthy. About two-thirds of middle-income families hold investment accounts, and nearly one in four Americans earning under $40,000 are now in the market through workplace retirement plans or low-cost mutual funds. According to data from Russell Investments, Mutual fund ownership has risen to 53.7% of households, a dramatic leap from just 5.7% in 1980.
Retail investors are also showing up more often and with more confidence. Depending on volatility and market cycles, individual traders now account for an estimated 10% to 25% of U.S. market activity.
Forex trading, long considered a niche corner of finance, is seeing its retail revival. Globally, the forex platform market reached $15.3 billion in 2024, driven by mobile-friendly platforms and tighter spreads. In the U.S., active margin forex trading accounts grew by 11% year-over-year, hitting 186,000, a sign that new and returning investors are testing the waters of round-the-clock currency markets.
What’s changed is access. Many traditional barriers are disappearing, like high fees, complex paperwork, and intermediaries. Investing no longer requires a suit or a degree. Thanks to platforms like Robinhood, E*TRADE, and SoFi, it only requires a smartphone, a small deposit, and a good strategy.
Why the Sudden Interest in Passive Income?
When more than 68% of Americans say they’re living paycheck to paycheck, passive income isn’t a luxury; it’s a survival strategy. People are tired of debt and having no financial safety net. And rather than burn out with side hustles, they’re looking at markets to build something that earns while they sleep.
Short-form social media content also helped enhance financial literacy among Americans. FinTok videos and bite-sized explainers translate financial concepts so that even rookies can understand. Thanks to financial advisors on TikTok and other platforms, followers pick up actionable investing tips and feel more secure.
Where the Real Money Is Made
Passive assets are close to half of all money managed worldwide, as global index fund and ETF inflows reached roughly $1.4 trillion in 2024.
People are choosing passive investment strategies because they work. In 2024 alone, passive funds outperformed two-thirds of their active counterparts. Stretch that timeline to 20 years, and 90% of active managers fall behind their low-cost benchmarks.
The truth may be boring, but profitable: passive investing beats most attempts at cleverness in the long term. But this doesn’t mean other methods should be left out of the picture. Investing should not be about predicting the next winner, but capturing the entire field.
Four Ways Americans Are Building Passive Income
The average American investor isn’t trying to outperform the S&P 500. They’re trying to stay ahead of inflation, build stability, and buy back time. Here’s how they do that:
- Index Funds and ETFs: The go-to choice for hands-off investing. Low fees, built-in diversification, and no need to guess what’s next. It’s investing on autopilot for people who understand that consistent exposure beats market timing.
- Dividend Stocks and REITs: Cash-flow assets aren’t just for retirees. Dividend stocks reward patience. Real estate investment trusts offer yield without the headache of property management. Once they’re bought, they keep paying.
- Bonds and Bond Funds: Interest rates climbed sharply between 2021 and 2023, boosting bond yields. This made bonds more attractive for people seeking income with lower risk.
- Private Market Exposure: While less accessible, private investments are also gaining traction. Investors with longer time horizons, up froming to carve out a decade ago. These sections of their portfolios are for opportunities outside the public markets.
Important to Know
Modern-day investing doesn’t require forecasts or fancy tools. It requires a process. A few basic rules, if applied consistently, will outperform nearly every hot tip you’ll hear over brunch:
- Don’t chase returns.
- Don’t try to outsmart the market.
- Don’t trade emotionally.
- Don’t stop when the headlines turn red.
The winners aren’t the fastest; they’re the ones who stay calm, automate contributions, and let compounding do the talking. If you’re getting started in the markets, you need to know this:
- Volatility is part of the deal. The trick is not reacting to every bump in the road. The market rewards resilience, not panic.
- Even with more tools available, income and wealth gaps still shape who can participate and how much. Systemic barriers mean some Americans are still miles behind in the game.
- Lately, many market gains have come from a few massive tech companies, so diversification matters. Unthinkingly buying the trend of the moment won’t get you long-term income.
Let the Market Do the Heavy Lifting
More Americans are investing because they understand what real wealth looks like. It’s slow. It’s steady. It’s quiet. Markets aren’t shortcuts. Investors should follow the system strictly. A long-term game with a well-documented playbook. The real value of passive income isn’t the extra money. It’s the peace of mind that tomorrow doesn’t depend entirely on today. And that’s worth every quiet, compounding dollar
