Consumer Debt up 12% over 2002

National and Statewide results for a study from Experian found that:

A U.S. consumers’ average debt is 12% higher than it was last year. Consumers have an average debt of $11,224 compared to last year’s average of $10,024. 25% of U.S. consumers have debt that is above the national average and their average Experian PLUS Score is 695. By comparison, the average PLUS Score for consumers with debt below the national average is 671.

"It’s important for consumers to remember that having debt is not always a bad thing as long as they manage it well," said Ed Ojdana, President of Experian Consumer Direct. "They should also assess their finances on a regular basis by checking their accounts to be sure everything is in order before making future purchases."