Did you know that just under two percent of Americans can claim bragging rights to a flawless 850 FICO score? That number is exactly 1.76% of consumers across the country, according to Experian. (1)
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Think of your FICO score as a 3-digit headline version of your credit story. It sums up how long you’ve been borrowing, how much credit you have and if you pay your bills on time.
The data from March 2025 shows that this is actually the highest percentage of Americans since 2009.
Very few people reach this level, but what really matters are the habits they follow. Here’s what they’re doing and how you can use the same strategies to raise your own score, no matter where you land now.
The habits of the 850 club
To understand where you stand, you should understand how your FICO score is calculated.
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35% is based on your payment history
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30% is made up of your total amount owing
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15% tracks the length of your credit history
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10% is your credit mix
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10% is any new credit
Most Americans score in the “good” category or above, with a number 670 or higher, according to Bank of America. (2) If you’re aiming to move the dial and score higher, you’ll want to follow in the footsteps of the 1.76%.
First, their payment history is spotless. According to myFICO. (3) This makes sense as it’s the largest portion of how your FICO score is calculated. They don’t have any missed due dates, late fees and they pay every bill on time — being consistent over the length of their credit history.
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They also keep their credit utilization (4) — how much credit they actually use — extremely low. On average, Experian reports they only use 4% of the total balance they have available. (1) Instead of maxing out cards, they spread their purchases across accounts and often pay balances before statements close. That keeps their utilization rate in the single digits, which signals to lenders that they’re not relying just on credit.
Another key factor is longevity. These borrowers rarely close old accounts, even if they don’t use them often, because the age of credit history helps boost their score. They also maintain a mix of credit types, balancing revolving accounts like credit cards with installment loans such as mortgages or car payments.
Finally, they don’t open new accounts constantly. Having fewer hard inquiries and a stable roster of accounts shows that they can manage debt without chasing new credit every few months.
What to focus on
Perfect-score borrowers are strategic. Carrying a credit card balance is expensive. That’s why many people prioritize paying down revolving debts first, since credit cards usually have the highest interest rates and the biggest impact on utilization ratios. Installment loans matter too, but as long as payments are made on time, they don’t drag scores down as much as credit cards can.
Experian’s research shows that certain metro areas, like Boulder, Colorado and San Jose, California, are home to more people with perfect scores. (4) That likely reflects higher average incomes and more disposable cash to stay ahead on bills and avoid big credit balances.
But it also hints at something more practical: living within your means and lowering everyday costs, when possible, frees up money to keep debt under control.
For the average borrower, the most powerful moves aren’t complicated:
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Pay every bill on time.
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Keep credit card balances below your limit.
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Think twice before closing old accounts or opening new ones.
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Take care of high-interest revolving balances first when you’re paying off debt.
Most lenders keep their best rates and offers for people with scores in the low-to-mid 800s. In other words, you can unlock nearly all of the perks of “perfect” credit without ever having to hit the perfect 850. According to American Express, (5) good-to-excellent credit is usually enough to secure top loan and card terms.
But working toward perfection by taking on these habits pays off. Even if you never join the 1.76% club with a flawless score, you’ll protect yourself from sky-high interest rates and open doors to better financial opportunities.
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Article sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.
Experian (1; 4); Bank of America (2); FICO (3); American Express (5)
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.