Pawn Shop Statistics 2026: Market Size, Loans & Trends
2026 Pawn Shop Industry Overview
85% of pawn borrowers reclaim their item (National Pawnbrokers Association, 2021). This high redemption rate underscores the industry's role as a source of short-term, non-recourse credit rather than a marketplace of last resort. The U.S. pawn market is projected to reach $4.5 billion in 2026 (IBISWorld, 2025), served by 7,771 store locations (National Pawnbrokers Association, 2025). These shops provide liquidity to approximately 30 million Americans annually (National Pawnbrokers Association, 2021). To provide a definitive overview, we aggregated data from the NPA, IBISWorld, the FDIC, the Federal Reserve, the World Gold Council, CFPB materials, and SEC filings from public operators FirstCash and EZCorp.
Key Findings from 2026 Pawn Shop Statistics
- $150: The average pawn loan amount in the United States (National Pawnbrokers Association).
- 85%: The percentage of pawn loans that are repaid, with the borrower reclaiming their collateral (National Pawnbrokers Association).
- $4.5 Billion: The projected U.S. pawn shop market revenue for 2026 (IBISWorld, 2025).
- 7,771: The number of pawn store locations in the U.S. as of 2025 (National Pawnbrokers Association).
- 14.2%: The portion of U.S. households classified as underbanked in 2023 (FDIC, most recent available).
- $3,431/oz: The projected average price of gold for 2025 (World Gold Council).
- 3,311: The number of global locations operated by FirstCash Holdings as of Q3 2025 (FirstCash SEC Filings).
- 6%: The percentage of U.S. adults who used a pawn, payday, or auto title loan in the prior 12 months (Federal Reserve SHED, 2024).
- ~67%: The estimated share of pawn collateral represented by jewelry (Industry Estimates).
- 36%: The Military Lending Act APR cap for active-duty servicemembers and covered dependents (CFPB / Department of Defense).
1. U.S. Market Size and Revenue
Market data indicates a trend of consolidation, not decline. While the number of individual pawn businesses has decreased, overall industry revenue is rising, driven by larger, more efficient operators and higher asset values. The U.S. market is projected to reach $4.5 billion in 2026, reflecting steady consumer demand for accessible, collateral-based credit.
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Market Revenue (2026 Projection) | $4.5 Billion | IBISWorld Pawn Shops in the US Industry Report |
| U.S. Market CAGR (2021-2026) | +1.8% | IBISWorld |
| U.S. Pawn Business Count (2025) | 3,855 Establishments | IBISWorld |
| U.S. Business Count YoY Change | -1.1% | IBISWorld |
| U.S. Pawn Store Count (2025) | 7,771 Locations | National Pawnbrokers Association |
| Global Market Size Range (2025) | $36B - $43B | Cognitive Market Research, Maximize Market Research |
| Global Market CAGR (2025-2030) | ~4.5% | Various Analysts |
| U.S. Market YoY Growth (2025-2026) | +2.1% | IBISWorld |
Note: The discrepancy between IBISWorld's "business establishments" (3,855) and the NPA's "store locations" (7,771) reflects differing methodologies; the NPA counts every storefront, while IBISWorld may count a multi-store operator as a single business.
For many, a pawn loan is the most direct path to securing short-term capital. If you want a local step-by-step explanation, read our guide on how pawn loans work in Mobridge, SD.
2. Pawn Loan Mechanics, Terms, and Costs
The average pawn loan of $150 (National Pawnbrokers Association) directly addresses the small-dollar liquidity gaps that many households face. Contrary to common misconceptions, the vast majority of customers successfully repay their loans and retrieve their property. In fact, 85% repay and reclaim their item (National Pawnbrokers Association, 2021), confirming the model's utility as a temporary credit solution.
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Average Loan Amount | $150 | National Pawnbrokers Association |
| Average Loan-to-Value (LTV) Ratio | 60% of Resale Value | National Pawnbrokers Association |
| Average Loan Term | 30 Days + Grace Period | State Regulations |
| National Redemption Rate | 85% | National Pawnbrokers Association |
| National Forfeiture Rate | 15% | National Pawnbrokers Association |
| Average Monthly Fee (Interest + Fees) | 5% - 25% | State Regulations |
| Typical APR Range | 36% - 300% | State Regulations, CFPB |
| Average Transaction Time | ~10 Minutes | Industry Observation |
These pawn loans are structured as non-recourse debt, meaning a borrower's credit score is unaffected if they choose to forfeit the collateral.
3. Collateral Types and Precious Metals
The rising price of gold has a direct impact on pawn shop loan amounts and retail sales. With gold setting 53 all-time price highs in 2025 and averaging $3,431 per ounce (World Gold Council, 2025), the value of jewelry—the most common form of collateral—has increased significantly. This allows pawnbrokers to offer larger loans on items that customers already own.
Jewelry-heavy collateral categories also explain why regional gold styles, including Black Hills Gold, remain closely tied to pawn shop values, retail demand, and customer buying behavior.
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Jewelry Share of Collateral | ~67% | Industry Estimates |
| Electronics Share of Collateral | ~12% | Industry Estimates |
| Tools & Collectibles Share | ~8% | Industry Estimates |
| Global Annual Pawn Transactions | 500+ Million | World Gold Council |
| Gold Average Price (2025) | $3,431 / oz | World Gold Council |
| Gold Record High (2025) | $3,572 / oz | World Gold Council |
| Gold Price YoY Change (2024-2025) | +18.2% | World Gold Council |
| FirstCash Items Sold (2024) | 12.1 Million | FirstCash SEC Filings |
As precious metal prices fluctuate, customers can get updated valuations when seeking cash for gold or assessing the worth of their silver bullion.
4. Consumer Demographics and Financial Access
Pawn services are a critical component of the alternative financial services ecosystem. The ~30 million Americans who use pawn shops each year (National Pawnbrokers Association, 2021) are not defined by a credit score but often by their exclusion from mainstream banking. For the 14.2% of U.S. households that are underbanked (FDIC, 2023), pawn shops provide essential liquidity without the hurdles of traditional credit applications.
Many local customers also visit pawn and jewelry stores for related services such as jewelry repair, especially when they want to maintain, resize, or restore pieces that may also carry resale or sentimental value.
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Annual U.S. Customers | ~30 Million | National Pawnbrokers Association |
| Underbanked Households (2023) | 14.2% (18.7M) | FDIC 2023 Household Survey |
| Unbanked Households (2023) | 4.0% (5.9M) | FDIC |
| Households Using Nonbank Credit (2023) | 11.0% | FDIC |
| Adults Using Pawn/Payday Loans (2023) | 6% | Federal Reserve SHED Report |
| Unbanked Rate (Income <$25k) | 12.7% | FDIC |
| Unbanked Rate (Black Households) | 10.9% | FDIC |
| Unbanked Rate (Hispanic Households) | 8.4% | FDIC |
Understanding what we pawn in Mobridge provides a local snapshot of the assets people use to manage their financial lives.
5. Industry Consolidation and Major Operators
The pawn industry is increasingly characterized by consolidation, with large, publicly traded companies acquiring smaller independent operators. FirstCash Holdings' (Nasdaq: FCFS) acquisition of American First Finance and its expansion into the United Kingdom with the purchase of The Cash Converters International Limited's 118 stores highlight this global trend. As of Q3 2025, FirstCash operates 3,311 pawn locations across three continents.
Even as large chains expand, independent pawn shops with local history and community relationships still play an important role; you can learn more about our store on the about Larsen's Jewelry & Half Interest Pawn page.
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FirstCash Global Stores (Q3 2025) | 3,311 | FirstCash SEC Filings |
| FirstCash U.S. Locations | 1,804 | FirstCash SEC Filings |
| FirstCash Latin America Locations | 1,389 | FirstCash SEC Filings |
| FirstCash U.K. Locations | 118 | FirstCash SEC Filings |
| FirstCash U.S. Pawn Receivables (YE 2024) | $410.2 Million | FirstCash SEC Filings |
| FirstCash Pro Forma Revenue (2025 est.) | $3.5 Billion | Analyst Consensus |
| EZCorp Pawn Loans Outstanding (Q3 2024) | $235.7 Million | EZCorp SEC Filings |
| EZCorp PLO YoY Growth | +9.0% | EZCorp SEC Filings |
6. Regulation and Consumer Protections
Pawn transactions are governed by a matrix of federal, state, and local laws, including the Truth in Lending Act and the Military Lending Act. However, the cost of credit is primarily determined at the state level. Because of this, APRs can vary widely by state and borrower category (CFPB, state statutes, and federal consumer lending rules). This variance means the same type of pawn loan can carry different costs depending on jurisdiction and applicable protections.
Because pawn terms, item values, and customer options can vary by situation, our pawn shop FAQ answers common questions about how local pawn loans, selling items, and store visits work.
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Military Lending Act (MLA) APR Cap | 36% for Active Duty | CFPB / Department of Defense |
| Common Monthly Rate Range | 2% - 25% | State Statutes |
| Resulting APR Range | ~12% - 300%+ | CFPB, State Statutes |
| States with APRs >240% | 5 (AL, MS, etc.) | CFPB |
| Pawn, Payday, or Auto Title Loan Use | 6% of U.S. adults | CFPB / Federal Reserve SHED |
| Key Federal Governing Laws | TILA, MLA, BSA, GLBA | CFPB, FinCEN |
| States Requiring Return of Surplus | ~15 | National Pawnbrokers Association |
| NPA Bills Monitored (Q1 2025) | 120+ | National Pawnbrokers Association |
Pawn Shop Statistics by the Numbers
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Market Revenue (2026) | $4.5 Billion | IBISWorld |
| National Redemption Rate | 85% | National Pawnbrokers Association |
| Average Loan Amount | $150 | National Pawnbrokers Association |
| U.S. Pawn Store Locations | 7,771 | National Pawnbrokers Association |
| Annual U.S. Customers | ~30 Million | National Pawnbrokers Association |
| Underbanked Households (2023) | 14.2% | FDIC |
| Unbanked Households (2023) | 4.0% | FDIC |
| Adults Using Pawn/Payday Loans (2023) | 6% | Federal Reserve SHED Report |
| FirstCash Global Stores (Q3 2025) | 3,311 | FirstCash SEC Filings |
| Gold Average Price (2025) | $3,431 / oz | World Gold Council |
| Jewelry Share of Collateral | ~67% | Industry Estimates |
| Typical APR Range | 36% - 300% | State Regulations, CFPB |
| EZCorp PLO (Q3 2024) | $235.7 Million | EZCorp SEC Filings |
| U.S. Business Count (2025) | 3,855 | IBISWorld |
| Military Lending Act (MLA) APR Cap | 36% | Department of Defense / CFPB |
Cite This Pawn Shop Statistics Report
Suggested citation: Larsen's Jewelry & Half Interest Pawn. “Pawn Shop Statistics 2026: Market Size, Pawn Loans & Trends.” Updated April 2026. https://www.halfinterestpawn.com/blog/pawn-shop-statistics-2026
You may cite or reference this statistics roundup when discussing U.S. pawn shop market size, average pawn loan amounts, redemption rates, pawn collateral trends, underbanked households, and major pawn industry operators. Please link back to this page when using the data summary.
Methodology and Sources
This analysis was compiled from Tier 1 industry, governmental, financial, and public-company sources to support accuracy. Data is updated quarterly where source updates are available.
- National Pawnbrokers Association (NPA)
- IBISWorld, US Pawn Shops Industry Report (October 2025)
- FDIC 2023 National Survey of Unbanked and Underbanked Households (most recent available)
- Federal Reserve Board, 2024 Survey of Household Economics and Decisionmaking (SHED)
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), consumer-use and pawn-lending materials
- World Gold Council, Gold Demand Trends FY2025
- FirstCash Holdings, Inc. 8-K & 10-Q Filings 2024–2025 (SEC.gov)
- EZCORP, Inc. 8-K & 10-Q Filings 2024 (SEC.gov)
- Cognitive Market Research, Global Pawn Market Analysis 2025
Notes: Global market size figures vary across research firms, with most estimates falling in the $36 billion to $43 billion range for 2025. For U.S. market size and business count data, IBISWorld is the primary source cited. For U.S. store location counts, the National Pawnbrokers Association is cited. Please see the note in Section 1 for a discussion of this discrepancy.
For local questions about pawn loans, item values, gold, silver, jewelry, or store services in Mobridge, SD, contact Larsen's Jewelry & Half Interest Pawn.
Last updated: April 2026.
