U.S. pawn shop market size, average loan amounts, redemption rates, what state laws allow on a pawn loan, the largest chains by store count, gold-price trends and consumer financial access — updated with results through June 2026.
Local note: This is a national industry-statistics article, not the main local service page for pawn loans. For local store details at Larsen's Jewelry & Half Interest Pawn in Mobridge, SD, use the Pawn Loans in Mobridge page, the What We Pawn in Mobridge page, the Cash for Gold page, or text photos to (605) 850-9455 before making the drive.
What Changed in the Q3 2026 Update
This update adds second-quarter results from both public pawn operators, IBISWorld's September 2026 market estimate, the Federal Reserve's 2025 household survey and the World Gold Council's Q2 gold data, plus a table of what fourteen state pawn laws allow.
Market estimate is higher
IBISWorld's September 2026 update puts U.S. pawn shop revenue at about $5.4 billion for 2026, while its count of pawn-shop businesses fell to 3,969, down 1.1% from 2025. Fewer operators and more revenue is consolidation in one line. (Earlier versions of this report used IBISWorld's $4.5 billion figure for 2025.)
FirstCash: record second quarter
Revenue of $1.07 billion, up 29%, and record pawn receivables of $898 million at 30 June 2026 — up 63% in total and 22% on a same-store basis (acquisitions account for most of the gap). U.S. same-store receivables rose 19%. The company ended June with 3,343 pawn stores, 1,212 of them in the U.S.
EZCORP: record pawn loans
In its fiscal third quarter (to 30 June 2026), EZCORP's revenue rose 35% to $418.7 million and pawn loans outstanding rose 33% to a record $387.2 million. U.S. pawn loans outstanding were up 15% to $254.5 million, and jewelry scrap sales more than doubled (+110%) on the higher gold price.
Gold: a record Q1, a softer Q2
The LBMA PM gold price averaged a record US$4,872.90/oz in Q1 2026, then US$4,506.30 in Q2 — 8% lower than Q1 but 37% above Q2 2025, per the World Gold Council. Recycled gold fell 6% year over year in Q2 as lower prices discouraged selling old jewelry.
More adults used pawn-type loans
The Federal Reserve's survey of 2025 (published May 2026) found 7% of adults used a payday, pawn, auto title or tax refund anticipation loan, up from 6% in 2024 — and 13% to 14% among adults with family income under $50,000. The FDIC's 2023 survey (14.2% of households underbanked) is still the latest of its kind.
State rate table added
We read fourteen state pawn statutes. Among states that set a number, the ceiling on a $100 loan for 30 days runs from $2 plus storage (Missouri) to $25 (Florida, Georgia); South Dakota, North Dakota and Nebraska set no state figure. See the table.
Bottom line for Q3 2026: Record loan balances at both public operators, a higher IBISWorld revenue estimate and a small rise in alternative-credit use point the same way — pawn demand grew through mid-2026, even as gold eased from its Q1 record.
2026 Pawn Shop Industry Overview
Pawn shops remain a major part of the U.S. small-dollar credit landscape. The National Pawnbrokers Association describes pawn loans as small, short-term, collateral-based loans. The NPA's Pawn Industry Statistics sheet cites an average loan around $150, while the NPA's current FAQ says pawn transactions average less than $180 nationwide. NPA materials also cite a redemption rate around 85%, and the NPA's FAQ, citing IBISWorld's September 2024 figures, puts the industry at roughly 7,771 pawn stores, approximately 37,000 people employed, and about $3 billion contributed to the U.S. economy. IBISWorld's September 2026 update puts U.S. pawn shop revenue at about $5.4 billion in 2026. FDIC and Federal Reserve data show why alternative financial services still matter for households that are unbanked, underbanked, or facing short-term cash-flow gaps.
This report is built to be useful for journalists, bloggers, local business owners, researchers, and customers comparing pawn loans with other short-term credit options. It summarizes the key numbers, explains what they mean, and links to the source material where possible. It is refreshed quarterly — the last full refresh was September 28, 2026.
2026 Pawn Shop Data Snapshot (Q3 Update)
Need a quick citation? These are the most linkable statistics from this report, refreshed in September 2026. Several figures are source-dependent estimates or projections, so cite the source and year when referencing them.
Top 10 Pawn Shop Statistics for 2026
This table is designed for quick reference. When citing a number, include the source name and year where available because pawn industry figures can vary by methodology.
| Statistic | Figure | Source / Context |
|---|---|---|
| Average U.S. pawn loan amount | About $150 (NPA statistics sheet); less than $180 (NPA FAQ) | National Pawnbrokers Association |
| National pawn-loan redemption rate | About 85% | National Pawnbrokers Association |
| U.S. pawn shop market size | About $5.4 billion in 2026 | IBISWorld, September 2026 |
| U.S. pawn store locations | About 7,771, most family-owned small businesses | NPA, citing IBISWorld (September 2024) |
| Industry employment | Approximately 37,000 people | NPA, citing IBISWorld (September 2024) |
| FirstCash pawn receivables, 30 June 2026 | $898 million, a record; +63% total, +22% same-store; Q2 revenue $1.07B (+29%) | FirstCash Q2 2026 results |
| EZCORP pawn loans outstanding, 30 June 2026 | $387.2 million, a record; +33%; Q3 FY2026 revenue $418.7M (+35%) | EZCORP Q3 fiscal 2026 results |
| Underbanked U.S. households | 14.2% in 2023 (4.2% unbanked) | FDIC |
| Adults using payday, pawn, auto title, or tax refund anticipation loans | 7% in 2025 (6% in 2024) | Federal Reserve SHED |
| Gold price | Record quarterly average of US$4,872.90/oz in Q1 2026; US$4,506.30 in Q2 (+37% y/y) | World Gold Council |
Key Findings from 2026 Pawn Shop Statistics
- $150 to less than $180: The NPA's Pawn Industry Statistics sheet cites an average around $150, while the current NPA FAQ describes pawn transactions as averaging less than $180 nationwide.
- 85%: NPA-cited share of pawn loans that are repaid, with borrowers reclaiming collateral.
- $5.4 billion: IBISWorld's September 2026 estimate of U.S. pawn shop revenue for 2026.
- 7,771 stores, 3,969 businesses: the NPA's store count (citing IBISWorld, 2024) and IBISWorld's 2026 count of pawn-shop businesses measure different things; both are right.
- 37,000 jobs and $3 billion: NPA-cited industry employment and contribution to the U.S. economy.
- 14.2% and 4.2%: FDIC-reported shares of U.S. households classified as underbanked and unbanked in 2023.
- 7%: Federal Reserve share of adults who used a payday, pawn, auto title, or tax refund anticipation loan in 2025, up from 6% in 2024.
- $2 plus storage to $25: what state pawn laws allow on a $100 loan for 30 days, across the fourteen statutes we read (not counting the states that set no number).
- Jewelry leads: Jewelry is widely described as the dominant pawn collateral category, though exact shares vary by operator and market.
- 36%: Military Lending Act APR cap for active-duty servicemembers and covered dependents.
- Operator signal through June 2026: FirstCash pawn receivables hit a record $898M; EZCORP pawn loans outstanding hit a record $387.2M.
Getting a pawn loan or selling gold in Mobridge, SD?
National statistics are useful, but your offer depends on your item's condition, brand, metal content, and current market. Larsen's Jewelry & Half Interest Pawn at 211 N Main St offers same-day pawn loans with no credit check and transparent cash-for-gold testing.
1. U.S. Market Size and Revenue
Market data points to consolidation rather than simple decline. The number of individual operators can fall while overall industry revenue rises because larger multi-location companies control a greater share of transactions. IBISWorld's September 2026 update puts Pawn Shops in the US revenue at about $5.4 billion in 2026, while its count of pawn-shop businesses fell to 3,969, down 1.1% from 2025 and down about 1% a year since 2021. IBISWorld's own summary pages do not all agree (one still shows $5.2 billion and 4,012 businesses), so cite the specific page and date when you use the number.
Revenue and Store Count Trends
Store-count and establishment-count figures vary because different sources use different methodologies. A trade association may count every storefront, while an industry research firm may count business establishments or operators differently. That is why this report separates store counts, establishments, and revenue instead of treating them as interchangeable.
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. market size | About $5.4 billion in 2026 | IBISWorld Pawn Shops market size page, September 2026 |
| Pawn-shop businesses | 3,969 in 2026, down 1.1% from 2025 | IBISWorld number of businesses page |
| U.S. store locations | About 7,771, most family-owned small businesses | NPA, citing IBISWorld (September 2024) |
| Industry employment and economic contribution | About 37,000 employed; about $3 billion contributed | NPA, citing IBISWorld (September 2024) |
Methodology note: Store counts, establishments, and business counts are not always the same thing. Use care when comparing NPA, IBISWorld, SEC filing, and market-research figures.
For many customers, a pawn loan is a direct way to access short-term cash using an item they already own. For the local version, with the ticket, renewals and what happens if you do not repay, see how pawn loans work in Mobridge, SD.
2. Pawn Loan Mechanics, Terms, and Costs
A pawn loan is a collateral-based loan. The borrower leaves an item with the pawnbroker, receives a loan, and can repay within the loan period to reclaim the item. If the borrower does not repay, the item is forfeited and sold. In a typical pawn transaction, there is no credit check, no credit reporting, and no collection balance after forfeiture.
How Pawn Loan Amounts Are Determined
Pawnbrokers generally lend against an item's realistic resale value, not its original retail price or sentimental value. A ring, tool, instrument, or electronic item is reviewed for condition, demand, completeness, brand, metal content, market pricing, and resale risk. For jewelry, karat, weight, and current precious-metal prices often matter heavily.
Loan Terms, Fees, and APR Ranges
Pawn loan terms and fees vary by state. Monthly charges may include interest and service fees, and APR can look high when a short-term monthly fee is annualized. The important consumer distinction is that pawn loans are secured by collateral and are usually non-recourse. CFPB Regulation 1041 commentary describes an excluded pawn loan as one where the lender keeps physical possession of the property and has no recourse, if the consumer does not redeem and repay, other than retaining the pawned property according to state or local law. The borrower can repay and reclaim the item, renew where allowed, or forfeit the collateral with no remaining balance.
| Metric | Typical Figure | Source / Context |
|---|---|---|
| Average pawn loan amount | About $150 (NPA statistics sheet); less than $180 (NPA FAQ) | National Pawnbrokers Association |
| Loan-to-value basis | Often based on resale value, not retail value | Industry practice |
| Redemption rate | About 85% | National Pawnbrokers Association |
| Forfeiture outcome | Collateral is kept and sold; no remaining loan balance | Pawn loan structure |
| Military Lending Act cap | 36% MAPR for covered borrowers | CFPB / Department of Defense |
Pawn Shop Interest Rates by State
This is the question with no single answer, and the reason is structural. Pawn transactions are regulated state by state, under pawn-specific statutes rather than general usury law. A pawnbroker is usually exempt from a state's ordinary interest cap precisely because a separate chapter sets the pawn rules. So there is no national pawn interest rate, and any article that hands you one number for the whole country is describing something that does not exist. For one state worked through in full — the shops, the licensing and the one published rate — see our guide to pawn shops in South Dakota.
What states actually do falls into three patterns, and knowing which one applies matters more than the headline percentage:
| How the state caps it | What that means | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| A single monthly cap on the total charge | One percentage covers interest and every permitted fee combined, per 30-day period. The cleanest structure to compare. | Whether the cap is on the total charge or only on the interest component. |
| A tiered schedule by loan size | The statute lists dollar brackets, and smaller loans are allowed a higher percentage. A $50 loan and a $500 loan are priced under different rules. | Which bracket your loan amount falls into. |
| A low stated interest rate plus permitted fees | The headline "interest" looks modest, but storage, handling, ticket or preparation fees are allowed on top. The stated rate understates what you pay. | The fee schedule, not the interest rate. This is where cross-state comparisons usually go wrong. |
What 14 state pawn laws allow on a $100 loan
We read the pawnbroker statute in fourteen states, including South Dakota and its neighbors, and worked out what each allows on a $100 loan held 30 days, at the legal ceiling. The ceiling is the most a shop may charge, not what every shop does charge.
| State | What the law allows | $100 for 30 days, at the ceiling | Where it is written |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | No statewide number. The pawnbroker chapter makes it a misdemeanor to charge “above that allowed by law” and puts the license with the city, so the ceiling is set locally. In Mobridge the city ordinance ceiling is 50% per 30 days. | $50 (Larsen’s charges $25) | SDCL 37-16-1 and 37-16-3; Mobridge ordinance ch. 6-6 |
| North Dakota | No state pawn rate. A pawn transaction of up to $10,000 by a licensed pawnbroker is exempt from the state usury ceiling; licensing is local. | Not capped by state law | NDCC 47-14-09(2)(a) |
| Minnesota | 3% a month on the amount advanced, plus a “reasonable” fee for storage and services. | $3 + storage fee | Minn. Stat. § 325J.07 |
| Nebraska | The pawnbroker chapter sets no rate at all; the permit comes from the city or village. | Not set in the pawn chapter | Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 69-201 to 69-209 |
| California | 3% a month on the unpaid balance ($3 minimum), plus the set-up and storage fees the same chapter allows. | $3 + fees | Cal. Fin. Code § 21200 |
| Florida | All-in cap: the total pawn service charge may not exceed 25% of the amount financed per 30 days ($5 minimum). Only 2% of that is called “interest”; the rest is fee. | $25 | Fla. Stat. § 539.001(11) |
| Georgia | Interest and pawnshop charges together up to 25% per 30 days for the first 90 days ($10 minimum), then 12.5% per 30 days. | $25 | O.C.G.A. § 44-12-131 |
| Michigan | 3% a month interest plus $3 a month storage, and no other charge of any kind. | $6 | MCL 446.209 |
| Missouri | 2% a month interest, plus a charge for storage and security of the item. | $2 + storage | RSMo 367.021 |
| Nevada | 13% a month, plus a $5 initial charge on each loan. | $18 | NRS 646.050 |
| New York | 4% a month, and no more than 15 months of charges on one loan. | $4 | N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 46 |
| Ohio | 6% a month interest plus up to $6 a month storage. | $12 | Ohio Rev. Code § 4727.06 |
| Texas | Tiered by loan size: 20% a month on the smallest loans, then 15%, 2.5% and 1% on the largest. The dollar brackets are adjusted for inflation every year. | $20 | Tex. Fin. Code § 371.159 |
| Washington | 4% per 30 days on loans of $100 or more, plus a one-time document fee (13% on a $100 loan) and $5 a month storage. | $22 in the first month | RCW 19.60.060 |
The spread is the point. A 2% or 3% "interest rate" with storage and set-up fees on top can cost less than a single all-in cap, or more, depending on the fee schedule, which is why the cost of a $100 loan is the only fair way to line states up.
A worked example: Florida
Florida uses the first structure, and states it plainly. Florida Statute § 539.001(11)(a) sets the interest component at 2% of the amount financed per 30-day period, then allows the pawnbroker to charge any additional service charge so long as the total does not exceed 25% of the amount financed per 30-day period, with a $5 minimum. So Florida's real number is 25% per 30 days, all-in — and the 2% "interest rate" on its own would badly mislead anyone comparing states.
The one rule that applies in every state
The Military Lending Act caps the Military Annual Percentage Rate at 36% for active-duty servicemembers and their covered dependents, in every state, regardless of what the state pawn statute allows. That is a federal floor under the whole patchwork.
How to find your own state's rule
- Search the pawn-specific chapter, not the usury chapter. Try "[your state] pawnbroker statute" or "[your state] pawn transaction service charge". The general interest-rate law usually will not apply.
- Check your state's financial regulator. Many states license pawnbrokers through a banking or financial-regulation division that publishes a current rate schedule.
- Read for the total, not the interest line. If the statute separates interest from fees, the number that matters to you is the sum.
- Ask the shop to show you the arithmetic before you sign. A pawnbroker who will not walk you through the charge on the ticket is telling you something.
For South Dakota, pawnbrokers sit under South Dakota Codified Law Chapter 37-16, which sets no statewide number and leaves licensing to the city; the ceiling in Mobridge is 50% per 30 days. Larsen's charges 25% per 30 days, so $100 borrowed is $125 repaid, and publishes the arithmetic on the Pawn Loans in Mobridge page rather than quoting it only at the counter.
3. Collateral Types and Precious Metals
Jewelry is widely described as the dominant pawn collateral category because it is portable, recognizable, durable, and often easy to evaluate by metal content and resale demand. Gold rings, chains, earrings, class rings, watches, estate pieces, coins, and bullion all sit at the intersection of pawn lending, resale, and precious-metal markets.
The World Gold Council reported that the LBMA PM gold price set 53 new all-time highs in 2025, with gold crossing US$4,000 per ounce in October 2025. The LBMA PM price then averaged a record US$4,872.90/oz in Q1 2026 before easing to US$4,506.30 in Q2, still 37% above a year earlier. Recycled gold supply fell 6% year over year in Q2 as the lower price discouraged selling old jewelry, while EZCORP reported jewelry scrap sales up 110% in the same quarter. Higher gold prices can increase the collateral value of gold jewelry and can also affect cash for gold payouts when customers choose to sell instead of pawn.
| Category | Why It Matters | Related Local Page |
|---|---|---|
| Gold jewelry | Often evaluated by karat, weight, condition, and resale demand | Cash for Gold |
| Silver and bullion | Evaluated by purity, weight, market pricing, and coin premiums | Silver Bullion |
| Black Hills Gold | Regional jewelry style with South Dakota recognition and resale appeal | Black Hills Gold |
| Tools and electronics | Condition, completeness, brand, and accessories can affect value | What We Pawn |
Gold is up sharply from a year ago. What is yours worth in Mobridge?
Higher gold prices affect both pawn loan collateral values and outright selling offers. Larsen's Jewelry tests and weighs gold and silver in front of you and explains how every offer is calculated. No guessing. No pressure.
4. Consumer Demographics and Financial Access
Pawn services are part of the broader alternative financial services landscape. The FDIC reported that 14.2% of U.S. households were underbanked in 2023, representing about 19.0 million households, while 4.2% were unbanked; that 2023 survey is still the FDIC's latest published release. The Federal Reserve's survey of 2025, published in May 2026, found that 7% of adults used a payday, pawn, auto title, or tax refund anticipation loan in 2025, up one point from 2024. Use was 13% among adults with family income under $25,000, 14% at $25,000 to $49,999, and 2% at $100,000 or more. The NPA describes the pawn industry as providing a financial safety net to over 30 million unbanked or underbanked Americans annually.
These figures do not mean every pawn customer is unbanked or underbanked. Pawn customers include workers managing cash-flow gaps, collectors, resellers, small business owners, and people who prefer collateral-based credit because it does not require a credit check.
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Underbanked households | 14.2% in 2023 | FDIC 2023 Household Survey |
| Unbanked households | 4.2% in 2023 | FDIC |
| Adults using payday, pawn, auto title, or tax refund anticipation loans | 7% in 2025 (6% in 2024) | Federal Reserve SHED, May 2026 |
| Same, adults with family income under $50,000 | 13% to 14% in 2025 | Federal Reserve SHED, table 39 |
| Unbanked or underbanked Americans served annually | Over 30 million, per the NPA | National Pawnbrokers Association |
5. Industry Consolidation and Major Operators
The pawn industry includes large public companies, regional chains, and independent local stores. Public-company filings are useful because they show receivables, store counts, and growth strategy. Large operators such as FirstCash and EZCORP continue to influence the industry, but independent shops still matter in communities where local relationships, item knowledge, and flexible evaluation are important.
Local shops can also connect pawn lending with related services such as jewelry repair, estate jewelry evaluation, gold buying, silver bullion, consignment, and retail jewelry. That broader service mix is one reason local pawn and jewelry stores can be more than short-term lenders.
Who Is the Market Leader in U.S. Pawn Loans by Number of Locations?
FirstCash, by a margin of more than two to one. Both companies publish store counts in their SEC filings, so this one is countable rather than estimated:
| Operator | U.S. pawn stores | Total pawn stores | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| FirstCash | 1,212 in 29 states and D.C. | 3,343 — including 1,729 Mexico, 295 U.K., 77 Guatemala, 18 El Salvador, 12 Colombia | 30 June 2026 |
| EZCORP | 560 | 1,549 — including 881 Latin America and 108 SMG | 30 June 2026 |
The number worth putting next to those: the NPA counts about 7,771 pawn stores in the United States. So FirstCash operates roughly 16% of U.S. pawn storefronts and EZCORP roughly 7% — about 23% between them, leaving roughly 77% of U.S. pawn shops run by someone other than the two public chains. IBISWorld also names FirstCash as the company with the largest share of the industry. Consolidation is real and concentrated at the top, but most of the industry is still made up of smaller, largely family-owned operators. FirstCash has also agreed to buy Ramsdens, a U.K. chain of 174 stores, which it expects to close by the end of 2026; that deal does not change the U.S. count.
Public-Company Results Through June 2026
Public-company results do not represent every independent pawn shop, but they are useful signals for the direction of demand, and through June 2026 both of the largest U.S. operators reported record loan balances.
FirstCash reported record second-quarter 2026 results on 23 July: revenue of $1.07 billion, up 29% year over year ($2.13 billion for the first half, up 28%), and diluted earnings per share up 58%. Pawn receivables reached a record $898 million at 30 June 2026, up 63% in total and 22% on a same-store basis; in the U.S., receivables rose 20% and same-store receivables 19%. The company raised its full-year pawn revenue guidance again.
EZCORP reported third-quarter fiscal 2026 results (quarter ended 30 June 2026) on 5 August: total revenues up 35% to $418.7 million, gross profit up 34% to $246.2 million, and pawn loans outstanding up 33% to a record $387.2 million (18% same-store). U.S. pawn loans outstanding rose 15% to $254.5 million.
| Company | Latest quarter (to 30 June 2026) | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| FirstCash | Q2 2026 revenue $1.07B (+29%); diluted EPS +58%; record pawn receivables $898M (+63%, +22% same-store); U.S. same-store receivables +19% | Record quarter from the largest U.S. pawn operator, with growth concentrated in receivables and fee income. |
| EZCORP | Q3 FY2026 revenue +35% to $418.7M; gross profit +34% to $246.2M; record pawn loans outstanding +33% to $387.2M | Second-largest public operator growing on the same measures, which strengthens the read on demand. |
| Independent shops | Local results vary by market | Independent stores depend heavily on local inventory, local demand, gold prices, and customer relationships. |
6. Regulation and Consumer Protections
Pawn transactions are governed by federal, state, and local rules. Federal laws may include disclosure, military lending, privacy, and anti-money-laundering obligations, while state law usually shapes rates, holding periods, renewals, reporting, and other pawn-specific requirements. In South Dakota, readers can review South Dakota Codified Law Chapter 37-16 for pawnbroker statutes.
Because rules vary by state and transaction type, this article is informational only. It is not legal, tax, financial, or investment advice. Customers should ask the store to explain the terms before entering any pawn transaction.
What the 2026 Pawn Shop Data Means for Borrowers
Pawn loans are small-dollar liquidity tools
The $150 average loan amount shows that pawn lending often fills short-term gaps rather than replacing larger bank credit.
Most borrowers reclaim their items
The 85% redemption rate supports the idea that pawn loans often function as temporary bridges, not automatic forfeitures.
Gold prices can change local offers
With gold averaging US$4,506/oz in Q2 2026, 37% above a year earlier, loan amounts and selling offers for gold jewelry, coins, bullion, and estate pieces have moved with it.
Independent shops still have a role
Even with consolidation, local shops can offer item-by-item explanations, relationship-based service, consignment, and regional product knowledge.
For local questions about what your items might be worth or how the pawn process works in Mobridge, SD, visit our pawn loans page or text photos to (605) 850-9455.
What to Watch: The Rest of 2026
Four signals worth watching through the end of 2026 for pawn industry trends, gold-collateral values, and consumer credit demand:
1. Third-quarter results
FirstCash normally reports its third quarter in late October and EZCORP its fiscal fourth quarter in November. They will show whether the record June loan balances held through the back-to-school months.
2. Gold after the Q1 record
Gold averaged a record US$4,872.90/oz in Q1 2026 and US$4,506.30 in Q2. The World Gold Council's Q3 Gold Demand Trends, due around the end of October, will show where the price and old-gold recycling went next.
3. Holiday season activity (Nov–Dec)
Pawn shops typically see two competing forces in Q4: rising cash needs from holiday spending versus seasonal redemption pressure. Loan-to-redemption ratios in November and December are worth tracking.
4. The 2025 FDIC household survey
The FDIC surveys unbanked and underbanked households every two years. Results from the 2025 survey had not been published as of September 2026; when they are, they will refresh the 14.2% underbanked share from 2023.
Pawn Shop Statistics FAQ
What is the average pawn loan amount in the U.S.?
The National Pawnbrokers Association's Pawn Industry Statistics sheet cites the average pawn loan amount around $150, while the NPA FAQ describes pawn transactions as averaging less than $180 nationwide. Actual loan amounts vary by item, condition, resale value, local demand, precious-metal prices, and state rules.
What percentage of pawn loans are repaid?
National Pawnbrokers Association materials cite a redemption rate around 85%, meaning most borrowers repay the loan and reclaim their collateral.
How large is the U.S. pawn shop industry in 2026?
IBISWorld's September 2026 update puts U.S. pawn shop revenue at about $5.4 billion in 2026, from 3,969 pawn-shop businesses. The National Pawnbrokers Association, citing IBISWorld's 2024 figures, counts about 7,771 pawn stores employing approximately 37,000 people and contributing about $3 billion to the U.S. economy. Businesses and stores are different counts, and estimates vary by publisher, so cite the source and date.
How did the big pawn companies perform in 2026?
Both of the largest U.S. public pawn operators grew through June 2026. FirstCash reported record second-quarter revenue of $1.07 billion, up 29% year over year, with record pawn receivables of $898 million at 30 June 2026, up 63% in total and 22% same-store. EZCORP reported fiscal third-quarter revenue up 35% to $418.7 million and record pawn loans outstanding of $387.2 million, up 33%.
What are pawn shop interest rates by state?
There is no single national figure, because each state sets pawn charges in its own pawnbroker statute rather than its general usury law. In the fourteen state laws we read, the most a shop may charge on a $100 loan for 30 days ranges from $2 plus a storage fee in Missouri, $3 plus fees in California and Minnesota, $4 in New York and $6 in Michigan, up to $20 in Texas, $22 in Washington's first month and $25 in Florida and Georgia. South Dakota, North Dakota and Nebraska set no state number; in South Dakota the ceiling is set locally, 50% per 30 days in Mobridge. One rule applies everywhere: the Military Lending Act caps the Military APR at 36% for active-duty servicemembers and covered dependents.
How much is pawn shop interest?
It depends on the state, because each state sets the ceiling. At the legal maximum, a $100 pawn loan held 30 days costs anywhere from about $2 plus storage to $25 in the fourteen state laws in our table; a shop may charge less than its state's ceiling. Stated as an annual rate the numbers look much larger, because a 30-day charge repeats twelve times a year. At Larsen's in Mobridge, South Dakota, the charge is 25% per 30 days: $100 borrowed, $125 repaid.
Who is the market leader in U.S. pawn loans by number of locations?
FirstCash, by more than two to one. FirstCash operated 1,212 pawn stores across 29 U.S. states and the District of Columbia as of 30 June 2026, out of 3,343 pawn stores worldwide. EZCORP operated 560 U.S. pawn stores as of 30 June 2026, out of 1,549 locations in total. Set against the National Pawnbrokers Association's count of about 7,771 U.S. pawn stores, that puts FirstCash at roughly 16% of U.S. storefronts and EZCORP at roughly 7% — about 23% combined, which leaves close to 77% of American pawn shops run by other operators.
What items are most commonly pawned?
Jewelry is widely described as the leading pawn collateral category. Electronics, tools, watches, coins, bullion, musical instruments, sporting goods, and other resaleable items are also common.
Do pawn loans affect your credit score?
Typical pawn loans do not require a credit check and are not reported to credit bureaus. If a borrower does not repay, the collateral is forfeited rather than creating a collection balance.
Why do pawn shop statistics vary by source?
Different sources count different things. Trade associations may count storefronts, research firms may count business establishments, and public-company filings only cover specific operators. A clear example: the NPA, citing IBISWorld's 2024 data, counts about 7,771 pawn stores, while IBISWorld's 2026 count of pawn-shop businesses is 3,969, because one company can run many stores. That is why this article labels each statistic with its source context.
Are pawn shops growing or shrinking in 2026?
Revenue is growing while the number of businesses shrinks. IBISWorld puts 2026 revenue at about $5.4 billion while its count of pawn-shop businesses fell 1.1% to 3,969, and both public operators reported record loan balances at 30 June 2026: FirstCash pawn receivables of $898 million and EZCORP pawn loans outstanding of $387.2 million. More of the business is running through larger operators.
Looking for a Pawn Shop Near You?
This statistics article attracts readers from across the country. If you are researching pawn shops locally or in the Mobridge, South Dakota area, Larsen's Jewelry & Half Interest Pawn at 211 N Main St in Mobridge offers the services described in this data — in person, with clear explanations and no pressure.
Pawn Loans in Mobridge →
Cash for Gold →
What We Pawn in Mobridge →
Silver Bullion →
Black Hills Gold →
Consignment & Services →
211 N Main St, Mobridge, SD 57601 • Mon–Sat 11am–6pm • Sun closed
Download / Reuse This Data
Bloggers, journalists, local business owners, and researchers may quote or summarize the statistics on this page with attribution. Please link back to this report when referencing the data summary, charts, tables, or source roundup.
Recommended attribution: Source: Larsen's Jewelry & Half Interest Pawn, Pawn Shop Statistics 2026 — Q3 Update, September 2026.
For easiest reuse, cite the Top 10 Pawn Shop Statistics table, the Data Snapshot, the Q3 2026 Update, or the 14-state rate table.
Cite This Pawn Shop Statistics Report
Suggested citation: Larsen's Jewelry & Half Interest Pawn. "Pawn Shop Statistics 2026: Market Size, Loans & Interest Rates by State." Updated September 28, 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, state pawn rate ceilings, pawn collateral trends, underbanked households, gold-price context, and major pawn industry operators. Please link back to this page when using the data summary.
Have a Local Pawn Loan or Gold Question in Mobridge?
National statistics are useful, but your item value depends on condition, demand, metal content, resale value, and in-store inspection. For local questions in Mobridge, start with Larsen's pawn loan, gold buying, or item category pages.
Methodology and Sources
This analysis was compiled from industry, government, financial, and public-company sources. Where a number is a projection, estimate, or source-specific figure, this article labels it as such. Statistics should be cited with the source and year because pawn-industry data can vary by methodology.
This report is refreshed quarterly. The Q3 2026 update includes public-company results through 30 June 2026, IBISWorld's September 2026 figures, the Federal Reserve's 2025 survey, the World Gold Council's Q2 2026 data, and a fourteen-state table read from the statutes.
Last source review: September 28, 2026. Source updates may change individual figures, especially projections, market-size estimates, public-company store counts, and precious-metal data.
- National Pawnbrokers Association, Pawn Industry Statistics
- National Pawnbrokers Association, Pawn Industry FAQs
- IBISWorld, Pawn Shops in the US market size (September 2026)
- IBISWorld, Pawn Shops in the US number of businesses
- FDIC 2023 National Survey of Unbanked and Underbanked Households
- Federal Reserve, Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2025 (May 2026), Credit
- World Gold Council, Gold Demand Trends: Full Year 2025
- World Gold Council, Gold Demand Trends: Q2 2026
- CFPB, consumer use of payday, auto title, and pawn loans
- CFPB, Military Lending Act pawn-lender enforcement context
- CFPB Regulation 1041.3 pawn-loan exclusion and non-recourse context
- FirstCash Holdings, Inc., record second quarter 2026 operating results (Form 8-K, Exhibit 99.1) — source of the revenue, receivables and 1,212 U.S. / 3,343 total store counts
- EZCORP, Inc., third quarter fiscal 2026 results (Form 8-K, Exhibit 99.1)
- EZCORP, Inc., Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 30 June 2026 — source of the 560 U.S. and 1,549 total store counts
- Florida Statute § 539.001 — Pawnbroking transactions — source of the 25% per 30-day pawn service charge cap
- The other thirteen state statutes are linked from each row of the 14-state table.
- South Dakota Codified Law Chapter 37-16 — Pawnbrokers
Last updated: September 28, 2026 (Q3 update). This post is informational only and does not constitute financial, investment, legal, or tax advice.
