by Calculated Risk on 3/04/2013 09:09:00 PM

The kids are alright! From the WSJ: Young Adults Retreat From Piling Up Debt

Young people are racking up larger amounts of student debt than ever before, but fresh data suggest they are becoming warier of borrowing in general: Total debt among young adults dropped in the last decade to the lowest level in 15 years.

A typical young U.S. household—defined as one led by someone under age 35—had $15,000 in total debt in 2010, down from $18,000 in 2001 and the lowest since 1995, according to a recent Pew Research Center report and government data. Total debt includes mortgage loans, credit cards, auto lending, student loans and other consumer borrowing.

In addition, fewer young adults carried credit-card balances and 22% didn't have any debt at all in 2010—the most since government tracking began in 1983.

The lower overall debt comes despite an increase in student borrowing, which ballooned to $966 billion last year from $253 billion at the end of 2003, according to the Federal Reserve.

Student debt is a significant problem, but less overall debt is good news.

Tuesday economic releases:
• At 10:00 AM ET, Trulia Price Rent Monitors for February. This is the index from Trulia that uses asking house prices adjusted both for the mix of homes listed for sale and for seasonal factors.

• Also at 10:00 AM, ISM non-Manufacturing Index for February. The consensus is for a decrease to 55.0 from 55.2 in January. Note: Above 50 indicates expansion, below 50 contraction.