The Death of Paper Checks: What 46% of Americans Are Doing With Their Money Instead

The era of check-writing is officially over for nearly half the nation. According to recent GOBankingRates data, 46% of Americans haven’t written a single check in the past year—a striking shift from the check-dominant financial landscape of decades past. But while paper checks are fading into obscurity, how many checks does the average american write each year among those who still use them? The answer reveals a deeply generational divide in payment behavior.

Why Checks Are Becoming Extinct

The decline of check writing isn’t mysterious. Today’s digital ecosystem has fundamentally transformed how we move money, and the shift happened faster than anyone predicted. “Besides the occasional property tax bill or contractor who refuses anything but checks, electronic payments can handle everything,” explains Jay Zigmont, Ph.D. and CFP. “It’s not always about fancy apps—basic credit cards and electronic fund transfers get the job done.”

The speed gap is undeniable. A Venmo transfer takes seconds. A check? Days. Combined with the security advantages of modern digital platforms, it’s clear why Americans are abandoning their checkbooks.

The Age Factor: Checking Account Usage Splits by Generation

The data tells a generational story. Among younger demographics, check-writing has nearly vanished:

• Ages 18-24: 46% haven’t written a check all year
• Ages 25-34: 51% skip checks entirely
• Ages 35-44: 51% no check usage
• Ages 45-54: 50% without any check transactions

But there’s a dramatic reversal at age 55. In the 55-64 bracket, 15% still write multiple checks monthly, and among those 65+, that number jumps to 22%. Those 55-64 are also most likely to write checks monthly (23% reporting this frequency).

For the smaller percentage who do use checks, the breakdown shows 17% write fewer than six annually, 15% write a few per month, 17% write one monthly, and just 4% exceed 12 checks yearly.

How Americans Are Moving Money Instead

Without checks, where is money actually going? Payment apps have seized the opportunity, offering speed, security, and convenience that paper simply can’t match.

Modern payment platforms use biometric authentication—facial recognition or fingerprints—to authorize transactions. They also prevent repeated password entry and offer optional fraud protection layers. These security enhancements are exactly what shifted consumer behavior away from physical payment methods and toward digital alternatives.

The Apps Winning the Payment Wars

PayPal remains the heavyweight: With 428 million global users, it’s the largest online payment processor worldwide. Its combination of intuitive interface and encryption standards makes it the go-to for security-conscious users seeking both convenience and protection.

Venmo dominates peer-to-peer transfers: Need to split rent with a roommate or reimburse a friend? Venmo’s speed is unbeatable. Money hits bank accounts or debit cards in 30 minutes or less, and security can be enhanced with PINs or two-step verification. It’s become the default for money-between-friends transactions.

Zelle offers bank integration: Unlike the others, Zelle operates within major U.S. bank apps themselves, enabling instant transfers between accounts. It’s free, immediate, and doesn’t require jumping between platforms—making it particularly appealing to those already embedded in traditional banking.

The transformation is complete: instant, secure, integrated. Paper checks don’t stand a chance.