Dividend Aristocrats — 25+ Years of Raises
Overview
Dividend Aristocrats are S&P 500 companies that have increased their dividend every year for 25+ consecutive years. They're the gold standard of income investing reliability. Use the stock screener to filter Aristocrats by payout ratio and sector, then check each candidate's financials with our fundamental analysis guides. Ready to put them to work? Learn how in Building a Dividend Growth Portfolio.
Key Takeaways
- There are approximately 65-68 Dividend Aristocrats as of 2026.
- Aristocrats have historically outperformed the S&P 500 with lower volatility.
- Sectors: consumer staples, industrials, and healthcare dominate the Aristocrat list.
- The ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (NOBL) tracks the full list.
Practical Tips
- Use the Aristocrat list as a starting universe, not a buy-everything list.
- Check payout ratio — Aristocrats with payout ratios above 80% may struggle to maintain increases.
- Combine Aristocrats with international dividend growers for geographic diversification.
More Strategies Guides
Monthly Dividend Income Strategy
Most stocks pay dividends quarterly, but you can engineer monthly income by combining stocks with staggered payment schedules — or by using monthly-paying funds. Map your cash-flow calendar with a <a href="/tools/portfolio-trackers" class="text-primary hover:underline">portfolio tracker</a> and make sure each pick passes a <a href="/academy/dividends/payout-ratio-dividend-safety" class="text-primary hover:underline">payout-ratio safety check</a>. If you're planning for retirement, consider sheltering high-yield REITs inside an <a href="/retirement/alternative-ira" class="text-primary hover:underline">alternative IRA</a> to maximise tax efficiency.
Building a Dividend Growth Portfolio
A systematic approach to building a portfolio that generates growing passive income year after year. Learn the selection criteria, allocation, and maintenance process. Start your candidate search in the <a href="/tools/screener" class="text-primary hover:underline">stock screener</a> and model long-term projections with our <a href="/tools/calculators/portfolio" class="text-primary hover:underline">portfolio calculator</a>. For allocation ideas that balance yield and growth, compare <a href="/compare/etfs-vs-index-funds" class="text-primary hover:underline">ETFs vs index funds</a> and explore broader <a href="/strategies" class="text-primary hover:underline">investment strategies</a>.