The Federal Reserve left the target range for its federal funds rate unchanged at 0.25 percent to 0.5 percent for the sixth time during its September 2016 meeting. Policymakers said that the case for a rate hike has strengthened but decided, for the time being, to wait for further evidence of continued progress toward its objectives. Three out of ten members voted for a rate hike. Fed Chair Janet Yellen, speaking after the central bank's latest policy statement, said US growth has strengthen and rate hikes would be necessary to keep the economy from overheating and fueling high inflation. Interest Rate in the United States averaged 5.85 percent from 1971 until 2016, reaching an all time high of 20 percent in March of 1980 and a record low of 0.25 percent in December of 2008. Interest Rate in the United States is reported by the Federal Reserve.