Sarah Mitchell
Catholicism is a significant religion in the United States, with an estimated 61.9 million adherents, or 18.7% of the population, as of 2020. Catholics are the largest single religious denomination in the country, outnumbering any single Protestant denomination. They are also the largest religious group in 36 states, with the highest numbers found in the South and West. The Catholic Church in the US is organised into 197 ecclesiastical jurisdictions, including 19,405 congregations, each led by a bishop. While the number of Catholics has grown in recent years, there are concerns about a growing number of people leaving the Church.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Catholics in the US | 61.9 million (2020) |
| Percentage of the US population | 18.7% (2020) |
| Percentage of Americans who identify as Catholic | 22% (2025) |
| Catholic ethnicity in the US | 60% non-Hispanic white, 31% Hispanic, 4% Black, 5% other |
| Catholic population growth in the past decade | 2 million |
| Regions with the highest Catholic population | South, West |
| Regions with the lowest Catholic population | Midwest, Northeast |
| Number of local Catholic parishes in the US | 17,007 (2018) |
| Average number of adherents per congregation | 3,000 |
| Percentage of Catholics who attend Mass weekly or more | 29% |
| Percentage of Catholics who pray daily | 51% |
| Percentage of Catholics who consider religion very important | 44% |
| Percentage of Catholic registered voters who identify with or lean toward the Republican Party | 53% |
| Percentage of Catholic registered voters who affiliate with the Democratic Party | 43% |
| Percentage of Catholics who view Pope Francis favorably | 78% (2025) |
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What You'll Learn
Catholic population growth
Catholicism is one of the largest religious groups in the United States, with the country having more Catholics than all but three other countries: Brazil, Mexico, and the Philippines. The percentage of Americans who identify as Catholic has decreased over time, falling from about 25% in 1960 to 22% in 2018, and 20% in 2024. This decrease is reflected in the number of people who attend Mass, with 39% of American Catholics attending church weekly in 2018 compared to 45% of American Protestants.
Despite this overall decline, the Catholic population in the United States has shown growth in certain regions, particularly in the South and Southwest, with Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Missouri, and Virginia being states with a large Catholic presence. The Northeast and urban Midwest also continue to have significant Catholic populations. In addition, the share of U.S. Catholics who are Hispanic is rising, with the percentage of Hispanic Catholics increasing by 7% since 2007.
In terms of absolute numbers, the Catholic population in the United States has increased over time. There were approximately 45 million Catholics in the country in 1960, which grew to 58.9 million in 2010, and 72 million in 2018, representing a significant numerical growth over the years.
The Catholic Church in the United States is organized into geographical dioceses and archdioceses, with 17,007 local parishes in 2018. The average Catholic parish is larger than the average Baptist or Methodist congregation, with over four times as many Catholics as Southern Baptists and more than eight times as many Catholics as United Methodists.
While the Catholic population in the United States has shown both growth and decline in different regions and demographics, it remains one of the largest religious groups in the country, with a significant presence and influence in American society.
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Catholic political leanings
Catholics are one of the largest religious groups in the United States, outnumbering any single Protestant denomination. The US has more Catholics than all but three other countries – Brazil, Mexico, and the Philippines. According to a 2008 survey, 23.9% of Americans identify as Catholic (approximately 72 million out of 306 million residents). More recent estimates place the figure at around 20% to 28%.
Catholics in the US are about 6% of the church's total worldwide membership of 1.3 billion. A 2004 poll by The Barna Group found Catholic ethnicity to be 60% non-Hispanic white, 31% Hispanic of any nationality, 4% Black, and 5% other ethnicities.
US Catholics are split down the middle politically. Around half of Catholic registered voters describe themselves as Republicans or say they lean toward the Republican Party, while roughly the same share identify with or lean toward the Democratic Party. In recent presidential elections, Catholic voters have swung back and forth between the two parties.
In 2016, 52% of Catholics backed Republican Donald Trump while 44% voted for Democrat Hillary Clinton. Catholics narrowly backed Republican George W. Bush over Democrat John Kerry in 2004, but chose Democrat Barack Obama over Republican John McCain in 2008 by a margin of 54% to 45%.
White and Hispanic Catholics are very different politically. Nearly six-in-ten White Catholic registered voters identify with or lean toward the Republican Party, marking a big shift since 2008 when 41% supported the GOP. Most Hispanic Catholic voters, meanwhile, identify as Democrats or lean Democratic, a share that has remained fairly stable in the past decade.
On specific policy issues, Catholics are often more aligned with their political party than with the teachings of their church. On abortion, for example, 77% of Democratic and Democratic-leaning Catholic adults say they think abortion should be legal in all or most cases, while 63% of Republican and Republican-leaning Catholics say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases.
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Catholic views on Pope Francis
Catholics are one of the largest religious groups in the United States, with around 20-28% of the population identifying as Catholic. This amounts to around 72 million Catholics out of a population of 306 million residents. The US has more Catholics than all but three other countries – Brazil, Mexico, and the Philippines.
Catholics in the US hold a variety of views on Pope Francis. According to a February 2025 survey, about three-quarters of US Catholics (78%) view Pope Francis favorably, with 80% expressing a favorable opinion of him in 10 out of 15 US surveys conducted since 2013. Catholic Democrats are much more likely than Catholic Republicans to view Francis favorably (88% vs. 69%).
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, was the first Jesuit and Latin American pope and the first non-European pope since Gregory III in the 8th century. He was head of the Catholic Church from March 13, 2013, until his death on April 21, 2025. Known for his less formal approach to the papacy, Francis chose to reside in a guesthouse rather than the papal apartments and favored simpler vestments. He described his papal name as pointing to his desire to emulate Saint Francis of Assisi by having "a poor church for the poor" and showing concern for the natural environment.
During his papacy, Francis emphasized Jesus, mercy, and the church's missionary role, reaching out to the margins. He changed Catholic teachings on the death penalty and nuclear weapons, viewing capital punishment as inadmissible in all cases. He also denounced a "structurally perverse" world economic system that exploits the poor and risks damaging the Earth. Francis was a critic of trickle-down economics, consumerism, and overdevelopment, making climate change a leading focus of his papacy. He was the first pope to use scientific data in a major teaching document, calling global warming a largely human-caused problem.
Pope Francis also made waves with his outreach to the LGBTQ+ community, famously saying, "Who am I to judge?" in response to a question about a purportedly gay Vatican monsignor. He reversed Benedict's relaxation of restrictions on celebrating the old Latin Mass, angering traditionalist and conservative critics. Additionally, he defended the church's opposition to artificial contraception while also advocating for "responsible parenthood" and suggesting that women threatened by the Zika virus could use artificial contraception to avoid pregnancy during epidemics.
In summary, US Catholics hold a range of views on Pope Francis, with the majority expressing a favorable opinion. Pope Francis was a influential leader who brought about significant changes and emphasized social justice issues, outreach, and the environment during his papacy.
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Catholic ethnicity
Catholicism is one of the largest religious groups in the United States, with around 20% to 28% of the population identifying as Catholic. The ethnic makeup of the Catholic population varies across the country.
In the Northeast, 72% of Catholics are White and 20% are Hispanic. In the Midwest, 78% are White and 15% are Hispanic. The Northeast and Midwest are home to the highest proportion of non-Hispanic Catholics, with 75% and 82% of Catholics in these regions being non-Hispanic White, respectively.
In the South, the Catholic population is more diverse, with 44% of Catholics being White and 45% being Hispanic. The West has the most diverse Catholic population, with 58% of Catholics being Hispanic, 27% being White, and 10% being Asian.
Hispanic Americans are the group with the highest proportion of practicing Catholics in the United States. The share of U.S. Catholics who are Hispanic has been increasing and currently stands at around 34%. Among Catholic millennials, there are almost as many Hispanics (46%) as Whites (43%).
Black Catholics make up a smaller share of the Catholic population, at around 4%. They often have different experiences from White and Hispanic Catholics, as they are more likely to be racial minorities in their congregations.
Overall, the Catholic population in the United States is quite diverse, with a significant proportion of immigrants or children of immigrants.
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Catholic attendance at Mass
Catholics are one of the largest religious groups in the United States, with around 20-28% of the population identifying as Catholic. This equates to approximately 72 million Catholics out of a total population of 306 million residents. The US has more Catholics than all but three other countries – Brazil, Mexico, and the Philippines.
In recent years, Catholic Mass attendance in the US has been declining. Weekly Mass attendance among Catholics has decreased, with broader trends indicating a long-term decline in churchgoing habits. During the COVID pandemic, attendance dropped sharply as in-person Mass was suspended in many places, falling to an average weekly rate of 15% between 2020 and 2023. However, there are signs of a recovery, with a new study estimating an average attendance rate of 24% from mid-2023 through early 2025, similar to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
The age group with the highest weekly Mass attendance is those aged 60 and above, with 49% attendance, although this has decreased from 59% in the past decade. Younger adults, on the other hand, are increasingly likely to identify with non-Christian religions or no religion at all, contributing to a decline in Mass attendance in recent years.
Despite the overall decline in attendance, the number of Catholic parishes in the US has been increasing, with 17,007 local parishes in 2018. The average Catholic parish is larger than the average Baptist or Methodist congregation, resulting in a significantly higher total number of Catholics compared to these denominations.
While the Catholic Church in the US faces challenges, such as the impact of the McCarrick Report and calls for reform, there is also a sense of hope and a commitment to healing and transparency. The recovery of Mass attendance to pre-pandemic levels is a positive sign, and the Church continues to serve people through its various ministries and agencies.
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Frequently asked questions
There are around 61.9 million Catholics in the US, making up about 18.7% of the population.
Catholics are spread relatively evenly across the US, with 29% in the South, 26% in the Northeast, 25% in the West, and 20% in the Midwest.
According to a 2004 poll, 60% of US Catholics are non-Hispanic white, 31% are Hispanic, 4% are Black, and 5% are of other ethnicities.
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