Rachel Evans
Catholicism is the largest single religious denomination in the United States, with 61.9 million adherents, or about 18.7% of the population, as of 2020. This number has grown by about 2 million in the past decade, with much of this growth concentrated in the South, which now has the largest Catholic population of any region. The average number of adherents per congregation is 3,000 for Catholics, unusually high compared with other groups. The racial and ethnic profile of the Catholic population varies considerably by region, with the Catholic population being 57% white, 33% Hispanic, 4% Asian, and 2% Black, while 3% are of another race. The Catholic electorate is fairly evenly divided between the Republican and Democratic parties, with a substantial number of Catholics not identifying with either party.
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What You'll Learn
Catholic demographics in the US
Catholicism has had a long history in the United States, with Maryland being established by English Catholics during the colonial era. The Catholic population in the US has seen several waves of growth, starting in the 1840s with the arrival of German, Irish, and other European Catholics. Italians and Poles formed the largest numbers of new Catholics after 1890, but many other countries in Europe contributed as well, including Quebec. By 1850, Catholics had become the country's largest single denomination, and their population tripled to seven million between 1860 and 1890. This growth was part of a broader Catholic revival that swept across Europe, North America, and South America in the 19th century.
In terms of demographics, Catholics tend to be older than the general American population. According to a 2023-24 Religious Landscape Study, nearly six-in-ten Catholic adults (58%) are aged 50 and older, compared to 47% of all US adults. However, this varies by racial and ethnic background, with Hispanic Catholics and Asian Catholics tending to be younger than White Catholics. Four-in-ten Hispanic Catholics and 53% of Asian Catholics are 50 and older, compared to 70% of White Catholics. Additionally, just 14% of Hispanic Catholics and 20% of Asian Catholics are 65 and older, while 39% of White Catholics fall into this age group.
Geographically, Catholics are spread out relatively evenly across the US, with roughly three-in-ten (29%) living in the South, 26% in the Northeast, 25% in the West, and 20% in the Midwest. The racial and ethnic makeup of Catholics varies by region. For example, in the Midwest, 78% of Catholics are White and 15% are Hispanic. Texas, Louisiana, the Gulf Coast, and the Hispanic communities in these areas have a significant Catholic presence. On the other hand, rural parts of the South have relatively few Catholics. Urbanized areas of the north Atlantic states and Great Lakes, as well as many industrial and mining towns, are heavily Catholic, though still quite mixed due to the presence of Protestant African-American communities.
The United States has experienced significant immigration, which has impacted the religious landscape of the country. More than four-in-ten US Catholics are immigrants (29%) or the children of immigrants (14%). Among Asian Catholics, 78% were born outside the US, and an additional 14% were born in the US to at least one immigrant parent. For Hispanic Catholics, 58% were born outside the US, and 22% were born in the US to at least one immigrant parent. In contrast, 83% of White Catholics come from families that have been in the US for three generations or more.
While the number of self-identified Catholics has grown, the religious landscape of the US is also changing. Since the early 1990s, the percentage of Americans professing no religious affiliation has increased, with younger people having higher rates of non-affiliation. Polling also indicates a decline in church attendance and a decrease in the perception of religion as "very important". Despite these trends, the United States continues to have the largest Christian and Protestant population in the world, and Catholicism remains a significant part of the country's religious tapestry.
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Catholic political affiliations
Catholics in America have historically had a complex relationship with politics, with their affiliations shifting over time. Since the 1960s, Catholic voters have become bipartisan, with their votes split between the Democratic and Republican parties. This shift is notable as, during the 1968 election, Nixon received 33% of the Catholic vote, which increased to 52% in 1972. This shift also saw Catholics become one of the nation's largest swing groups, with both parties actively courting Catholic voters.
During the late 19th century, 75% of Irish and German Catholics in America voted for Democratic presidential candidates. This was a result of the large influx of immigrants from traditionally Catholic regions of Europe, such as Ireland and Germany, during the mid-19th century. The Irish Catholics, in particular, took controlling positions in the Democratic organizations in big cities. This sudden influx of Catholics, along with charges of political corruption and fears of papal interference, also fuelled the growth of anti-Catholic sentiment.
In more recent times, the Catholic vote has continued to be split between the two major parties. According to Pew Research Center polls from 2018 and 2019, 48% of Catholic registered voters identify with or lean towards the Republican Party, while 47% identify with or lean towards the Democratic Party. This divide was also evident in the 2016 presidential election, where 52% of Catholics backed Republican Donald Trump, and 44% voted for Democrat Hillary Clinton.
When it comes to specific policy issues, Catholic voters often align more with their political party than with the teachings of the Catholic Church. For example, on the issue of abortion, Catholic Democrats and Republicans hold opposing views, despite the Church's formal opposition to abortion. Similarly, on immigration, Catholic Democrats and Republicans differ significantly, with the former opposing, and the latter supporting, Trump's plan to build a wall along the US-Mexico border.
Race and ethnicity also play a role in the political affiliations of Catholics in America. White Catholic voters tend to identify with or lean towards the Republican Party, with 57% supporting Republican candidates. On the other hand, Hispanic Catholic voters largely identify as Democrats or lean Democratic (68%), and they are more likely to disapprove of Trump's job performance. Asian Catholics, who make up a smaller proportion of the Catholic population, also tend to be younger and more likely to be immigrants when compared to White Catholics.
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Catholic immigration history
Catholicism has a long and complex history in the United States, with the country witnessing waves of Catholic immigration from various parts of the world over the centuries. During colonial times, there was already a notable Catholic presence in America, with approximately 40,000 Catholics (1.6% of the population) in the 13 colonies by the time the American War for Independence began in 1776. John Carroll, the first Catholic Bishop, reported 24,000 registered communicants in the new country in 1785, with 90% of them residing in Maryland and Pennsylvania.
The early 19th century saw an increase in Catholic immigration from various European countries. The Irish, fleeing the devastating Potato Blight of 1845, constituted a significant portion of this influx, with an estimated 4.5 million Irish arriving in America between 1820 and 1930. Other European Catholics, including Germans and Italians, also arrived in large numbers during this period. By 1850, Catholics had become the country's largest single denomination, and their population continued to grow, tripling to seven million between 1860 and 1890.
The late 19th century witnessed a surge of anti-Catholic sentiment in America, with political cartoonists and statesmen portraying Catholic immigrants, particularly the Irish, as uncivilized and unfit for citizenship. Signs proclaiming "No Irish Need Apply" were prevalent in Boston, New York, and other parts of the country. This hostility stemmed from the establishment of a predominantly English-speaking Protestant country with ancestral roots in Northern Europe, creating a tense environment for Catholic immigrants.
Catholic immigrants persevered and established their own communities, schools, and parishes, nurturing their religious and cultural identities. They faced challenges in education, with fears of Protestant evangelical influence in public schools, leading to the creation of a parallel Catholic school system. Despite these challenges, Catholic immigrants and their descendants have made significant contributions to American society, politics, and culture.
Today, Catholicism continues to be a prominent religion in the United States, with approximately 6.6% of the North American population identifying as Catholic. The racial and ethnic makeup of Catholic Americans is diverse, with Hispanic, Asian, and White Catholics making up significant portions of the community. Immigration continues to shape the Catholic population in America, with many newcomers from Spanish-speaking countries adding to the religious landscape.
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Catholic clergy numbers
The number of Catholic clergy in the United States has changed over time, with a variety of factors influencing its growth and decline. In 1785, there were an estimated 25,000 Catholics in the United States, served by only 25 priests, less than 2% of the total population in the Thirteen Colonies. By 1789, the number of priests had increased to 30, with an estimated Catholic population of 35,000.
The Catholic Church in the United States experienced significant growth in the 19th century, particularly from the 1840s onwards with the arrival of large numbers of German, Irish, and other European Catholics. This period also saw the establishment of numerous Catholic educational institutions by Jesuit priests and other religious communities. By 1850, Catholics had become the country's largest single denomination, and their population continued to grow, tripling to seven million between 1860 and 1890.
In terms of the racial and ethnic makeup of the Catholic clergy in the United States, surveys show that two-thirds (65%) of responding ordinands identify as Caucasian/European American/white, with 20% identifying as Hispanic/Latino, and 11% as Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian. Additionally, 30% of responding ordinands were born outside the United States, with the largest numbers coming from Mexico, Vietnam, Colombia, and the Philippines.
The number of sisters, brothers, and priests in religious orders has fluctuated over time. In 1840, there were 900 sisters in 15 communities, which grew to 50,000 in 170 congregations by 1900 and 135,000 in 300 congregations by 1930. However, by 2010, the number had decreased to 56,000. Similarly, the number of priests globally stood at 406,996 at the end of 2023, a decrease of 734 from the previous year.
While the United States has the fourth-largest Catholic population in the world, specific data on the number of Catholic clergy in the country is limited. However, it is known that the Americas, including North, Central, and South America, are home to 29.1% of the world's priests, with North America having a higher number of priests compared to its Catholic population.
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Catholic education
During the colonial period, the Catholic population in the 13 colonies was relatively small, forming about 1.6% of the population by 1776. However, after the American Revolution, there was a surge in Catholic immigration to the United States. This was driven initially by Catholics from Germany, Ireland, and other European countries, and later by Italians and Poles, contributing to a significant growth in the Catholic population.
The establishment of Catholic educational institutions in the United States was largely the work of religious orders, particularly Jesuit priests who had been expelled from Europe. These priests founded numerous secondary schools and colleges, including prestigious institutions such as Georgetown University (1789), St. Louis University (1818), Boston College, and the University of Santa Clara. Other religious orders, such as the Dominicans, Congregation of Holy Cross, and Franciscans, followed suit, establishing their own educational institutions.
Nuns and sisters also played a pivotal role in Catholic education in America. Despite the lack of wealthy American Catholics to endow convents, entrepreneurial women from poor families established religious orders and founded schools. Their numbers grew rapidly, and by 1930, there were 135,000 nuns and sisters in 300 congregations, outnumbering priests and brothers.
Today, Catholic education in the United States continues to thrive, with a focus on elementary, secondary, and tertiary levels. The Committee on Catholic Education guides and coordinates the educational mission of the Church, advocating for federal public policies that align with Catholic values and parental rights. Catholic educational institutions also collaborate closely with other committees, such as the Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis, to ensure that Catholic teachings are effectively integrated into the curriculum.
While Catholic universities grapple with the challenges posed by secularism, there is a broader movement among Catholic families seeking to glorify God, foster family life, and create homesteads in rural communities. This movement reflects a desire for a renewal of the Catholic faith and a return to traditional practices.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2023, 6.6% of North Americans identify as Catholic, which equates to 334,000 people per bishop.
While I can't find a precise figure, one source suggests that the number of self-identified Catholics grew by 48.5 million to 73.2 million between 1965 and 2021. Another source states that 20% of US Catholics are foreign-born.
The Americas are home to 47.8% of the world's Catholics, with 27.4% in South America, 6.6% in North America, and 13.8% in Central America.
