Michael Brooks
Catholicism is one of the largest religious groups in the United States, with approximately 77.4 million members as of 2017. The United States is home to the fourth-largest Catholic population in the world, after Brazil, Mexico, and the Philippines. The Catholic Church in the US has a significant cultural, social, and political impact, with 23% of the population identifying as Catholic as of 2018. The history of the Catholic Church in the US dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries, with the arrival of Spanish and French missionaries and the establishment of colonies such as Catholic-majority Maryland.
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What You'll Learn
In 2017, there were approximately 77.4 million US Catholics
In 2017, there were approximately 77.4 million Catholics in the United States, making up around 22% of the population. This figure represents the number of self-identified Catholics in the country and is part of a wider global Catholic community in communion with the Pope. The United States has the fourth-largest Catholic population in the world, after Brazil, Mexico, and the Philippines.
The history of the Catholic Church in the US dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries, with the arrival of Spanish and French missionaries. The first diocese was established in 1789 in Baltimore, with John Carroll as its first bishop. By the time of the American War for Independence in 1776, Catholics formed 1.6% of the population of the 13 colonies, or around 40,000 people.
The growth of the Catholic population in the US can be attributed to several factors, including immigration and the acquisition of Catholic-majority territories. In the 19th century, there was a rapid influx of immigrants from Europe, including Poland, Germany, Ireland, and Italy. Additionally, the acquisition of former possessions of Mexico, France, and Spain, which were predominantly Catholic, contributed to the increase in the number of Catholics in the country.
Today, the Catholic Church in the US is organised into 197 ecclesiastical jurisdictions, including 196 geographical dioceses and archdioceses (excluding the Archdiocese for Military Services). There were 17,007 local Catholic parishes in the United States in 2018. The average Catholic parish is larger than the average Baptist or Methodist congregation, resulting in more than four times as many Catholics as Southern Baptists and more than eight times as many Catholics as United Methodists.
Catholics in the US are spread out across the country, with roughly 29% living in the South, 26% in the Northeast, 25% in the West, and 20% in the Midwest. The racial and ethnic makeup of the Catholic population varies by region, with higher concentrations of Hispanic Catholics in the South and West.
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20% of American adults identify as Catholic
The United States has the fourth-largest Catholic population in the world, with roughly 20% of American adults identifying as Catholic. This equates to approximately 52 million people. The Catholic Church is the country's second-largest religious grouping after Protestantism, and the country's largest single church if Protestantism is divided into separate denominations.
Catholicism is the largest religious denomination in the country, with approximately 77.4 million members as of 2017. The number of self-identified Catholics has grown by 48.5 million to 73.2 million. Of these, 14.9 million, or around 20%, are foreign-born. The Catholic Church has the third-highest total number of local congregations in the US, behind Southern Baptists and United Methodists. However, the average Catholic parish is significantly larger than the average Baptist or Methodist congregation. There are more than four times as many Catholics as Southern Baptists and more than eight times as many Catholics as United Methodists.
Catholicism has had a significant cultural, social, and political impact on the United States. The Province of Maryland, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, was founded with an explicitly English Catholic identity in the 17th century. The history of the Catholic Church in the US dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries following the arrival of Spanish and French missionaries. The population of Catholics in the US started growing rapidly in the 19th century, mainly due to immigration. The acquisition of the prior possessions of Mexico, France, and Spain, which were predominantly Catholic, also played a major role in increasing the number of Catholics in the US. Following this acquisition, there was a rapid influx of immigrants from Europe, including Poland, Germany, Ireland, and Italy.
The racial and ethnic makeup of the Catholic population varies by region. For example, in the Midwest, 78% of Catholics are White and 15% are Hispanic. In the Northeast, 72% of Catholics are White and 20% are Hispanic. In the South, 44% are White and 45% are Hispanic. In the West, there are more Hispanic Catholics than White Catholics (58% vs. 34%). A third of all US Catholics are Hispanic, 57% are White, 4% are Asian, and 2% are Black.
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Rhode Island has the largest Catholic population
Catholicism is the largest religious denomination in the United States, with approximately 77.4 million members as of 2017, or roughly 22% of the population. The US has the fourth-largest Catholic population in the world, after Brazil, Mexico, and the Philippines. According to the PEW Research Center, Rhode Island is the state with the largest population of Catholic residents, at 42%. This means that almost half of Rhode Island's population identifies as Catholic, making it the most Catholic state in the US.
The high number of Catholics in Rhode Island can be attributed to the historical presence of French-Canadian, Irish, and Italian immigrants in the region. In addition, there has been a recent influx of Hispanics and Portuguese into the state, further contributing to the growth of the Catholic population. Rhode Island's Catholic population stands in contrast to other states in the US, where the presence of Catholic residents is more dispersed.
While Rhode Island has the highest percentage of Catholic residents, other states have larger Catholic populations in raw numbers. For example, New Jersey is the third most Catholic state in terms of percentage, with Catholics accounting for 34% of its population, or about 500,000 people. However, this number still pales in comparison to Rhode Island's proportion of Catholic residents.
The Catholic Church in Rhode Island has a long history, dating back to the arrival of Spanish and French missionaries in the 16th and 17th centuries. Over time, the Catholic population in the state grew, and it has maintained its strong presence to the present day. The large Catholic population in Rhode Island has had a significant impact on the cultural, social, and religious landscape of the state, shaping its traditions and communities.
In conclusion, Rhode Island's Catholic population stands out in the United States, with almost half of its residents identifying as Catholic. This high concentration of Catholics has shaped the state's identity and culture, making it a unique religious landscape within the country. The historical and cultural factors contributing to Rhode Island's large Catholic population continue to influence the state's religious demographics today.
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Catholicism is growing fastest in the South and West
Catholicism is the largest religious denomination in the United States, with approximately 77.4 million members as of 2017, or 23% of the population as of 2018. The United States has the fourth-largest Catholic population in the world, after Brazil, Mexico, and the Philippines.
The growth of Catholicism in the South and West is also evident in the number of congregations in these regions. While there are Catholic congregations in 2,961 US counties, with at least one congregation in each county, the number of congregations in the South and West is smaller but with larger congregations. Large Catholic congregations are especially common in the West, with an average of 4,700 Catholics per congregation. In Florida, one of the states along the southern border that has seen a large influx of Catholics, the average congregation counts 7,000 regular worshippers.
The growth of Catholicism in the South and West can be attributed to various factors, including immigration and the acquisition of territories that were predominantly Catholic. The population of Catholics in the US started growing rapidly in the 19th century due to the acquisition of the prior possessions of Mexico, France, and Spain. This was followed by a rapid influx of immigrants from Europe, including Poland, Germany, Ireland, and Italy.
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Catholic voters are split between the Republican and Democratic parties
Catholics make up a significant portion of the US population, with approximately 77.4 million members as of 2017, comprising about 22% to 23% of the population. They are one of the largest religious groups in the country, outnumbering any single Protestant denomination. The US has the fourth-largest Catholic population in the world, after Brazil, Mexico, and the Philippines.
Catholics have a diverse range of political opinions, and their votes are often split between the Republican and Democratic parties. While partisanship is linked to religious affiliation, Catholic voters' diversity of opinions makes them a crucial swing vote in US politics.
Historically, Catholics were solidly Democratic, with an 80-90% level of support from the mid-19th century until 1964. This began to shift in the 1960s and 1970s, when a number of Catholics abandoned their traditional affiliation with the Democratic Party and moved towards the Republican Party. This trend continued in the 1990s, with Catholics becoming the largest swing vote in American politics.
Today, Catholic voters remain divided. According to Pew Research Center polls in 2018 and 2019, 48% of Catholic registered voters described themselves as Republicans or leaned Republican, while 47% identified with or leaned toward the Democratic Party. However, these proportions vary by race and ethnicity. White Catholic registered voters are more likely to identify with or lean toward the Republican Party, with 57-61% supporting the GOP, compared to 36-43% supporting the Democratic Party. On the other hand, Hispanic Catholic voters largely identify with or lean toward the Democratic Party, with 56-68% supporting the Democrats and 39-45% supporting the GOP.
Catholics' views on specific policy issues, such as abortion, often align more with their political party than with the teachings of the Catholic Church. For example, on the issue of abortion, Catholic Republicans are more likely to oppose abortion, reflecting their party's stance, while Catholic Democrats are more likely to support legal abortion, in line with their party's position.
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Frequently asked questions
There are around 52 million Catholics in the US, according to Pew Research. This equates to about 20% of the US adult population.
No, the number of Catholics in the US has been stable for the past 10 years. However, the number of self-identified Catholics has grown by 48.5 million to 73.2 million.
The US has the fourth-largest Catholic population in the world, after Brazil, Mexico, and the Philippines.
In 2016, 73.7% of Americans identified as Christian. This is down from 90% in 1963.
In 2021, 29% of Americans had no religious affiliation, up from 6% in 1991.
