Joshua Bennett
Catholicism is one of the most widely professed religions in the United States, with approximately 20-28% of the population identifying as Catholic. This equates to around 72 million Catholics out of a population of 306 million residents, according to a 2008 survey. The percentage of Catholics in the US has decreased over time, with the Catholic population in New England falling from 50% in 1990 to 36% in 2008. The Catholic Church has the third-highest number of local congregations in the US, with 17,007 parishes in 2018. The average Catholic parish is larger than the average Baptist or Methodist congregation, resulting in a higher total number of Catholics.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of US citizens who are Catholic | 20-28% (22% of 330 million Americans) |
| Catholic population in 2008 | 23.9% (approximately 72 million of 306 million residents) |
| Catholic population in 1990 | 50% in New England states, 44% in New York, 29% in California, and 23% in Texas |
| Catholic population in 2008 | 36% in New England states, 37% in New York, 37% in California, and 32% in Texas |
| Catholic ethnicity in 2004 | 60% non-Hispanic white, 31% Hispanic, 4% Black, and 5% other |
| Catholic political affiliation | 53% Republican, 43% Democrat |
| Catholic voters' opinion on abortion | 59% say it should be legal, 41% say it should be illegal |
| Catholic opinion on Pope Francis in 2025 | 78% favorable |
| Catholic opinion on Pope Francis (Democrats vs Republicans) | 78% of Democrats vs 69% of Republicans view Pope Francis favorably |
| Catholic attendance at Mass | 29% attend Mass weekly or more, 10% attend a few times a year or less |
| Catholic belief in God | 70% of Americans believe in a personal God |
| Catholic population distribution in the US | 29% in the South, 26% in the Northeast, 25% in the West, and 20% in the Midwest |
| Catholic population by race | 70% White, 15% Hispanic (in the Midwest); 72% White, 20% Hispanic (in the Northeast); 44% White, 45% Hispanic (in the South); 27% White, 58% Hispanic (in the West) |
| Catholic population in the US by region | 1,707 local Catholic parishes in 2018 |
| Catholic population worldwide | 1.3 billion |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Catholic demographics vary by region
The Catholic population in the US has shifted from the Northeast and Midwest to the South and West regions of the country. This shift is linked to the growing share of Hispanics in certain regions. While the Northeast is still more heavily concentrated with Catholics than Americans overall (26% vs. 18%), the share of Catholics living in the Northeast fell from 29% in 2007 to 26% in 2014. During the same period, the share of Catholics in the South rose from 24% to 27%.
In the Northeast, 72% of Catholics are White and 20% are Hispanic, while in the Midwest, 78% are White and 15% are Hispanic. In the South, the Catholic population is almost evenly split between White (44%) and Hispanic (45%) Catholics. In the West, there are more Hispanic Catholics (58%) than White Catholics (27%), and the region also has a larger population of Asian Catholics (10%) than other regions.
The racial and ethnic makeup of Catholics in the US varies significantly by region. Six-in-ten non-Hispanic Catholics live in the Northeast (32%) or Midwest (28%), while three-quarters of Hispanic Catholics live in the South (33%) or West (44%). In the Northeast and Midwest, three-quarters or more of Catholics are White (and non-Hispanic), while fewer than one-in-five are Hispanic. However, in the South, only half of Catholics are White, and 42% are Hispanic. In the West, a clear majority of Catholics are Hispanic (57%), with 31% White and 8% Asian.
The Catholic population in the US is diverse, with varying concentrations in different regions. The Northeast and Midwest have traditionally been home to a large percentage of Catholics, but the South and West are now seeing an increase in their Catholic populations, largely due to the growing number of Hispanics in these regions.
Pelosi's Catholic Faith: True Devotion or Lip Service?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$25.42 $29.95
Catholics' opinions on abortion align with political leanings
Catholics' opinions on abortion are often aligned with their political leanings. While the Catholic Church officially opposes abortion, a significant number of Catholics in the US favour abortion rights. According to a Pew Research report, 6 in 10 US Catholics support abortion rights, with Catholic Democrats being more likely to support legal abortion than Catholic Republicans.
Hispanic Catholics, who make up one-third of the US church, are slightly more supportive of legal abortion than White Catholics. The support for abortion rights also varies with the frequency of worship; 34% of Catholics who attend mass weekly support abortion being legal in all or most cases, compared to 68% of those who attend mass monthly or less.
The Catholic Church in the US has long been a strong opponent of legal abortion, teaching that human life is sacred from conception and that unborn children have a right to life. However, the views of US Catholics are more nuanced. A majority of Catholics believe that abortion should be illegal in some cases but legal in others. Catholic Republicans tend to be more conservative on abortion issues than Catholic Democrats, with 63% saying abortion should be illegal in all or most cases, while 77% of Catholic Democrats support legal abortion.
Political affiliation also influences opinions on abortion. A majority of Catholic Republicans and Republican-leaning independents believe that abortion should be illegal in most or all cases and that life begins at conception. In contrast, most Catholic Democrats and Democratic leaners support legal abortion in most or all cases, and only three-in-ten believe that life begins at conception. However, majorities of Catholics on both sides agree that abortion should be legal in cases of rape or danger to the pregnant woman's life or health.
While Catholics' views on abortion vary, they generally align with their political leanings, with Catholic Democrats being more supportive of abortion rights than Catholic Republicans.
Exploring the Catholic Church's Presence in Honduras
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Catholic Democrats view Pope Francis more favorably
In the United States, about 20% to 28% of the population identifies as Catholic. This includes 12% white, 8% Latino, and 2% other ethnicities (Black, Asian, etc.). The Catholic Church has a significant presence in the country, with over 17,000 local parishes in 2018 and a history dating back to the early colonial days.
Now, let's focus on the topic of Catholic Democrats' views of Pope Francis:
Catholic Democrats have consistently viewed Pope Francis favorably throughout his papacy. According to a Pew Research Center survey in February 2025, 89% of Catholic Democrats expressed a positive opinion of the pontiff, compared to only 7% who held an unfavorable view. This trend is not new; Catholic Democrats' support for Pope Francis has remained stable over the last decade. In 2014, a similar survey found that 87% of Catholic Democrats viewed him favorably.
The gap in Pope Francis' favorability between Catholic Democrats and Republicans has widened over time. While Catholic Democrats' support has remained high, Catholic Republicans' views have become more negative. In 2024, 35% of Catholic Republicans expressed an unfavorable opinion of Pope Francis, marking a significant increase from previous years. This shift reflects growing dissatisfaction among Republicans and independents who lean toward the Republican Party.
The reasons for the differing views between Catholic Democrats and Republicans can be attributed to their stances on social issues. Pope Francis has been seen as a catalyst for the Catholic Right in the U.S., energizing a traditionalist stream within the American church. His critics, including fellow clergy and conservative Catholic politicians, accused him of sowing confusion on church doctrines and exhibiting an autocratic leadership style. However, Catholic Democrats have largely supported his emphasis on inclusivity and ministry to marginalized communities.
Additionally, Catholic Democrats are more aligned with Pope Francis' stance on issues such as same-sex marriage and abortion. While the Catholic Church officially opposes abortion, 78% of Catholic Democrats believe it should be legal in most or all cases. Similarly, Catholic Democrats have steadily become more supportive of same-sex marriage during Pope Francis' papacy, reflecting their desire for a more progressive church.
In summary, Catholic Democrats view Pope Francis more favorably than their Republican counterparts due to their agreement with his stance on social issues and their appreciation for his emphasis on inclusivity and change within the Catholic Church.
Understanding Catholic PSR: What Does It Mean?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Catholics' religious involvement varies by race
The Catholic Church is the largest Christian denomination in the United States, with approximately 22% of 330 million Americans identifying as Catholic. However, the racial and ethnic makeup of the Catholic population varies across the country. For instance, in the Midwest, 78% of Catholics are White and 15% are Hispanic, while in the South, 44% are White and 45% are Hispanic.
Hispanic Catholics and Asian Catholics tend to be younger than White Catholics. In terms of political affiliation, partisan affiliation varies among US Catholics by race and ethnicity. A majority of White Catholic registered voters (61%) identify with or lean towards the Republican Party, whereas 56% of Hispanic Catholics favour the Democratic Party.
Black Catholics, who make up 4% of the Catholic population in the US, have different religious experiences compared to White and Hispanic Catholics. They are less likely to worship in parishes where most people share their race or ethnicity. Black Catholics are more likely than White or Hispanic Catholics to prioritize racial affirmation in churches and to emphasize the importance of opposing racism in their Christian identity.
While the Catholic Church has historically had a troubled relationship with Judaism and has been accused of systemic racism, it has shifted its perspective in recent years. The Church has denounced racism as morally wrong and has worked to formulate responses to address issues of racial bias and discrimination.
Feminism and Catholic Theology: A Complex Relationship
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$12.08 $12.99
Catholic Church membership is declining
The Catholic Church, like most organized religions in the United States, is experiencing a decline in membership. While the United States has the largest Christian and Protestant population globally, the dominance of Christianity has declined in recent decades. As of 2012, Protestants no longer formed a majority in the US.
Statistics
According to a 2025 Pew Research Center survey, only 19% of Americans self-identify as Catholic, a decrease from 24% in 2007. This is a 20% drop. In contrast, the number of religious "nones" increased by 81%, and Muslims increased by 200%. While the Muslim population has doubled, it still only makes up 1.2% of the overall population.
A 2008 survey by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life found that 23.9% of Americans identify as Catholic, translating to roughly 72 million out of 306 million residents. Another source estimates the overall American Catholic population to be around 20% to 28%.
Reasons for Decline
There are several reasons for the decline in Catholic Church membership. One factor is the sexual revolution of the 1960s, which affected the Catholic Church and the rest of the world. Additionally, the Catholic Church has been implicated in sexual abuse scandals, which may have contributed to the secularization and decline in religious affiliation.
Another factor is the Catholic Church's stance on certain culture war issues, such as abortion and gay marriage. While the Church opposes abortion, 59% of Catholics say it should be legal, and nearly three-quarters believe that homosexuality should be supported by society. These progressive views among Catholics may be at odds with the Church's more conservative teachings.
The Mass itself has also been criticized for feeling less reverent, with a focus on clapping rather than traditional rituals. The cancellation of Latin Masses and the promotion of radical bishops and priests have also been cited as concerns.
Geographical Variations
The decline in Catholic membership varies geographically. Strong pockets of Catholics can still be found in the Northeast and Southwest of the US, while the South has relatively fewer Catholics outside of Southern Louisiana and Florida. The Northeast has seen a noticeable decline, with fewer deeply red counties in 2020 compared to 2010. The upper Midwest has also experienced significant declines, particularly in states like Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Future Prospects
The Catholic Church in the United States faces significant challenges, and there is no single solution to reverse the decline. Catholics and Church leaders must be open to a complete overhaul of the Church's operations and address the concerns of its members.
St. Mary's College: Catholic or Not?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Estimates vary, but around 20% to 28% of Americans identify as Catholic. A 2025 survey found that 20% of US adults identify as Catholic, while a 2008 survey put the figure at 23.9%.
Approximately three in ten US Catholics (29%) attend Mass at least once a week. A slightly higher proportion (35% to 40%) attended religious services with the same frequency in the 18th century and the first half of the 20th century.
The Catholic population is spread relatively evenly across the US, with 29% in the South, 26% in the Northeast, 25% in the West, and 20% in the Midwest. However, the racial and ethnic makeup of Catholics varies by region. For example, in the Midwest, 78% of Catholics are White, while in the West, 58% are Hispanic.
Christianity is the most widely professed religion in the US, with 70% of Americans identifying as Christians. Of these, 44% are White Christians, including 12% who are White Catholics. The second-largest religion in the US is Judaism, practiced by 2% of the population, followed by Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam, each with 1%.
