Joshua Bennett
Wisconsin, situated in the Upper Midwest area of the United States, is home to a diverse range of religious communities. While Christianity is the most prevalent religion in the state, there are also Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu populations. Within the Christian majority, Protestants form the largest group, with Catholics being the second-largest community. According to various sources and surveys, the percentage of Catholics in Wisconsin ranges from 20% to 25% of the state's population, with a strong presence in the Milwaukee and Green Bay dioceses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of Wisconsin residents who identify as Catholic | 23% (2025) |
| Number of Catholics in Wisconsin | 1 million+ (2025) |
| Percentage of adults in Wisconsin who identify as Catholic | 20% (2023-24) |
| Number of Catholics in Wisconsin (2020 data) | 1.24 million |
| Largest Christian community in Wisconsin | Protestant Christians (44%) |
| Second-largest Christian community in Wisconsin | Catholics (25%) |
| Percentage of Wisconsin residents with no religious ties | 25% |
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What You'll Learn
Wisconsin Catholics: percentage and population
Wisconsin is home to several sites important to Catholics, including the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, the only approved Marian apparition site in the United States. The state also has a strong Catholic presence in the Milwaukee and Green Bay dioceses along eastern Wisconsin.
According to the Pew Research Center's Religious Landscape Survey in 2023-24, around 20% of adults in Wisconsin identify as Catholic, making them the largest single religious group in the state. This is slightly higher than the national percentage, which stands at 22% as of 2021. There are about 1.24 million Catholics in Wisconsin, according to 2020 data from the Association of Religion Data Archives.
Wisconsin's population is approximately 5.8 million residents, with a racial composition of 82% whites, 7% Hispanics, 6% Blacks, and 3% Asians. The state upholds religious freedom and has formulated laws protecting citizens against religious discrimination. In 2016, Wisconsin was ranked the 44th most religious state in the US.
Christianity is the most prevalent religion in Wisconsin, with 71% of the population affiliated with the faith. Protestants are the leading Christian group, with an estimated 44% of the population, while Catholics are the second-largest Christian community, accounting for 25% of the population. It is worth noting that the percentage of Catholics in Wisconsin who are white is around 23%, with similar numbers identifying as mainline Protestant (22%) and religiously unaffiliated (20%).
The Catholic Church in Wisconsin is organized into five dioceses: the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and the Dioceses of Madison, Green Bay, La Crosse, and Superior. While the Catholic population in Wisconsin is significant, there are challenges facing the Church, including a decline in infant baptisms, marriages, and active diocesan priests. The aging of parishioners and the decreasing number of young people attending Mass have resulted in declining worshiper numbers, leading to underutilized church buildings.
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Catholic decline in Wisconsin
Wisconsin, situated in the Upper Midwest area of the United States, has a population of approximately 5.8 million people, of whom 71% are Christians. While Christianity is the most prevalent religion in the state, Protestantism is the leading denomination, with an estimated 44% of the population. Catholicism is the second-largest Christian community in Wisconsin, with around 20-25% of the population identifying as Catholic. This equates to more than 1 million Catholics in the state, according to 2020 data from the Association of Religion Data Archives.
However, there are indications of a decline in Catholicism in Wisconsin. This mirrors a broader trend across the United States, where the percentage of Catholics has decreased from about 25% in 1960 to 22% in 2021. Similarly, in Wisconsin, there is a decline in infant baptisms, marriages, and active diocesan priests in the Catholic Church. The aging of parishioners, coupled with fewer young people attending Mass, has resulted in declining worshipper numbers and underutilized church buildings.
Several factors have contributed to the decline of Catholicism in Wisconsin and the United States more broadly. These include secularism, materialism, and relativism, which have impacted the beliefs and practices of Catholics. Additionally, there has been a noted decrease in priest numbers, with a drop from 59,000 to 35,000 priests nationwide since 1970. The Catholic Church in Wisconsin faces challenges in attracting young people, with a decline in infant baptisms and marriages performed.
The impact of this decline is evident in the closure or merging of several Wisconsin Catholic parishes over time. Despite these challenges, Catholics in Wisconsin maintain a strong presence, particularly in the Milwaukee and Green Bay dioceses along eastern Wisconsin. Furthermore, Wisconsin is home to significant sites for Catholics, such as the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion in New Franken, the only approved Marian apparition site in the United States.
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Catholic demographics in Wisconsin
Wisconsin, a state in the Upper Midwest of the United States, has a population of approximately 5.8 million residents. It is home to several sites important to Catholics, including the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, the only approved Marian apparition site in the US, and the Holy Hill National Shrine of Mary, a Roman Catholic shrine in Hubertus.
Catholics are the second-largest Christian community in Wisconsin, making up around 20-25% of the population, or more than 1 million people. They are particularly prevalent in the Milwaukee and Green Bay dioceses along eastern Wisconsin. The Catholic Church in Wisconsin is organized into five dioceses: the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and the Dioceses of Madison, Green Bay, La Crosse, and Superior.
The Catholic population in Wisconsin faces several challenges, including a decline in infant baptisms, marriages, and active diocesan priests. The number of worshippers is decreasing, and the remaining parishioners are aging, with fewer young people attending Mass. This is part of a broader trend in the United States, where the percentage of Catholics has fallen from about 25% in 1960 to 22% as of 2021.
In terms of Catholic ethnicity in the US, a 2004 poll found that 60% were non-Hispanic white, 31% were Hispanic, 4% were Black, and 5% were of other ethnicities, mainly Asian American or multiracial.
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Catholic sites in Wisconsin
According to recent surveys, around 22% of the population of Wisconsin identifies as Catholic. This percentage translates to over 1.2 million people in the state practicing the Catholic faith. With such a significant Catholic population, it is no surprise that Wisconsin is home to numerous historic and culturally significant Catholic sites.
One of the most prominent Catholic sites in Wisconsin is the Basilica of St. Josephat in Milwaukee. This stunning church was built in the early 20th century and is renowned for its beautiful Polish-inspired architecture and intricate interior details. The basilica's dome, modeled after St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, is a particularly impressive feature. Another notable church in Milwaukee is the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, which serves as the seat of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. This cathedral, with its twin spires and Gothic Revival architecture, is a landmark in the city and a popular destination for Catholic tourists.
Beyond Milwaukee, the State Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help in Champion is a significant Catholic site in Wisconsin. This shrine marks the location where, in the 19th century, a young Belgian woman named Adele Brise reportedly witnessed several apparitions of the Virgin Mary. Recognized by the Catholic Church, this shrine has become a popular pilgrimage site, drawing visitors from across the country.
Green Bay, known for its passionate football fans, also has a strong Catholic presence. The St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, with its striking copper dome, is a beloved landmark in the city. Established in the 19th century, the cathedral has a rich history and boasts beautiful stained glass windows and intricate interior designs.
In La Crosse, the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe is worth mentioning. This shrine honors the Virgin Mary's appearances to St. Juan Diego in Mexico City in the 16th century. With its peaceful setting and beautiful statues, it is a place of reflection and prayer for many Catholics.
Lastly, the St. Rose of Viterbo Convent in La Crosse is significant. This convent is the motherhouse of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, a Catholic religious order known for their dedication to perpetual Eucharistic adoration. The convent offers tours and welcomes visitors to learn about the sisters' way of life and their commitment to prayer and service.
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Catholic hospitals in Wisconsin
According to the Pew Research Center's Religious Landscape Survey in 2023-24, around 20% of adults in Wisconsin identify as Catholic, making them the largest single religious group in the state. There are more than 1 million Catholics in Wisconsin, out of a total population of around 1.24 million as per 2020 data from the Association of Religion Data Archives. Wisconsin is also home to several sites important to Catholics, including the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, the only approved Marian apparition site in the United States.
The Catholic Church in Wisconsin is organized into five dioceses: the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and the Dioceses of Madison, Green Bay, La Crosse, and Superior. Catholics are present throughout the state, but they have a particularly strong presence in the Milwaukee and Green Bay dioceses along eastern Wisconsin.
In terms of healthcare, Catholics run about one-third of Wisconsin's hospitals, which amounts to more than 600 Catholic hospitals across the United States. One notable example is the Ascension SE Wisconsin Hospital–St. Joseph Campus in Milwaukee, which follows the Ethical and Religious Directives set by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. These directives prohibit Catholic hospitals from providing certain procedures deemed immoral by the Church, including abortions, contraception, sterilization, and in-vitro fertilization. This has sparked criticism from reproductive rights advocates, who argue that these restrictions impose religious doctrine on patients and violate medical standards of care.
On the other hand, Catholic health systems argue that they serve as safety nets in impoverished communities and provide quality care comparable to secular hospitals. According to the Catholic Health Association (CHA), patients who received care at Catholic hospitals are more likely to recommend them compared to patients who receive care elsewhere. The presence of Catholic hospitals in Wisconsin has led to tensions within communities, reflecting the complex interplay between religious values and medical practices.
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Frequently asked questions
According to varying sources, the percentage of Catholics in Wisconsin ranges from 20% to 25% of the population.
With a population of approximately 5.8 million, Wisconsin is home to over 1 million Catholics.
Christianity is the most prevalent religion in Wisconsin, with 71% of the population affiliated with the faith.
Christianity makes up 71% of the population, with Protestants being the largest group at 44%. Catholics are the second-largest group at 20-25%, and people with no religious ties make up 20-25% of the population.
Nearly three in ten Wisconsin Republicans are white evangelical Protestant (28%), while 29% identify as white Catholic. This differs from the state overall, where 22-23% identify as white Catholic, and evangelical Protestants make up less than 20%.
