Bible Metrics: How Many Christian Churches Exist in America? (2025)

Counting the Faithful: A Look at Christian Churches in America

The landscape of Christian churches in the United States is vast and varied, reflecting a rich history and an ever-changing present. For many Americans, Christian faith and churches play an important role in their lives and communities. Understanding the number of these churches, their characteristics, and current trends offers a valuable window into the religious fabric of the nation. This report explores key questions about Christian churches in America, using the latest available data to provide a clear picture.

What is a “Church” for Counting Purposes?

Before we can count Christian churches, it’s important to understand what we mean by “church.” This might seem simple it can be tricky. There isn’t one single definition that everyone uses, which can make counting hard.

For tax purposes, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has a list of characteristics that help it decide if an organization is a church. These include things like having a distinct legal existence, a recognized creed and form of worship, a system of church government, ordained ministers, regular religious services, and a congregation of followers.¹ The IRS uses a combination of these, often referred to as the “fourteen points test” (though it’s more of a guide than a strict test), to make its determination.² An organization doesn’t need to meet every single point having a regular congregation that assembles for worship is often a key factor.²

Researchers who study religion often use a broader term like “congregation.” The Hartford Institute for Religion Research, a key source for church statistics, defines a congregation as a religious group that meets regularly, such as for weekly services.³ This definition can include churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples. For this report, when we talk about Christian churches, we are generally referring to these regularly meeting Christian congregations. Knowing how “church” is defined helps make sense of the numbers that different studies report.

How Many Christian Churches Are There in America Today?

Pinpointing the exact number of Christian churches in the U.S. Is a challenge because there’s no single, official list. Churches can open and close, and new ones might not immediately be counted by national groups. But researchers make strong estimates.

The Hartford Institute for Religion Research estimates there are roughly 370,000 religious congregations of all faiths in the United States.³ Within this larger number, they estimate that approximately 355,000 are Christian churches. This includes:

• About 332,000 Protestant and other Christian churches (like non-denominational churches).
• Around 23,000 Catholic and Orthodox churches.³

The U.S. Religion Census in 2020 counted 356,642 total religious congregations.³ The Hartford Institute’s number is a midpoint between this and another higher estimate. Experts like Jackson Carroll, Professor Emeritus at Duke Divinity School, have noted that getting a precise count is very difficult, and even numbers provided by denominations themselves might not always be perfectly accurate.³ Still, these estimates give us a good idea of the large number of Christian places of worship across the country.

How Has the Number of Christian Churches Changed Over Time?

Looking back, the number of religious congregations in America has generally grown over the centuries, though there have been ups and downs in how data was collected.

Early efforts by the U.S. Census Bureau to count houses of worship show a major increase:

• In 1850, there were 38,061 churches and congregations reported.⁸
• By 1870, this number grew to 72,459.⁸
• By 1890, it was 165,177.⁸
• The count rose to 232,154 by 1926.⁸

There was an apparent dip in the 1936 count to 199,302 congregations this was likely due to many congregations not reporting their information during the Great Depression, rather than a true decrease in the number of churches.⁸

More recent data from studies compiled by the U.S. Religion Census and similar efforts show continued growth in the latter half of the 20th century and into the 21st:

• 1952: 182,856 congregations 8
• 1971: 182,335 congregations 8
• 1980: 231,708 congregations 8
• 1990: 255,173 congregations 8
• 2000: 268,254 congregations 8
• 2020: The U.S. Religion Census identified 356,642 total religious congregations (of which the vast majority are Christian).⁵

This long-term trend shows an increase in the number of physical places of worship in the U.S., even as discussions continue about changes in how many people identify as Christian or attend services regularly. Methods of collecting data have evolved, which can affect direct comparisons across very long time spans. But the overall pattern indicates a growing number of congregations over the decades.

Which Christian Denominations Have the Most Churches and Members?

Within Christianity in America, different denominations and groups vary greatly in their number of local churches (congregations) and the total number of people who are part of them (adherents). The 2020 U.S. Religion Census provides a detailed look at these figures.⁹

Here are some of the largest Christian groups by these two measures:

Table 1: Top 5 Christian Denominations/Groups in the U.S. By Congregations and Adherents (2020)

Source: U.S. Religion Census 2020 9

Several interesting points emerge from this data:

• The Catholic Church has the largest number of adherents by a wide margin, with nearly 62 million people. But it has fewer individual congregations (around 19,400) compared to some large Protestant groups, meaning its parishes are, on average, much larger.⁹
• The Southern Baptist Convention has the most congregations of any single denomination, with over 51,000 local churches, and the third-largest number of adherents at over 17.⁶ million.⁹
• Non-denominational Christian Churches are a major force. They have the second-highest number of congregations (over 44,000) and the second-largest number of adherents (over 21 million).⁹ This aligns with other research showing major growth in churches that are not formally tied to a historic denomination.⁶ This growth may reflect a desire for local church independence, contemporary worship styles often found in these churches 13, or perhaps a move away from established denominations due to disagreements on various issues.⁶
• The United Methodist Church has a large number of congregations (over 30,000, ranking third). But its adherent count is fourth among these groups, and recent reports indicate declining membership and a formal split within the denomination.⁶ Maintaining such a large number of physical church locations could become challenging if membership trends continue downward or as divisions are finalized.

Is the Number of Christian Churches and Christians in America Growing or Shrinking?

The question of whether Christianity is growing or shrinking in America has a complex answer. The trends for the number of people identifying as Christian are different from the trends for the number of church buildings.

Identifying as Christian:

Pew Research Center studies show a notable decline in the percentage of U.S. Adults who call themselves Christians over the past decade and a half.

• In 2007, 78% of American adults identified as Christian.¹⁵
• This fell to 71% in 2014.¹⁵
• By 2023-2024, the figure was 62%.¹⁴ This marks a 16-percentage-point drop since 2007. Other sources show an even longer-term decline, from around 85% in 1990.¹⁷

But the most recent Pew study (2023-2024) suggests that this decline may have slowed or even leveled off since 2019, with the percentage of Christians hovering between 60% and 64% in recent years.¹⁴ This recent stability is a new development it’s too early to tell if it’s a temporary pause or a longer-term stabilization. Some data even suggests a renewed interest in Jesus and spiritual matters, even among those who don’t identify as Christian or attend church regularly.¹⁹ The long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on religious identity and practice is also still unfolding, with some reports indicating an increased acceptance of worship outside of a physical church building.²⁰

Trends within Major Christian Groups (Pew Research, 2007 vs. 2023-2024):

• Evangelical Protestants: Decreased from 26% to 23% of U.S. Adults.¹⁵
• Mainline Protestants: Dropped significantly from 18% to 11%.¹⁵
• Historically Black Protestants: Declined from 7% to 5%.¹⁵
• Catholics: Fell from 24% to 19%, though their numbers have been relatively stable since 2014.¹⁵

Number of Congregations and Attendance:

While fewer people identify as Christian, the U.S. Religion Census found that among 212 religious bodies that participated in both the 2010 and 2020 counts, the total number of congregations actually increased by 2.2%.⁶ But this overall increase hides declines in some large denominations (like Southern Baptists and United Methodists) which were offset by major growth in non-denominational churches.⁶

Regarding church attendance:

• Pew Research found that in 2023-2024, 33% of U.S. Adults reported attending religious services at least monthly. This figure has been fairly stable since 2020 but is lower than in earlier years.¹⁵
• Data from the General Social Survey (GSS) also indicates a long-term decline in church attendance, with 32% attending at least monthly in 2022.²¹

Church Planting and Closures:

The dynamic of new churches opening and existing ones closing also paints a mixed picture.

• In 2019, an estimated 4,500 churches closed, while about 3,000 new churches were opened.²³
• More broadly, about 4,000 churches are planted each year around 3,700 close, resulting in a small net gain of only about 300 churches annually.²³ Researchers note this rate is not enough to keep pace with U.S. Population growth.²⁴ if a large majority of existing churches are experiencing decline in attendance 23, a small net gain in the number of churches doesn’t necessarily indicate overall health for the Christian church ecosystem. It points to a need for renewal within existing congregations, not just the creation of new ones.

The major drop in those identifying with Mainline Protestantism (from 18% to 11% of adults between 2007 and 2024) alongside a slow overall growth in the total number of congregations suggests a substantial internal shift within American Protestantism. Growth appears concentrated in non-denominational and some evangelical areas, while Mainline denominations may be facing more closures or a rate of new church creation that doesn’t offset their losses in adherents and existing congregations.

Table 2: Trends in U.S. Christian Affiliation & Engagement

Note: Pre-2020 monthly attendance figures from Pew were higher, e.g., 50% in the 2014 RLS per 21; direct comparison is complex due to methodology changes.

What About Nondenominational Churches? How Many Are There and Are They Growing?

Nondenominational churches, which operate independently of historical denominations, represent one of the most major growth areas in American Christianity.

Numbers and Growth:

• The 2020 U.S. Religion Census reported 44,319 “Non-denominational Christian Churches,” making them the second-largest group by number of congregations in that census.⁹
• Researcher Scott Thumma from the Hartford Institute estimated that by 2019-2020, there were over 60,000 independent and nondenominational churches in the U.S., with at least 12 million adherents.¹² This was a substantial increase from his 2010 estimate of 35,000 such churches.¹²
• The U.S. Religion Census data showed that between 2010 and 2020, independent, nondenominational Christian churches gained nearly nine million adherents.⁶
• Pew Research also notes that the share of Americans identifying with nondenominational Protestantism is growing.¹⁴ In their 2023-24 study, 6% of U.S. Adults identified as nondenominational in the evangelical tradition and 1% in the mainline tradition.²⁵
• This movement has expanded dramatically from the 1970s when nondenominational churches were estimated to be only 5-7% of all congregations.¹²

Characteristics of Nondenominational Churches (based on 2020 FACT survey of these churches 12):

• Founding: Many are relatively new, with a median founding year of 1970 (compared to 1958 for evangelical denominational churches). About 88% were founded as nondenominational, while 12% became independent after leaving a denomination, mostly since 1980. This timing suggests that periods of debate or shifts in philosophy within established denominations may have contributed to the growth of the independent movement.
• Size: Their median attendance (60 people) is slightly smaller than evangelical denominational churches (70 people). But a larger share of nondenominational churches are very small (1-50 attendees: 49% vs. 42%). Despite this, their church buildings (sanctuaries) tend to have a slightly larger median seating capacity (250 vs. 200).
• Demographics: Congregations tend to be younger than those in evangelical denominations, with more young adults and fewer seniors. They are also notably more likely to be multiracial, with 37% having at least 20% racial/ethnic diversity among attendees, compared to 25% for evangelical churches. Many nondenominational churches actively strive for this diversity.
• Clergy and Congregation Education: Nondenominational clergy are less likely to have a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree (30% vs. 47% of evangelical clergy). Interestingly, a slightly higher percentage of people in nondenominational congregations hold college degrees. This dynamic—less formally credentialed pastors leading more highly educated congregations—might suggest that attendees are drawn by factors other than pastoral academic credentials, such as contemporary worship, community feel, or perceived relevance. It could also point to different leadership development paths within this movement.
• Finances: These churches reported nearly double the median income of evangelical denominational churches ($200,000 vs. $100,000) and higher per-person giving.

The rapid expansion and distinct characteristics of nondenominational churches—such as their contemporary styles, younger and more diverse congregations, and strong financial support—indicate they are effectively connecting with spiritual seekers in ways that some traditional denominations may find challenging.

Table 3: Profile of U.S. Nondenominational Churches (c. 2020)

How Large Are Most Christian Churches in America? Are Megachurches Common?

Although Images of large auditoriums filled with worshippers often come to mind, the reality for most Christian churches in America is much smaller.

The Dominance of Small Churches:

The 2020 Faith Communities Today (FACT) study found that:

• A large majority, 70%, of all faith communities (including Christian churches) have 100 or fewer people attending weekly services.²⁶
• The median attendance for a U.S. Congregation is just 65 people. This means that half of all congregations have 65 or fewer attendees on a typical weekend.²⁶
• Only 10% of congregations have more than 250 people in weekly services.²⁶

Where People Attend:

Even though most churches are small, most churchgoers attend larger churches.

• The same FACT 2020 study showed that roughly 70% of all people who attend religious services go to that 10% of congregations with more than 250 weekly attendees.²⁶
• Conversely, the 70% of congregations that are the smallest (100 or fewer attendees) are home to only 14% of all weekly attendees in the U.S..³ This “70/10 rule” (70% of people in the largest 10% of churches) suggests a major concentration of people, and likely resources and influence, within a relatively small number of larger congregations. These larger churches may disproportionately shape public perceptions of Christianity and influence smaller churches that might look to their models.

Megachurches:

Megachurches are defined by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research as Protestant Christian congregations with a sustained weekly attendance of at least 2,000 people.¹³

• As of 2020, there were about 1,750 megachurches in the U.S. This number more than doubled from around 600 in 2001.¹³
• While 1,750 is a small fraction of the roughly 355,000 Christian churches these large churches account for a major number of churchgoers.
• Megachurches are mostly Evangelical and often nondenominational. They are known for contemporary worship styles, often featuring modern music and technology. Many are located in Southern states or the West, typically in the suburbs of growing cities.¹³
• The median income for a megachurch in 2014 was $4.⁷ million.¹³
• An interesting trend within megachurches is that Although they attract many participants, the intensity of weekly physical attendance by that larger group may be decreasing. The median weekly worship attendance as a percentage of total participants in megachurches fell from 95% in 2008 to 68% in 2020.¹³ This could reflect broader societal trends of less frequent institutional engagement or the increased availability of online service options.²⁸

The declining median attendance for the average congregation (from 137 to 65 over 20 years of FACT surveys 26) combined with the growth in the number of megachurches 13 points to a potential “hollowing out” of mid-sized churches. It appears that congregations are increasingly either small (and often getting smaller) or growing very large, with fewer remaining in the middle range. The FACT 2020 report noted that much of the attendance decline seen in that study came from medium-sized congregations (51-500 attendees) getting smaller.²⁶

Table 4: U.S. Christian Congregations by Size (Weekly Attendance, c. 2020)

Where in the U.S. Are Christian Churches Most Concentrated?

The distribution of Christian churches across the United States is not even. Some regions have a much higher number of congregations per person than others.

Regional Concentrations (FACT 2020 data 26):

• The South: This region is home to half (50%) of all U.S. Religious congregations, even though it contains only 38% of the U.S. Population.
• The North Central (Midwest): This region has 24% of the nation’s faith communities and 21% of the population, indicating a slightly higher concentration of churches than its population share.
• The West: Contains 14% of faith communities but 24% of the U.S. Population, meaning fewer churches per person.
• The Northeast: Has 12% of congregations and 17% of the American population, also indicating a lower concentration of churches. The South and North Central states have nearly twice as many churches per million residents as the Northeast and West.²⁶ Nondenominational churches, a growing segment, also show a particularly strong concentration in the South.¹²

Urban versus Rural Distribution (FACT 2020 data 26):

The location of congregations in terms of urban or rural settings also reveals disparities:

• Rural areas (defined as areas with less than 2,500 people) have 25% of all congregations only 6% of the U.S. Population lives in these areas.
• Villages and Small Towns (population 2,500 to 20,000-50,000 depending on classification) host 22% of congregations, while about 8% of the U.S. Population lives in such towns.
• In contrast, large metropolitan cities and their suburban areas are home to 86% of the U.S. Population but have a combined 53% of congregations (28% in large cities, 25% in suburban areas).

This over-concentration of churches in rural areas and small towns relative to their population size (a combined 47% of congregations in areas with only 14% of the total U.S. Population) likely contributes significantly to the high number of small congregations. It suggests a historical pattern of church planting that may not have fully adapted to population shifts toward more urban and suburban centers. This can lead to many small churches struggling for resources and members in areas with declining or sparse populations.

Conversely, the lower density of churches in the West and Northeast, regions also known for higher percentages of people not affiliated with any religion, might reflect a cycle: fewer churches could mean less religious presence and influence, while lower religious interest could mean less support for establishing and maintaining new churches.

Table 5: Regional Distribution of U.S. Congregations vs. Population (FACT 2020)

| Region | % of U.S. Congregations | % of U.S. Population | Implication |

| :———— | :———————- | :——————- | :——————————- |

| South | 50% | 38% | Higher concentration of churches |

| North Central | 24% | 21% | Slightly higher concentration |

| West | 14% | 24% | Lower concentration of churches |

| Northeast | 12% | 17% | Lower concentration of churches |

Source: 26

Are “House Churches” or Other Small Church Models Becoming More Common?

Alongside traditional church buildings, there has been interest in smaller, more informal ways of gathering for worship, such as house churches.

Past Growth and Current Indicators:

A major study by the Barna Group in 2006 indicated a remarkable surge in house church participation. At that time:

• 9% of U.S. Adults said they attended a house church in a typical week, a jump from just 1% a decade earlier. This translated to an estimated 20 million adults attending weekly.²⁹
• About one in five adults (an estimated 70 million people) had at least tried participating in a house church.²⁹
• Interestingly, 19% of those who attended any type of church service were involved in both a conventional church and a house while 5% attended only a house church.²⁹ This “one foot in each camp” pattern suggests that for many, house churches might serve as a supplement to, rather than a complete replacement for, traditional church involvement, fulfilling different spiritual or communal needs.

While comprehensive, updated national statistics on the exact number of house churches in the U.S. For the 2022-2024 period are not as readily available in the provided research, recent surveys do point to attitudinal shifts that could favor such models:

• A 2022 Lifeway Research study found that 54% of evangelicals believed worshipping alone or with one’s family was a valid replacement for regular church attendance. This was up from about 40% before the COVID-19 pandemic.²⁰ This increased acceptance of worship outside traditional congregational settings, possibly accelerated by pandemic lockdowns, suggests a fertile ground for smaller, more intimate forms of Christian community like house churches.
• ReachRight’s “Church Stats 2025” mentions that 44% of people prefer to worship on their own, which could include various non-institutional faith practices.³¹

Another related trend is the development of “microsites” by some multi-site churches. These are smaller campus locations that might meet in homes, coffee shops, or other non-traditional venues, often viewing content from a parent church.³² While distinct from organically formed house churches, they represent a similar small-gathering format.

The data suggests a persistent, and perhaps growing, desire among some Christians for more intimate, decentralized, and less formally institutionalized expressions of faith and community. The earlier Barna findings of a house church surge, combined with more recent shifts in attitudes about where and how worship can validly occur, point toward the continued relevance of these smaller church models.

What Do These Numbers Suggest About the Future for Christian Churches in America?

The statistics on Christian churches in America paint a complex picture of an evolving religious landscape, marked by both major challenges and areas of dynamic growth. Several key trends offer clues about the future.

Key Indicators and Their Implications:

• Christian Affiliation: Although the long-term trend shows a decline in the percentage of Americans identifying as Christian (from 78% in 2007 to 62% in 2023-24), recent data suggests this decline has slowed and possibly stabilized since 2019.¹⁵ But a major challenge remains: younger generations are significantly less likely to identify as Christian than older adults.¹⁴ If current patterns hold, where age cohorts do not become more religious as they get older, this points to continued future declines unless engagement with younger people changes.
• Denominational Shifts: Mainline Protestant denominations have seen a steep decline in their share of the population (from 18% in 2007 to 11% in 2023-24).¹⁵ In contrast, nondenominational churches have experienced substantial growth in both the number of congregations and adherents.⁶ This suggests a continued reshaping of Protestantism, with independent and some evangelical movements gaining prominence.
• Congregational Vitality: The majority of congregations are small, with a median attendance of 65, and many are described as “growing older, smaller, and…less vital”.²⁶ The median rate of attendance change between 2015 and 2020 was a decline of 7%.²⁶ This, combined with an aging clergy 23 and the fact that many churches were planted decades ago (e.g., post-WWII 23), points to a potential sustainability crisis for a large number of existing smaller, traditional churches. This is especially true in rural areas that are over-churched relative to their population.²⁶ More church closures or forced mergers could result. But about a third of congregations did report growth between 2015 and 2020, and the 2020 FACT survey noted an uptick in self-assessed “spiritual vitality” and “willingness to change” among congregations.²⁶
• Church Planting and Closures: The net gain of new churches is slow (around 300 per year), with a major number of closures occurring annually.²³ An anticipated wave of closures due to aging congregations and pastors could exacerbate this.²³
• Increasing Diversity: Christianity in the U.S. Is becoming more racially and ethnically diverse. The growth of Hispanic Christianity, for example (from 13% of Christians in 2007 to 18% in 2023-24 16), will inevitably reshape the cultural expressions, worship styles, and theological focuses of the American church landscape.
• Spiritual Seeking and Engagement: Despite declines in formal affiliation, some research indicates a “renewed interest in Jesus” and a desire for spiritual growth, even among those not connected to a church.¹⁹ This suggests that the desire for spiritual connection remains traditional church models may not always be seen as the primary way to meet that need. This opens doors for innovative forms of ministry and outreach.
• Online Church: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased online worship, and this digital engagement appears to be a lasting change.²⁰ This offers new ways for churches to connect with people but also challenges traditional models of attendance and community.

Table 6: Key Indicators for the Future of Christian Churches in America

The future for Christian churches in America will likely involve navigating these complex dynamics. Adapting to changing demographics, embracing new forms of technology and community, and effectively addressing the spiritual questions of younger and more diverse populations will be crucial for their continued vitality and relevance.

Conclusion

Counting Christian churches in America reveals a landscape of immense scale and diversity. Estimates suggest around 355,000 Christian congregations operate across the nation, with Protestant groups, including a rapidly growing nondenominational sector, forming the majority, alongside a major Catholic presence.³ While most of these churches are small, the majority of churchgoers attend larger congregations.²⁶

The narrative of Christian presence in the U.S. Is one of ongoing change. The percentage of Americans identifying as Christian has declined over the past decades, although recent data hints at a possible stabilization in this trend.¹⁵ Within this broad picture, traditional mainline denominations have seen major decreases in affiliation, while nondenominational churches have shown remarkable growth.¹² The number of church buildings themselves has seen a slow net increase this is set against a backdrop of many existing congregations facing challenges of declining attendance and aging memberships.²³

Geographicallyes are more concentrated in the South and Midwest, particularly in rural areas and small towns which have a disproportionately high number of congregations compared to their population.²⁶ Emerging forms of like house churches and online services, also contribute to this evolving picture, reflecting shifts in how people approach faith and community.²⁰

Looking ahead, Christian churches in America face a future shaped by demographic shifts, including increasing racial and ethnic diversity and lower religious affiliation among younger generations.¹⁵ The ability of churches to adapt, innovate, and connect with the spiritual seeking of a changing American populace will determine their trajectory in the years to come. Despite the challenges, the sheer number of congregations and the continued spiritual interest reported by many Americans indicate that Christian churches will remain an important, though evolving, feature of the nation’s social and cultural life.