US Catholics demographics statistics show a large, diverse population that varies widely by age, ethnicity, geography, immigration background, education, and income.
US catholics demographics statistics
US Catholics Demographics Statistics (Top Highlights)
19% of U.S. adults identify as Catholic (2023-24 Religious Landscape Study).
U.S. Catholics are 54% White, 36% Hispanic, 4% Asian, 2% Black, and 2% other/multiracial (2023-24).
43% of U.S. Catholics are first- or second-generation immigrants (29% foreign-born; 14% U.S.-born with an immigrant parent).
58% of U.S. Catholics are ages 50+ (29% are 50-64; 28% are 65+).
U.S. Catholics are 53% women, 46% men, and 1% identify in some other way.
35% of U.S. Catholics have a bachelor’s degree or higher (20% bachelor’s; 15% postgraduate).
31% of U.S. Catholics report household income of $100K+; 18% report under $30K.
U.S. Catholics live across all regions: 29% South, 26% Northeast, 25% West, 20% Midwest.
Among registered voters, 53% of Catholics identify with or lean Republican and 43% identify with or lean Democratic.
29% of U.S. Catholics say they attend Mass weekly or more often; 51% pray daily; 44% say religion is very important in their lives.
US Catholics by Race and Ethnicity
In the 2023-24 Religious Landscape Study, a majority of U.S. Catholics are White (non-Hispanic), and more than a third are Hispanic.
Label
Bar
Value
White
54%
Hispanic
36%
Asian
4%
Black
2%
Other/multiracial
2%
Max = 54. Widths: White 100.00%, Hispanic 66.67%, Asian 7.41%, Black 3.70%, Other/multiracial 3.70%
Age Distribution of US Catholics
U.S. Catholics skew older than the general population, with a majority ages 50 and up.
U.S. Catholics are relatively evenly distributed across regions, with the largest share living in the South.
Label
Bar
Value
South
29%
Northeast
26%
West
25%
Midwest
20%
Max = 29. Widths: South 100.00%, Northeast 89.66%, West 86.21%, Midwest 68.97%
Immigrant Generation
Immigration is a defining demographic feature of U.S. Catholicism, with sizable first- and second-generation shares.
Label
Bar
Value
First generation
29%
Second generation
14%
Third+ generation
54%
Max = 54. Widths: First generation 53.70%, Second generation 25.93%, Third+ generation 100.00%
Educational Attainment
In the 2023-24 Religious Landscape Study, 35% of U.S. Catholics report a bachelor’s degree or higher, while 38% have a high school education or less.
Label
Bar
Value
High school or less
38%
Some college
27%
Bachelor’s degree
20%
Postgraduate degree
15%
Max = 38. Widths: High school or less 100.00%, Some college 71.05%, Bachelor’s degree 52.63%, Postgraduate degree 39.47%
Household Income Distribution
Income among U.S. Catholics spans all brackets; in the 2023-24 Religious Landscape Study, 31% report household income of $100K+.
Label
Bar
Value
<$30K
18%
$30K-$49,999
18%
$50K-$99,999
25%
$100K+
31%
No answer
8%
Max = 31. Widths: <$30K 58.06%, $30K-$49,999 58.06%, $50K-$99,999 80.65%, $100K+ 100.00%, No answer 25.81%
More US Catholics Demographics Statistics
Gender composition among U.S. Catholics: 53% women, 46% men, 1% identify in some other way.
Age 50+ among U.S. Catholics: 58% (net).
Religious practice among U.S. Catholics: 29% attend Mass weekly or more often; 51% pray daily; 44% say religion is very important.
Politics (registered voters): 53% identify with or lean Republican; 43% identify with or lean Democratic.
Sources
Pew Research Center — 10 facts about U.S. Catholics (March 4, 2025): https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/03/04/10-facts-about-us-catholics/
Pew Research Center — Age, race, education and other demographic traits of U.S. religious groups (Feb 26, 2025): https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2025/02/26/age-race-education-and-other-demographic-traits-of-us-religious-groups/
Pew Research Center — Religious Landscape Study (Interactive): Catholics profile: https://www.pewresearch.org/religious-landscape-study/religious-tradition/catholic/
