US Catholics Demographics Statistics

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 (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.

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.

Max = 29. Widths: 18-29 48.28%, 30-49 93.10%, 50-64 100.00%, 65+ 96.55%

Where US Catholics Live (Region)

U.S. Catholics are relatively evenly distributed across regions, with the largest share living in the South.

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.

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.

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+.

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/