U.S. Church Closures Interactive Map

Key National Finding

The U.S. saw a net decline of approximately 15,600 congregations between 2000 and 2020 — from ~384,000 to ~368,000. The rate of closure has accelerated: losses from 2010–2020 outpaced 2000–2010 in most states.

Source: Calculated from RCMS congregation counts (2000, 2010, 2020 census years) as published by The ARDA.

Congregations Per 10,000 People (2020)

National average: approximately 11.2 congregations per 10,000 people. In 1900, the ratio was 27 per 10,000. States like Mississippi (19.1), North Dakota (18.0), and Kansas (13.2) remain above average. But high-population states like California (6.3), New York (6.4), and New Jersey (5.9) are well below.

Sources: Per-capita calculated from RCMS 2020 congregation counts divided by 2020 U.S. Census population. Historical 1900 ratio from Church Leadership statistics.

Northeast: Steepest Decline

New York (-2,170), Pennsylvania (-2,140), and Massachusetts (-790) experienced the heaviest losses. Mainline Protestant decline and Catholic parish consolidations drive this. The Northeast also has the lowest per-capita congregation rates in the nation.

Midwest: Steady Erosion

Ohio (-1,530), Illinois (-1,430), Michigan (-1,140). Rural depopulation compounds the effect — as small towns lose residents, their churches close with them. States like North Dakota and Iowa still have among the highest per-capita church rates, reflecting deep historical roots.

South: Mixed Results

Texas (+2,400) and Florida (+1,400) grew, but Alabama (-632) and Mississippi (-530) declined. The Southern Baptist Convention has lost congregations every year since 2017. (Lifeway Research)

West: Population-Driven Growth

Arizona (+929), Utah (+610), Colorado (+515), Idaho (+270) all grew, tracking population booms. But per capita, western states often have fewer churches per person than the South or Midwest. (RCMS via ARDA; 2020 Census)

Idaho: A Bright Spot

Idaho grew consistently across both decades: +160 (2000-10) and +110 (2010-20) for +270 total. At 12.8 congregations per 10,000 people, Idaho is above the national average — reflecting both population growth and active church planting across the Treasure Valley.

Sources: RCMS via ARDA (congregation counts); U.S. Census Bureau (Idaho 2020 pop: 1,839,106).

Key Denomination Findings

• Non-Denominational churches are the fastest-growing segment, adding an estimated 12,000+ congregations since 2000. These are often community churches, megachurches, and church plants that don't affiliate with a traditional body. (Lifeway Research)
• Assemblies of God has grown steadily, bucking the trend of most Protestant bodies. Strong emphasis on church planting and multicultural congregations. (AG Statistics)
• Latter-day Saints have grown with population, particularly in the West. Utah, Idaho, and Arizona have the highest concentrations. (LDS Newsroom)
• Southern Baptist Convention peaked in 2006 at ~44,000 congregations and has declined each year since 2017. 715 congregations closed in 2024 alone. (Lifeway Research)
• United Methodist Church has been devastated by the 2023-24 denominational split over LGBTQ+ inclusion. Over 7,600 congregations disaffiliated; many closed outright. (Axios, 2025)
• PCUSA & ELCA (mainline Protestant) continue steep, steady declines with aging congregations and few new church plants.
• Catholic parishes have consolidated significantly in the Northeast and Midwest as dioceses merge small parishes. Total parishes dropped from ~19,500 to ~16,700. (CARA, Georgetown)

What the Generational Data Shows

• Silent Generation (born before 1946): 84% identify as Christian; 51% attend weekly. The most religiously committed generation, but rapidly shrinking in population. (Pew, 2019)
• Baby Boomers (1946-1964): 76% Christian; 38% attend weekly. They are the financial backbone of most congregations today, but are now entering their 70s and 80s. (Pew, 2019)
• Gen X (1965-1980): 67% Christian; 30% weekly attendance. Often called the "forgotten generation" in church planning. (Pew, 2019)
• Millennials (1981-1996): 49% Christian; 22% weekly attendance. The first generation where less than half identify as Christian. (Pew, 2024)
• Gen Z (1997-2012): 44% Christian; 18% weekly attendance. The most religiously unaffiliated generation in American history. (Pew, 2024)

A Word From the Pastor

"The numbers on this map are not just statistics — they represent communities where the gospel was once proclaimed, where people were baptized and buried, where generations gathered. Some of those churches closed because their mission was complete. Others closed because the church lost its way, or the culture shifted under its feet, or the congregation simply aged out without passing the faith to the next generation."

"I built this map because I believe pastors, church planters, and denominational leaders need to see the full picture — not to despair, but to pray and plan with clarity. The fields are still white for harvest. The need is enormous. And the God who builds His church has not changed."

— Pastor Patrick J. Dailey, Senior Pastor, Ontario Community Church, Ontario, Oregon