Skip to main content
institutional access

You are connecting from
Lake Geneva Public Library,
please login or register to take advantage of your institution's Ground News Plan.

Published loading...Updated

Worship attendance at churches up for the first time in decades, according to new report

The median in-person adult attendance rose from 45 during COVID-19 to 70, while 43% of congregations said they grew by at least 5%.

  • For the first time in 25 years, median worship attendance in the United States climbed to 70 adults, according to a report from the Hartford Institute for Religion Research released Friday, April 24.
  • Past decades proved difficult for American houses of worship, with median attendance dropping by more than half as faith in institutions plummeted. Researchers surveyed 7,453 congregations between September and December 2025.
  • Financial health improved alongside attendance, with median income reaching $205,000 in 2025. Online giving drove this growth, with 76% of churches offering digital contributions and about 40% of revenue coming from online sources.
  • Alison Norton, co-director of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research, told reporters the data showed "a story of resilience and recalibration." However, authors cautioned this shift does not represent a major religious revival.
  • Scott Thumma, director of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research, said researchers initially doubted the data, noting "we were pretty surprised when we saw the 2025 data." The long-term trajectory of decline persists despite stabilization.
Insights by Ground AI
Podcasts & Opinions

30 Articles

Associated Press NewsAssociated Press News
+21 Reposted by 21 other sources
Lean Left

Worship attendance at churches up for the first time in decades, according to new report

The median worship attendance dropped by more than half.

·United States
Read Full Article
Spectrum Local NewsSpectrum Local News
+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
Center

Worship attendance at churches up for the first time in decades

More people are volunteering, and there also seems to be a renewed sense of optimism among pastors and other clergy.

·United States
Read Full Article
Think freely.Subscribe and get full access to Ground NewsSubscriptions start at $9.99/yearSubscribe

Bias Distribution

  • 52% of the sources are Center
52% Center

Factuality Info Icon

To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium

Ownership

Info Icon

To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage

npr broke the news in Washington, United States on Friday, April 24, 2026.
Too Big Arrow Icon
Sources are mostly out of (0)

Similar News Topics

News
Feed Dots Icon
For You
Search Icon
Search
Blindspot LogoBlindspotLocal