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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 increased 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, as median attendance dropped by more than half and faith in institutions plummeted. Researchers surveyed 7,453 congregations between September and December 2025.
- Median income grew to $205,000 in 2025, supported by digital giving trends. Churches offering online giving rose to 76%, with about 40% of total revenue coming from online contributions.
- Alison Norton, co-director of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research, said the data showed "a story of resilience and recalibration." However, authors emphasized this shift does not represent a major religious revival.
- Scott Thumma, director of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research, noted researchers initially doubted the positive data. While congregational health appears stabilizing, the long-term trajectory of decline remains.
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Total News Sources19
Leaning Left8Leaning Right1Center9Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Center
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
50% Center
L 44%
C 50%
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