Blacks attend church more than others; attendance varies across U.S

Jet, Oct 20, 1997

The proportion of people who attend church regularly varies dramatically by race, age, affluence, family structure and geography, a recent study found.

The percentage of Blacks who attend church is greater than any other race, the study found. Among Blacks, 53 percent answered "yes" to the question: "Have you attended a formal religious service at a church or synagogue in the last seven days?" The question was part of a three year study of 6,083 adults. About 44 percent of Whites and 44 percent of Hispanics said yes, while 39 percent of Asian and others answered yes.

The study, conducted by Scripps Howard News Service and Ohio University, found that only one-third of the urban residents of California, Oregon and Washington state reported attending a church, synagogue or mosque during the week of their interview. However, more than half of the adults living in rural southern communities said they had attended a formal religious service in the same time period.

Overall, states on the West Coast (36 percent) and in the Northeast (41 percent) had fewer church-goers, and the South (50 percent) and the Midwest (46 percent) had the most.

The survey also found that a larger proportion of older people at tend church. Among 18- to 24-year-olds, 29 percent attended service while 59 percent of people 65 or older said they attended church.

Single people without kids (31 percent) tended to worship at church less than those married with children (53 percent). As for married people without children, 41 percent attended church, and 42 percent of single parents attended service.

Those having a household income below $10,000 (37 percent) attended church less than those who made more than $60,000 (47 percent). Those making between $40,000 and $60,000 (50 percent) said they worshipped in church the most.