1. Assessing the Landscape
Demographics and Trends in Kansas Christianity

2. Religious Adherents in Kansas
Half of Kansans claimed by religious groups in 2010
1.4 million (98%) by Christian groups
27 thousand non-Christians

4. Largest Groups in Kansas
Christians are 97% Protestant or Catholic
Catholics are largest single group

6. Largest Groups in Kansas
Christians are 97% Protestant or Catholic
Catholics are largest single group
Protestants divided into a hundred smaller groups
Christian Group
Adherents
Catholics
426,611
United Methodists
202,989
Non-denominational churches
114,013
Southern Baptists
99,329
Other Protestant groups
535,194
Other Christian groups
38,906

9. Adherents of Other Religions
82 hundred Buddhists in five counties
From 7 to 27 temples
77 hundred Muslims in fourteen counties
From 9 to 11 masjids
77 hundred Jews in two counties
From 10 to 6 synagogues
37 hundred “Other” across all regions
From 15 to 20 centers

10. Unclaimed Kansans 1.4 million not claimed by any of 236 groups
Religion Census can’t identify them beyond total numbers, but Gallup surveys suggest
80% (1.1 million) believe in God
60% (850 thousand) are Christian
20% (300 thousand) call themselves members
Source: Gallup numbers (90%, 80%, 60%) applied to Religion Census 50% unclaimed figures for Kansas

11. Trends in Religious Groups
Catholics increased 5.1% statewide since 2000
Conservative/Evangelicals lost 1.5% since 2000
Group
2010 Adherents
Change
Assemblies of God
29,767
6.8%
Christian Churches & Churches of Christ
61,549
8.4%
Church of the Brethren
2,759
-25.2%
Church of the Nazarene
32,538
2.0%
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
59,381
-5.3%
Mennonite Church
12,647
-11.5%
Southern Baptist Convention
99,329
-6.2%

12. Trends in Religious Groups
Catholics increased 5.1% statewide since 2000
Conservative/Evangelicals lost 1.5% since 2000
Mainlines dropped 14.7% since 2000
Group
2010 Adherents
Change
American Baptist Churches in the USA
48,497
-24.6%
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
38,890
-31.7%
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
34,368
-19.1%
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
37,211
-26.8%
United Church of Christ
8,730
-35.4%
United Methodist Church
202,989
-1.6%

13. Trends in Religious Groups
Catholics increased 5.1% statewide since 2000
Conservative/Evangelicals lost 1.5% since 2000
Mainlines dropped 14.7% since 2000
Other groups grew, but numbers are small
LDS grew 64% to 40 thousand statewide
Orthodox Christians grew 24% to 3 thousand
“Other Christian” grew 56% to 1 thousand

14. Attendance Estimates
Up to one-fourth of Kansans attend religious services each week
Group
Attendance Estimate
Catholics
150,000
Mainline Protestants
125,000
Conservative/Evangelical Protestants
300,000
African American Protestants
12,000
Other Christian Groups
30,000
Non-Christian Groups
6,000
Source: Partial reports given to 2010 U.S. Religion Census offices.

15. Opportunities and Challenges
Population concentrations
Poverty rates
Population growth and decline
Minority groups

20. Who Works with Hispanics?
One-third of U.S. Catholics are Hispanic
Correlation between Hispanics and Catholics
Other groups also claim Hispanic membership
Group
U.S. Hispanic Membership
U.S. Hispanic Ratio
Catholic
21,000,000
33%
Assemblies of God
620,000
20%
United Methodist Church
68,000 1%
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
45,000
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
30,000
Church of the Nazarene
28,000 5%
Source: Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies

22. Further Data Available On-line
Specific denominations, maps, tables
Comparative religious tables and charts
Census and American Community Survey data
Community demographics