Black Catholics Number 2.8 Million in U.S., With Millennials Leading Weekly Mass Attendance
Black Catholics make up about 2.8 million people in the United States, or roughly 5 percent of all U.S. adult Catholics. A new report shows this group attends weekly Mass at a higher rate than the broader Catholic population, with Millennials making up 43 percent of Black Catholics.
Black Catholics make up about 2.8 million people in the United States, or roughly 5 percent of all U.S. adult Catholics, according to new data published in April 2026.
The group is notably young. Millennials make up 43 percent of Black Catholics, followed by Boomers at 22 percent, Gen X at 18 percent, and Gen Z at 17 percent. The average age is 44, with a median age of 40.
Black Catholics attend weekly Mass at a higher rate than the broader Catholic population. Forty percent attend weekly, compared to 26 percent of all U.S. Catholics. Fifty-five percent engage in daily prayer, versus 47 percent overall.
The Black Catholic population includes African Americans, African immigrants, Afro-Latinos, and Afro-Caribbeans. A majority, 55 percent, live in the American South, with Louisiana serving as a cultural hub.
Politically, 59 percent identify as Democratic, 22 percent as Independent, and 13 percent as Republican.
The data also reveals a sharp divide on race between Black and White Catholics. Eighty percent of Black Catholics agree that White skin comes with inherent privileges, while only 38 percent of White Catholics agree. Only 14 percent of Black Catholics believe the legacy of slavery and discrimination has little impact on the current status of African Americans, compared to 36 percent of White Catholics.
Despite their strong religious engagement, Black Catholics face challenges. Black Catholic parishes and schools have closed at a disproportionate rate in recent decades. Church leaders say addressing these closures is essential to retaining this devout and growing community.
