US Church Attendance Rises for First Time in 25 Years, Hartford Institute Study Finds
A new study from the Hartford Institute for Religion Research found that median in-person worship attendance climbed to 70 adults in 2025, up from a pandemic low of 45. Researchers called it the first positive gain in median attendance in 25 years.
Median in-person worship attendance at U.S. congregations rose to 70 adults in 2025, up from a pandemic low of 45, according to a study released in April 2026 by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research.
The study, based on data from 7,453 congregations collected between September and December 2025, marks the first positive gain in median attendance in 25 years. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the median stood at 65 in 2020 and 137 in 2000.
Researchers described the findings as a period of "cautious optimism" rather than a full revival. Not all congregations are recovering equally. Larger churches are more likely to report growth, while smaller congregations continue to see declines. Among those surveyed, 43% reported growth of at least 5%, while 46% reported a decline of at least 5%.
Much of the growth appears to come from members switching congregations rather than new people entering church life for the first time.
Financial health also improved. Median congregational income rose from $120,000 in 2020 to $205,000 in 2025. Online giving played a significant role, with 76% of churches now offering digital donation options, up from 58% in 2020. About 40% of total church revenue now comes through online channels.
Researchers also noted a drop in the number of clergy considering leaving ministry, which they attributed to improved morale tied to growing congregations.
The Hartford Institute plans a major follow-up survey in 2030 to determine whether the positive trends hold.
