A Sample Presentation of
The State of the Church
in Ohio and the Sioux Falls
Metro Area
1990-2000
Dave Olson
www.TheAmericanChurch.org
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
1
The first 21 slides are from the
“State of the Church in Ohio”
Powerpoint. The Complete Powerpoint is 43
slides in length, and is available at
http://www.theamericanchurch.org/state/UOH20.htm.
It includes maps of church attendance in every county, as
well as denominational charts, average size charts, church
planting charts, ethnicity charts and population growth
information.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
2
In 1996,
polls taken immediately after the Presidential election
revealed that 58% of people claimed they had voted,
when in reality only 49% actually did. This is called the
Halo Effect. People tend to over-inflate their participation
in activities that create acceptability within their social
group.
For many decades, pollsters such as Gallup and Barna have
reported that around 45% of Americans attend church
every Sunday. But there is a religious Halo Effect. Actual
attendance counts have shown that the
percentage of people attending church on any
given weekend is much lower than was previously
thought.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
3
The Intent
of this presentation is to answer and then expand on two
key questions:
“How Many People Really Attend Church in
Ohio Every Week?”
“Is the Christian Church Going Forwards or
Backwards in Influence in Ohio?”
As the data is analyzed county by county assessing a number of
factors, a comprehensive picture of the State of the Church in Ohio
will begin to take shape.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
4
This study
uses weekend church attendance as a more
reliable and more immediate snapshot of
Christian influence than membership. The
following map shows the percentage of
the population attending a Christian
church on any given weekend in all 50
states in 2000. Ohio has an average
church attendance percentage (20.3%)
close to the national average (18.7%).
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
5
Percentage of Population Attending a Christian
Church on any Given Weekend 2000
11.8%
14.0%
NH
WA
17.5%
11.2%
13.2%
29.4%
MT
23.2%
ND
ME
VT
MN
14.5%
OR
14.4%
11.4%
24.6%
28.0%
ID
14.0%
NY
WI
SD
20.6%
WY
20.3%
CA
20.3%
15.2%
UT
IL
CO
22.7%
KS
AZ
21.7%
IN
WV
22.1%
MO
OK
NM
22.7%
NC
TN
25.0%
28.6% 16.0%
DC
DE
17.7%
MD
23.3%
SC
26.7%
MS
TX
18.0%
VA
KY
AR
19.1%
CT
NJ
17.4%
21.5%
22.0%
17.8%
16.0%
OH
23.5%
14.3%
17.2%
PA
IA
3.1%
NV
RI
20.5%
24.7%
NE
14.8%
20.1%
MI
23.8%
9.7%
MA
15.5%
26.9%
23.3%
GA
AL
29.4%
LA
15.1%
AK
15.1%
13.4%
HI
0.0% to 14.4%
14.4% to 17.5%
17.5% to 20.6%
20.6% to 23.5%
23.5% to 29.4%
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
FL
6
The Next Map
shows the percentage of the population
attending a Christian church on any given
weekend in 2000 for each county in Ohio.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
7
17.4%
17.1%
Ashtabula
Lake
25.2%
19.8%
Fulton
Williams
25.7%
26.9%
Defiance
Henry
19.9%
Lucas
20.7%
Ottawa
17.2%
Wood
19.8%
19.8%
Sandusky
Erie
25.5%
20.2%
Seneca
Paulding
47.5%
21.7%
Allen
25.0%
25.8%
Wyandot
Crawford
21.7%
Logan
17.1%
Union
Butler
26.3%
17.4%
Stark
Columbiana
23.0%
Delaware
14.9%
Madison
12.4%
15.8%
11.6%
Fairfield
Perry
17.3%
Coshocton
Harrison
16.2%
Guernsey
11.2%
Ross
21.3%
Washington
Vinton
13.0%
9.1%
Pike
10.3%
Meigs
Jackson
14.6%
Brown
Morgan
Athens
8.3%
Highland
15.3%
29.8%
Monroe
12.1%
12.4%
Clinton
Noble
Hocking
16.4%
20.4%
Belmont
17.7%
16.4%
Pickaway
19.2%
12.7%
16.0%
Adams
Scioto
16.7%
Gallia
14.2%
0.0% to 16.7%
16.7% to 20.3%
20.3% to 48.5%
15.5%
17.9%
Muskingum
Franklin
17.9%
24.7%
Hamilton
23.5%
Jefferson
Tuscarawas
Knox
17.6%
13.8%
Fayette
Clermont
11.6%
Carroll
26.5%
Holmes
15.7%
Greene
17.3%
Warren
23.9%
Wayne
13.2%
21.4%
18.5%
Portage
19.0%
Licking
Clark
Montgomery
14.5%
22.4%
Summit
Ashland
Morrow
12.5%
Champaign
17.5%
Preble
Medina
20.3%
Miami
14.9%
16.2%
Huron
12.6%
Marion
19.6%
Darke
18.6%
Richland
16.8%
Mercer
27.7%
Trumbull
22.0%
18.7%
Hardin
26.7%
Auglaize
23.9%
Shelby
18.3%
Lorain
25.7%
Mahoning
17.6%
37.8%
Cuyahoga
18.8%
20.8%
Hancock
Putnam
Van Wert
17.3%
Geauga
23.3%
Lawrence
Ohio Counties
2000 Percentage of Population at
Worship in Christian Churches
On any Given Sunday
Blue = Lowest
Rose = Middle
Beige = Highest
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
8
The Next 2 Maps
show the population numbers for each county
in Ohio. The first map shows the population
of each county. The second map shows the
growth or decline in population for each
county from 1990 - 2000. Nineteen counties
have declined in population over the last
decade.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
9
227,511
102,728
Ashtabula
Lake
42,084
39,188
Fulton
Williams
39,500
29,210
Defiance
Henry
455,054
Lucas
40,985
Ottawa
121,065
Wood
61,792
79,551
Sandusky
Erie
58,683
20,293
Seneca
Paulding
34,726
71,295
Putnam
Hancock
108,473
Allen
22,908
46,966
Wyandot
Crawford
40,924
Hardin
98,868
40,909
Union
559,062
Preble
Montgomery
Butler
111,564
378,098
112,075
Ashland
Wayne
Stark
Columbiana
90,914
73,894
Jefferson
Tuscarawas
Knox
109,989
Delaware
144,742
40,213
Clark
Madison
36,655
15,856
Coshocton
Harrison
84,585
Muskingum
Franklin
147,886
52,727
122,759
34,078
Fairfield
Perry
28,241
Morgan
63,251
Washington
Vinton
Ohio Counties
2000 Population
23,072
27,695
Pike
15,180
Monroe
Athens
12,806
Highland
177,977
Noble
62,223
73,345
Ross
70,226
Belmont
14,058
Hocking
40,543
Clinton
40,792
Guernsey
14,897
Pickaway
40,875
Clermont
28,836
Carroll
38,943
Holmes
Licking
845,303
Hamilton
Portage
52,523
1,068,978
28,433
Fayette
158,383
Warren
152,061
542,899
Summit
145,491
Greene
332,807
Medina
Morrow
38,890
Champaign
Miami
42,337
151,095
Huron
54,500
Logan
Shelby
Darke
59,487
31,628
Marion
46,005
53,309
Trumbull
Richland
66,217
Mercer
47,910
225,116
Lorain
128,852
31,945
46,611
Auglaize
Cuyahoga
284,664
257,555
Mahoning
29,659
Van Wert
90,895
Geauga
1,393,978
32,641
Meigs
Jackson
42,285
Brown
27,330
79,195
Adams
Scioto
31,069
Gallia
62,319
Lawrence
0 to 50,000
50,000 to 200,000
200,000 to 1,393,979
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
10
12,012
2,907
Ashtabula
Lake
-7,307
3,586
2,232
Lucas
956
Ottawa
Fulton
Williams
150
7,796
Wood
102
Defiance
-171
2,772
Sandusky
Erie
-1,050
Seneca
Paulding
907
-1,282
28,741
27,909
Medina
Summit
654
-904
Wyandot
Crawford
8,940
Union
2,871
Champaign
-14,747
-2,806
3,145
Clark
Madison
Butler
Columbiana
Holmes
6,824
Delaware
1,228
-229
Coshocton
Harrison
1,768
2,517
Franklin
Muskingum
4,472
19,298
2,521
Fairfield
Perry
2,674
Vinton
Pike
85
2,411
Meigs
Jackson
1,959
997
Washington
Athens
1,708
3,446
Adams
Morgan
Hocking
7,319
-317
Monroe
703
Highland
Brown
Noble
2,708
Ross
27,790
2,722
Pickaway
4,015
Clinton
-848
Belmont
Guernsey
107,541
5,147
Clermont
-6,404
Jefferson
Tuscarawas
Knox
43,060
5,128
-20,925
Hamilton
2,315
Carroll
6,094
3,879
Morrow
11,155
967
Fayette
44,474
Warren
3,799
Stark
Licking
Greene
41,328
10,513
17,191
Miami
Montgomery
10,103
Wayne
7,027
Logan
-310
2,224
5,016
2,715
Marion
Darke
Preble
Portage
Ashland
Richland
1,943
3,695
5,686
9,476
3,247
-7,251
834
Hardin
2,026
Auglaize
2,995
Shelby
Trumbull
Huron
Allen
Mercer
-2,697
Lorain
Mahoning
-805
1,481
13,538
5,759
Hancock
Putnam
Van Wert
Cuyahoga
Henry
-195
9,766
Geauga
-18,162
-1,132
Scioto
115
Gallia
485
Lawrence
Ohio Counties
1990 - 2000 Growth or
Decline in Population
-21,000 to 0
0 to 10,000
10,000 to 120,000
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
11
The Next 2 Slides
show the ethnicity of Ohio in 1990 and 2000.
The third slide shows the growth or decline in
the percentage of the population for each
ethnic group.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
12
1990 Ethnicity of Oklahoma
Asian
1%
Hispanic
1%
Non-Hispanic Black
11%
Non-Hispanic White
Non-Hispanic Black
Hispanic
Asian
Non-Hispanic White
87%
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
13
2000 Ethnicity of Ohio
Asian
1%
Hispanic
2%
Non-Hispanic Black
12%
Non-Hispanic White
Non-Hispanic Black
Hispanic
Asian
Non-Hispanic White
85%
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
14
Ohio 1990 - 2000 Growth or Decline in an Ethnic Group's
Percentage of the Population
68.6%
70.0%
57.2%
60.0%
50.0%
40.0%
30.0%
12.8%
20.0%
10.0%
0.0%
-3.6%
-10.0%
Non-Hispanic White
Non-Hispanic Black
Hispanic
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
Asian
15
The Next Graph
shows the attendance numbers for the churches in Ohio
in 1990 and 2000. Evangelicals have grown
numerically over the last decade. Mainline and
Catholic groups and total attendance have declined
numerically. As population changes, a more reliable
standard for evaluating increasing or declining
influence is the percentage of the population
attending church on any given weekend, shown in
the second graph. This graph reflects a significant
decrease in the percentage of the population
attending church, with the exception of Evangelical
churches which has remained constant.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
16
Ohio Worship Attendance - 1990 & 2000
2,424,695
2,500,000
2,308,563
2,000,000
1,500,000
1,000,000
912,723
926,901
958,828
804,975
571,354
529,038
500,000
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
2000 Total
1990 Total
2000 Catholic
1990 Catholic
2000 Mainline
1990 Mainline
2000 Evangelical
1990 Evangelical
-
17
Ohio Worship Attendance in 1990 & 2000 by Percentage of Population
25.0%
22.4%
20.3%
20.0%
15.0%
1990
2000
10.0%
8.4%
8.5%
8.4%
7.1%
5.3%
4.7%
5.0%
0.0%
Evangelical
Mainline
Catholic
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
Total
18
The 2 Next Charts
show the relative strength of the 8 major
denominational groups in Ohio. Every group
declined in percentage of the population
attending except the Pentecostals.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
19
Ohio 2000 Church Attendance by "Denominational Family"
Other
21%
Baptist
13%
Methodist
11%
Lutheran
6%
Reformed
3%
Pentecostal
5%
Catholic
34%
Baptist
Methodist
Lutheran
Reformed
Pentecostal
Christian
Catholic
Other
Christian
7%
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
20
Ohio 1990-2000 Percentage of the Population Attending Church by
"Denominational Family"
9.0%
8.5%
8.0%
7.1%
7.0%
6.0%
5.0%
4.4%
4.0%
3.0%
2.7% 2.6%
2.4%
4.2%
1990
2000
2.2%
2.0%
1.5% 1.4%
1.2% 1.1%
0.7% 0.6%
1.0%
0.9% 0.9%
0.0%
Baptist
Methodist
Lutheran
Reformed
Pentecostal
Christian
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
Catholic
Other
21
The Next Map
shows the percentage of the population
attending a Christian church on any given
weekend in 2000 for each county in Ohio.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
22
17.4%
17.1%
Ashtabula
Lake
25.2%
19.8%
Fulton
Williams
25.7%
26.9%
Defiance
Henry
19.9%
Lucas
20.7%
Ottawa
17.2%
Wood
19.8%
19.8%
Sandusky
Erie
25.5%
20.2%
Seneca
Paulding
47.5%
21.7%
Allen
25.0%
25.8%
Wyandot
Crawford
21.7%
Logan
17.1%
Union
Butler
26.3%
17.4%
Stark
Columbiana
23.0%
Delaware
14.9%
Madison
12.4%
15.8%
11.6%
Fairfield
Perry
17.3%
Coshocton
Harrison
16.2%
Guernsey
11.2%
Ross
21.3%
Washington
Vinton
13.0%
9.1%
Pike
10.3%
Meigs
Jackson
14.6%
Brown
Morgan
Athens
8.3%
Highland
15.3%
29.8%
Monroe
12.1%
12.4%
Clinton
Noble
Hocking
16.4%
20.4%
Belmont
17.7%
16.4%
Pickaway
19.2%
12.7%
16.0%
Adams
Scioto
16.7%
Gallia
14.2%
0.0% to 16.7%
16.7% to 20.3%
20.3% to 48.5%
15.5%
17.9%
Muskingum
Franklin
17.9%
24.7%
Hamilton
23.5%
Jefferson
Tuscarawas
Knox
17.6%
13.8%
Fayette
Clermont
11.6%
Carroll
26.5%
Holmes
15.7%
Greene
17.3%
Warren
23.9%
Wayne
13.2%
21.4%
18.5%
Portage
19.0%
Licking
Clark
Montgomery
14.5%
22.4%
Summit
Ashland
Morrow
12.5%
Champaign
17.5%
Preble
Medina
20.3%
Miami
14.9%
16.2%
Huron
12.6%
Marion
19.6%
Darke
18.6%
Richland
16.8%
Mercer
27.7%
Trumbull
22.0%
18.7%
Hardin
26.7%
Auglaize
23.9%
Shelby
18.3%
Lorain
25.7%
Mahoning
17.6%
37.8%
Cuyahoga
18.8%
20.8%
Hancock
Putnam
Van Wert
17.3%
Geauga
23.3%
Lawrence
Ohio Counties
2000 Percentage of Population at
Worship in Christian Churches
On any Given Sunday
Blue = Lowest
Rose = Middle
Beige = Highest
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
23
The Complete Ohio Powerpoint is
42 slides in length, and is available at
http://www.theamericanchurch.org/state/UOH20.htm.
It includes maps of church attendance in every county in
the metro area, as well as denominational charts, average
size charts, church planting charts, ethnicity charts and
population growth information.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
24
The next 4 slides are from the
“State of the Church in Cleveland”
Powerpoint. The Complete Powerpoint is 49
slides in length, and is available at
http://www.theamericanchurch.org/metro/Cleveland.htm.
It includes maps of church attendance in every county in
the metro area, as well as denominational charts, average
size charts, church planting charts, ethnicity charts and
population growth information.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
25
The Next Map
shows the attendance numbers of churches in the
Cleveland Metro Area for 1990 and 2000. There has
been some growth for Evangelicals, but Mainline,
Catholic and Total numbers have declined. As the
population has grown, a more reliable standard for
evaluating increasing or declining influence is the
percentage of the population attending church on
any given weekend, shown in the second graph.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
26
Cleveland MSA Worship Attendance 1990 & 2000
600,000
507,900
500,000
476,185
400,000
300,000
267,536
239,497
200,000
156,561
159,148
100,000
78,619
72,050
1990
Evangelical
2000
Evangelical
1990 Mainline 2000 Mainline 1990 Catholic 2000 Catholic
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
1990 Total
2000 Total
27
Cleveland MSA 1990 & 2000 Percentage of Population at Worship
25.0%
23.1%
21.2%
20.0%
15.0%
12.1%
1990
2000
10.6%
10.0%
7.1%
7.1%
5.0%
3.6%
3.2%
0.0%
Evangelical
Mainline
Catholic
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
Total
28
1990 - 2000 Increase or Decline in Percentage of the Population
in a Christian Church on any Given Weekend by Denominational Family
10.0%
5.6%
5.0%
0.0%
-0.9%
-2.0%
-2.0%
-3.1%
-5.0%
-10.0%
-12.4%
-12.7%
-13.8%
-15.0%
-20.0%
Baptist
Methodist
Lutheran
Reformed
Pentecostal
Christian
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
Catholic
Other
29
The Complete Cleveland Powerpoint is 49
slides in length, and is available at
http://www.theamericanchurch.org/metro/Cleveland.htm.
It includes maps of church attendance in every county in
the metro area, as well as denominational charts, average
size charts, church planting charts, ethnicity charts and
population growth information.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
30
The next 5 slides are from the
“State of the Church in Columbus”
Powerpoint. The Complete Powerpoint is 46
slides in length, and is available at
http://www.theamericanchurch.org/metro/Columbus.htm.
It includes maps of church attendance in every county in
the metro area, as well as denominational charts, average
size charts, church planting charts, ethnicity charts and
population growth information.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
31
The Next Map
shows the attendance numbers of churches in the
Columbus Metro Area for 1990 and 2000. There
has been some growth for Evangelicals and
Mainline churches, while Catholics declined slightly.
Unfortunately, as worship attendance has remained
quite stable, the population has grown. A more
reliable standard for evaluating increasing or
declining influence is the percentage of the
population attending church on any given
weekend, shown in the second graph. The
percentage is declining for each of the three
groups.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
32
Columbus MSA 2000 Worship Attendance
300,000
257,525
248,456
250,000
200,000
150,000
123,133
112,265
100,000
71,937
72,463
63,004
60,663
50,000
1990
Evangelical
2000
Evangelical
1990 Mainline 2000 Mainline 1990 Catholic 2000 Catholic
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
1990 Total
2000 Total
33
Columbus MSA 1990 & 2000 Percentage of Population at Worship
20.0%
18.5%
18.0%
16.7%
16.0%
14.0%
12.0%
10.0%
1990
8.3%
2000
8.0%
8.0%
6.0%
5.3%
4.7%
4.7%
3.9%
4.0%
2.0%
0.0%
Evangelical
Mainline
©
2004 by DavidCatholic
T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
Total
34
The Next Chart
shows the increase or decline in the percentage
of the population attending the 8 major
denominational groups in the Columbus
metro area.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
35
1990 - 2000 Increase or Decline in Percentage of the Population
4.1%
5.0%
0.0%
-3.2%
-5.0%
-5.8%
-10.0%
-11.0%
-13.4%
-15.0%
-15.9%
-16.4%
-16.7%
-20.0%
Baptist
Methodist
Lutheran
Reformed
Pentecostal
Christian
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
Catholic
Other
36
The Complete Columbus Powerpoint is 46
slides in length, and is available at
http://www.theamericanchurch.org/metro/Columbus.htm.
It includes maps of church attendance in every county in
the metro area, as well as denominational charts, average
size charts, church planting charts, ethnicity charts and
population growth information.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
37
The next 5 slides are from the
“State of the Church in Cincinnati”
Powerpoint. The Complete Powerpoint is 46
slides in length, and is available at
http://www.theamericanchurch.org/metro/Cincinnati.htm.
It includes maps of church attendance in every county in
the metro area, as well as denominational charts, average
size charts, church planting charts, ethnicity charts and
population growth information.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
38
The Next Map
shows the percentage of the population
attending a Christian church on any given
weekend in 2000 for each county in the
Cincinnati area.
The Cincinnati MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) consists of
Brown, Clermont, Hamilton and Warren (OH) counties and
Boone, Campbell, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, Pendleton, Dearborn
and Ohio (KY) counties.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
39
Cincinnati Metro Area 2000 Percentage
of the Population Attending a Christian
Church on Any Given Weekend
14.6%
17.3%
Butler
15.5%
Dearborn
20.5%
16.8%
Boone
Ohio
Warren
24.7%
Hamilton
15.3%
Clermont
21.0%
19.7%
Kenton Campbell
41.6%
Gallatin
21.3%
Grant
25.8%
Pendleton
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
40
The Next Chart
shows the 1990 & 2000 average church
attendance by group for both this metro
area and the nation. The second chart
shows the 1990 & 2000 population per
church for this metro area and the nation.
In 2000, Arkansas had the lowest population
per church ratio with 411 people per
church. Utah had the highest ratio with
4,586 people per church.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
41
1990 & 2000 Cincinnati MSA Average Church Attendance
1,000
952
906
900
794 794
800
700
600
1990 Cincinnati MSA
2000 Cincinnati MSA
500
1990 US Average
2000 US Average
400
300
218 212
200
172 175
134 144 124 131
114 107 112 115
100
Evangelical
Mainline
Catholic
Total
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
42
1990 & 2000 Cincinnati MSA Population per Church
979
1,000
939
950
900
900
Metro
National
843
850
800
750
1990
2000
© 2004 by David T. Olson
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43
The Complete Cincinnati Powerpoint is 46
slides in length, and is available at
http://www.theamericanchurch.org/metro/Cincinnati.htm.
It includes maps of church attendance in every county in
the metro area, as well as denominational charts, average
size charts, church planting charts, ethnicity charts and
population growth information.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
44
The next 5 slides are from the
“State of the Church in Akron” Powerpoint.
The Complete Powerpoint is 38 slides in
length, and is available at
http://www.theamericanchurch.org/metro/Akron.htm.
It includes maps of church attendance in every county in
the metro area, as well as denominational charts, average
size charts, church planting charts, ethnicity charts and
population growth information.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
45
The Next Graph
shows the attendance numbers for the churches in the
Akron metro in 1990 and 2000. Overall, there has
been a significant decline in the last decade of the
number of people attending church, except for in the
Catholic church. Unfortunately, as overall worship
attendance has increased, the population has grown.
A more reliable standard for evaluating increasing or
declining influence is the percentage of the
population attending church on any given weekend,
shown in the second graph.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
46
Akron MSA Worship Attendance 1990 & 2000
160,000
151,415
143,815
140,000
120,000
100,000
80,000
73,679
65,469
60,000
48,600
52,029
40,000
27,532
24,683
20,000
-
2000
1990
Evangelical Evangelical
1990
Mainline
2000
Mainline
1990
Catholic
© 2004 by David T. Olson
2000
Catholic
1990 Total
2000 Total
Akron MSA 1990 & 2000 Percentage of Population at Worship
25.0%
23.0%
20.7%
20.0%
15.0%
1990
11.2%
10.0%
2000
9.4%
7.4%
5.0%
4.2%
7.5%
3.6%
0.0%
Evangelical
Mainline
Catholic
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Total
The Next Map
shows the growth or decline in the percentage
of the population attending a Christian church
on any given weekend from 1990 to 2000 for
each county. Both counties declined in
percentage of the population attending.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
49
Akron Metro Counties
1990 - 2000 Growth or
Decline in Percentage
of the Population at
Worship in All Churches on a
Given Weekend
Blue = Decline
Rose = Growth
-10.9%
Summit
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
-5.3%
Portage
50
The Complete Akron Powerpoint is 38 slides
in length, and is available at
http://www.theamericanchurch.org/metro/Akron.htm.
It includes maps of church attendance in every county in
the metro area, as well as denominational charts, average
size charts, church planting charts, ethnicity charts and
population growth information.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
51
This Presentation
is based on a nationwide study of American church
attendance, as reported by churches and denominations.
The database currently has average worship attendances
for each of the last 10 years for over 200,000 individual
churches.
It also uses supplementary information (actual membership
numbers correlated with accurate membership to
attendance ratios) to project the attendances of all other
denominational and independent churches. All told,
accurate information is provided for over 300,000
orthodox Christian churches.1
1 This presentation looks only at people attending orthodox Christian churches. Approximately 3 million people attend non-orthodox Christian churches, and
perhaps 3 million attend a religious service of another religion. Those ‘houses of worship’ would add another 35,000 churches in the United States and
increase the 2000 percentage to 20.5%.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
52
For More Information . . .



Please go to www.theamericanchurch.org for additional information on the American Church.
12 Surprising Facts about the American Church is available at
http://www.theamericanchurch.org/12supm.htm
The complete Ohio Powerpoint presentation is available at
http://www.theamericanchurch.org/state/UOH20.htm

The Complete Cleveland Powerpoint presentation is available at
http://www.theamericanchurch.org/metro/Cleveland.htm

The Complete Columbus Powerpoint presentation is available at
http://www.theamericanchurch.org/metro/Columbus.htm

The Complete Cincinnati Powerpoint presentation is available at
http://www.theamericanchurch.org/metro/Cincinnati.htm

The Complete Akron Powerpoint presentation is available at
http://www.theamericanchurch.org/metro/Akron.htm

The complete Ohio Combo Pack is available at http://www.theamericanchurch.org/combo/OH0.htm
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
53