The State of the Church
in Ohio
1990-2000
Dave Olson
www.TheAmericanChurch.org
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
1
This is a Sample Presentation
It’s purpose is to give you an idea of what is happening to the
Christian church in Ohio, and what the complete “State of the
Church in Ohio” Powerpoint looks like. The goal is to
encourage pastors and church lay leaders to view and discuss
together the missional challenges in Ohio that the Church
faces. The complete Powerpoint is $14.95 and is available for
immediate download at
http://www.theamericanchurch.org/state/UOH20.htm
© 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%
AL
23.3%
GA
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
Complete Presentation has
Map of 2000 Population
Growth for Each County
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
Complete Presentation has
Graph of 2000 Ethnicity
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
Complete Presentation has
Graph of 1990 & 2000 Worship
Percentage by Category
The Next Graph
is a Pie graph visualizing the percentage of the
population at churches in each category in
2000. The “Absent” category indicates the
percentage of the population that is not
worshipping at a Christian church on any
given weekend. The second graph shows the
percentage gain or decline for each category
in Ohio in 1990 and 2000.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
19
Ohio 2000 Weekly Worship Attendance
8.4%
4.7%
7.1%
Evangelical
Mainline
Catholic
Absent
79.7%
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
20
Ohio - Change in Worship Attendance as a Percentage of Population 1990-2000
30.0%
20.0%
10.0%
0.4%
0.0%
-9.9%
-10.0%
-13.0%
-20.5%
-20.0%
-30.0%
Evangelical
Mainline
Catholic
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
Total
21
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
22
Complete Presentation has
Pie Chart of 2000 Attendance by
Denominational Families
Complete Presentation has
Bar Graph of 1990 & 2000
Attendance by Denominational
Families
The Next Chart
shows the 1990 & 2000 average church
attendance by group for both this state and
the nation. The second chart shows the 1990
& 2000 population per church for this state
and the nation. Among states in 2000,
Arkansas has the lowest population per
church with 411 people per church, Utah is
the highest at 4,586 people per church.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
25
1990 & 2000 Ohio Average Church Attendance
877
900
805
794 794
800
700
600
500
1990 Ohio
2000 Ohio
1990 US Average
400
2000 US Average
300
186 180
172 175
200
130 135 124 131
118 114 112 115
100
Evangelical
Mainline
Catholic
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
Total
26
Complete Presentation has
Bar Graph of 1990 & 2000
Population per Church
for State and Nation
The Next 3 Maps
show the attendance percentages for the
Evangelical, Catholic and Mainline churches in
each county in Ohio in 2000.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
28
Complete Presentation has
State Map of 2000
Evangelical Attendance
Percentage
for each County
Complete Presentation has
State Map of 2000
Mainline Attendance Percentage
for each County
10.7%
7.1%
Ashtabula
Lake
5.3%
4.5%
Williams
Fulton
8.2%
5.7%
Defiance
Henry
7.3%
Lucas
8.2%
Ottawa
6.0%
Wood
8.1%
7.9%
Sandusky
Erie
Paulding
38.1%
4.8%
Putnam
Hancock
7.6%
Allen
11.2%
6.6%
Wyandot
Crawford
Mercer
5.6%
Darke
5.6%
1.3%
Logan
1.2%
Union
Columbiana
Morrow
2.8%
1.7%
Knox
Delaware
1.8%
Madison
1.2%
3.6%
2.7%
Fairfield
Perry
2.5%
Coshocton
Harrison
Pickaway
1.1%
7.9%
Belmont
6.9%
Noble
3.6%
Monroe
Morgan
5.3%
Hocking
2.6%
Washington
2.5%
1.2%
Clinton
2.9%
Guernsey
1.0%
Athens
0.5%
Vinton
1.2%
Highland
1.0%
0.3%
6.3%
Pike
0.3%
Meigs
Jackson
2.8%
Brown
0.6%
Adams
1.3%
Scioto
1.1%
Gallia
2.0%
0.0% to 2.5%
2.5% to 6.0%
6.0% to 39.1%
1.3%
1.9%
Muskingum
Franklin
Ross
Clermont
12.1%
Jefferson
Tuscarawas
5.6%
3.9%
11.6%
Hamilton
2.1%
Carroll
0.4%
4.2%
0.7%
Fayette
4.9%
Warren
3.6%
Stark
2.6%
Greene
5.6%
Butler
7.5%
Licking
Clark
6.9%
Montgomery
2.5%
Wayne
Holmes
1.3%
Champaign
3.6%
2.4%
1.1%
0.4%
Marion
Miami
Preble
6.6%
Portage
7.7%
Summit
Ashland
Richland
2.4%
12.2%
Shelby
5.8%
Medina
3.5%
1.7%
Hardin
11.4%
Auglaize
26.5%
6.9%
Trumbull
11.0%
Mahoning
3.0%
Van Wert
9.2%
Lorain
5.8%
Huron
13.3%
Seneca
5.6%
8.4%
Geauga
11.9%
Cuyahoga
Lawrence
Ohio Counties
2000 Percentage of Population at
Worship in Catholic Churches
On any Given Sunday
Blue = Lowest
Rose = Middle
Beige = Highest
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
31
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. 13 counties grew in attendance
percentage, while 75 counties declined.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
32
Complete Presentation has
State Map of 1990 - 2000
Christian Church Attendance
Percentage
Increase or Decline
for each County
The Next 3 Maps
show the growth or decline of attendance percentages
for the Evangelical, Catholic and Mainline churches in
each county in Ohio between 1990 and 2000. For
evangelicals, 42 counties grew in attendance
percentage, while 46 counties declined. For Mainline
churches, 2 counties grew in attendance percentage,
while 86 counties declined. For Catholics, 13 counties
grew in attendance percentage, while 75 counties
declined.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
34
Complete Presentation has
State Map of 1990 - 2000
Evangelical Attendance
Percentage
Increase or Decline
for each County
Complete Presentation has
State Map of 1990 - 2000
Mainline Attendance Percentage
Increase or Decline
for each County
-8.0%
-26.0%
Ashtabula
Lake
-10.6%
-12.5%
Fulton
Williams
-11.5%
-15.4%
Defiance
Henry
-18.7%
Lucas
-17.5%
Ottawa
-11.0%
Wood
-13.0%
-18.4%
Sandusky
Erie
-15.9%
-3.4%
Allen
-17.0%
Auglaize
-7.7%
-11.9%
Wyandot
Crawford
-8.3%
-55.2%
Marion
Logan
-14.2%
Union
Butler
Holmes
-37.2%
Delaware
-32.1%
Madison
29.8%
Coshocton
Harrison
-60.2%
Muskingum
Franklin
-12.0%
-5.4%
17.6%
-49.8%
Fairfield
Perry
-45.6%
Highland
-34.3%
Vinton
Brown
-39.7%
Adams
Morgan
1.9%
Washington
Athens
Ohio Counties
1990
2000
Growth or Decline in
Jackson
Percentage of the Population at
-30.2%
-1.8%
Scioto
Worship in Catholic Churches
Gallia
On any Given Sunday
3.2%
Lawrence
Blue = Decline
Rose
= Growth
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Pike
-61.2%
-10.5%
Monroe
-3.6%
-49.8%
-10.4%
Noble
20.4%
-24.0%
-45.5%
-24.3%
Belmont
-24.6%
Hocking
-7.9%
Clinton
-38.9%
Guernsey
-36.5%
Pickaway
Ross
Decline
Increase
-48.8%
Licking
-41.7%
Fayette
Clermont
-11.6%
Jefferson
Tuscarawas
Knox
191.7%
-23.3%
-17.1%
Hamilton
-60.1%
Carroll
-38.4%
-20.3%
Greene
39.4%
Warren
Columbiana
Morrow
-4.7%
-7.1%
-24.6%
Stark
-27.1%
-52.0%
Champaign
Clark
Montgomery
-8.4%
-20.0%
-11.2%
Preble
-1.2%
Wayne
-20.5%
Miami
8.5%
Portage
-36.3%
Richland
Shelby
Darke
-2.1%
2.2%
Summit
Ashland
-2.5%
-9.7%
-11.4%
Medina
Hardin
Mercer
-9.4%
-33.8%
-16.1%
Mahoning
10.2%
4.2%
Trumbull
-1.3%
Hancock
Putnam
Van Wert
-17.4%
Lorain
Huron
Seneca
Paulding
Cuyahoga
2.1%
-23.4%
-4.2%
-19.2%
30.5%
Geauga
-13.1%
-73.4%
Meigs
Sample - Not for Public Use
37
The Final Chart
shows the net gain in the number of churches
in Ohio in the past decade. There was a net
loss of 207 churches. However, 607 churches
were needed to keep up with population
growth in Ohio from 1990 - 2000.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
38
Increase in Number of Churches in Ohio Between 1990 & 2000
607
600
400
200
75
0
-57
-200
-207
-222
-400
Evangelical
Mainline
Catholic
Total Gain
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
Increase Needed to
Maintain 1990 Ratio
of Churches to
Population
39
The State of the Church in
Ohio . . .


With the exception of Evangelical churches, church
attendance has fallen numerically in Ohio. As a result
of population growth, the percentage of the population
attending church has decreased in all categories except
Evangelicals, resulting in a significant 9.9% loss in the
state-wide percentage of the population that attended
church between 1990 and 2000.
A major factor in the overall decline is the net loss in
the number of churches in Ohio. Eight hundred and
fourteen additional churches needed to have been
started in the previous decade to compensate for the
decline in percentage attendance.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
40
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
41
Information on the
Information







The spiritual health of churches is multifaceted, and is obviously much more complex than an attendance trend
can portray. However, following the example of St. Luke in the Book of Acts, who used the number of people who
showed up at various events as a sign documenting the health and growth of the early church, I would suggest
that attendance is the single most helpful indicator of health, growth and decline.
Information has been compiled only for orthodox Christian groups – Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox. The
Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, Unitarian-Universalists and the International Churches of Christ have not been
included. In addition, information about non-Christian groups has not been compiled.
African American denominations publish very little that is statistical – often not even a list of current churches.
This study used data from the 1990 Glenmary study on Black Baptist estimates and AME Zion churches, the
average African American worship attendance (from the Barna Research Group), and a statistical model based on
the population of African Americans in each county in 1990 and 2000. These were combined to come up with as
accurate an estimate as possible.
Independent church data is almost impossible to obtain. (There are actually fewer totally independent churches
than is assumed. Most are part of some voluntary association, which typically keeps some records.) Data from the
1990 & 2000 Glenmary study on larger Independent churches (limited to over 300 in attendance) was used along
with a statistical model to estimate the attendance at smaller independent churches.
In Catholic churches, the definition of what constitutes membership varies with diocese and church, making
numbers sometimes inconsistent from state to state and county to county. In addition to actual mass counts from
1/3rd of Catholic parishes, membership information has been merged with attendance patterns from similar
dioceses based on the size of the diocese and the region in which it is located.
Orthodox Churches are included in Totals, but not included as a separate group because of smallness of size
nationwide. Division into Evangelical and Mainline categories is based on the division by the Glenmary Study.
This study only looks at how many people attend a Christian church on any given Sunday. The term ‘regular
attender’ can be designated to mean someone who attends a Christian church on a consistent basis. Using a
simple definition for ‘regular attender’ (attends at least 3 out of every 8 Sundays), between 23% and 25% of
Americans would fit this category. Adding ‘regular attenders’ of non-orthodox christian churches and other
religions to the totals would increase the percentage to 26% – 28%.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
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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 170,000 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 all 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
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43
For More Information . . .


Presentations such as this are available for the largest
100 metropolitan areas, for each state and for the
nation as a whole, as well as other presentations to
show what is happening in the American church.
Presentations are available either by direct download,
CD or print. Please go to www.theamericanchurch.org
for ordering information.
To Contact Dave Olson, please email him at
DaveTOlson@aol.com.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
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44