Number of Religious Organizations Businesses in the US (2000–2023)
As of 2023
176,829
religious organizations businesses in the United States
Number of Firms Over Time
Total Employment Over Time
Key Insights
- •The religious organizations industry has grown 10.1% since 2000 (from 160,567 to 176,829 firms).
- •The peak year was 2017 with 179,399 firms.
- •Recent trend (last 5 years): the industry is shrinking (-1.2%).
- •Employment: 1,573,911 workers in 2023 (0.6% change since 2000).
- •Estimated 5-year survival rate: 78%.
Year-by-Year Data
| Year | Firms | Establishments | Employment | Entry Rate | Exit Rate | Net Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 176,829 | 178,551 | 1,573,911 | 5.3% | 4.8% | +2.2% |
| 2022 | 176,734 | 177,698 | 1,539,693 | 5.2% | 5.0% | +3.6% |
| 2021 | 176,615 | 177,583 | 1,488,739 | 4.8% | 5.4% | -10.7% |
| 2020 | 176,848 | 177,800 | 1,654,209 | 4.0% | 5.1% | -1.9% |
| 2019 | 179,018 | 179,839 | 1,686,930 | 4.1% | 4.1% | -0.5% |
| 2018 | 179,033 | 179,825 | 1,695,421 | 4.2% | 4.3% | +0.3% |
| 2017 | 179,399 | 180,074 | 1,691,071 | 4.6% | 4.1% | +0.2% |
| 2016 | 178,577 | 179,124 | 1,688,496 | 4.7% | 4.1% | +0.5% |
| 2015 | 177,930 | 178,270 | 1,681,236 | 4.5% | 4.2% | +0.0% |
| 2014 | 177,813 | 178,143 | 1,677,909 | 4.5% | 4.2% | -0.2% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics (BDS). Entry/exit rates refer to establishment openings and closings.