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The Megachurch Explosion

From 50 megachurches (1970) to 1,750+ (2020): The consolidation of American religion

50
Megachurches (1970)
1,750+
Megachurches (2020)
3,400%
Growth Rate
65
Median Church Size

Megachurch Count Over Time

50
1970
350
1990
600
2000
1,200
2010
1,750+
2020

Church Size Distribution

The "Wal-Mart Effect" in Religion

The religious marketplace has undergone the same consolidation as retail. The largest 10% of congregations now contain the majority of all American churchgoers, while the median congregation has shrunk to just 65 people. Megachurches offer professional childcare, coffee shops, high-quality music production, and diverse small groups—amenities the median church cannot match.

Top 10% of Churches
50%+
of all attendees
vs
Bottom 50% of Churches
~10%
of all attendees
Top 10% (Megachurches)
Remaining 90%

Share of total weekly worship attendance in the United States