Comparing Presbyterians to other U.S. worshipers

Presbyterians Today: Comparing Presbyterians to other U.S. worshipers

Demographically, Presbyterians differ from worshipers in other congregations in four important ways:

• presbyterians are older. Eight in 10 Presbyterians (79 percent) but only seven in 10 other worshipers (69 percent) are age 45 or older.*
• More presbyterians are retired (40 percent; 29 percent); fewer are employed (48 percent; 58 percent).
• Fewer presbyterians have children living at home (34 percent; 43 percent); more are empty-nesters (40 percent; 31 percent).
• More presbyterians have at least a college degree (of those 25 years of age and older 58 percent; 47 percent).

On other characteristics Presbyterians are similar to other worshipers:

• Six in 10 are female (Presbyterians, 62 percent; others, 61 percent).
• Two-thirds are married (68 percent; 66 percent).
• One-quarter have household incomes of $100,000 or more (24 percent; 24 percent).
• large majorities were born in the United States (96 percent;
  90 percent).