Mormon Population by State

Introduction

Mormonism has been an integral part of the American cultural landscape since its founding in the 19th century. There are an estimated 6.7 million Mormons living in the United States. This population is largely concentrated in the western US, with Utah being home to around 2.2 million self-identified Mormons in the country. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), commonly referred to as Mormon or LDS Church, is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah and was founded by Joseph Smith Jr. in 1830. Mormonism’s belief system is centered around a strict adherence to scripture and Christian doctrine; however, it also includes several unique elements such as belief in other books of scripture, belief in multiple Gods, and special priesthood authority among its adherents. Although Mormonism is often seen as a homogenous religious movement, it is actually quite diverse with many different branches and offshoots existing throughout its history. About 38% of Mormon identified themselves as members of one of these distinct Latter-day Saint faiths outside of traditional Mormonism. Despite this diversity, all branches share many commonalities including faithfulness to their core beliefs and commitment to missionary work throughout the world.

Mormon Population by State

The Mormon population in the United States varies greatly from state to state. Utah has the highest concentration of Mormon adherents, with 66% of the population identifying as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Other states in the West, such as Idaho and Wyoming, have a much smaller percentage – approximately 20% and 10%, respectively – while other regions around the country have relatively low concentrations. For example, Maine and Rhode Island have Mormon populations that make up less than 1% of the total population. It’s worth noting that in some states with lower numbers, such as New Mexico (1%) or North Carolina (4%), there are entire counties where Mormons make up more than half the population. In fact, one county in Idaho has a staggering 81% Mormon inhabitants. On the other hand, certain states are practically devoid of Mormons altogether; these include Connecticut (less than 0.1%), Delaware (less than 0.1%), and New Hampshire (0.2%). While Utah is home to an overwhelming majority of Mormons, these figures demonstrate that there is no single region in which they all congregate: Mormonism is a faith present throughout all fifty states, albeit at varying levels depending on location.

States with Most Mormons

The states with the most Mormons are Utah, California, Idaho, Arizona, Texas, Washington, Nevada, Florida, Oregon, and Colorado. The state with the most Mormons is Utah, with a total Mormon population of 2,161,526. The second state with the highest Mormon population is California, with a total of 734,989 mormons. The third state with the highest Mormon population is Idaho, with a total of 471,241 Mormons in the state. The fourth and fifth states with the most Mormons are Arizona and Texas, with 438,249 and 371,007 Mormons per state respectively. The sixth state with the highest Mormon population is Washington, with 283,609 Mormons, and the seventh state with the highest number of Mormons is Nevada, with a total of 182,569 Mormons within the state. The eighth and ninth states with the most Mormons are Florida, with a total Mormon population of 164,558, and Oregon, with a Mormon population at 151,151. Finally, the tenth state with the highest Mormon population is Colorado, with 149,007 Mormons.

States with Highest Mormon Population

1. Utah – 2,161,526
2. California – 734,989
3. Idaho – 471,241
4. Arizona – 438,249
5. Texas – 371,007
6. Washington – 283,609
7. Nevada – 182,569
8. Florida – 164,558
9. Oregon – 151,151
10. Colorado – 149,007

State With Most Mormons

The state of Utah is home to the highest concentration of Latter-day Saints in the United States, with an estimated 2,161,526 members of the religious group living within its borders. This figure represents around 66% of the state’s population and makes Utah the most heavily Mormon state in the nation by a significant margin; both Idaho and Wyoming, which come in at second and third place respectively, have far fewer Latter-day Saint adherents with populations of around 20 and 10%. As a result, Mormons make up such a substantial percentage of Utah that their influence pervades many aspects of everyday life there. In fact, Latter-day Saints account for more than two-thirds of all missionaries serving abroad from America’s western states and are also responsible for several iconic sites throughout the region including Temple Square in Salt Lake City and This Is The Place Heritage Park outside Ogden. Furthermore, Mormonism has played a historically integral role in shaping Utah’s cultural identity as evidenced by its local cuisine (e.g., funeral potatoes), strong sense of community service (e.g., Pioneer Day celebrations) and penchant for self-sufficiency (e.g., horticulture).