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November 17, 2024
Muslim population and mosques in the United States: statistics, states & faith
By Yusuf Jaffar
•
3 min read
Islam has become one of the fastest-growing religions in the United States, with millions of Muslims contributing to the nation’s cultural, social, and spiritual landscape. From diverse ethnic backgrounds and traditions, American Muslims play a vital role in shaping communities across the country.
Understanding the size of the Muslim population, how it is distributed, and where it is growing the most provides valuable insight into the presence and impact of Islam in the United States.
Muslim population in the USA: size, growth & distribution
Islam has become one of the fastest-growing religions in the United States, with millions of Muslims contributing to the nation’s cultural, social, and spiritual landscape. From diverse ethnic backgrounds and traditions, American Muslims play a vital role in shaping communities across the country.
Understanding the size of the Muslim population, how it is distributed, and where it is growing the most provides valuable insight into the presence and impact of Islam in the United States.
Size, growth, and demographics
Population size: The U.S. Muslim population is estimated at 4.5 million (1.3% of the total U.S. population).
Age: Muslims are markedly younger than other religious groups: about 35% are ages 18–29, compared with 14% of Christians.
Growth: The Muslim population is projected to double by 2050 due to immigration, higher birth rates, and conversion, despite an attrition rate among new converts.
Diversity: No single racial or ethnic group forms the majority:
• 30% White
• 30% Asian (including South Asian and Arab)
• 20% Black
• 11% Hispanic
• 8% Mixed or other
Foreign birth: 59% of American Muslims are foreign-born, highlighting a global and multicultural identity.
Religious practice and civic life
Religious importance: 60% say religion is very important in their lives, similar to Christian Americans.
Belief in God: 93% believe in God, a rate comparable to Christian Americans.
Attendance: 38% attend Friday prayers weekly; about 47% fast during Ramadan.
Charity (Zakat): Muslims contributed $1.8 billion in 2021.
Religious institutions:
About 2,771 masjids
300 Islamic schools
8 seminaries
3 colleges
1 Muslim-run university
About 2,771 masjids
300 Islamic schools
8 seminaries
3 colleges
1 Muslim-run university
Socioeconomic profile
Education: 44% are college graduates—higher than most other U.S. groups—and 26% hold postgraduate degrees.
Students: 30% are current students, reflecting the youthful demographic.
Income: 22% earn $100,000+ annually, while 33% live below $30,000/year, showing significant economic diversity.
Professions: Strong representation includes:
Engineering (10%)
Medicine (8% – nearly 50,000 physicians)
Self-employment and entrepreneurship
Military (5,896 service members)
Engineering (10%)
Medicine (8% – nearly 50,000 physicians)
Self-employment and entrepreneurship
Military (5,896 service members)
Social challenges
Islamophobia:
50% of Muslim students report feeling unsafe at school.
Negative media portrayals remain widespread.
Advocacy groups actively fight discrimination, yet institutional Islamophobia has a budget exceeding $1.5 billion annually.
Advocacy impact: Muslim Americans have spearheaded or contributed to major campaigns on humanitarian and justice issues, including:
Aid for the Rohingya.
Blocking entry for global rights abusers.
Lobbying for ceasefires and policy changes.
50% of Muslim students report feeling unsafe at school.
Negative media portrayals remain widespread.
Advocacy groups actively fight discrimination, yet institutional Islamophobia has a budget exceeding $1.5 billion annually.
Aid for the Rohingya.
Blocking entry for global rights abusers.
Lobbying for ceasefires and policy changes.
Muslim population by state: where do most Muslims live?
The Muslim population in the United States varies widely from state to state. The largest communities are found in New York, California, Illinois, New Jersey, Texas, and Michigan, while much smaller numbers are present in states like Montana, Wyoming, Alaska, and Hawaii.
States with the largest Muslim populations
New York has the largest Muslim population with around 724,475 Muslims (3.6%).
California follows with 504,056 Muslims (1.3%).
Illinois is home to 473,792 Muslims (3.7%), giving it the highest share of Muslims relative to its population.
New Jersey has about 321,652 Muslims (3.5%).
Texas has a Muslim community of 313,209 (1.1%).
Michigan, with 241,828 Muslims (2.4%), also stands out due to its long-established Muslim communities.
New York has the largest Muslim population with around 724,475 Muslims (3.6%).
California follows with 504,056 Muslims (1.3%).
Illinois is home to 473,792 Muslims (3.7%), giving it the highest share of Muslims relative to its population.
New Jersey has about 321,652 Muslims (3.5%).
Texas has a Muslim community of 313,209 (1.1%).
Michigan, with 241,828 Muslims (2.4%), also stands out due to its long-established Muslim communities.
Other states with significant Muslim communities
Maryland – 188,914 (3.1%)
Virginia – 169,371 (2%)
Pennsylvania – 149,561 (1.2%)
Massachusetts – 131,749 (1.9%)
North Carolina – 130,661 (1.3%)
Florida – 127,172 (0.6%)
Georgia – 123,652 (1.2%)
Ohio – 120,077 (1%)
Minnesota – 114,590 (2%)
Arizona – 109,765 (1.5%)
Maryland – 188,914 (3.1%)
Virginia – 169,371 (2%)
Pennsylvania – 149,561 (1.2%)
Massachusetts – 131,749 (1.9%)
North Carolina – 130,661 (1.3%)
Florida – 127,172 (0.6%)
Georgia – 123,652 (1.2%)
Ohio – 120,077 (1%)
Minnesota – 114,590 (2%)
Arizona – 109,765 (1.5%)
Mid-sized Muslim communities
Some states have moderate but growing Muslim populations:
Wisconsin – 68,699 (1.2%)
Missouri – 53,443 (0.9%)
Connecticut – 43,905 (1.2%)
Indiana – 41,400 (0.6%)
Tennessee – 39,745 (0.6%)
Washington – 27,391 (0.4%)
Utah – 25,403 (0.8%)
Louisiana – 24,732 (0.5%)
Alabama – 23,550 (0.5%)
Iowa – 23,211 (0.7%)
Kentucky – 17,957 (0.4%)
Maine – 16,894 (1.2%)
Oklahoma – 15,290 (0.4%)
New Mexico – 12,046 (0.6%)
Wisconsin – 68,699 (1.2%)
Missouri – 53,443 (0.9%)
Connecticut – 43,905 (1.2%)
Indiana – 41,400 (0.6%)
Tennessee – 39,745 (0.6%)
Washington – 27,391 (0.4%)
Utah – 25,403 (0.8%)
Louisiana – 24,732 (0.5%)
Alabama – 23,550 (0.5%)
Iowa – 23,211 (0.7%)
Kentucky – 17,957 (0.4%)
Maine – 16,894 (1.2%)
Oklahoma – 15,290 (0.4%)
New Mexico – 12,046 (0.6%)
States with smaller Muslim populations
In many states, the Muslim population makes up less than 1%:
Colorado – 10,828 (0.2%)
Nevada – 7,400 (0.2%)
Delaware – 7,065 (0.7%)
Arkansas – 6,765 (0.2%)
South Carolina – 6,677 (0.1%)
Vermont – 6,201 (1%)
Nebraska – 4,934 (0.1%)
Kansas – 3,615 (0.1%)
Mississippi – 3,106 (0.1%)
Rhode Island – 2,599 (0.2%)
Idaho – 2,531 (0.1%)
New Hampshire – 1,172 (0.1%)
Colorado – 10,828 (0.2%)
Nevada – 7,400 (0.2%)
Delaware – 7,065 (0.7%)
Arkansas – 6,765 (0.2%)
South Carolina – 6,677 (0.1%)
Vermont – 6,201 (1%)
Nebraska – 4,934 (0.1%)
Kansas – 3,615 (0.1%)
Mississippi – 3,106 (0.1%)
Rhode Island – 2,599 (0.2%)
Idaho – 2,531 (0.1%)
New Hampshire – 1,172 (0.1%)
States with the smallest Muslim populations
At the lowest end, several states have very small Muslim populations, often fewer than 1,000 people:
West Virginia – 849 (not reported as %)
North Dakota – 540 (0.1%)
South Dakota – 535 (0.1%)
Alaska – 400 (0.1%)
Wyoming – 226 (not reported)
Montana – 200 (not reported)
Hawaii – 145 (not reported)
West Virginia – 849 (not reported as %)
North Dakota – 540 (0.1%)
South Dakota – 535 (0.1%)
Alaska – 400 (0.1%)
Wyoming – 226 (not reported)
Montana – 200 (not reported)
Hawaii – 145 (not reported)
Key insights
States such as Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Michigan, Virginia, and Minnesota have the highest percentages of Muslims, all above 2%, reflecting both size and density of their communities. On the other hand, states like North Dakota, South Dakota, Alaska, Montana, and Hawaii have very small Muslim populations, with fewer than 1,000 Muslims each and less than 0.1% of their residents identifying as Muslim.
Mosques and masjids in America: how many exist across the country?
As of 2025, there are approximately 2,770 mosques and masjids across the United States, reflecting a steady upward trend over recent decades.
Growth of mosques in America
The number of mosques has grown significantly—from around 2,100 in 2010 to nearly 2,770 in 2020, representing an increase of more than 30%. This growth has been driven by immigration, natural population increase, and the diversity of the Muslim community, which often establishes new congregations that reflect different ethnic and religious traditions.
Mosques are now present in every U.S. state. Increasingly, they are being built in suburban areas rather than city centers or small towns, mirroring broader socio-economic shifts in the American Muslim population.
States with the most mosques
Certain states stand out for their large numbers of mosques, often reflecting both population size and long-established communities:
New York – more than 340 mosques
California – over 300 mosques
Texas – about 210 mosques
Florida – about 200 mosques
Illinois – approximately 180 mosques
New Jersey – at least 140 mosques
Michigan – more than 120 mosques
Pennsylvania – about 120 mosques
Georgia – over 100 mosques
Maryland – at least 90 mosques
Virginia – more than 80 mosques
Ohio – about 80 mosques
Massachusetts – at least 70 mosques
Minnesota – over 60 mosques
North Carolina – around 50 mosques
Washington – over 40 mosques
Missouri – at least 40 mosques
Arizona – about 40 mosques
Wisconsin – at least 40 mosques
Colorado – more than 30 mosques
Indiana – around 30 mosques
Connecticut – over 25 mosques
South Carolina – at least 10 mosques
New York – more than 340 mosques
California – over 300 mosques
Texas – about 210 mosques
Florida – about 200 mosques
Illinois – approximately 180 mosques
New Jersey – at least 140 mosques
Michigan – more than 120 mosques
Pennsylvania – about 120 mosques
Georgia – over 100 mosques
Maryland – at least 90 mosques
Virginia – more than 80 mosques
Ohio – about 80 mosques
Massachusetts – at least 70 mosques
Minnesota – over 60 mosques
North Carolina – around 50 mosques
Washington – over 40 mosques
Missouri – at least 40 mosques
Arizona – about 40 mosques
Wisconsin – at least 40 mosques
Colorado – more than 30 mosques
Indiana – around 30 mosques
Connecticut – over 25 mosques
South Carolina – at least 10 mosques
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