Nearly 3 in 5 members of the Presbyterian Church (USA) are now over age 55 (58.2%).
By comparison, only 3 out of every 10 people living in the United States were 55 years of age or older in 2022 (30.3%).
Put differently, the percentage of persons in this age cohort in the Presbyterian Church is nearly double (+92%) what is found in the American population.
Growing Older
According to data provided by the Presbyterian Church (USA) Office of the General Assembly, the percent of the members over age 55 (for whom age data is available) has been increasing in recent years. The Denomination Rolls and Statistics page includes a percentage breakout for each year starting in 2018, which I’ve rendered in chart form above.
More Presbyterian Stats
I’ve explored various statistical matters related to PC(USA) membership in a number of previous posts, including:
- End of Presbyterianism: Farewell PC(USA)? (May 2023)
- The Median Presbyterian (PCUSA) Congregation (January 2023)
- PC(USA) Membership – 30 Years of Decline (January 2023)
- PC(USA) Membership Declines by 62% (April 2022)
- PC(USA) Membership Declines by “Only 50K” (June 2020)
- Presbyterian Decline: PCUSA -The First 35 Years (March 2020)
Mainline Decline
The pattern of decades of significant numeric decline in membership alongside a membership that is aging more rapidly than the American population isn’t unique to the Presbyterian Church. They are about average among Mainline Protestant denominations. For additional insight about these trends, consider reading some of the previous posts below:
- Worshippers Are Aging Too Fast (December 2023)
- Mainline Decline: 1990 to 2020 (May 2022)
- Mainline Protestantism = Old (July 2016)
- From Mainline to Sideline to Oldline (February 2015)
- Doubling of Those Age 65 & Over (April 2013)
So What?
The dual membership trends of aging and declining numbers create real challenges for Presbyterians (PCUSA) and for all of the Mainline Protestant denominations. And, they have significant implications for local churches, for middle judicatory bodies, and denominations.
If you are a member of a Mainline Protestant congregation, share a bit of your congregation’s story:
- How has your congregation’s membership changed over time? Last 5 years? 10? 25? 40?
- What is your congregation’s median age? How has that changed over time?
- If your congregation has experienced a decline in membership and/or become older, how has your faith community responded? What has changed as a result?