A Geographic, Demographic, and Religious Profile of American Jews

This chapter provides a geographic, demographic, and religious profile of the American Jewish community, which is comprised of about 7.392 million persons and has been increasing. While the Jewish population continues to be geographically clustered in such places as New York, California, and Florida, over the past few decades, a significant geographic shift has occurred out of the Northeast to the South and the West. Jews are shown to be older, less fertile, better educated, wealthier, more likely to be employed, and to be white, non-Hispanic than are Americans in general. Like all Americans, Jews are less likely to be retiring at age 65 and are marrying later than just a few generations ago. Overall, nationwide, 9% of Jewish households are Orthodox, 17% are Conservative, 37% are Reform, and 32% are Just Jewish. The percentage Orthodox has not changed since 1950. The percentage Conservative has decreased from 60% to 17% since 1950, while the percentage Reform has increased from 25% to 37% and the percentage Just Jewish increased from 11% in 1971 to 36% today. The data on home religious practices, synagogue attendance, and synagogue membership show that while nationally, declines are seen in these behaviors, in places like New York and Miami, these behaviors remain stable. It can also be seen that intermarriage has clearly increased, and that attachment to Israel remains a strong part of Jewish identity for many American Jews.