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The American Mosque 2020:

Growing and Evolving (Mosque Survey)

Biography

The US Mosque Survey 2020 is a comprehensive statistical study of mosques located in the United States. The survey is an ongoing decadal survey which was conducted previously in 2000 and 2010. Reports featuring the results will occasionally include results from a 1994 survey which was conducted by the Islamic Resource Center, using the same methodology as the US Mosque Surveys.

The purpose of the US Mosque Survey is to conduct a scientific study that will generate accurate information about most aspects of the American mosque. The goal is to provide a detailed portrait of the American mosque to dispel misconceptions and to help mosque leaders and participants better understand their mosque, hopefully leading to improvements.

Reports 1 and 2 of the US Mosque Survey 2020

The results of the US Mosque Survey 2020 are divided into two reports authored by Dr. Ihsan Bagby. Report 1 focuses on essential statistics, mosque participants, and mosque administration. Report 2 focuses on Islamic approaches in understanding Islam, perspectives of mosque leaders on American society, mosque activities, and women in the mosque.

The results of the US Mosque Survey as detailed in reports 1 and 2 include both Shi’ite and Sunni mosques. However, it was thought appropriate to have a separate section for Shi’ite mosques in both reports to reveal similarities and differences with Sunni mosques.

Read Report 1: Basic Characteristics

Read Report 2: Perspectives and Activities

Infographics

10 Essential Facts about the American Mosque in 2020
10 Essential Facts on Perspectives and Activities of American Mosques

Mosque Survey Reports

  • July 1, 2021
US Mosque Study 2020: Report 1 Full Report

The US Mosque Survey 2020 is a comprehensive statistical study of mosques located in the

  • July 1, 2021
US Mosque Study 2020: Report 1 Key Findings
  • July 28, 2021
US Mosque Study 2020: Report 2 Full Report

The US Mosque Survey 2020 is a comprehensive statistical study of mosques located in the

  • July 22, 2021
US Mosque Study 2020: Report 2 Key Findings

This document contains a selection of key findings from Report 2 of the US Mosque

  • October 1, 2020
American Muslim Poll 2020: Full Report

This year’s American Muslim Poll, the fifth annual survey of its kind, released shortly before

Three Decades of US Mosque Survey

All of the US Mosque Surveys (2000, 2010, and 2020) were conducted in collaboration with a larger study of American congregations called Faith Communities Today (FACT), which is a project of the Cooperative Congregational Studies Partnership (CCSP), a multi-faith coalition of numerous denominations and faith groups, headquartered at Hartford Seminary. The strategy of FACT is to develop a common questionnaire and then have the member faith groups use that questionnaire to conduct a survey of their respective congregations. The US Mosque Surveys took the FACT common questionnaire and modified it to fit the mosque context.

The primary sponsors of the US Mosque Survey 2020 include many organizations: Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), Center for Muslim Philanthropy, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU), and the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies (ASARB). Other important supporters include Intuitive Solutions, International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT), Islamic Circle of North America’s Council for Social Justice, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), and Hartford Institute for Religion Research (Hartford Seminary).

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Report Partner Organizations

Logo for the Center on Muslim Philanthropy featuring a dark hand inside a circle holding a green plant, with the organizations name in bold purple text to the right.

Center on Muslim Philanthropy

The Center on Muslim Philanthropy seeks to strengthen Muslim philanthropy in United States by promoting research, best practices and education. We imagine a social good community of non-profit professionals, social entrepreneurs, and philanthropists fulfilling their mission collaboratively and making the world a better place.

Logo of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) on a green geometric background, featuring stylized text and crescent shapes, with the website address www.ISNA.net below.

Islamic Society of North America

At ISNA, we believe that Muslim Americans are a positive force in society through their work for spiritual and civic engagement in the US and beyond. Our mission is to foster the development of the Muslim community, interfaith relations, civic engagement, and a better understanding of Islam. We strive to be an exemplary and unifying Islamic organization in North America that contributes to the betterment of the Muslim community and society at large

Logo of the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, featuring a geometric diamond design above the acronym ISPU and the full name circling the diamond pattern./

Graphs for Report 1 of the US Mosque Survey 2020

Click here to download all 41 graphs from Report 1.

Mosque Numbers and Locations

A pie chart titled Most Mosques Moved to Present Location within the Past 20 Years shows 39% moved in 2010–19, 27% in 2000–09, 16% in 1990–99, 9% in 1980–89, and 8% before the 1980s.

Bar chart showing how U.S. mosques from 2000 to 2020 were mostly purchased, with a rising proportion built and a decline in use of rooms, based on responses from Muslim communities.

Bar chart comparing mosque locations in 2010 and 2020 by area type: Downtown/Large City, Residential, Older Suburb, Newer Suburb, and Town/Small City, showing decreases in urban areas and increases in suburbs.

Stacked bar chart showing the regional distribution of mosques in 2000, 2010, and 2020. The South’s share rises from 26% to 31%, while the Northeast, Midwest, and West fluctuate slightly.

Horizontal bar chart showing the distribution of mosques by U.S. region for 2000, 2010, and 2020. The South’s share rises from 26% to 31%, while the Midwest, Northeast, and West fluctuate or decline.

Line graph titled “Number of US Mosques Continues to Climb” showing mosque numbers rising from 962 in 1994 to 2,769 in 2020, with percentage increases marked for each period.

Mosque Opposition and Safety

Bar chart showing that 28% of mosques faced community resistance to development, while 72% did not, based on responses to whether significant opposition was encountered during building, expanding, or moving.

Bar chart showing community resistance to mosque building by decade. Highest opposition was in the 2000s (77%), followed by the 2010s (65%). Opposition was lowest before 1980 (12%).

A pie chart shows mosque leaders safety concerns: 14% not at all concerned, 25% a little concerned, 33% somewhat concerned, and 28% very concerned about personal safety and security when gathering.

Conversions and Mosque Attendance

A bar chart compares male and female conversion rates to Islam in 2000, 2010, and 2020, showing higher rates for men (68%, 59%, 62%) than women (32%, 41%, 38%) over 20 years.

A bar chart shows that from 2010 to 2020, the percentage of Latino converts increased from 12% to 15%, while African American converts decreased from 64% to 57%. White and Other categories changed slightly.

Bar chart showing percentages of mosques with different numbers of conversions (0, 1-5, 6-10, 11-49, 50+) for 2000, 2010, and 2020, revealing a rise in mosques reporting zero converts over time.

Bar chart titled Most Mosques Report a Ten Percent or Greater Increase in Jumah Attendance in Last Decade compares attendance changes from 2010 to 2020. The 10%+ category rose from 65% to 72%. All other categories decreased.

Stacked bar chart showing Jumah attendance size from 2000 to 2020. Over time, attendance shifted from mostly 1-50 people in 2000 to more groups of 201-500 and 501+ people by 2020.

A line graph shows the average Jumah size at American mosques rising from 150 in 1994 to 410 in 2020, with significant percentage increases at each interval.

African American Mosques and Attendees

Bar chart showing the ethnic breakdown of African American-dominant mosques declining from 2000 to 2020, with South Asian and Arab groups increasing, and mixed and other groups also present.

Horizontal stacked bar chart showing ethnic breakdown of American mosque attendees in 2010 and 2020. In 2020: 39% South Asian, 28% Arab, 16% African American, 8% African, and 9% Other; African American share declined since 2010.

Young Adult Muslims

Bar chart showing that while 54% of mosque participants are aged 18-34, only 24% of regular mosque attendees are this age; older age groups attend more regularly, especially those aged 35-64 (40%).

Bar chart comparing mosque and church regular participants by age group. Mosques have higher percentages in ages 1–17, 18–34, and 35–64. Churches have higher in ages 65+. Title: Mosques Fare Better Than Churches on Young Adult Participation.

Imam Age, Employment, and Education

Bar chart comparing ages of American church pastors and mosque imams. A higher percentage of imams are 40 and under (39%) compared to pastors (15%). Pastors trend older in each subsequent age group.

A horizontal bar chart shows mosque imam employment from 2020 to 2010: full-time paid increases from 33% to 50%, part-time paid and volunteer decrease, while No Imam category remains similar (16–19%).

A horizontal bar chart shows that the percentage of mosques with full-time paid imams increased from 33% in 2010 to 50% in 2020, while part-time paid, volunteer, and no imam categories decreased.

Imam Nationality and Salary

A pie chart titled Nearly Half of U.S.-Born Imams Are African American shows: 47% African American, 24% Second Generation Immigrant, 22% No Designation, 4% White American, and 3% Hispanic/Latino.

A pie chart titled Nearly Half of Foreign-Born Imams Are Arab shows 47% Arab, 29% South Asia, 14% Africa, 4% Turkey, 3% Bosnia, and 2% Other as the origins of foreign-born imams.

Bar chart showing that in 2010, 85% of full-time paid imams were foreign-born and 15% US-born; in 2020, 78% were foreign-born and 22% US-born. Title notes increase in US-born imams.

A pie chart shows imam salaries: 42% earn $50,000–$74,999, 25% earn $25,000–$49,000, 25% earn over $75,000, and 9% earn under $25,000. Title states most full-time imams earn $50,000 or more.

Mosque Governing Bodies

A pie chart shows the organizational structure of mosques: 48% have only one governing body, 28% have a board and executive committee, 12% have a board, committee, and executive director, 7% have one body with an exec. director, and 6% have none.

Pie chart showing how mosque governing bodies are chosen: 34% both board and EC elected, 25% board elected and EC selected, 21% board not elected and EC selected, 18% board elected and EC selected, 3% no term limits.

A pie chart showing how mosques with one governing body choose that body: 58% elected by mosque members, 18% permanent with no term limits, 12% appointed by an individual or another body, 11% self-appointing with term limits.

Mosque Boards, Committees, and Decision Makers

Bar chart showing an increase from 47% in 2010 to 54% in 2020 of mosques with shared governance. Strong imam-led mosques dropped from 31% to 23%, and strong board-led mosques shifted from 22% to 23%.

A pie chart shows 54% of mosques use shared governance, 23% have a strong board, and 23% have a strong imam, based on a survey about mosque governance models.

Bar chart showing the increase in mosques where the Board/Executive Committee has final decision-making power: 59% in 2000, 69% in 2010, and 73% in 2020. Percentages for Imam and Leader decline over time.

A bar chart shows decision-making power in mosques: 17% give it to the Imam, 10% to the Leader (President/Chair/Founder), and 73% to the Board or Executive Committee.

A horizontal stacked bar chart showing the percentage of mosques that consider the imam as leader in 2010, 2020, and on average. In 2020, 30% said yes, 54% no, and 16% had no imam. In 2010, 41% said yes, 40% no, and 19% had no imam.

A pie chart showing mosque leadership: 48% say president of the executive committee/board, 30% imam, 12% chair, 8% director, and 3% shared between president/chair and imam.

Mosque Conflict and Employment

Bar chart showing fewer mosques reporting conflict in 2020 compared to 2010. In 2020, 70% report no conflict (vs. 51% in 2010), 11% report non-serious conflict (vs. 21%), and 19% serious conflict (vs. 28%).

Bar chart showing that the proportion of mosques with four or more full-time employees increased from 5% in 2000 to 26% in 2020, while those with none decreased from 55% in 2000 to 45% in 2020.

Bar chart comparing full-time paid staff positions in mosques for 2010 and 2020, showing most are imams, followed by programs, admin, clerical, custodial, and other roles. Percentages are displayed for each category.

Mosque Budgets and Fundraising

A horizontal stacked bar chart shows mosque budgets in 2000, 2010, and 2020. In 2020, 47% had budgets over $100,000, up from 25% in 2000, while budgets under $10,000 dropped from 17% in 2000 to 5% in 2020.

Pie chart showing sources of mosque income: 52% from Friday participants, 31% from Ramadan/Muharram, 8% from events, 5% online, 2% endowment, and 2% other.

Shi’ite Mosques

Bar chart titled In 2020, More than Two-Thirds of Shiite Mosque Participants Are South Asian or Arab, showing 37% South Asian, 33% Arab, 8% Iranian, and 20% other ethnicities.

Graphs for Report 2 of the US Mosque Survey 2020

Click Here to download all 28 graphs and figures from Report 2.

Involvement in and Perspectives on American Society

Bar chart showing that from 2000 to 2020, the majority of mosque leaders strongly agree or agree that Muslims should be involved in American civic institutions, with increasing strong agreement over time.

Bar chart showing increased agreement from 2010 to 2020 that Muslims should participate in politics, across three Islamic approaches: contextual (85% to 78%), traditional (67% to 62%), and madhhab (77% to 65%).

Bar chart comparing 2010 and 2020 mosque leaders’ views on whether American society is hostile to Islam, showing decreases in agreement and increases in neutrality and disagreement over time.

A horizontal stacked bar chart compares 2010 and 2020 responses from mosque leaders on whether America is an immoral society, showing decreases in agreement and increases in disagreement over time.

Mosque Programs, Groups, and Interfaith Activities

Bar chart comparing mosque programs for new Muslims in 2010 and 2020, showing increases in weekend school for kids and Islamic study classes, but declines in Quran memorization school and New Muslim activities/classes.

Bar chart comparing percentages of mosque programs in 2020 and 2010, showing increases in women’s and youth groups, and activities for community, young adults, and seniors. Community gatherings are the most common activity.

A pie chart shows mosque activity levels: 46% high activity, 31% medium activity, and 23% low activity. A caption explains the six activity types assessed, such as prayers, classes, and gatherings.

Bar chart showing mosque participation in interfaith activities: 76% in educational or social activities, 59% in community service activities, and 49% in interfaith worship services.

Community Involvement, Political Activities, and Islamic Schools

A horizontal bar chart shows the rising number of grades offered at mosque Islamic schools in 2000, 2010, and 2020. Over time, more schools offer elementary to high school, while elementary only decreases sharply.

A bar graph shows that mosques whose leaders view American society as immoral are less politically involved, with 25% high, 45% medium, and 31% low involvement, compared to those who do not share this view.

A pie chart shows mosque political involvement scores: 39% of mosques score medium, 36% score low, and 25% score high. The chart title states most mosques score medium or low on political involvement.

Bar graph showing percentages of mosques that hosted political activities: 63% discussed politics never, 20% once, 17% more; 46% never held voter registration, 32% once, 22% more; 20% never had visits from politicians, 49% once, 31% more.

A bar chart shows that mosques looking to purposes (37% high), then past scholars (22% high), and least, those following madhhab (6% high), are most likely to have high community involvement. Medium and low involvement are also shown.

A pie chart shows mosque community involvement: 29% score high, 39% score medium, and 32% score low. Title reads Less than One-Third of Mosques Score High on Community Involvement.

Use of Divider in the Mosque

A horizontal bar chart shows that 49% of those who look to purposes do not use a divider, 17% of those who look to scholars do not, and 24% who follow madhhab do not; the rest use a divider.

A horizontal stacked bar chart shows that mosques with higher community involvement are less likely to use a divider, with 54% of high involvement mosques having no divider, compared to 32% of medium and 22% of low involvement mosques.

Bar chart comparing African American and immigrant mosques on use of dividers: 66% of African American mosques have no divider, 35% have a divider; 31% of immigrant mosques have no divider, 69% have a divider.

Bar chart showing that from 2000 to 2020, about 34-35% of mosques had no divider for women during daily salah, while 65-66% used a divider or partition, indicating no significant change over time.

Women’s Participation on Mosque Boards

A horizontal bar chart shows that mosques with high community and political involvement are more likely to have women serve on boards (87%) compared to those with medium (59%) or low (36%) involvement.

Bar chart showing that 79% of contextual mosques have women on the board, compared to 47% of traditional and 59% of madhhab-following mosques. Less women serve on boards where traditional or madhhab approaches are followed.

A bar chart compares African American and Immigrant mosques on women serving on boards. 83% of African American and 64% of Immigrant mosques allow women to serve; 9% and 29% don’t, and 7% in each don’t allow women on board.

Bar chart showing womens participation on mosque boards in 2000, 2010, and 2020. Women on board: 50% (2000), 59% (2010), 67% (2020). More women on boards over time, fewer with no women allowed.

Women’s Jum’ah Attendance, Women’s Programs, and the Women-friendly Mosque

Bar chart showing results of a survey on women-friendly mosques. Look to purposes (contextual) leads with 29% (2020) and 18% (2010). Other options traditional and follow madhhab scored lower, each with 8% and 6% for both years.

Bar chart comparing 2010 and 2020 data on mosque women-friendliness: excellent increased from 14% to 19%, good from 23% to 30%, fair decreased from 54% to 40%, and poor from 10% to 12%.

Bar chart showing Jumah prayer attendance by gender/age for 2000, 2010, and 2020. Men make up about 76-78%, women 15-19%, and children 5-7%, with little change over 20 years.

Shi’ite Mosques

A pie chart shows 39% of Shiite mosques rated as good, 25% as fair, 21% as poor, and 14% as excellent on a scale measuring women-friendly mosques.

A horizontal bar graph compares political activity in Sunni and Shi’ite mosques. Sunni mosques show 26% high, 40% medium, and 35% low activity; Shi’ite mosques show 7% high, 36% medium, and 57% low activity.

A pie chart titled Most Shiite Mosques Follow a Particular Marja shows 69% follow one marja, 31% look to the majority view of various marjas, and 0% use independent thinking.

Videos

This webinar, published on July 6, 2021, is the first of two sessions covering the findings of the US Mosque Survey 2020, with a focus on Report 1: Basic Characteristics of the American Mosque. ISPU’s Dalia Mogahed moderates a panel with report author and primary investigator Dr. Ihsan Bagby, Azhar Azeez (ISNA), Tayyab Yunus (CMP), and Dr. Scott Thumma (Hartford Seminary).

This webinar, published on August 23, 2021, is the second of two sessions covering the findings of the US Mosque Survey 2020, with a focus on Report 2: Perspectives and Activities. ISPU’s Dalia Mogahed moderates a panel with report author and primary investigator Dr. Ihsan Bagby, Dr. Ingrid Mattson (Hurma Project, ISNA), and Dr. Besheer Mohamed (Pew Research Center).

 

Meet the Research Advisory Committee

Dr. Ihsan Bagby
Primary Investigator and Report Author
Associate Professor of Islamic Studies, University of Kentucky

Dalia Mogahed
Director of Research, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding

Riad Ali
President and Founder, American Muslim Research and Data Center

Dr. Zahid Bukhari
Director, ICNA Council for Social Justice

Dr. Besheer Mohamed
Senior Researcher, Pew Research Center

Dr. Shariq Siddiqui
Director, Muslim Philanthropy Initiative, Indiana University

Dr. Scott Thumma
Professor of Sociology of Religion, Hartford Seminary

ISPU Publication Staff

Dalia Mogahed
Director of Research

Erum Ikramullah
Research Project Manager

Katherine Coplen
Director of Communications

Rebecka Green
Communications and Creative Media Specialist