• Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Lifeway Research

Lifeway Research

Enlightening today’s church with relevant research and insights

  • Research
  • Insights
  • Resource Library
  • Fast Facts

Where Do the Most Generous Christians Live?

Insights| Faith & Culture | Dec 6, 2019

Josh Appel photo | Unsplash

By Aaron Earls

Over the past decade, the United States has been the most generous country in the world, according to the Charities Aid Foundation.

Americans are among the world’s most likely to help a stranger (72%), donate money (61%) or volunteer time (42%).

Strictly in terms of donating money, the U.S. ranks 11th globally since 2009.

When it comes to financial generosity within American and among practicing Christians, however, several cities stand out above others, according to Barna.

Combining church and other non-profit giving, shows two metro areas in Idaho as among the nation’s most generous.

Idaho Falls, Idaho is the city where practicing Christians give the most financially by far.

Practicing Christian residents of the Idaho Falls metro area with Pocatello and Jackson, Idaho give an average of almost $18,000 per year—more than $7,000 more than the next most generous city.

In fact, Christians there gave more annually to their church than practicing Christians in other cities gave to all non-profits, including churches.

The second most giving may be the most surprising. Practicing Christian residents of Las Vegas give more than $10,000 annually to non-profits, including churches.

Sin City Christians may be more prone to give as they recognize the needs in the nation’s loneliest city and one of the most unchurched cities in the most sinful state.

Non-profit giving top 10:

  1. Pocatello, Idaho Falls, Jackson, Idaho: $17,977
  2. Las Vegas, Nevada: $10,410
  3. Victoria, Texas: $10,375
  4. Ottumwa, Kirksville, Iowa: $10,000
  5. Jonesboro, Arkansas: $7,999
  6. Twin Falls, Idaho: $7,636
  7. North Platte, Nebraska: $6,764
  8. Lake Charles, Louisiana: $6,200
  9. Salisbury, Maryland: $6,125
  10. Wheeling, Steubenville, West Virginia: $5,735

When only evaluating church giving, most of the top 10 stay the same, except Twin Falls, Lake Charles and Salisbury and replaced by Scottsbluff, Nebraska; Montgomery, Alabama; and Nashville, Tennessee.

Church giving top 10:

  1. Pocatello, Idaho Falls, Jackson, Idaho: $15,601
  2. Ottumwa, Kirksville, Iowa: $9,600
  3. Victoria, Texas: $8,984
  4. Jonesboro, Arkansas: $7,999
  5. Las Vegas, Nevada: $5,379
  6. North Platte, Nebraska: $5,235
  7. Scottsbluff, Cheyenne, Nebraska: $5,000
  8. Wheeling, Steubenville, West Virginia: $4,663
  9. Selma, Montgomery, Alabama: $4,544
  10. Nashville, Tennessee: $4,433

AARON EARLS (@WardrobeDoor) is online editor of Facts & Trends.

Dig Deeper at Lifeway.com

Giving Is the Good Life: The Unexpected Path to Purpose and Joy

Randy Alcorn

FIND OUT MORE

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us On…

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Popular

  • Vast Majority of Pastors See Signs of End Times in Current Events
  • 10 Characteristics of Churches That Keep Young Adults
  • Quiz: Avengers Quote or Bible Verse?
    Infinity Wars Poster Avengers quote or Bible verse
  • Fewer Churches Held In-person Services in January

Join the Lifeway Research Newsletter

Lifeway Research: Enlightening Today’s Church with Relevant Insights.

Signup for email updates on our church and culture research.

Sign Up

Leader Resources

Clip Art
Clip Art
Clip Art
Clip Art
Clip Art
Clip Art
Slider
VIEW ALL RESOURCES
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Custom Research
  • Resource Library

Copyright © 2021 · Lifeway Research, a ministry of Lifeway Christian Resources