Jewish Population by US State 2025 | Statistics & Facts

Jewish People in US 2025

The American Jewish community represents one of the most significant diaspora populations in the world, with an estimated 7.7 million individuals calling the United States home as of 2024. This figure represents a remarkable journey from the 1.04 million Jewish residents recorded at the turn of the 20th century, demonstrating more than seven-fold growth over 125 years. Today’s Jewish Americans comprise approximately 2.30% of the total US population, contributing substantially to the nation’s cultural, economic, and intellectual landscape across all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

The distribution of Jewish population by US state in 2024 reveals fascinating patterns of settlement and migration that have evolved over generations. While historically concentrated in Northeastern urban centers, contemporary Jewish communities have expanded significantly into Sunbelt states, reflecting broader American demographic trends. From the towering population of 1.67 million Jews in New York to the modest communities of just hundreds in states like South Dakota and North Dakota, these statistics illuminate the diverse experiences and regional characteristics of Jewish life across America. Understanding these population dynamics provides crucial insights into community planning, resource allocation, and the preservation of Jewish cultural heritage in an increasingly diverse nation.

Interesting Facts About Jewish Population in the US 2025

Data Source: American Jewish Year Book 2024 (Sheskin & Dashefsky)

Understanding Jewish Population Distribution Across America in 2025

The statistics presented above paint a compelling picture of how Jewish communities have established themselves throughout the United States in 2024. The concentration of over 1.67 million Jews in New York State alone demonstrates the enduring significance of historical settlement patterns, where generations of immigrant families initially arrived through Ellis Island and established vibrant communities that continue to thrive today. This single state accounts for more than one-fifth of America’s entire Jewish population, making it an unparalleled center of Jewish organizational life, religious institutions, and cultural expression. The 8.54% Jewish population percentage in New York represents the highest concentration anywhere in the United States, reflecting neighborhoods from Manhattan’s Upper West Side to Brooklyn’s Borough Park where Jewish identity remains deeply woven into the urban fabric.

California’s position as home to 1.259 million Jews reveals the significant westward migration that accelerated throughout the 20th century and continues into 2024. The growth of Jewish communities in Sunbelt states like Florida (753,865), Arizona (132,360), and Texas (220,685) illustrates contemporary demographic shifts driven by economic opportunities, favorable climates, and lifestyle preferences. Meanwhile, the statistics showing that the top 10 metropolitan areas contain 72% of all American Jews underscore the fundamentally urban character of Jewish American life. Cities like Los Angeles, Miami, and Philadelphia serve as critical hubs where Jewish institutions, educational facilities, and communal organizations can achieve the critical mass necessary to serve diverse populations. At the opposite end of the spectrum, states like South Dakota with just 765 Jews and North Dakota with 910 remind us that small but dedicated communities maintain Jewish life even in the most sparsely populated regions of America.

Jewish Population by US State

Data Source: Ira M. Sheskin & Arnold Dashefsky, “United States Jewish Population, 2024,” American Jewish Year Book 2024

Regional Analysis: Where Jewish Americans Live in 2025

The comprehensive state-by-state breakdown reveals that Jewish population distribution in the US in 2024 follows distinct regional patterns shaped by historical immigration waves, economic opportunities, and community development over more than a century. New York’s dominance with 1,672,025 Jews reflects its role as the primary entry point for European Jewish immigration from the 1880s through the mid-20th century, establishing a foundation that persists despite decades of internal migration to other regions. The state’s 8.54% Jewish population share means that more than one in twelve New Yorkers identifies as Jewish, creating an environment where Jewish culture significantly influences local politics, business, education, and social life. The concentration extends beyond New York City to suburban counties in Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk, as well as communities in Rochester, Buffalo, and Albany.

The second tier of states demonstrates the geographic expansion of American Jewry beyond its historic northeastern base. California’s 1,259,315 Jews spread across metropolitan areas from San Diego through Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area represent 16.36% of all American Jews, making the Golden State home to roughly one in six Jewish Americans. Florida’s remarkable growth to 753,865 Jews represents demographic shifts driven by retirement migration, favorable business climates, and year-round warmth attracting both older adults and young families from northern states. New Jersey’s 581,200 Jews comprising 6.26% of the state population reflects its position as a suburban extension of New York City’s Jewish communities, with thriving populations in Bergen, Essex, and Middlesex counties. These top four states alone account for 55.42% of all American Jews, demonstrating the high degree of geographic concentration that characterizes the community even as it spreads across all fifty states.

Top 10 States for Jewish Population in the US 2025

Data Source: American Jewish Year Book 2024 (Sheskin & Dashefsky)

Demographic Trends Among the Top Ten States in 2025

The ranking of the top 10 states by Jewish population in 2024 tells a story of both continuity and transformation within American Jewish geography. While New York maintains its overwhelming lead with 1.672 million Jews, the negative growth figure of -468,665 since 1980 indicates substantial outmigration over four decades, primarily to Sunbelt destinations offering warmer climates and lower costs of living. Pennsylvania’s decline of -71,880 Jews since 1980 similarly reflects the rustbelt challenge of maintaining Jewish communities in older industrial cities experiencing broader population losses. These declines, however, should be understood in context: both states still rank among the top six nationally, and their absolute populations remain substantial enough to support robust institutional networks including synagogues, day schools, Jewish community centers, and social service agencies.

Conversely, the growth figures for Sunbelt states reveal where Jewish population momentum has shifted. California’s gain of 505,370 Jews since 1980 represents the largest absolute increase of any state, reflecting decades of migration driven by technology industry opportunities, entertainment sector jobs, and prestigious universities. Florida’s addition of 298,985 Jews makes it the fastest-growing major Jewish population center, with South Florida in particular becoming a destination for both retirees and young professionals. Texas adding 148,140 Jews demonstrates the appeal of Sun Belt metros like Houston, Dallas, and Austin where booming economies, affordable housing, and pro-business climates attract families and entrepreneurs. Even Maryland’s gain of 64,945 Jews partly reflects spillover from Washington D.C., where government and professional opportunities draw young Jewish adults. These ten states collectively house 5,915,725 Jews, representing an astounding 76.84% of the entire American Jewish population, underscoring how concentrated the community remains despite its coast-to-coast presence.

States with Highest Jewish Population Percentage in the US 2025

Data Source: American Jewish Year Book 2024 (Sheskin & Dashefsky)

Concentration Patterns: Jewish Percentage by State in 2025

While absolute population numbers tell one story about Jewish population by US state in 2024, the percentage of each state’s total population that is Jewish reveals a different dimension of community influence and cultural presence. New York’s 8.54% Jewish population means Jewish voices, perspectives, and institutions have outsized influence on state politics, culture, and civic life. In practical terms, this concentration means Jewish holidays are widely recognized in schools and businesses, kosher food is readily available throughout the state, and Jewish communal needs factor prominently into public policy discussions. Washington D.C.’s 8.44% reflects the capital’s draw for educated professionals and policy-oriented individuals, creating a highly engaged Jewish community despite the district’s small geographic footprint.

The cluster of Mid-Atlantic states with high Jewish percentages demonstrates regional cohesion. New Jersey at 6.26%, Massachusetts at 4.55%, Maryland at 4.06%, and Connecticut at 3.91% form a corridor from Boston through Philadelphia where Jewish identity remains a visible and valued part of local culture. These percentages translate to substantial political influence; Jewish voters often comprise decisive margins in competitive elections, and candidates actively court Jewish community support on issues ranging from Israel policy to education funding. Interestingly, Florida and California, despite their enormous absolute populations, register only 3.33% and 3.23% respectively, reflecting the massive size of these states’ total populations. Nevada’s 2.67% represents Las Vegas’s growing Jewish community, while states like Vermont (1.96%), Rhode Island (1.73%), and Delaware (1.69%) maintain small but proportionally significant Jewish populations that punch above their weight in local affairs.

Fastest Growing Jewish Populations by State Since 1980 in 2025

Data Source: American Jewish Year Book 2024 (Sheskin & Dashefsky)

Migration Patterns: Growing Jewish Communities Across America in 2025

The dramatic growth figures in certain states reveal how Jewish population by US state in 2024 has been reshaped by internal migration over the past four decades. North Carolina’s astounding 653.9% increase represents explosive growth from a small 1980 base, driven by the Research Triangle’s emergence as a technology and research hub attracting young Jewish professionals to Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. Washington State’s 381.3% growth similarly reflects Seattle’s transformation into a major tech center, with companies like Microsoft and Amazon drawing Jewish talent from across the country. Georgia’s 329.7% increase demonstrates Atlanta’s rise as the economic capital of the Southeast, with its Jewish community growing from suburban enclaves to a diverse metropolitan population exceeding 148,555 people.

Western states dominate the percentage growth rankings, though their absolute numbers vary widely. Colorado’s 271.1% growth to 117,900 Jews reflects Denver’s appeal as a lifestyle destination combining urban amenities with outdoor recreation access. Arizona’s 220.4% increase to 132,360 captures the retirement migration to Phoenix and Scottsdale alongside younger families seeking affordable housing and warm weather. Texas’s remarkable 204.2% growth demonstrates how Sun Belt metros can absorb substantial Jewish migration; the state’s gain of 148,140 Jews since 1980 ranks third nationally in absolute terms. Even California and Florida, with growth rates of 67.0% and 65.7%, have added massive absolute numbers that exceed the total Jewish populations of most other states. These growth patterns suggest that future Jewish population dynamics will increasingly be shaped by economic opportunity in emerging metros rather than traditional ties to historic northeastern communities, though the largest absolute populations will likely remain concentrated in their current locations for the foreseeable future.

Metropolitan Areas with Largest Jewish Populations in 2025

Data Source: American Jewish Year Book 2024 (Sheskin & Dashefsky); Jewish Federation population studies

Urban Concentration: Major Metropolitan Jewish Centers in 2025

The metropolitan area data reinforces that Jewish population by US state in 2024 is fundamentally a story of urban concentration. The New York metropolitan area’s 2.18 million Jews represents the largest Jewish community anywhere outside of Israel, exceeding the entire Jewish populations of countries like France, Canada, and the United Kingdom. This single metro area contains 28.3% of all American Jews, creating a critical mass that supports an unparalleled network of Jewish institutions including hundreds of synagogues spanning all denominations, dozens of Jewish day schools and yeshivas, multiple Jewish hospitals and nursing homes, Jewish museums and cultural centers, and vibrant Yiddish and Hebrew cultural scenes. The concentration in specific neighborhoods creates areas where Jewish life is simply the norm rather than a minority experience.

The next tier of metropolitan areas demonstrates how Los Angeles with 743,000 Jews has built the nation’s second-largest community, while Miami’s 525,000 reflects South Florida’s emergence as a major center particularly for Orthodox communities and retirees. Philadelphia and Chicago each hosting 310,000 Jews represent stable historic communities in older cities, maintaining institutional strength despite some population erosion to suburbs and Sun Belt destinations. Boston’s 260,000 and San Francisco’s 250,000 both benefit from concentrations of universities, technology companies, and professional service firms that attract educated Jews. Washington D.C.’s 220,000 includes substantial populations in Maryland and Virginia suburbs, creating a politically engaged community with outsized influence on national policy debates. Collectively, these top ten metropolitan areas house approximately 5.5 million Jews, representing roughly 72% of the entire American Jewish population and demonstrating that Jewish communal life remains overwhelmingly metropolitan in character.

States with Smallest Jewish Populations in the US 2025

Data Source: American Jewish Year Book 2024 (Sheskin & Dashefsky)

Small but Resilient: Jewish Communities in Rural America in 2025

The statistics for states with the smallest Jewish populations reveal the challenges and resilience of maintaining Jewish life outside major metropolitan areas. South Dakota’s 765 Jews and North Dakota’s 910 represent primarily Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Fargo, and Grand Forks, where Jewish families often travel significant distances to participate in communal activities. These small populations struggle to maintain synagogues, religious schools, and other institutions that larger communities take for granted. Many rely on circuit-riding rabbis who serve multiple small congregations, online learning for religious education, and regional gatherings that bring together Jews from wide geographic areas for holidays and lifecycle events.

The Deep South and Mountain West states face similar dynamics. Mississippi’s 2,885 Jews and West Virginia’s 2,940 represent dramatic declines from mid-20th century peaks when small-town Jewish merchants played significant roles in local economies; as retail shifted to chains and malls, many of these families relocated to larger cities. Wyoming’s 2,210 Jews, Montana’s 3,170, and Idaho’s 5,920 demonstrate that even states with sparse populations attract some Jewish residents, often drawn by natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and tight-knit communities that value diversity. Arkansas’s 5,090 Jews concentrate heavily in Little Rock, while Iowa’s 6,385 cluster in university towns like Iowa City and state capital Des Moines. Despite their small numbers, these communities often maintain strong Jewish identities and find creative ways to pass Jewish heritage to younger generations, though many young adults eventually migrate to larger cities for education, employment, and Jewish communal opportunities including marriage prospects within the faith.

Jewish Population Growth and Decline Patterns in the US 2025

Data Source: American Jewish Year Book 2024 (Sheskin & Dashefsky)

Understanding Population Distribution Tiers Across America in 2025

The tiered distribution of Jewish population by US state in 2024 demonstrates how community size fundamentally shapes Jewish life experiences. The 10 states with populations exceeding 100,000 Jews contain 76.84% of all American Jews and possess sufficient critical mass to support multiple synagogues across all denominations, multiple Jewish day schools offering different educational philosophies, Jewish community centers with comprehensive programming, Jewish family service agencies, Hillels at local universities, kosher restaurants and grocery stores, mikvahs for ritual immersion, and active Jewish communal federations that coordinate fundraising and community planning. These populations can sustain diverse expressions of Jewish identity from ultra-Orthodox to secular cultural Judaism, creating environments where Jews can engage with their heritage according to personal preferences.

The middle tiers face different realities. States with 50,000 to 99,999 Jews typically support one or two community centers, a handful of synagogues, perhaps one day school, and basic communal services but lack the diversity of options available in larger communities. Those with 20,000 to 49,999 Jews often concentrate in a single metropolitan area where maintaining even core institutions requires broad community cooperation across denominational lines. The 18 states with fewer than 10,000 Jews face the steepest challenges in maintaining Jewish continuity. Their combined population of just 68,610 represents less than 1% of American Jews, yet these communities often demonstrate remarkable commitment to preserving Jewish identity despite limited resources. The seven states experiencing population decline since 1980 highlight the ongoing challenge of rust belt and rural Jewish communities, while the 19 states with 100%+ growth indicate where Jewish population momentum currently resides, primarily in Sun Belt metros and western technology hubs that continue attracting young, educated, mobile Jews seeking economic opportunities and lifestyle amenities.

Age Distribution and Demographics of US Jewish Population in 2025

Data Source: Pew Research Center 2023; Jewish Electorate Institute 2024

Understanding Jewish Age Demographics Across the US in 2025

The age distribution of Jewish population by US state in 2024 reveals a community navigating significant demographic transitions. The 1.4 million Jews under age 18 represents 18.2% of the total population, a figure slightly below the general US population where minors comprise roughly 22%, suggesting somewhat lower fertility rates among Jewish families compared to the broader American population. This youth cohort faces distinct challenges around Jewish identity formation in an era of increasing intermarriage, declining religious affiliation, and competing cultural influences. However, the substantial population of Jewish children also represents renewed investment in Jewish education, with thousands of families enrolling children in day schools, supplementary religious schools, Jewish summer camps, and youth groups that aim to build strong Jewish identities.

The 2.1 million Jews ages 30-49 represents the largest age cohort, comprising 27.3% of the population and reflecting the peak family formation years when Jewish identity questions become particularly salient as parents decide how to raise children and which communities to join. This group drives demand for synagogue membership, Jewish preschools and elementary schools, family programming at Jewish community centers, and residential neighborhoods with strong Jewish presence. The 1.4 million Jews over age 65 creates growing demand for senior services, assisted living facilities sensitive to Jewish dietary and cultural needs, and programs addressing aging in place within established communities. The median age of 41.5 years positions the Jewish community slightly older than the general US population median of approximately 38 years, though younger than some European Jewish communities where fertility rates have declined more dramatically. The 5.5 million voting-age Jews represents a politically engaged constituency that votes at rates substantially above the general population and concentrates in swing states like Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada where Jewish voters can influence close electoral outcomes.

Disclaimer: This research report is compiled from publicly available sources. While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, no representation or warranty, express or implied, is given as to the completeness or reliability of the information. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions, losses, or damages of any kind arising from the use of this report.

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