South Dakota - Religions

In 2000, the largest single denomination in the state was the Roman Catholic Church, with 181,434 adherents, or about 24% of the population. Leading Protestant denominations were the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, with 121,871 adherents; the United Methodist Church, 37,280; and the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, 31,524. The Jewish population was estimated at 350 adherents. A few religious groups, though still relatively small in numbers, reported significant growth in membership since 1990. The Salvation Army grew from 732 members in 1990 to 2,804 in 2000, a difference of 283%. Likewise, the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel grew from 466 adherents in 1990 to 1,518 in 2000, a difference of 225%. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints reported a membership of about 5,998 adherents. About 242,950 people (32.3% of the population) were not counted as members of any religious organization.