Churches in Idaho

Religious Landscape of Idaho

Idaho's religious landscape is heavily influenced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which claims roughly one in four Idaho residents as members. Eastern Idaho in particular is essentially an extension of the Mormon cultural region centered on Utah, with LDS stakes and wards serving as the primary social institutions in many communities. The church operates over 850 congregations statewide, far more than any other denomination. Outside the LDS sphere, the Catholic Church has a notable presence, particularly among Hispanic agricultural workers in the Magic Valley and among Basque-descended communities in Boise. Non-denominational evangelical churches have grown rapidly in the Boise metro area and the Coeur d'Alene corridor in the north, where in-migration from California and other states has diversified the religious landscape. Real Life Ministries in Post Falls is one of the largest churches in the state. Assemblies of God and Southern Baptist congregations are scattered throughout the state but remain small relative to LDS and Catholic communities. Idaho's overall adherence rate of about 51% is boosted significantly by LDS membership, which tends to produce high rates of weekly attendance and congregational participation.