Percentage of Latino Catholics Eclipses White Evangelicals in Southwest

Hispanic Catholics in 2022 accounted for the largest percentage of people who identify with a religion in the American Southwest, surpassing the share of white evangelicals in the region, according to a survey released last month.

The big picture: Latino Catholics have also eclipsed white mainline Protestants in California, New Mexico and Texas.

• In the Southwest, they still find themselves underrepresented in positions of power as white evangelicals have politically dominated the region for decades.
• Hispanic Catholics’ rise comes despite an overall drop in religious affiliation among all Americans, and a growing number of Latinos who convert to evangelical faiths {snip}

By the numbers: Hispanic Catholics accounted for more than 20% of all people with a religious affiliation in California, New Mexico and Texas in 2022, according to the Public Religion Research Institute’s annual American Values Atlas.

• In Arizona, Hispanic Catholics (12%) made up a bigger percentage than white evangelicals (10%) but a slightly smaller share than white mainline Protestants (13%).
• Evangelical Protestants are generally more loosely organized and lean more conservative than many mainline Protestants {snip}

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Between the lines: A large portion of Hispanic Catholics are under 18, are not U.S. citizens and can’t vote, which contributes to their lack of political power despite growing numbers.

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Yes, but: New Mexico, where 23% of residents are Hispanic Catholics, is the exception. Hispanics, many of whom are Catholic, hold almost all statewide offices, and a majority of the state’s congressional delegation identifies as Hispanic and Catholic.

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