Metropolitan Areas — Church Planting
We have identified 37 specific sections of America’s largest metropolitan areas that appear to have few, if any, Fundamental churches. Additional on-site investigation would be needed to fully verify the need. We ranked them in order of greatest need using a formula that considers population, past growth, projected growth, and other churches nearby.
For a summary of the needs in the area, click on the area name.
Needy Area Summaries
1 – New Orleans, LA
There are 957,000 people in the greater New Orleans area. The area is 44% Black/African American. While there are several fundamental churches in the Baton Rouge area, there is almost nothing in the entire New Orleans area. There are nearly 200,000 homes to be reached here. Of course, Catholicism dominates religious thinking in the area.
2 – Round Rock, TX (north Austin)
Austin has experienced rapid growth for decades. Technology companies such as Dell, AMD, Motorola, and IBM have fueled this growth. The 2000 Census showed 272,000 people in this north Austin/ Round Rock area, and growth should take it over 300,000 by 2005. The population is 23% Hispanic and 10% Black. There are many Southern Baptist churches in the area, and there may be 1 fundamental church in the area.
3 – Riverside, CA
This area around Riverside is in the "Inland Empire" (Eastern portion) of the LA basin, where 400,000 people live in a fairly typical suburban area. Los Angeles has grown this direction for the last several decades, so the homes are newer and the costs aren't as high as in many older areas. Consistent growth is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. The area is 36% Hispanic, well above the national average but below average for LA. Many of the people are connected to Catholicism.
4 – Newark, NJ
This area north of Newark, New Jersey, is defined by its racial diversity (Hispanics and African Americans make up 50% of the population) and dense population (550,000 people). There are a small handful of conservative churches in the area. There are large Catholic and Jewish constituencies.
5 – Queens, NY (central Queens)
This area is in central Queens in New York City. The area is densely populated with 425,000 people. There is strong racial diversity: 45% Hispanic, 14% Black/African American, and 20% Asian. Conservative churches of any type are very scarce. There are large Catholic and Jewish constituencies.
6 – Brownsville, TX
This area is on the Mexican border near the Gulf of Mexico. The rapidly growing population is 91% Hispanic. The 2000 Census count of 168,000 should reach 200,000 by 2010. Across the border in Matamoros, Mexico, are another 750,000. The households are very large (3.75), and there is an extraordinary percentage of children and teens (49% 25 or below). There are a few Southern Baptist Hispanic ministries in the area. Of course, Catholicism dominates religious thinking in the area.
7 – New York Northeast (NY/CT border)
This area covers approximately 10 miles along Long Island Sound from downtown Port Chester, NY (on the New York/Connecticut border). This is a fairly typical middle-class suburban area. The population is about 70% White. Income and housing prices are fairly high, and family size is average. The population is well educated. There are about 450,000 people in the area, and conservative churches of any type are very scarce. There are large Catholic and Jewish constituencies.
8 – Southeast Chicago, IL
In this area of southeast Chicago, 86% of the 687,000 residents are Black or African American. It is a very low income area, with median household income around $24,000 and average home prices around $68,000. It is very difficult to know what other conservative churches may be in this area.
9 – Sunnyvale, CA
This area in the heart of Silicon Valley is home to 285,000 people. By 2010, population is expected to be around 335,000. The population is well educated, homes are expensive, and much of the employment is related to technology. A third of the people are of Asian descent. There appear to be few conservative churches in the area.
10 – North Central Los Angeles (El Monte)
This area of 375,000 people in the north central LA basin is dominated by a 70% Hispanic population, with 63% of the area's population speaking something other than English. The families are considerably larger than in most metropolitan areas (3.52 people per household), and there is a corresponding higher percentage of young people under 25 (43% of the population). There are several Southern Baptist churches in the area. Many of the people are connected to Catholicism.
11 – Boca Raton, FL
This area has grown rapidly to around 300,000 people, and some growth is expected to continue. Cost of living is well above average, and the population is older than the national average. Many of the jobs come from the tourism industry. There appear to be few conservative churches in the area. The West Palm Beach/ Boca Raton area has a large Jewish constituency.
12 – Southwest Las Vegas, NV
This area adjoins the famously wicked Las Vegas Strip. The area has exploded in growth over the past decades, averaging a phenomenal 100+% growth per decade. Substantial growth is expected to continue (20-30% per decade). Nearly half of the jobs are related to the gambling industry. There appear to be few conservative churches in the area. The Mormons claim a large constituency here.
13 – Southern Austin, TX
Austin has experienced rapid growth for decades. Technology companies such as Dell, AMD, Motorola, and IBM have fueled this growth. The 2000 Census showed 220,000 people in this south Austin area, and by 2010 this is projected to easily top 250,000. The population is 46% Hispanic. There are many Southern Baptist churches in the area, and there may be a fundamental church.
14 – Southwest Houston, TX
This area southwest of downtown Houston grew from 170,000 in 1970 to 355,000 in 2000. Some growth should continue in the area. There is a broad racial mix with 36% Hispanics, 22% Black/African Americans, and 8% Asians. The population is fairly well educated, and the cost of living is very reasonable. There are about 30 Southern Baptist churches in the area, as well as Houston Baptist University (SBC – 2,700 students). Along with Catholics and Southern Baptists, United Methodists have a surprising number of adherents in this area.
15 – Northwest San Diego, CA
Around 248,000 people live in this area northwest of San Diego. This area is home to University of California – San Diego, so the population is well educated and many people work in education-related jobs. Minor growth is expected to continue in the area. Home prices are very high (over $250,000 median). There appear to be very few conservative churches in the area. Many of the people are connected to Catholicism.
16 – Southwest Minneapolis, MN
This area southwest of Minneapolis is racially White, economically pricey, and educationally above average. The area had grown to 215,000 by 2000, and minor growth was expected to continue. Though there are several fundamental churches in adjacent areas, the area itself seems to have very few conservative churches. Catholicism and Lutheranism dominate the religion in the area.
17 – New Haven, CT
This area covers about 7 miles around New Haven, CT. Income, housing prices, and family size are all average. This area has a fairly large Black/African American population (25%). There are about 265,000 people in the area, and conservative churches of any type are very scarce. There are large Catholic and Jewish constituencies.
18 – South San Francisco, CA
This area of 150,000 people has a strong ethnic mix (23% Hispanic, 23% Asian). It is located south of San Francisco on the Bay, so housing values are very high though income levels are only average. Many of the jobs are in biotechnology. The area should continue to grow modestly. There appear to be very few conservative churches in the area.
19 – South Scottsdale, AZ
The Scottsdale area east of Phoenix is expected to experience rapid growth (4-5% per year) over the next several years. The 2000 population of 218,000 in the southern end could reach 250,000 by 2005. The population in this area is older than average (28% are 25 or under) and well educated (31% have college degrees). The population is also 23% Hispanic. There appear to be a couple of conservative churches in the area. The Mormons claim more adherents here than the Southern Baptists.
20 – Federal Way, WA (south of Seattle)
This area between Seattle and Tacoma has experienced substantial growth for more than 30 years. The 2000 Census showed a population around 175,000, and this will probably grow near 200,000 by 2010. This is a typical suburban area, with a higher than average Asian population (9%). There appear to be few conservative churches in the area.
21 – North Miami, FL
Around 213,000 people now live in this North Miami area which has grown consistently for decades. The people are very diverse racially, with 45% of the people speaking another language besides English. The population is 31% Hispanic and 36% Black. There are also substantial Haitian and Arab-American groups. There appear to be few conservative churches in the area. There are large Catholic and Jewish constituencies.
22 – Evanston, IL (north of Chicago)
The Evanston/Skokie area north of Chicago is home to about 260,000 people. This is an area of older homes with a stable population size. However, a third of the population is 25 or under. The area is 15% Hispanic, 18% Black/African American, and 11% Asian. There appear to be few conservative churches.
23 – Coral Gables, FL
This Coral Gables area south of Miami is 70% Hispanic. But it has several differences from most areas dominated by a minority group. For example, a significant percentage of the people have college degrees (26%), and the median household income is similar to the national average. The population grew slightly in the 1990s to 246,000. There are large Catholic and Jewish constituencies.
24 – East Atlanta (proper), GA
This is a fairly large area east of downtown Atlanta. After years of stagnation the area began to grow in the 1990s, reaching 220,000 people by 2000. The area is 75% Black/African American, and there is an above-average percentage of young people. Income and housing costs are fairly average. Along with the Southern Baptists, United Methodists have a surprising number of adherents in this area.
25 – I-680 corridor East of Oakland, CA
This area east of Oakland tripled in population from 1970 to 2000, from 53,000 to 172,000 people. It grew 23% in the 1990s, and growth is expected to continue. The population is very well educated (39% have undergrad or grad degrees) and upper middle class (1990 median household income was $62,000). Eleven percent of the people are Asian. There are a couple of conservative churches in the area.
26 – Carrollton, TX (north of Dallas)
This area northwest of Dallas has exploded in population from 43,700 in 1970 to 172,000 in 2000. The population is about 5% Black, 10% Asian, and 20% Hispanic. There are about 30 Southern Baptist churches in the area, and may be a handful of other conservative churches. Along with Catholics and Southern Baptists, United Methodists have a surprising number of adherents in this area.
27 – San Pedro, CA (south of LA)
This area of about 130,000 people is in southwest Los Angeles on the ocean. It is an economically diverse area, ranging from wealthy estates on the West side, middle class homes to the Southeast, and lower class neighborhoods to the North. There is a relatively high Asian population (18%). Cost of living in this area is well above average. There are a small handful of conservative churches in the area. Many of the people are connected to Catholicism.
28 – East Portland, OR
After two decades of stagnation, this area east of downtown Portland grew suddenly in the 1990s, from 162,000 to 189,000. Living costs are relatively low, and most other statistics are average compared to other suburban areas in the USA. The area is 9% Hispanic and 8% Asian. Two major hospitals provide many jobs in healthcare. The Mormons claim a large constituency here.
29 – Vallejo/Benicia, CA (Northwest of San Francisco)
This area across the water north of Oakland has nearly doubled in population since 1970, from 80,000 to 147,000 people. Growth is expected to continue more moderately. The area has a unique racial mix of about 15% Hispanic, 20% Black, 20% Asian, and 45% White. There are a couple of conservative churches in the area.
30 – Northeast of downtown Detroit, MI
This area just adjacent to downtown Detroit has all the characteristics of a typical "inner city." Of the 237,000 residents, 80% are Black/African American. A large percentage of the population is 25 or under (42% in 1990), and households are larger than average. Housing values are far below the national average, and only 12% of the people have college degrees. There appear to be very few conservative churches in the area.
31 – Northwest of downtown Detroit, MI
This area is very similar to the needy area northeast of downtown Detroit. There is a much larger Hispanic population (17%) along with the Black population (69%). The median household income and housing values are extremely low. Only 6% of the 233,000 residents have college degrees.
32 – North Boston, MA
This area directly north of downtown Boston is home to about 230,000 people. This is a fairly typical suburban area, with housing prices, educational attainment, and household sizes in line with national averages. There appear to be a couple of conservative churches in the area. Many of the people are connected to Catholicism.
33 – West Boston, MA
This area west of Boston is home to Harvard University, and MIT is nearby. As a result, the population of 166,000 is very well educated (52% have at least an undergraduate degree). Many of the people work in education-related jobs. Home prices are well above average. There are very few conservative churches in the area. Many of the people are connected to Catholicism.
34 – Capitol Heights, MD (East of Washington, D.C.)
This area of 250,000 people just East of Washington, D.C., is 92% Black/African American. Nearly 25% of the people work government jobs, and few of them have college degrees. Household income and housing values are below average, and the area has gradually declined in population for decades.
35 – Northwest Boston, MA
Northwest of downtown Boston, this older area of Boston (average home built in 1945) is home to 145,000 people. The people are older than the national average (30% are 25 or under) and well educated (36% of the population have at least an undergraduate degree). After years of population decline, it appears that the numbers have leveled out or even begun to grow slightly. There are very few conservative churches in the area. Many of the people are connected to Catholicism.
36 – Worcester, MA
This area 30 miles west of Boston is home to about 205,000 people. The cost of living is much lower than that in areas nearer to Boston, and Boston is growing toward Worcester. In 1990, homes averaged $124,000, and the average rent was $546. There is a 13% Hispanic minority. Many of the people are connected to Catholicism.
37 – South Dallas, TX
This area of south-central Dallas is dominated by minorities: 57% Black and 33% Hispanic. The population has slowly decreased over the past decades to about 210,000 in 2000. This area has typical inner city characteristics: income levels, housing costs, and educational attainment are well below average; a large percentage of the population is under 25; and household sizes are above average. Along with Catholics and Southern Baptists, United Methodists have a surprising number of adherents in this area.
