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Distribution of Quakers in the U.S.


© Bill Samuel

Aug 1, 1999


Distribution of Quakers in the U.S.
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Recently, I polled readers of this topic as follows:

Which state in the United States has the highest percentage of Friends in its population?
  1. Pennsylvania
  2. Indiana
  3. North Carolina
  4. Alaska
  5. None of the above (please email me state or post in discussion)

Pennsylvania

Readers voted overwhelmingly - 61.9% - for Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is sometimes known as the "Quaker State" and has a strong historical association with Quakerism. Pennsylvania, meaning "Penn's Woods," started as a grant of land from the King of England to William Penn, a noted early Friend. Quakers dominated the colonial government of Pennsylvania for decades. (More information on the story of Friends in government in Pennsylvania can be found in the article Quakerism in the 18th Century.)

Today, a number of Quaker organizations are headquartered in Philadelphia and there are still many Friends in the Philadelphia area. However, most of the rest of the state is not heavily populated with Quakers. Pennsylvania ranks only tenth in percentage of Friends in the population, and only fourth in absolute numbers. So the people who voted for Pennsylvania had good reason to do so, but were wrong.

Indiana

Indiana was the second most popular choice among my readers, garnering 28.6% of the vote. Indiana has the world headquarters of Friends United Meeting, the largest of several branches of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). It is a longtime stronghold of Friends.

In fact, this was a much better choice than Pennsylvania. There are more Quakers in Indiana than in any other state. However, proportionately, it ranks second.

North Carolina

North Carolina garnered one vote among my readers. Quakers have been very important in the history of North Carolina from colonial days, when one Friend served as governor. North Carolina Quakers faced great difficulties as the result of their relatively early decision to give up slaveholding, and many left the state for points west.

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