Survey Shows 74 Percent Increase in U.S. Mosques in Past Decade

A survey conducted earlier this year by a coalition of religious organizations shows the number of mosques in the United States has grown by 74 percent in the past 11 years -- up from 1,209 in 2001 to 2,106 in 2011, CNSNews.com reports. The survey by Faith Communities Today, which is affiliated with the Hartford Seminary's Hartford Institute for Religious Research, also reveals where those mosques exist, including the 10 states with the largest number of mosques: New York (257), California (246), Texas (166), Florida (118), Illinois (109), New Jersey (109), Pennsylvania (99), Michigan (77), Georgia (69) and Virginia (62). Vermont has the least number of mosques, with only one located in that state. Most mosques are located in metropolitan areas, with Greater New York City ranked No. 1 (192 mosques). Southern California (120), Greater Chicago (90), Greater Philadelphia (63) and Greater Detroit (63) rounded out the top five metropolitan areas for mosque population.