Where should we meet? Explaining the locations of newer religious groups in the Chicago suburbs

• In Event: 50461 - Section on Sociology of Religion Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 2: Religious Organizations & Religion in Place

Abstract

Decades of change in suburban DuPage County, Illinois, includes the founding of Buddhist, Hindu, Korean, Latino, Muslim, and Orthodox congregations in what had been a Protestant and Catholic county. What influenced where these congregations locate? This study evaluates three hypotheses and shows that these congregations do not often meet in census tracts with higher percentages of racial and ethnic minority residents and foreign-born residents, the congregations are more often located along major roadways in the county though the majority are not at intersections, and they are more likely to gather in buildings constructed by others. Additionally, these groups rarely meet in locations in or near suburban downtowns and instead tend to meet in areas of more recent suburban development. That new religious groups in suburbs may prioritize accessible and available properties located along major roadways within suburban sprawl has consequences for congregational activity and for suburban communities.

Author

• Brian J. Miller, Wheaton College