10 up-and-coming Catholic towns in the USA
Published on September 7, 2025
You won’t want to miss these Catholic towns in the USA.
Imagine a charming and cozy small town where your neighbors not only share your street name, but also your Catholic values. If you’re in the market to relocate, these 10 up-and-coming Catholic towns in the U.S.A. are the place to settle down, raise a family, and practice your faith.
10. Bozeman, Montana
Natural beauty and low taxes? In the Diocese of Helena, Holy Rosary Parish offers the Latin Mass with an 18% increase in Parish membership since 2020. The town also has a strong Catholic homeschool network and emphasizes outdoor recreation. The Diocese of Helena reports that there has been a 10% increase in Catholic residents since 2019.
9. Hulbert, Oklahoma
Gregorian chants can be heard on high in Halbert. Inspired by the contemplative lifestyle, Halbert’s Clear Creek Abbey, founded in 1999, is the center of the Latin Mass community.
8. New Braunfels, Texas
Founded in 1845 by German Catholic immigrants, New Braunfels is a go-to spot for Catholic families leaving California and the West Coast. New Braunfels is anchored by the historic St. Peter and Paul church. The town appeals to young Catholic families because of its proximity to San Antonio and Austen.
7. Leavenworth, Kansas
With a population of just 37,000, Leavenworth offers a diversity of Catholic life – from schools and parishes to homeschool groups. St. Joseph offers the Latin Mass. Nearby Benedictine College offers retreats, conferences, and a thriving intellectual and cultural life.
6. Fort Collins, Colorado
Fort Collins hosts several active parishes. The town also offers robust ministries including youth programs, a growing RCIA program, and the added benefit of proximity to Wyoming Catholic College. There has been a 10% increase in Catholics in the state, according to the Archdiocese of Denver.
5. Celina, Ohio
Looking to get out of the city? Celina is a hidden gem with rural charm, low cost of living, and a strong Catholic school system. The center of their liturgy is Immaculate Conception parish.
4. Gainesville, Virginia
A town of 17,000, Gainesville offers dynamic ministry and orthodoxy. Close to D.C. and located in the Diocese of Arlington, Holy Trinity Catholic Church offers the Latin Mass, a strong RCIA program, and youth ministry.
3. Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Meet the Midwestern Catholic hub. With St. Lambert and St. Michael offering Latin Mass, Eucharistic revival events, and solid Catholic schools, Sioux Falls is the place to be in South Dakota.
2. Post Falls, Idaho
Looking for a conservative in policy and family-friendly? Look no further! There has been a Catholic migration trend to Post Falls because of the town’s low taxes, pro-life policies, and strong Catholic parishes and schools.
1. Lander, Wyoming
Lander is the epitome of small town and wholesome with a population of around 7,500. The town is the home of the Wyoming Catholic College, a liberal arts school that emphasizes traditional Catholic teachings and outdoor education. Lander’s Holy Rosary Parish encourages tit-knight Catholic culture through local festivals and retreats.
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Love that there are such towns in the US. If my family was young, I’d move there in a minute. My kids are grown and we love our current parish, but this is wonderful news to know there are actual Catholic-inspired cities in this country.
I’m surprised that Ave Maria, FL, was not mentioned.
Too expensive for young families
The only Latin Mass I know is in the Sioux Falls area is at Canton…
Holy Trinity in Gainesville VA is great, but I would consider Gainesville just part of a larger great diocese in general (diocese of Arlington VA, outside of DC). If you’re specifically looking for a town that is a Catholic hub in the DC-Virginia-Maryland area, check out Hyattsville, MD — that’s a place where there are actual intentional “Catholic neighborhoods” where a lot of people attend the same church (which they may walk to), know their neighbors, share babysitters, have a big, very local Catholic schooling / homeschooling system, etc. 🙂
You missed Ave Maria, Fl! The university has 24 hours every week of confessions, Masses and at least 10 priests. The town is built around the Catholic Church just like they used to be in Europe….so meaningful and it’s big? It has 3 daily Masses, confessions 5x a week plus a weekly Holy Hour, glorious Sacred music. It is gloriously and joyfully Catholic and very small. It also has an excellent Catholic Classical K-12 academy and a Catholic Montessori school. Many big and young families live here so don’t think it’s too expensive. Sorry for long comments but we e lived there since 2008 and are so grateful to Hod for leading us to Our Lady’s town. Ave Maria!!
This is amazing to hear!
Actually Gainesville and Holy Trinity have the largest Catholic home school community in the country, I’ve been told by a priest at HT. Not to take anything away from Hyattsville, but there really is a very strong and vibrant Catholic community both in Gainesville and nearby Manassas. Manassas is home to Seton School. Both are within commuting distance of Christendom college. There is a Catholic Montessori school nearby as well. Seton homeschool had its headquarters in Front Royal, just down the road. One person told me she would never move from Gainesville because to her it seems like a Catholic Disneyland. There’s a very rich Catholic life there if you get involved at Holy Trinity and the diocese in general.
Birmingham, AL has a very strong Catholic community! EWTN is based in the city (in Irondale to be exact), there are amazing historic parishes, and we’re just a short drive (40-45 min) from the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament and Ave Maria Grotto!
Although I suppose it might be a bit large to make the “small town” list. Cullman, a small town near the Shrine would probably fit better. Population around 15k and according to 2020 religion census data it’s 36% Catholic! They have a beautiful parish there, a school, and also St. Bernard’s abbey! Forgot to mention them along with the grotto.