Statistics For Wicca

Wicca is recognized by the National Council of Churches and Wicca covens receive nonprofit status from the federal government. Wiccan groups have won religious exemption from property tax; high school folks have won the right to equal access to Wiccan information; and imprisoned Wiccans have won the right to practice their religion behind bars. Wicca has received protection under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, under Title VII (which prohibits religious discrimination) and under the Restoration of Freedom of Religion Act.

In 1997, the director of the California-based Institute for the Study of American Religion estimated that there were probably between 60,000 and 70,000 practicing pagans in the United States, up from around 50,000 in the early 1980s.

According to evidence introduced in a 1986 legal case, a handbook for chaplains published by the United States refers to witchcraft in ancient northern European paganism, describes the loss of public expression when systematic persecution began, and estimates that there are now between 10,000 and 100,000 adherents in the United States.

The Wiccan Church of Canada claims tens of thousands of adherents.  About 40% of the membership is male, and the greatest number of new members come from the 20 to 30 year age group.

In 1998, the Church of Wicca estimated that it had 100,000 followers in the United States and Canada.

Facts Gathered by Tempestua