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When it comes to population growth, the United States has two regions. The Frontier (gray-colored states in the West and the Southeast) attracts native-born U.S. citizens from other states. The Gateway (blue-colored states in the Northeast and California) depends on international immigration for population growth. The Great Interior (orange-colored states) gets relatively few newcomers, and population growth depends on the birth rate.
Politics & Society Features
October 18, 2019
Both the church and the nation will steadily shrink without newcomers from beyond our national borders. But there are big differences in how immigration plays out in different parts of the U.S.
A man holds a life-size cutout of new St. Mariam Thresia Chiramel Mankidiyan of India before the canonization Mass for five new saints celebrated by Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Oct. 13. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
Faith Dispatches
October 18, 2019
John Paul II canonized more saints (482) than the popes from the previous 500 years combined, and Pope Francis is more than keeping up.
Couples exchange vows during a wedding service at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Georgetown, Del., on Feb. 14, 2010. (CNS photo/Don Blake, The Dialog)
Politics & Society Dispatches
August 20, 2019
Nearly two-thirds of college graduates are married, writes Robert David Sullivan, compared with only about half of those who have not gone beyond high school.
(iStock/BackyardProduction)
Politics & Society Dispatches
August 09, 2019
Children are consistently the poorest age group in the United States, writes Robert David Sullivan. But will they be heard in Washington as they become outnumbered by people over 65?
In this Feb. 5, 2019, file photo, Border Patrol agent Vincent Pirro looks on near a border wall that separates the cities of Tijuana, Mexico, and San Diego, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)
Politics & Society Dispatches
July 26, 2019
Since he began his campaign for national office in 2015, President Trump has repeatedly referred to a “crisis” at the U.S.-Mexico border, but the numbers have been less consistent.
A man walks past the former Church of the Nativity in New York City in December 2018. It was deconsecrated in 2017. (CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz) 
Faith Dispatches
June 14, 2019
The number of U.S. parishes without resident pastors has leveled off to about 3,400, according to the latest data from CARA—but only after dioceses have closed down thousands of churches since 1990.
President Donald Trump speaks at the Ford’s Theatre Annual Gala, on June 2, in Washington. Mr. Trump’s approval ratings among U.S. Catholics closely mirror those among all U.S. voters—but there are major differences between white and Hispanic Catholics.(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Politics & Society News
June 04, 2019
Recent polls put U.S. Catholics squarely in the middle of the political spectrum (with a majority saying they will not support President Trump in 2020), but there are major differences between white and Hispanic Catholics.
Politics & Society News Analysis
April 25, 2019
Joe Biden is joining the dozens of Catholics who have run for president since John F. Kennedy was in the White House, but only one so far has come close to winning.
Parishioners of St. Anthony of Padua, in Ray City, Ga., enter their new church at its dedication on May 21, 2016. (CNS photo/Rich Kalonick, Catholic Extension)
Faith Dispatches
April 19, 2019
While the church continues to shut down parishes in the Rust Belt, a new wave of immigrants is contributing to an urgent demand for more pews in the South and West.
Michigan Wolverines guard Charles Matthews tries to defend a shot from Villanova Wildcats guard Donte DiVincenzo in the N.C.A.A. men’s basketball championship on April 2, 2018, in San Antonio. Villanova won its second championship in three years. (CNS photo/ Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters)
Politics & Society Dispatches
March 08, 2019
Watching the N.C.A.A. annual college basketball tournament has become a tradition for many Catholics. March Madness is also a huge moneymaker for everyone except the players.