Abstract
This chapter examines the size, geographic distribution, and selected characteristics of the US Jewish population. Section 5.1 addresses the procedures employed to estimate the Jewish population of more than 1200 local Jewish communities and parts thereof. Section 5.2 examines population estimates for the US as a whole, the four US Census Regions, the nine US Census Divisions, each state, the 21 largest US Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs), the 21 largest Combined Statistical Areas (CSAs), and the Jewish Federation Service Areas (JFSAs) with 20,000 or more Jews. Section 5.3 examines changes in the size and geographic distribution of the Jewish population at regional, state, and urban area scales. Section 5.4 examines the geography of American synagogues by state and Census Region. Section 5.5 presents an atlas of US Jewish communities, including 14 regional and state maps of Jewish communities. Section 5.6 contains a conclusion. The Appendix contains estimates of all Jewish communities with 100 or more Jews. Overall, 17 maps of the American Jewish community are provided.