Numbers of Nonprofits By Metro Area

Some areas of the country are home to much higher numbers of nonprofits than others.

Governing compiled 2018 IRS data published by the National Center for Charitable Statistics to compute numbers of locally-focused nonprofits by metro area. We excluded groups with narrow interests not specific to communities, such as medical research, and small nonprofits reporting less than $25,000 in gross receipts. (View methodology)

The following metro areas with populations of at least 300,000 have the most such nonprofits per capita:

• Trenton, NJ: 17.1
• Madison, WI: 16.6
• Boulder, CO: 16.5
• Portland-South Portland, ME: 15.2
• Anchorage, AK: 14.9
• Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT: 14.7
• Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH: 14.1
• Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY: 14.1
• Lincoln, NE: 13.9
• San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA: 13.8

In general, areas of the industrial Midwest and northeast tend to have more nonprofits than more recently-developed regions. State capitals also typically have relatively large nonprofit sectors.

Locally-Focused Nonprofits for Metro Areas

Metro Area	Locally-Focused Nonprofits	Rate Per 10K Population
Barnstable Town, MA	517	24.2
Pittsfield, MA	286	22.6
Santa Fe, NM	285	19.0
Missoula, MT	219	18.4
Ithaca, NY	187	18.2
Springfield, IL	358	17.2
Trenton, NJ	634	17.1
Bismarck, ND	222	16.7
Napa, CA	231	16.6
Madison, WI	1,094	16.6
Burlington-South Burlington, VT	366	16.6
Boulder, CO	538	16.5
Duluth, MN-WI	447	16.0
Great Falls, MT	130	15.9
Fairbanks, AK	157	15.9
Glens Falls, NY	198	15.8
Jefferson City, MO	234	15.4
Portland-South Portland, ME	813	15.2
Anchorage, AK	595	14.9
Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT	1,391	14.7
Casper, WY	115	14.5
Charleston, WV	301	14.3
Corvallis, OR	131	14.2
Dubuque, IA	137	14.1
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	6,895	14.1
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY	1,246	14.1
Billings, MT	242	14.1
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA	382	13.9
Lincoln, NE	465	13.9
Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI	231	13.8
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA	6,518	13.8
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA	606	13.6
Cheyenne, WY	134	13.5
Charlottesville, VA	318	13.5
Santa Rosa, CA	673	13.5
Midland, MI	112	13.5
Lima, OH	138	13.4
Watertown-Fort Drum, NY	150	13.4
Wheeling, WV-OH	186	13.3
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA	374	13.2
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	8,230	13.2
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA	754	13.1
Lansing-East Lansing, MI	632	13.1
La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN	179	13.1
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	1,576	13.1
Johnstown, PA	172	13.1
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA	852	13.0
Wenatchee, WA	155	12.9
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA	2,085	12.9
Rapid City, SD	191	12.8
Pittsburgh, PA	2,982	12.8
Rochester, MN	281	12.8
Ocean City, NJ	118	12.7
Sioux City, IA-NE-SD	214	12.7
New Haven-Milford, CT	1,082	12.6
Tallahassee, FL	482	12.5
Bloomsburg-Berwick, PA	104	12.4
Kingston, NY	220	12.3
Erie, PA	334	12.3
Syracuse, NY	796	12.2
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	4,432	12.2
Grand Forks, ND-MN	124	12.1
Norwich-New London, CT	318	11.9
Carson City, NV	66	11.9
Topeka, KS	275	11.8
Altoona, PA	144	11.8
Manchester-Nashua, NH	488	11.8
Springfield, MA	741	11.7
Fargo, ND-MN	287	11.7
State College, PA	190	11.7
Bend-Redmond, OR	224	11.7
Bangor, ME	176	11.6
Mankato-North Mankato, MN	118	11.6
Ann Arbor, MI	429	11.6
Binghamton, NY	274	11.4
Sioux Falls, SD	303	11.4
Medford, OR	250	11.4
Grand Island, NE	96	11.3
Decatur, IL	118	11.3
Walla Walla, WA	73	11.2
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA	144	11.2
Parkersburg-Vienna, WV	101	11.2
Rochester, NY	1,201	11.2
Elmira, NY	94	11.2
Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI	1,758	11.2
Lewiston-Auburn, ME	120	11.1
Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY	1,255	11.1
Williamsport, PA	126	11.1
Bellingham, WA	248	11.0
Sheboygan, WI	126	10.9
Evansville, IN-KY	343	10.9
Terre Haute, IN	184	10.8
Redding, CA	195	10.8
St. Cloud, MN	216	10.8
Peoria, IL	398	10.8
Lexington-Fayette, KY	555	10.7
Harrisonburg, VA	145	10.7
Enid, OK	65	10.7
Iowa City, IA	185	10.7
Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA	181	10.7
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	2,643	10.7
Eugene, OR	404	10.6
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC	612	10.6
Morgantown, WV	149	10.6
Columbus, OH	2,237	10.6
Eau Claire, WI	179	10.6
Bloomington, IL	200	10.6
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL	403	10.6
Winston-Salem, NC	708	10.5
Oshkosh-Neenah, WI	180	10.5
Columbus, IN	87	10.5
Cumberland, MD-WV	102	10.4
Toledo, OH	627	10.4
Bay City, MI	108	10.4
Carbondale-Marion, IL	129	10.4
Wausau, WI	140	10.3
Columbia, MO	186	10.3
Ames, IA	101	10.3
Cleveland-Elyria, OH	2,114	10.3
Fond du Lac, WI	105	10.2
Montgomery, AL	377	10.1
Jackson, MS	586	10.1
Flagstaff, AZ	144	10.1
Asheville, NC	461	10.0
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	3,926	10.0
Bloomington, IN	167	10.0
Lancaster, PA	539	9.9
Cedar Rapids, IA	270	9.9
Utica-Rome, NY	288	9.9
Lawrence, KS	120	9.9
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	6,009	9.9
Chambersburg-Waynesboro, PA	152	9.8
Niles-Benton Harbor, MI	151	9.8
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA	19,543	9.8
Roanoke, VA	307	9.8
Dayton, OH	788	9.8
Midland, TX	174	9.8
Mansfield, OH	118	9.7
Battle Creek, MI	131	9.7
Albany, OR	124	9.7
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	2,725	9.7
Pine Bluff, AR	87	9.7
Worcester, MA-CT	918	9.7
Salisbury, MD-DE	397	9.7
Staunton-Waynesboro, VA	119	9.7
Sebastian-Vero Beach, FL	152	9.7
Urban Honolulu, HI	946	9.7
Abilene, TX	165	9.6
Morristown, TN	114	9.6
Salem, OR	415	9.6
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR	711	9.6
Cape Girardeau, MO-IL	93	9.6
Fort Collins, CO	336	9.6
Hot Springs, AR	95	9.6
Saginaw, MI	182	9.5
Gettysburg, PA	98	9.5
Olympia-Tumwater, WA	273	9.5
Fort Wayne, IN	417	9.5
Kalamazoo-Portage, MI	324	9.5
Manhattan, KS	93	9.5
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA	2,222	9.5
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO	2,774	9.5
Champaign-Urbana, IL	226	9.4
Mobile, AL	390	9.4
Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA	508	9.4
South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI	303	9.4
Akron, OH	661	9.4
Salinas, CA	408	9.4
Michigan City-La Porte, IN	103	9.4
Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA	881	9.4
Appleton, WI	222	9.3
Bremerton-Silverdale, WA	251	9.3
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA	516	9.3
Monroe, LA	164	9.3
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN	1,900	9.3
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA	528	9.2
Green Bay, WI	296	9.2
Victoria, TX	91	9.1
Rockford, IL	306	9.1
Joplin, MO	162	9.1
St. Louis, MO-IL	2,528	9.0
Canton-Massillon, OH	359	9.0
Muncie, IN	103	9.0
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	1,791	9.0
Pocatello, ID	78	9.0
Wichita Falls, TX	135	8.9
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ	752	8.9
Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI	954	8.9
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA	164	8.9
New Orleans-Metairie, LA	1,131	8.9
Wilmington, NC	262	8.9
Lewiston, ID-WA	56	8.9
Richmond, VA	1,143	8.8
Grand Junction, CO	134	8.7
Chico, CA	202	8.7
Austin-Round Rock, TX	1,888	8.7
Springfield, OH	117	8.7
Gainesville, FL	250	8.7
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	738	8.7
Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ	230	8.7
Prescott, AZ	201	8.7
Macon-Bibb County, GA	199	8.7
Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV	230	8.6
Reading, PA	360	8.6
Kankakee, IL	94	8.5
San Angelo, TX	102	8.5
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI	8,089	8.5
Kokomo, IN	70	8.5
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	1,850	8.4
Racine, WI	166	8.4
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	1,629	8.4
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC	183	8.4
Kansas City, MO-KS	1,799	8.4
Rome, GA	82	8.4
Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH	98	8.4
Farmington, NM	104	8.3
Lynchburg, VA	219	8.3
St. Joseph, MO-KS	105	8.3
Lebanon, PA	117	8.3
Albuquerque, NM	756	8.3
Reno, NV	387	8.2
Vineland-Bridgeton, NJ	124	8.2
Winchester, VA-WV	114	8.2
Raleigh, NC	1,110	8.1
Owensboro, KY	97	8.1
Columbia, SC	678	8.1
Athens-Clarke County, GA	172	8.1
Grants Pass, OR	71	8.1
Tyler, TX	187	8.1
Brunswick, GA	96	8.1
Janesville-Beloit, WI	132	8.1
Longview, WA	88	8.1
Jackson, MI	128	8.1
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	1,045	8.1
Waco, TX	217	8.0
Elkhart-Goshen, IN	164	8.0
Johnson City, TN	161	7.9
Pueblo, CO	132	7.9
York-Hanover, PA	353	7.9
Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH	277	7.9
Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN	174	7.8
Birmingham-Hoover, AL	902	7.8
Danville, IL	60	7.8
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA	2,564	7.7
Baton Rouge, LA	635	7.6
Oklahoma City, OK	1,066	7.6
Amarillo, TX	203	7.6
Greensboro-High Point, NC	585	7.6
Boise City, ID	556	7.6
Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL	288	7.6
Albany, GA	116	7.6
Coeur d'Alene, ID	122	7.6
North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL	620	7.5
Twin Falls, ID	83	7.5
Gadsden, AL	77	7.5
Longview, TX	164	7.5
Chattanooga, TN-GA	419	7.5
Knoxville, TN	655	7.4
Idaho Falls, ID	110	7.4
Wichita, KS	476	7.4
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	9,794	7.4
Colorado Springs, CO	543	7.3
Lubbock, TX	234	7.3
Yakima, WA	182	7.2
Charleston-North Charleston, SC	568	7.2
Springfield, MO	333	7.1
Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA	218	7.1
Bowling Green, KY	126	7.1
Muskegon, MI	123	7.1
East Stroudsburg, PA	120	7.1
Tulsa, OK	703	7.1
Salt Lake City, UT	864	7.1
Savannah, GA	275	7.1
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	3,044	7.0
Shreveport-Bossier City, LA	305	7.0
Jackson, TN	90	7.0
Kennewick-Richland, WA	204	6.9
Florence, SC	141	6.9
Sherman-Denison, TX	92	6.9
Lake Charles, LA	144	6.9
Vallejo-Fairfield, CA	305	6.8
Memphis, TN-MS-AR	922	6.8
College Station-Bryan, TX	178	6.8
Sumter, SC	72	6.8
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	3,991	6.7
Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ	85	6.7
Dothan, AL	99	6.7
Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX	270	6.6
Hattiesburg, MS	98	6.6
Fort Smith, AR-OK	185	6.6
Tucson, AZ	678	6.5
Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL	74	6.5
Flint, MI	263	6.5
Yuba City, CA	113	6.5
Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC	583	6.4
Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL	318	6.4
Corpus Christi, TX	291	6.4
Alexandria, LA	98	6.4
Greenville, NC	114	6.3
Lafayette, LA	309	6.3
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC	1,081	6.3
Jacksonville, FL	958	6.2
Rocky Mount, NC	91	6.2
Beckley, WV	73	6.2
Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL	173	6.2
Houma-Thibodaux, LA	129	6.2
Madera, CA	97	6.2
Fresno, CA	610	6.1
California-Lexington Park, MD	69	6.1
Monroe, MI	92	6.1
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC	224	6.1
Las Cruces, NM	132	6.1
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	1,558	6.1
Texarkana, TX-AR	91	6.1
Dover, DE	108	6.0
Huntsville, AL	279	6.0
Greeley, CO	189	6.0
Goldsboro, NC	74	6.0
Tuscaloosa, AL	146	6.0
Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC	361	6.0
Visalia-Porterville, CA	277	5.9
New Bern, NC	74	5.9
Cleveland, TN	73	5.9
Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL	86	5.8
Homosassa Springs, FL	86	5.8
Jonesboro, AR	77	5.8
Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL	125	5.7
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL	1,795	5.7
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	4,281	5.7
Panama City, FL	114	5.7
Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL	427	5.7
Burlington, NC	94	5.6
Columbus, GA-AL	171	5.6
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO	307	5.6
Gainesville, GA	113	5.6
Modesto, CA	305	5.5
Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, MS	220	5.5
Decatur, AL	84	5.5
Punta Gorda, FL	102	5.5
Spartanburg, SC	188	5.5
Sebring, FL	58	5.5
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL	3,407	5.5
Hanford-Corcoran, CA	83	5.5
Elizabethtown-Fort Knox, KY	84	5.5
Valdosta, GA	80	5.5
Stockton-Lodi, CA	411	5.5
Logan, UT-ID	76	5.4
Port St. Lucie, FL	260	5.4
Dalton, GA	77	5.3
Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL	315	5.3
Auburn-Opelika, AL	85	5.2
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL	1,326	5.2
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX	1,273	5.1
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX	3,515	5.0
Odessa, TX	81	5.0
Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL	329	5.0
Bakersfield, CA	445	5.0
Hammond, LA	66	4.9
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ	2,384	4.9
El Centro, CA	89	4.9
Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC	223	4.6
Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL	328	4.6
Killeen-Temple, TX	207	4.6
Clarksville, TN-KY	133	4.6
Merced, CA	122	4.4
Warner Robins, GA	85	4.4
St. George, UT	74	4.3
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	1,941	4.2
Ogden-Clearfield, UT	269	4.0
Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ	83	4.0
Yuma, AZ	81	3.8
Ocala, FL	137	3.8
Lawton, OK	48	3.8
Fayetteville, NC	143	3.7
Provo-Orem, UT	209	3.3
Brownsville-Harlingen, TX	138	3.3
Hinesville, GA	26	3.2
El Paso, TX	271	3.2
Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV	705	3.2
Jacksonville, NC	62	3.1
Laredo, TX	80	2.9
The Villages, FL	34	2.6
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX	204	2.4

View data notes
SOURCE: Governing analysis of data published by National Center for Charitable Statistics, 2018 IRS Business Master Files

About the Data

Data reflects nonprofits aimed at serving communities and local areas. Nonprofits serving primarily support functions to other organizations were excluded from our analysis as well as those classified with the following IRS activity codes: Animal-related, nursing facilities and nursing-related, health associations and medical disciplines, medical research, homeowners and tenants associations, student services, amateur sports and pro athletic leagues, international/foreign affairs/national security, science and technology, social science, military, fire prevention, consumer protection, religion-related, private and corporate foundations, named trusts, mutual and membership benefit. Organizations not filing with the IRS the past two years and those reporting less than $25,000 in gross receipts are also excluded.