Participants at the Jewish Population Study Group Meeting held at the Dell JCC on Sunday, February 2, 2025. Credit: Amanda Septimus

By Amanda Septimus 

Austin’s rapid population growth has been a headline in local and national media for quite some time. As the city expands, its Jewish community is constantly welcoming newcomers. New individuals and families are regularly greeted in synagogues, preschools, and community spaces, including the Dell JCC building. However, until now, the Austin Jewish community has never conducted an official demographic and population study to understand the make-up of the community, where residents are located, and what needs may not yet be met. For each person showing up, the Austin Jewish community may have more individuals who are not finding connection.   

Thanks to the generosity of the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, the Austin Jewish community is embarking on its first-ever Greater Austin Jewish Comprehensive Population Study, which will be called the Study of Jewish ATX. This initiative aims to provide detailed insights into the community’s demographics and needs, paving the way for informed planning and growth. With this study, the community can better understand who is showing up, how they connect to this community as well as discovering what populations are not feeling connected, and what needs they may have. This data can then help community institutions best prioritize how to meet the needs of those already connected and work to provide for needs not yet met.   

The study will be conducted by the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies (CMJS) at Brandeis University. CMJS will collaborate with NORC at the University of Chicago and the University of New Hampshire Survey Center, both leading social science research institutions.  

The study officially began on February 2 and 3, when CMJS professionals visited and met with representatives from Jewish institutions across the community. The goal of these kickoff meetings was to educate communal leaders on the process of the study, and for CMJS to learn what issues are important to this community. With the guidance of our Jewish communal leadership, CMJS will focus on issues that matter to this community, while collecting, analyzing, and reporting relevant, accurate, actionable data to enhance community planning and strengthen Jewish life in the Austin area.  

CMJS employs a combination of validated methods and innovative approaches to gather data. The study will begin surveying in August to reach individuals already involved in the community, as well as those who are not currently connected, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the community’s composition and needs.  

This initiative is a valuable resource for Jewish institutions in Austin, offering data to help shape their strategic roadmaps. The findings are expected to be available during the summer of 2026, and will empower organizations, synagogues, and schools to ask questions and develop plans to effectively address the community’s evolving needs. By using data-driven insights, plans can be made to ensure the Austin Jewish community remains connected, engaged, and thriving for years to come. Service delivery organizations will be better equipped to make informed decisions about investing in programs, services, and initiatives to meet short- and long-term needs. Other communities that have recently conducted similar studies have recognized a need to prioritize affordable quality childcare, mental health needs, senior population services, and more.   

A market snapshot survey conducted by Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) in 2024 highlighted the Austin Jewish community’s remarkable growth. The Jewish population in Austin has increased from approximately 6,000 in the 1990s to around 39,000 today, outpacing the overall metro area’s growth. JFNA projects continued dramatic growth within the next decade, which makes now an ideal time to study the community’s needs and plan for a vibrant future.   

For more information about the Study of Jewish ATX, visit: brandeis.edu/cmjs/community-studies/austin.html