About 1.2 million of the more than 1.5 million Knights of Columbus are the United States, with the rest in Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, and several Central American and Caribbean countries. In terms of level of membership, all members have reached at least the 'First Degree' and most are 'Third Degree' members. For those who wish to participate, there also is a Fourth Degree, whose members make a special commitment to the virtue of patriotism. While only men are members of the K of C, in countless cases the families of members are active in its programs as well. The Knights of Columbus is organized into local units called councils.
Councils vary greatly in size, from a few dozen members to hundreds.
Many operate within individual parishes, while others draw members from several neighboring parishes. These local units are grouped at the state level under a state council. The international governing body, the Supreme Council has its headquarters in New Haven. The chief executive officer of the Knights of Columbus is called the Supreme Knight. The present Supreme Knight is Virgil C. Dechant.