Out of curiosity, did your friends encounter the higher rates in a liberal or an orthodox diocese?
One friend checked several parishes/dioceses (due to the geography of all involved people) - they all were pretty high. The one closest to her house is in the ArchDiocese of Chicago. I assume that is a bit more liberal. I'm in the Diocese of Joliet, and it's quite a mix, but overall pretty liberal. We have a new Bishop, so how things change remains to be seen.
Unfortunately, she became disgusted, remarried in a Lutheran or Methodist Church. She is a Cradle Catholic who didn't know that the Eucharist isn't symbolic.
My announcement of becoming a revert (after 25 yrs an atheist) sparked quite a discussion. After engaging in discussions with my "Catholic" friends, I've decided that there will be many a priest and bishop undergoing some serious questioning on Judgment Day based on the complete lack of education and pastoral care of the flock.