Survey yearVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
201438%29%17%16%< 1%3,291
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: Very important, Somewhat important, Not too important, Not at all important

Importance of religion in one's life among younger Millennials by religious group

% of younger Millennials who say religion is…

Religious traditionVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Catholic41%43%13%3%< 1%533
Evangelical Protestant73%23%2%1%< 1%643
Historically Black Protestant73%24%3%< 1%< 1%184
Mainline Protestant44%44%10%2%< 1%371
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")8%21%30%40%< 1%1,180
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: Very important, Somewhat important, Not too important, Not at all important

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among younger Millennials by importance of religion

% of younger Millennials who are ages…

Importance of religion in one's life18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Very important100%< 1%< 1%< 1%1,241
Somewhat important100%< 1%< 1%< 1%932
Not too important100%< 1%< 1%< 1%560
Not at all important100%< 1%< 1%< 1%545
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Gender composition among younger Millennials by importance of religion

% of younger Millennials who are…

Importance of religion in one's lifeMenWomenSample size
Very important48%52%1,241
Somewhat important49%51%932
Not too important49%51%560
Not at all important66%34%545
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Racial and ethnic composition among younger Millennials by importance of religion

% of younger Millennials who identify as…

Importance of religion in one's lifeWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Very important48%21%4%20%6%1,232
Somewhat important50%11%7%27%5%923
Not too important61%8%9%18%4%556
Not at all important65%7%8%16%4%542
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Immigrant status among younger Millennials by importance of religion

% of younger Millennials who are…

Importance of religion in one's lifeImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Very important16%16%68%1,228
Somewhat important11%25%64%916
Not too important11%24%66%556
Not at all important13%20%67%536
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Income distribution among younger Millennials by importance of religion

% of younger Millennials who have a household income of…

Importance of religion in one's lifeLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
Very important44%18%25%13%1,039
Somewhat important40%21%23%17%787
Not too important35%22%23%20%484
Not at all important37%19%26%18%479
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Educational distribution among younger Millennials by importance of religion

% of younger Millennials who have completed…

Importance of religion in one's lifeHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Very important48%43%8%1%1,238
Somewhat important49%41%9%1%931
Not too important45%42%11%2%558
Not at all important47%40%12%1%545
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Marital status among younger Millennials by importance of religion

% of younger Millennials who are…

Importance of religion in one's lifeMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Very important11%8%2%< 1%79%1,239
Somewhat important5%12%2%< 1%82%931
Not too important5%9%1%< 1%86%558
Not at all important4%11%1%< 1%84%543
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Parent of children under 18 among younger Millennials by importance of religion

% of younger Millennials who are…

Importance of religion in one's lifeParentsNon-parentsSample size
Very important16%84%1,239
Somewhat important13%87%931
Not too important10%90%559
Not at all important6%94%545
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

BeliefsandPractices

Belief in God among younger Millennials by importance of religion

% of younger Millennials who say they…

Importance of religion in one's lifeBelieve in God; absolutely certainBelieve in God; fairly certainBelieve in God; not too/not at all certainBelieve in God; don't knowDo not believe in GodOther/don't know if they believe in GodSample size
Very important87%10%1%< 1%1%< 1%1,241
Somewhat important47%39%8%< 1%4%2%932
Not too important12%27%24%< 1%31%6%560
Not at all important8%8%13%< 1%65%5%545
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Attendance at religious services among younger Millennials by importance of religion

% of younger Millennials who attend religious services…

Importance of religion in one's lifeAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Very important59%31%10%< 1%1,241
Somewhat important14%61%24%1%932
Not too important3%40%57%< 1%560
Not at all important2%13%84%< 1%545
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of prayer among younger Millennials by importance of religion

% of younger Millennials who pray…

Importance of religion in one's lifeAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Very important76%17%3%3%< 1%1,241
Somewhat important29%30%13%27%< 1%932
Not too important6%13%9%71%< 1%560
Not at all important4%3%4%89%< 1%545
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among younger Millennials by importance of religion

% of younger Millennials who attend prayer group…

Importance of religion in one's lifeAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Very important40%17%11%32%< 1%1,241
Somewhat important8%13%12%67%< 1%932
Not too important2%3%5%90%< 1%560
Not at all important2%1%2%95%< 1%545
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of meditation among younger Millennials by importance of religion

% of younger Millennials who meditate…

Importance of religion in one's lifeAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Very important40%9%4%46%2%1,241
Somewhat important21%11%6%62%1%932
Not too important14%12%5%69%1%560
Not at all important19%10%5%67%< 1%545
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among younger Millennials by importance of religion

% of younger Millennials who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…

Importance of religion in one's lifeAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Very important73%15%6%5%1%1,241
Somewhat important39%25%16%19%1%932
Not too important30%26%12%31%1%560
Not at all important34%18%8%38%2%545
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among younger Millennials by importance of religion

% of younger Millennials who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…

Importance of religion in one's lifeAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Very important49%21%11%18%1%1,241
Somewhat important47%20%12%21%< 1%932
Not too important49%20%14%16%1%560
Not at all important51%19%9%21%< 1%545
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Sources of guidance on right and wrong among younger Millennials by importance of religion

% of younger Millennials who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Importance of religion in one's lifeReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
Very important51%9%32%5%2%1,241
Somewhat important12%19%57%11%1%932
Not too important2%24%55%17%1%560
Not at all important2%23%49%25%1%545
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among younger Millennials by importance of religion

% of younger Millennials who say…

Importance of religion in one's lifeThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Very important31%66%2%1%1,241
Somewhat important18%81%1%< 1%932
Not too important12%87%< 1%< 1%560
Not at all important11%89%< 1%< 1%545
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of reading scripture among younger Millennials by importance of religion

% of younger Millennials who read scripture…

Importance of religion in one's lifeAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Very important53%19%8%19%1%1,241
Somewhat important13%15%13%59%< 1%932
Not too important3%5%6%87%< 1%560
Not at all important5%3%4%89%< 1%545
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Interpreting scripture among younger Millennials by importance of religion

% of younger Millennials who say the holy scripture is…

Importance of religion in one's lifeWord of God; should be taken literallyWord of God; not everything taken literallyWord of God; other/don't knowNot the word of GodOther/don't knowSample size
Very important39%44%4%10%3%1,241
Somewhat important12%40%< 1%42%6%932
Not too important5%12%< 1%77%6%560
Not at all important3%3%< 1%90%3%545
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Belief in Heaven among younger Millennials by importance of religion

% of younger Millennials who …in heaven

Importance of religion in one's lifeBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Very important91%6%3%1,241
Somewhat important80%14%6%932
Not too important45%46%10%560
Not at all important17%75%8%545
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Belief in Hell among younger Millennials by importance of religion

% of younger Millennials who …in hell

Importance of religion in one's lifeBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Very important81%16%3%1,241
Somewhat important63%31%6%932
Not too important32%60%8%560
Not at all important13%80%7%545
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

SocialandPoliticalViews

Party affiliation among younger Millennials by importance of religion

% of younger Millennials who identify as…

Importance of religion in one's lifeRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Very important43%19%37%1,241
Somewhat important33%19%49%932
Not too important27%17%57%560
Not at all important17%23%60%545
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Political ideology among younger Millennials by importance of religion

% of younger Millennials who are…

Importance of religion in one's lifeConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Very important38%36%19%8%1,241
Somewhat important23%41%29%7%932
Not too important17%38%40%5%560
Not at all important14%33%45%8%545
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about size of government among younger Millennials by importance of religion

% of younger Millennials who would rather have…

Importance of religion in one's lifeSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Very important44%52%1%2%1,241
Somewhat important42%55%1%3%932
Not too important44%50%2%3%560
Not at all important43%53%2%2%545
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about government aid to the poor among younger Millennials by importance of religion

% of younger Millennials who say government aid to the poor…

Importance of religion in one's lifeDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Very important46%49%3%2%1,241
Somewhat important40%57%2%1%932
Not too important35%60%5%1%560
Not at all important35%61%2%1%545
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about abortion among younger Millennials by importance of religion

% of younger Millennials who say abortion should be…

Importance of religion in one's lifeLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Very important32%65%3%1,241
Somewhat important60%38%2%932
Not too important78%20%3%560
Not at all important77%21%2%545
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about homosexuality among younger Millennials by importance of religion

% of younger Millennials who say homosexuality…

Importance of religion in one's lifeShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Very important59%36%3%2%1,241
Somewhat important87%11%2%1%932
Not too important93%4%1%1%560
Not at all important93%5%1%1%545
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about same-sex marriage among younger Millennials by importance of religion

% of younger Millennials who …same-sex marriage

Importance of religion in one's lifeStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Very important50%44%6%1,241
Somewhat important81%16%3%932
Not too important90%7%3%560
Not at all important90%8%2%545
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about environmental regulation among younger Millennials by importance of religion

% of younger Millennials who say…

Importance of religion in one's lifeStricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economyStricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the costNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Very important38%58%2%2%1,241
Somewhat important34%63%1%2%932
Not too important25%72%1%2%560
Not at all important22%73%2%3%545
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about human evolution among younger Millennials by importance of religion

% of younger Millennials who say humans…

Importance of religion in one's lifeEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
Very important17%33%3%45%2%1,241
Somewhat important46%29%4%19%2%932
Not too important77%10%2%10%2%560
Not at all important81%7%2%8%2%545
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.