Generational cohort among adults who say religion is not at all important by religious group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who are…

Religious traditionYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Catholic16%14%22%39%9%< 1%160
Mainline Protestant10%13%29%30%18%1%133
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")23%21%28%22%7%1%3,189
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: Younger Millennial, Older Millennial, Generation X, Baby Boomer, Silent

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among adults who say religion is not at all important by generational group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who are ages…

Generational cohort18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Younger Millennial100%< 1%< 1%< 1%545
Older Millennial57%43%< 1%< 1%666
Generation X< 1%100%< 1%< 1%877
Baby Boomer< 1%< 1%82%18%1,269
Silent< 1%< 1%< 1%100%509
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 adults who say religion is not at all important by generational group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who are…

Generational cohortMenWomenSample size
Younger Millennial66%34%545
Older Millennial60%40%666
Generation X61%39%877
Baby Boomer63%37%1,269
Silent63%37%509
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 adults who say religion is not at all important by generational group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who identify as…

Generational cohortWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Younger Millennial65%7%8%16%4%542
Older Millennial74%4%5%13%3%659
Generation X76%5%6%10%4%863
Baby Boomer85%2%2%6%3%1,243
Silent89%3%1%5%3%505
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 adults who say religion is not at all important by generational group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who are…

Generational cohortImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Younger Millennial13%20%67%536
Older Millennial10%12%78%657
Generation X15%11%74%864
Baby Boomer11%10%80%1,261
Silent10%17%73%507
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 adults who say religion is not at all important by generational group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who have a household income of…

Generational cohortLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
Younger Millennial37%19%26%18%479
Older Millennial34%23%28%15%638
Generation X18%18%29%35%830
Baby Boomer21%15%30%35%1,150
Silent29%20%34%18%445
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 adults who say religion is not at all important by generational group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who have completed…

Generational cohortHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Younger Millennial47%40%12%1%545
Older Millennial23%35%27%15%666
Generation X28%29%24%19%876
Baby Boomer30%26%23%20%1,261
Silent33%22%20%25%509
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 adults who say religion is not at all important by generational group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who are…

Generational cohortMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Younger Millennial4%11%1%< 1%84%543
Older Millennial27%19%6%< 1%48%663
Generation X51%12%14%1%22%875
Baby Boomer56%8%21%5%11%1,265
Silent59%4%15%17%5%509
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 adults who say religion is not at all important by generational group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who are…

Generational cohortParentsNon-parentsSample size
Younger Millennial6%94%545
Older Millennial30%70%664
Generation X47%53%873
Baby Boomer9%91%1,267
Silent4%96%507
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 adults who say religion is not at all important by generational group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who say they…

Generational cohortBelieve 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
Younger Millennial8%8%13%< 1%65%5%545
Older Millennial11%11%9%1%60%8%666
Generation X15%15%9%< 1%54%7%877
Baby Boomer19%15%10%1%48%7%1,269
Silent14%11%11%1%55%7%509
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 adults who say religion is not at all important by generational group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who attend religious services…

Generational cohortAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Younger Millennial2%13%84%< 1%545
Older Millennial1%10%89%< 1%666
Generation X1%9%89%< 1%877
Baby Boomer3%9%88%< 1%1,269
Silent1%8%91%< 1%509
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 adults who say religion is not at all important by generational group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who pray…

Generational cohortAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Younger Millennial4%3%4%89%< 1%545
Older Millennial7%4%3%86%< 1%666
Generation X10%4%3%82%< 1%877
Baby Boomer12%6%4%77%1%1,269
Silent11%3%2%83%< 1%509
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 adults who say religion is not at all important by generational group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who attend prayer group…

Generational cohortAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Younger Millennial2%1%2%95%< 1%545
Older Millennial2%< 1%1%95%1%666
Generation X2%1%1%96%< 1%877
Baby Boomer3%1%1%95%< 1%1,269
Silent3%< 1%< 1%96%< 1%509
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 adults who say religion is not at all important by generational group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who meditate…

Generational cohortAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Younger Millennial19%10%5%67%< 1%545
Older Millennial22%9%4%65%1%666
Generation X25%8%5%61%< 1%877
Baby Boomer28%7%5%59%1%1,269
Silent24%7%5%63%1%509
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 adults who say religion is not at all important by generational group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…

Generational cohortAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Younger Millennial34%18%8%38%2%545
Older Millennial37%16%9%36%2%666
Generation X36%13%11%38%1%877
Baby Boomer39%11%8%38%3%1,269
Silent29%10%6%51%5%509
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 adults who say religion is not at all important by generational group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…

Generational cohortAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Younger Millennial51%19%9%21%< 1%545
Older Millennial50%17%13%20%< 1%666
Generation X43%15%15%26%1%877
Baby Boomer51%11%13%25%1%1,269
Silent39%13%11%35%2%509
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 adults who say religion is not at all important by generational group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Generational cohortReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
Younger Millennial2%23%49%25%1%545
Older Millennial3%19%56%21%1%666
Generation X1%16%56%25%2%877
Baby Boomer3%18%57%20%2%1,269
Silent2%19%55%23%2%509
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 adults who say religion is not at all important by generational group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who say…

Generational cohortThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Younger Millennial11%89%< 1%< 1%545
Older Millennial16%82%1%1%666
Generation X20%78%1%1%877
Baby Boomer22%76%1%1%1,269
Silent20%79%1%1%509
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 adults who say religion is not at all important by generational group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who read scripture…

Generational cohortAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Younger Millennial5%3%4%89%< 1%545
Older Millennial3%3%3%90%< 1%666
Generation X4%3%4%88%< 1%877
Baby Boomer5%2%2%91%< 1%1,269
Silent4%1%3%92%< 1%509
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 adults who say religion is not at all important by generational group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who say the holy scripture is…

Generational cohortWord 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
Younger Millennial3%3%< 1%90%3%545
Older Millennial3%3%< 1%91%3%666
Generation X3%4%< 1%88%5%877
Baby Boomer3%5%1%86%6%1,269
Silent3%3%1%86%7%509
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 adults who say religion is not at all important by generational group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who …in heaven

Generational cohortBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Younger Millennial17%75%8%545
Older Millennial16%77%7%666
Generation X18%75%7%877
Baby Boomer17%76%7%1,269
Silent15%79%6%509
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 adults who say religion is not at all important by generational group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who …in hell

Generational cohortBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Younger Millennial13%80%7%545
Older Millennial12%83%5%666
Generation X12%81%7%877
Baby Boomer11%83%6%1,269
Silent7%88%4%509
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 adults who say religion is not at all important by generational group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who identify as…

Generational cohortRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Younger Millennial17%23%60%545
Older Millennial19%22%59%666
Generation X21%20%59%877
Baby Boomer23%17%60%1,269
Silent24%11%65%509
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 adults who say religion is not at all important by generational group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who are…

Generational cohortConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Younger Millennial14%33%45%8%545
Older Millennial10%31%52%8%666
Generation X14%33%46%7%877
Baby Boomer16%31%47%5%1,269
Silent22%29%43%6%509
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 adults who say religion is not at all important by generational group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who would rather have…

Generational cohortSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Younger Millennial43%53%2%2%545
Older Millennial46%46%4%5%666
Generation X48%44%4%5%877
Baby Boomer49%43%4%4%1,269
Silent46%42%7%5%509
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 adults who say religion is not at all important by generational group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who say government aid to the poor…

Generational cohortDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Younger Millennial35%61%2%1%545
Older Millennial33%63%2%1%666
Generation X34%60%5%1%877
Baby Boomer30%65%3%2%1,269
Silent35%56%6%2%509
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 adults who say religion is not at all important by generational group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who say abortion should be…

Generational cohortLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Younger Millennial77%21%2%545
Older Millennial83%14%3%666
Generation X80%16%4%877
Baby Boomer86%11%3%1,269
Silent84%12%4%509
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 adults who say religion is not at all important by generational group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who say homosexuality…

Generational cohortShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Younger Millennial93%5%1%1%545
Older Millennial92%5%2%1%666
Generation X86%9%3%2%877
Baby Boomer84%11%2%2%1,269
Silent81%14%4%1%509
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 adults who say religion is not at all important by generational group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who …same-sex marriage

Generational cohortStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Younger Millennial90%8%2%545
Older Millennial91%5%4%666
Generation X84%10%6%877
Baby Boomer80%15%5%1,269
Silent73%19%8%509
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 adults who say religion is not at all important by generational group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who say…

Generational cohortStricter 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
Younger Millennial22%73%2%3%545
Older Millennial19%78%1%2%666
Generation X24%71%3%2%877
Baby Boomer26%72%2%1%1,269
Silent26%68%3%3%509
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 adults who say religion is not at all important by generational group

% of adults who say religion is not at all important who say humans…

Generational cohortEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
Younger Millennial81%7%2%8%2%545
Older Millennial79%11%3%6%1%666
Generation X77%7%3%10%3%877
Baby Boomer75%9%3%10%2%1,269
Silent74%5%4%14%3%509
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.