Survey yearLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
201448%48%5%12,566
200746%47%7%12,643
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: Legal in all/most cases, Illegal in all/most cases

Views about abortion among adults in the South by religious group

% of adults in the South who say abortion should be…

Religious traditionLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Catholic43%51%5%1,885
Evangelical Protestant32%65%4%4,078
Historically Black Protestant50%44%6%1,191
Jewish84%14%2%229
Mainline Protestant57%38%5%2,174
Mormon24%73%2%112
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")67%29%4%2,214
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: Legal in all/most cases, Illegal in all/most cases

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among adults in the South by views about abortion

% of adults in the South who are ages…

Views about abortion18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Legal in all/most cases23%35%26%16%6,107
Illegal in all/most cases22%33%25%19%5,626
Don't know12%33%28%27%569
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.

Generational cohort among adults in the South by views about abortion

% of adults in the South who are…

Views about abortionYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Legal in all/most cases14%16%29%31%10%1%6,107
Illegal in all/most cases14%15%27%30%13%1%5,626
Don't know6%12%28%34%19%2%569
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 in the South by views about abortion

% of adults in the South who are…

Views about abortionMenWomenSample size
Legal in all/most cases48%52%6,212
Illegal in all/most cases48%52%5,747
Don't know53%47%607
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 in the South by views about abortion

% of adults in the South who identify as…

Views about abortionWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Legal in all/most cases63%18%2%13%4%6,154
Illegal in all/most cases63%17%1%16%3%5,673
Don't know55%23%2%16%5%576
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 in the South by views about abortion

% of adults in the South who are…

Views about abortionImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Legal in all/most cases12%9%79%6,132
Illegal in all/most cases14%6%81%5,670
Don't know14%7%79%580
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 in the South by views about abortion

% of adults in the South who have a household income of…

Views about abortionLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
Legal in all/most cases32%21%27%20%5,578
Illegal in all/most cases40%20%25%15%4,901
Don't know49%18%19%14%447
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 in the South by views about abortion

% of adults in the South who have completed…

Views about abortionHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Legal in all/most cases37%32%18%13%6,188
Illegal in all/most cases49%30%14%7%5,704
Don't know49%32%10%8%594
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 in the South by views about abortion

% of adults in the South who are…

Views about abortionMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Legal in all/most cases45%8%15%6%26%6,192
Illegal in all/most cases53%5%13%7%21%5,723
Don't know44%7%15%12%22%591
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 in the South by views about abortion

% of adults in the South who are…

Views about abortionParentsNon-parentsSample size
Legal in all/most cases28%72%6,189
Illegal in all/most cases33%67%5,726
Don't know21%79%599
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 in the South by views about abortion

% of adults in the South who say they…

Views about abortionBelieve 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
Legal in all/most cases58%21%6%< 1%12%2%6,212
Illegal in all/most cases83%12%2%1%2%1%5,747
Don't know72%16%2%3%3%4%607
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.

Importance of religion in one's life among adults in the South by views about abortion

% of adults in the South who say religion is…

Views about abortionVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases46%27%13%13%< 1%6,212
Illegal in all/most cases77%16%3%3%1%5,747
Don't know67%19%4%6%3%607
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 in the South by views about abortion

% of adults in the South who attend religious services…

Views about abortionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases27%37%35%< 1%6,212
Illegal in all/most cases56%29%15%1%5,747
Don't know42%29%26%3%607
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 in the South by views about abortion

% of adults in the South who pray…

Views about abortionAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases50%17%6%27%1%6,212
Illegal in all/most cases75%13%3%8%1%5,747
Don't know63%14%3%13%6%607
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 in the South by views about abortion

% of adults in the South who attend prayer group…

Views about abortionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases19%9%9%63%< 1%6,212
Illegal in all/most cases42%12%9%36%1%5,747
Don't know32%8%8%51%2%607
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 in the South by views about abortion

% of adults in the South who meditate…

Views about abortionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases38%9%5%47%1%6,212
Illegal in all/most cases49%6%3%39%2%5,747
Don't know54%8%3%31%4%607
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 in the South by views about abortion

% of adults in the South who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…

Views about abortionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases56%15%10%17%1%6,212
Illegal in all/most cases72%12%6%9%1%5,747
Don't know66%12%9%9%5%607
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 in the South by views about abortion

% of adults in the South who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…

Views about abortionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases45%15%14%25%1%6,212
Illegal in all/most cases47%16%10%25%2%5,747
Don't know49%9%9%28%4%607
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 in the South by views about abortion

% of adults in the South who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Views about abortionReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases24%12%51%11%2%6,212
Illegal in all/most cases56%6%32%4%2%5,747
Don't know36%6%47%5%7%607
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 in the South by views about abortion

% of adults in the South who say…

Views about abortionThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases26%72%1%1%6,212
Illegal in all/most cases46%52%2%1%5,747
Don't know31%61%3%5%607
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 in the South by views about abortion

% of adults in the South who read scripture…

Views about abortionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases29%12%9%49%1%6,212
Illegal in all/most cases58%12%6%23%1%5,747
Don't know45%9%9%34%4%607
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 in the South by views about abortion

% of adults in the South who say the holy scripture is…

Views about abortionWord 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
Legal in all/most cases25%25%2%41%7%6,212
Illegal in all/most cases52%27%3%12%5%5,747
Don't know39%16%10%19%17%607
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 in the South by views about abortion

% of adults in the South who …in heaven

Views about abortionBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases69%25%7%6,212
Illegal in all/most cases85%9%6%5,747
Don't know77%10%13%607
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 in the South by views about abortion

% of adults in the South who …in hell

Views about abortionBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases54%38%7%6,212
Illegal in all/most cases77%17%6%5,747
Don't know59%23%18%607
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 in the South by views about abortion

% of adults in the South who identify as…

Views about abortionRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Legal in all/most cases30%16%54%6,212
Illegal in all/most cases53%18%29%5,747
Don't know27%29%43%607
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 in the South by views about abortion

% of adults in the South who are…

Views about abortionConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases26%39%30%6%6,212
Illegal in all/most cases54%26%12%7%5,747
Don't know40%26%14%19%607
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 in the South by views about abortion

% of adults in the South who would rather have…

Views about abortionSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases46%48%3%4%6,212
Illegal in all/most cases57%37%2%3%5,747
Don't know42%36%9%13%607
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 in the South by views about abortion

% of adults in the South who say government aid to the poor…

Views about abortionDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases39%56%4%2%6,212
Illegal in all/most cases55%39%4%2%5,747
Don't know38%42%11%10%607
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 in the South by views about abortion

% of adults in the South who say homosexuality…

Views about abortionShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases74%21%3%2%6,212
Illegal in all/most cases38%54%5%3%5,747
Don't know39%30%13%17%607
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 in the South by views about abortion

% of adults in the South who …same-sex marriage

Views about abortionStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases66%28%6%6,212
Illegal in all/most cases27%65%8%5,747
Don't know27%39%34%607
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 in the South by views about abortion

% of adults in the South who say…

Views about abortionStricter 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
Legal in all/most cases31%65%2%2%6,212
Illegal in all/most cases49%45%2%4%5,747
Don't know34%46%7%13%607
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 in the South by views about abortion

% of adults in the South who say humans…

Views about abortionEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases39%28%4%26%3%6,212
Illegal in all/most cases15%25%3%52%5%5,747
Don't know16%23%9%34%17%607
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.