DemographicInformation

Age distribution among agnostics by generational group

% of agnostics who are ages…

Generational cohort18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Younger Millennial100%< 1%< 1%< 1%248
Older Millennial56%44%< 1%< 1%302
Generation X< 1%100%< 1%< 1%325
Baby Boomer< 1%< 1%84%16%409
Silent< 1%< 1%< 1%100%160
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 agnostics by generational group

% of agnostics who are…

Generational cohortMenWomenSample size
Younger Millennial60%40%248
Older Millennial62%38%302
Generation X62%38%325
Baby Boomer64%36%409
Silent59%41%160
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 agnostics by generational group

% of agnostics who identify as…

Generational cohortWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Younger Millennial68%6%7%15%4%246
Older Millennial74%6%6%10%4%298
Generation X80%1%4%8%7%322
Baby Boomer91%1%1%3%4%402
Silent98%< 1%< 1%1%1%157
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 agnostics by generational group

% of agnostics who are…

Generational cohortImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Younger Millennial7%24%69%246
Older Millennial6%12%82%299
Generation X9%14%76%324
Baby Boomer9%8%83%407
Silent6%20%74%159
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 agnostics by generational group

% of agnostics 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 Millennial30%19%25%27%228
Older Millennial29%27%25%18%290
Generation X12%15%35%37%309
Baby Boomer14%12%37%36%385
Silent26%16%38%20%136
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 agnostics by generational group

% of agnostics who have completed…

Generational cohortHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Younger Millennial42%45%12%1%248
Older Millennial17%39%30%14%302
Generation X13%29%32%26%325
Baby Boomer18%30%30%22%409
Silent21%26%23%30%160
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 agnostics by generational group

% of agnostics who are…

Generational cohortMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Younger Millennial2%13%2%< 1%84%248
Older Millennial29%13%6%< 1%52%302
Generation X49%12%17%1%21%325
Baby Boomer59%7%21%4%10%409
Silent57%4%15%20%4%160
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 agnostics by generational group

% of agnostics who are…

Generational cohortParentsNon-parentsSample size
Younger Millennial4%96%248
Older Millennial24%76%301
Generation X50%50%324
Baby Boomer12%88%409
Silent2%98%160
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 agnostics by generational group

% of agnostics 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 Millennial5%16%23%1%42%12%248
Older Millennial7%23%17%< 1%39%13%302
Generation X9%21%13%< 1%43%13%325
Baby Boomer8%22%14%2%41%13%409
Silent12%10%14%< 1%47%17%160
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 agnostics by generational group

% of agnostics who say religion is…

Generational cohortVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Younger Millennial3%16%36%45%< 1%248
Older Millennial3%14%37%45%< 1%302
Generation X3%14%28%55%1%325
Baby Boomer6%14%28%51%2%409
Silent4%8%21%65%2%160
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 agnostics by generational group

% of agnostics 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%24%73%1%248
Older Millennial2%22%76%< 1%302
Generation X1%16%83%< 1%325
Baby Boomer2%14%84%< 1%409
Silent1%8%90%1%160
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 agnostics by generational group

% of agnostics who pray…

Generational cohortAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Younger Millennial6%3%7%83%1%248
Older Millennial9%4%7%80%< 1%302
Generation X9%7%7%77%< 1%325
Baby Boomer11%6%5%78%< 1%409
Silent8%3%3%86%< 1%160
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 agnostics by generational group

% of agnostics who attend prayer group…

Generational cohortAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Younger Millennial1%2%2%94%< 1%248
Older Millennial3%2%4%92%< 1%302
Generation X2%2%1%95%1%325
Baby Boomer< 1%1%2%96%< 1%409
Silent1%< 1%1%98%< 1%160
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 agnostics by generational group

% of agnostics who meditate…

Generational cohortAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Younger Millennial23%14%8%55%< 1%248
Older Millennial20%15%7%58%1%302
Generation X28%10%5%56%1%325
Baby Boomer30%11%5%52%1%409
Silent21%10%12%56%< 1%160
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 agnostics by generational group

% of agnostics 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 Millennial33%24%8%33%2%248
Older Millennial41%19%14%26%1%302
Generation X37%18%15%28%1%325
Baby Boomer36%17%13%33%1%409
Silent37%12%7%41%4%160
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 agnostics by generational group

% of agnostics 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 Millennial58%19%11%10%2%248
Older Millennial56%21%13%11%< 1%302
Generation X49%19%17%14%1%325
Baby Boomer58%16%14%11%< 1%409
Silent49%16%13%21%< 1%160
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 agnostics by generational group

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

Generational cohortReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
Younger Millennial< 1%30%46%23%1%248
Older Millennial1%25%59%13%2%302
Generation X1%24%55%19%1%325
Baby Boomer2%21%56%19%2%409
Silent1%19%53%24%3%160
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 agnostics by generational group

% of agnostics 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 Millennial6%93%1%< 1%248
Older Millennial13%86%1%< 1%302
Generation X20%78%2%< 1%325
Baby Boomer22%76%1%1%409
Silent25%73%1%1%160
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 agnostics by generational group

% of agnostics who read scripture…

Generational cohortAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Younger Millennial3%5%9%83%< 1%248
Older Millennial5%6%7%82%1%302
Generation X3%4%4%89%1%325
Baby Boomer1%3%4%91%< 1%409
Silent4%1%4%91%< 1%160
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 agnostics by generational group

% of agnostics 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 Millennial1%2%< 1%92%4%248
Older Millennial2%2%< 1%91%5%302
Generation X1%3%1%90%6%325
Baby Boomer< 1%2%< 1%92%6%409
Silent< 1%< 1%< 1%94%6%160
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 agnostics by generational group

% of agnostics who …in heaven

Generational cohortBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Younger Millennial21%65%15%248
Older Millennial16%71%13%302
Generation X12%75%13%325
Baby Boomer10%80%9%409
Silent3%92%6%160
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 agnostics by generational group

% of agnostics who …in hell

Generational cohortBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Younger Millennial15%73%13%248
Older Millennial11%80%9%302
Generation X8%82%11%325
Baby Boomer6%88%6%409
Silent2%95%3%160
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 agnostics by generational group

% of agnostics who identify as…

Generational cohortRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Younger Millennial18%16%67%248
Older Millennial22%18%60%302
Generation X21%12%67%325
Baby Boomer24%13%63%409
Silent27%7%66%160
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 agnostics by generational group

% of agnostics who are…

Generational cohortConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Younger Millennial10%42%45%4%248
Older Millennial9%42%45%5%302
Generation X11%37%51%1%325
Baby Boomer13%37%48%2%409
Silent18%34%39%9%160
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 agnostics by generational group

% of agnostics who would rather have…

Generational cohortSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Younger Millennial54%38%2%6%248
Older Millennial48%44%4%4%302
Generation X48%45%4%3%325
Baby Boomer49%42%5%4%409
Silent45%39%5%10%160
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 agnostics by generational group

% of agnostics who say government aid to the poor…

Generational cohortDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Younger Millennial29%66%3%2%248
Older Millennial31%63%3%3%302
Generation X27%67%4%2%325
Baby Boomer25%70%3%2%409
Silent32%56%4%8%160
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 agnostics by generational group

% of agnostics who say abortion should be…

Generational cohortLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Younger Millennial85%13%1%248
Older Millennial83%14%3%302
Generation X88%9%3%325
Baby Boomer93%6%1%409
Silent85%11%4%160
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 agnostics by generational group

% of agnostics who say homosexuality…

Generational cohortShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Younger Millennial98%2%< 1%< 1%248
Older Millennial94%3%2%1%302
Generation X94%4%1%1%325
Baby Boomer91%6%3%1%409
Silent85%13%1%1%160
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 agnostics by generational group

% of agnostics who …same-sex marriage

Generational cohortStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Younger Millennial95%3%1%248
Older Millennial95%3%2%302
Generation X89%6%5%325
Baby Boomer86%11%4%409
Silent79%17%4%160
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 agnostics by generational group

% of agnostics 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 Millennial18%79%1%2%248
Older Millennial23%73%3%1%302
Generation X19%79%2%1%325
Baby Boomer22%75%2%< 1%409
Silent22%74%1%3%160
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 agnostics by generational group

% of agnostics 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 Millennial85%8%3%3%1%248
Older Millennial79%12%6%2%2%302
Generation X85%6%5%3%1%325
Baby Boomer85%7%4%2%2%409
Silent83%2%4%6%6%160
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.