DemographicInformation

Generational cohort among Mainline Protestants by age group

% of Mainline Protestants who are…

Age distributionYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
18-2966%34%< 1%< 1%< 1%< 1%586
30-49< 1%16%84%< 1%< 1%< 1%1,269
50-64< 1%< 1%< 1%100%< 1%< 1%1,819
65+< 1%< 1%< 1%27%65%8%2,272
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 Mainline Protestants by age group

% of Mainline Protestants who are…

Age distributionMenWomenSample size
18-2947%53%586
30-4945%55%1,269
50-6446%54%1,819
65+42%58%2,272
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 Mainline Protestants by age group

% of Mainline Protestants who identify as…

Age distributionWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
18-2970%5%4%14%7%583
30-4986%3%1%6%3%1,257
50-6489%3%1%4%4%1,795
65+95%2%1%1%2%2,248
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 Mainline Protestants by age group

% of Mainline Protestants who are…

Age distributionImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
18-2910%11%79%579
30-498%6%86%1,257
50-646%5%89%1,810
65+4%7%89%2,257
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 Mainline Protestants by age group

% of Mainline Protestants who have a household income of…

Age distributionLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
18-2938%22%24%15%520
30-4921%19%31%28%1,175
50-6425%16%29%29%1,627
65+36%23%26%15%1,838
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 Mainline Protestants by age group

% of Mainline Protestants who have completed…

Age distributionHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
18-2940%41%14%5%586
30-4929%31%23%16%1,265
50-6438%28%20%14%1,815
65+41%26%18%15%2,263
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 Mainline Protestants by age group

% of Mainline Protestants who are…

Age distributionMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
18-2917%11%3%< 1%68%585
30-4963%8%13%1%15%1,264
50-6466%4%18%6%7%1,813
65+57%2%12%27%3%2,263
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 Mainline Protestants by age group

% of Mainline Protestants who are…

Age distributionParentsNon-parentsSample size
18-2925%75%586
30-4961%39%1,262
50-6413%87%1,817
65+2%98%2,270
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 Mainline Protestants by age group

% of Mainline Protestants who say they…

Age distributionBelieve 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
18-2961%29%6%< 1%1%2%586
30-4964%29%4%< 1%1%1%1,269
50-6470%23%4%1%2%1%1,819
65+67%23%4%3%2%1%2,272
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 Mainline Protestants by age group

% of Mainline Protestants who say religion is…

Age distributionVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
18-2944%42%11%2%< 1%586
30-4947%39%11%3%1%1,269
50-6457%32%9%2%< 1%1,819
65+60%27%9%2%1%2,272
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 Mainline Protestants by age group

% of Mainline Protestants who attend religious services…

Age distributionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
18-2928%51%20%< 1%586
30-4927%48%26%< 1%1,269
50-6432%43%25%< 1%1,819
65+43%33%24%1%2,272
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 Mainline Protestants by age group

% of Mainline Protestants who pray…

Age distributionAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
18-2943%29%8%20%< 1%586
30-4952%24%9%14%1%1,269
50-6458%20%6%14%1%1,819
65+58%20%6%14%2%2,272
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 Mainline Protestants by age group

% of Mainline Protestants who attend prayer group…

Age distributionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
18-2916%13%12%59%< 1%586
30-4917%10%8%65%< 1%1,269
50-6420%8%10%61%< 1%1,819
65+22%9%10%58%1%2,272
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 Mainline Protestants by age group

% of Mainline Protestants who meditate…

Age distributionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
18-2921%11%5%62%1%586
30-4928%9%6%56%1%1,269
50-6439%9%4%47%1%1,819
65+50%10%5%33%3%2,272
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 Mainline Protestants by age group

% of Mainline Protestants who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…

Age distributionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
18-2945%27%12%15%1%586
30-4954%20%12%13%1%1,269
50-6459%15%11%14%1%1,819
65+60%14%9%14%3%2,272
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 Mainline Protestants by age group

% of Mainline Protestants who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…

Age distributionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
18-2946%21%14%19%< 1%586
30-4939%17%15%28%1%1,269
50-6445%17%14%23%1%1,819
65+43%13%14%25%4%2,272
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 Mainline Protestants by age group

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

Age distributionReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
18-2925%15%52%8%1%586
30-4927%12%53%6%2%1,269
50-6433%10%50%5%3%1,819
65+31%7%52%6%3%2,272
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 Mainline Protestants by age group

% of Mainline Protestants who say…

Age distributionThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
18-2922%76%1%< 1%586
30-4932%66%1%1%1,269
50-6436%62%2%1%1,819
65+34%62%2%2%2,272
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 Mainline Protestants by age group

% of Mainline Protestants who read scripture…

Age distributionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
18-2925%16%11%47%< 1%586
30-4927%13%14%45%1%1,269
50-6431%13%11%44%< 1%1,819
65+36%11%9%42%1%2,272
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 Mainline Protestants by age group

% of Mainline Protestants who say the holy scripture is…

Age distributionWord 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
18-2919%45%1%29%5%586
30-4922%37%2%32%8%1,269
50-6427%31%3%28%10%1,819
65+26%34%4%25%12%2,272
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 Mainline Protestants by age group

% of Mainline Protestants who …in heaven

Age distributionBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
18-2986%9%5%586
30-4982%11%7%1,269
50-6479%12%9%1,819
65+76%14%10%2,272
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 Mainline Protestants by age group

% of Mainline Protestants who …in hell

Age distributionBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
18-2974%21%5%586
30-4964%27%9%1,269
50-6460%30%10%1,819
65+50%36%14%2,272
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 Mainline Protestants by age group

% of Mainline Protestants who identify as…

Age distributionRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
18-2943%20%37%586
30-4943%16%41%1,269
50-6446%15%40%1,819
65+46%12%41%2,272
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 Mainline Protestants by age group

% of Mainline Protestants who are…

Age distributionConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
18-2928%43%20%8%586
30-4934%38%23%5%1,269
50-6441%36%19%4%1,819
65+43%36%17%5%2,272
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 Mainline Protestants by age group

% of Mainline Protestants who would rather have…

Age distributionSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
18-2948%49%1%3%586
30-4960%33%4%3%1,269
50-6460%33%4%3%1,819
65+63%27%5%6%2,272
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 Mainline Protestants by age group

% of Mainline Protestants who say government aid to the poor…

Age distributionDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
18-2947%49%3%1%586
30-4950%44%4%2%1,269
50-6448%46%4%2%1,819
65+46%47%4%3%2,272
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 Mainline Protestants by age group

% of Mainline Protestants who say abortion should be…

Age distributionLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
18-2954%44%2%586
30-4961%36%3%1,269
50-6463%33%4%1,819
65+61%32%7%2,272
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 Mainline Protestants by age group

% of Mainline Protestants who say homosexuality…

Age distributionShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
18-2980%16%3%1%586
30-4971%21%5%3%1,269
50-6462%29%6%3%1,819
65+57%34%5%5%2,272
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 Mainline Protestants by age group

% of Mainline Protestants who …same-sex marriage

Age distributionStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
18-2973%22%5%586
30-4963%29%8%1,269
50-6453%39%8%1,819
65+45%44%10%2,272
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 Mainline Protestants by age group

% of Mainline Protestants who say…

Age distributionStricter 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
18-2935%61%1%2%586
30-4936%60%2%1%1,269
50-6442%55%2%1%1,819
65+40%51%3%6%2,272
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 Mainline Protestants by age group

% of Mainline Protestants who say humans…

Age distributionEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
18-2931%35%4%26%3%586
30-4931%31%4%31%3%1,269
50-6427%33%5%30%4%1,819
65+26%29%6%30%9%2,272
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.