Survey yearSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
201447%46%3%4%7,556
200741%48%5%6%5,048
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: Smaller government; fewer services, Bigger government; more services

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among the Unaffiliated by views about size of government

% of the Unaffiliated who are ages…

Views about size of government18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Smaller government; fewer services32%38%21%9%3,484
Bigger government; more services39%36%17%8%3,369
Depends21%42%23%15%280
Don't know29%36%19%16%304
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 the Unaffiliated by views about size of government

% of the Unaffiliated who are…

Views about size of governmentYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Smaller government; fewer services20%20%29%24%6%< 1%3,484
Bigger government; more services25%23%28%20%5%< 1%3,369
Depends12%21%30%28%8%2%280
Don't know14%23%28%23%11%1%304
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 the Unaffiliated by views about size of government

% of the Unaffiliated who are…

Views about size of governmentMenWomenSample size
Smaller government; fewer services65%35%3,541
Bigger government; more services49%51%3,419
Depends58%42%285
Don't know56%44%311
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 the Unaffiliated by views about size of government

% of the Unaffiliated who identify as…

Views about size of governmentWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Smaller government; fewer services76%5%4%10%4%3,467
Bigger government; more services60%13%6%17%4%3,383
Depends76%7%5%8%5%277
Don't know71%6%3%14%6%300
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 the Unaffiliated by views about size of government

% of the Unaffiliated who are…

Views about size of governmentImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Smaller government; fewer services9%12%79%3,491
Bigger government; more services16%12%71%3,365
Depends11%10%79%277
Don't know14%10%75%302
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 the Unaffiliated by views about size of government

% of the Unaffiliated who have a household income of…

Views about size of governmentLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
Smaller government; fewer services27%22%28%22%3,192
Bigger government; more services38%19%24%19%3,101
Depends32%17%30%22%248
Don't know37%21%22%21%249
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 the Unaffiliated by views about size of government

% of the Unaffiliated who have completed…

Views about size of governmentHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Smaller government; fewer services38%36%17%9%3,529
Bigger government; more services39%29%19%14%3,411
Depends35%33%20%12%284
Don't know38%34%18%10%308
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 the Unaffiliated by views about size of government

% of the Unaffiliated who are…

Views about size of governmentMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Smaller government; fewer services40%10%11%3%35%3,525
Bigger government; more services34%12%12%2%39%3,407
Depends44%12%8%7%29%285
Don't know38%14%12%6%31%306
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 the Unaffiliated by views about size of government

% of the Unaffiliated who are…

Views about size of governmentParentsNon-parentsSample size
Smaller government; fewer services25%75%3,528
Bigger government; more services28%72%3,411
Depends25%75%283
Don't know24%76%310
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 the Unaffiliated by views about size of government

% of the Unaffiliated who say they…

Views about size of governmentBelieve 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
Smaller government; fewer services27%23%12%1%31%6%3,541
Bigger government; more services27%22%11%< 1%36%4%3,419
Depends26%11%12%2%35%14%285
Don't know29%19%10%1%29%12%311
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 the Unaffiliated by views about size of government

% of the Unaffiliated who say religion is…

Views about size of governmentVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services11%23%27%39%1%3,541
Bigger government; more services15%21%25%39%1%3,419
Depends16%16%25%42%2%285
Don't know13%20%25%37%5%311
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 the Unaffiliated by views about size of government

% of the Unaffiliated who attend religious services…

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services4%23%73%< 1%3,541
Bigger government; more services4%26%70%< 1%3,419
Depends6%19%75%< 1%285
Don't know6%17%77%1%311
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 the Unaffiliated by views about size of government

% of the Unaffiliated who pray…

Views about size of governmentAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services18%11%7%64%< 1%3,541
Bigger government; more services20%11%7%61%< 1%3,419
Depends23%6%6%62%3%285
Don't know25%9%6%57%3%311
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 the Unaffiliated by views about size of government

% of the Unaffiliated who attend prayer group…

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services4%3%3%90%< 1%3,541
Bigger government; more services5%4%4%87%< 1%3,419
Depends2%4%3%89%1%285
Don't know9%2%4%83%1%311
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 the Unaffiliated by views about size of government

% of the Unaffiliated who meditate…

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services25%10%5%60%1%3,541
Bigger government; more services25%10%5%59%1%3,419
Depends40%8%3%48%1%285
Don't know31%8%7%49%4%311
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 the Unaffiliated by views about size of government

% of the Unaffiliated who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services38%15%11%34%1%3,541
Bigger government; more services40%17%11%30%2%3,419
Depends47%15%8%24%6%285
Don't know40%10%11%33%6%311
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 the Unaffiliated by views about size of government

% of the Unaffiliated who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services47%15%12%25%1%3,541
Bigger government; more services46%17%12%24%1%3,419
Depends58%14%9%17%3%285
Don't know46%16%10%25%4%311
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 the Unaffiliated by views about size of government

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

Views about size of governmentReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services6%16%62%15%2%3,541
Bigger government; more services8%19%53%19%2%3,419
Depends7%20%50%18%6%285
Don't know7%18%49%13%12%311
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 the Unaffiliated by views about size of government

% of the Unaffiliated who say…

Views about size of governmentThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services24%74%1%1%3,541
Bigger government; more services17%81%< 1%1%3,419
Depends16%76%6%2%285
Don't know13%77%4%6%311
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 the Unaffiliated by views about size of government

% of the Unaffiliated who read scripture…

Views about size of governmentAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services9%5%6%80%< 1%3,541
Bigger government; more services10%6%5%78%< 1%3,419
Depends9%5%7%77%1%285
Don't know11%10%3%73%2%311
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 the Unaffiliated by views about size of government

% of the Unaffiliated who say the holy scripture is…

Views about size of governmentWord 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
Smaller government; fewer services6%12%1%74%7%3,541
Bigger government; more services13%10%1%70%5%3,419
Depends4%5%2%72%18%285
Don't know11%6%2%62%20%311
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 the Unaffiliated by views about size of government

% of the Unaffiliated who …in heaven

Views about size of governmentBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services37%53%9%3,541
Bigger government; more services39%53%8%3,419
Depends19%64%17%285
Don't know31%47%22%311
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 the Unaffiliated by views about size of government

% of the Unaffiliated who …in hell

Views about size of governmentBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services26%66%8%3,541
Bigger government; more services29%64%6%3,419
Depends14%68%18%285
Don't know26%55%19%311
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 the Unaffiliated by views about size of government

% of the Unaffiliated who identify as…

Views about size of governmentRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Smaller government; fewer services38%25%38%3,541
Bigger government; more services11%18%70%3,419
Depends8%34%59%285
Don't know8%35%57%311
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 the Unaffiliated by views about size of government

% of the Unaffiliated who are…

Views about size of governmentConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services25%44%25%7%3,541
Bigger government; more services12%28%53%7%3,419
Depends9%35%44%12%285
Don't know11%33%33%23%311
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 the Unaffiliated by views about size of government

% of the Unaffiliated who say government aid to the poor…

Views about size of governmentDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services53%41%4%2%3,541
Bigger government; more services22%75%2%1%3,419
Depends18%59%20%3%285
Don't know21%57%8%14%311
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 the Unaffiliated by views about size of government

% of the Unaffiliated who say abortion should be…

Views about size of governmentLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services73%23%4%3,541
Bigger government; more services74%24%3%3,419
Depends74%16%10%285
Don't know64%20%16%311
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 the Unaffiliated by views about size of government

% of the Unaffiliated who say homosexuality…

Views about size of governmentShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services80%14%3%3%3,541
Bigger government; more services86%10%2%2%3,419
Depends84%7%6%3%285
Don't know75%12%3%10%311
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 the Unaffiliated by views about size of government

% of the Unaffiliated who …same-sex marriage

Views about size of governmentStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services74%19%7%3,541
Bigger government; more services82%14%4%3,419
Depends81%10%9%285
Don't know72%12%16%311
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 the Unaffiliated by views about size of government

% of the Unaffiliated who say…

Views about size of governmentStricter 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
Smaller government; fewer services37%59%2%2%3,541
Bigger government; more services19%77%1%2%3,419
Depends13%74%7%6%285
Don't know16%62%9%13%311
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 the Unaffiliated by views about size of government

% of the Unaffiliated who say humans…

Views about size of governmentEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
Smaller government; fewer services61%16%5%15%2%3,541
Bigger government; more services66%13%3%16%2%3,419
Depends65%11%8%9%7%285
Don't know50%14%14%9%12%311
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.