Religious composition of who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who are ages…

Survey year18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
201420%35%26%19%8,134
200712%39%29%20%8,558
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 who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who are…

Survey yearYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
201412%14%28%32%12%1%8,134
2007< 1%9%27%39%20%5%8,558
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 who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who are…

Survey yearMenWomenSample size
201459%41%8,285
200760%40%8,735
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 who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who identify as…

Survey yearWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
201481%5%3%8%3%8,159
200785%5%2%5%3%8,624
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 who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who are…

Survey yearImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
20148%10%82%8,215
20076%8%85%8,655
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 who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who have a household income of…

Survey yearLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
201425%22%31%23%7,289
200721%22%35%22%7,300
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.

Educational distribution among who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who have completed…

Survey yearHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
201439%35%16%9%8,239
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 who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who are…

Survey yearMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
201452%8%12%6%22%8,250
200761%6%11%8%14%8,689
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 who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who are…

Survey yearParentsNon-parentsSample size
201427%73%8,259
200731%69%8,708
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 who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who say they…

Survey yearBelieve 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
201454%26%6%1%10%3%8,285
200764%22%5%1%6%3%8,735
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 who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who say religion is…

Survey yearVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
201435%35%16%13%1%8,285
200740%36%14%10%1%8,735
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 who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who attend religious services…

Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201421%39%40%< 1%8,285
200726%39%34%< 1%8,735
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 who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who pray…

Survey yearAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201441%19%8%30%1%8,285
200745%21%7%25%1%8,735
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 who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who attend prayer group…

Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201412%7%8%74%< 1%8,285
200712%6%8%74%1%8,735
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 who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who meditate…

Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201430%8%4%56%1%8,285
200732%8%4%54%2%8,735
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 who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…

Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201447%17%12%22%1%8,285
200743%15%15%24%3%8,735
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 who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…

Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201439%17%15%28%1%8,285
200735%14%17%32%3%8,735
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 who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who say…

Survey yearThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
201431%67%1%1%8,285
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 who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who read scripture…

Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201419%10%10%61%1%8,285
200720%10%9%60%1%8,735
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 who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who say the holy scripture is…

Survey yearWord 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
201416%30%2%44%8%8,285
200719%30%2%38%10%8,735
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 who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who …in heaven

Survey yearBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
201469%24%7%8,285
200771%20%9%8,735
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 who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who …in hell

Survey yearBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
201452%40%8%8,285
200753%36%11%8,735
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 who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who identify as…

Survey yearRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
201451%18%31%8,285
200744%16%40%8,735
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 who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who are…

Survey yearConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
201439%40%16%5%8,285
200739%40%16%5%8,735
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 who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who say government aid to the poor…

Survey yearDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
201462%33%3%1%8,285
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 who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who say abortion should be…

Survey yearLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
201462%34%4%8,285
200761%34%6%8,735
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 who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who say homosexuality…

Survey yearShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
201468%25%4%3%8,285
200755%36%5%4%8,735
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 who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who …same-sex marriage

Survey yearStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
201458%34%8%8,285
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 who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who say…

Survey yearStricter 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
201446%50%2%2%8,285
200735%58%3%3%8,735
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 who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services

% of who say common sense is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have smaller government; fewer services who say humans…

Survey yearEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
201438%29%4%25%3%8,285
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.