DemographicInformation

Age distribution among the Unaffiliated independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain

% of the Unaffiliated independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain who are ages…

Survey year18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
201434%44%17%4%299
200731%40%20%8%210
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 independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain

% of the Unaffiliated independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain who are…

Survey yearYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
201419%24%35%20%2%< 1%299
2007< 1%25%36%29%10%1%210
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 independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain

% of the Unaffiliated independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain who are…

Survey yearMenWomenSample size
201453%47%310
200764%36%222
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 independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain

% of the Unaffiliated independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain who identify as…

Survey yearWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
201465%5%2%22%6%302
200776%2%4%12%5%217
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 independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain

% of the Unaffiliated independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain who are…

Survey yearImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
201419%8%73%300
200716%5%79%211
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 independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain

% of the Unaffiliated independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain who have a household income of…

Survey yearLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
201450%20%21%9%264
200736%29%21%14%166
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 independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain

% of the Unaffiliated independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain who have completed…

Survey yearHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
201454%34%8%4%309
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 independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain

% of the Unaffiliated independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain who are…

Survey yearMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
201435%13%15%3%34%308
200744%6%16%2%32%216
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 independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain

% of the Unaffiliated independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain who are…

Survey yearParentsNon-parentsSample size
201434%66%308
200734%66%221
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

Importance of religion in one's life among the Unaffiliated independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain

% of the Unaffiliated independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain who say religion is…

Survey yearVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
201414%34%34%18%1%310
200711%40%26%20%3%222
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 independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain

% of the Unaffiliated independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain who attend religious services…

Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
20144%29%66%1%310
20075%26%70%< 1%222
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 independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain

% of the Unaffiliated independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain who pray…

Survey yearAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201421%16%9%53%1%310
200718%20%9%50%2%222
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 independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain

% of the Unaffiliated independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain who attend prayer group…

Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
20145%5%4%87%< 1%310
20077%3%3%86%1%222
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 independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain

% of the Unaffiliated independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain who meditate…

Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201422%13%4%60%1%310
200727%6%4%60%3%222
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 independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain

% of the Unaffiliated independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain 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
201438%14%11%35%2%310
200726%15%13%40%6%222
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 independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain

% of the Unaffiliated independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain 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%13%15%30%3%310
200735%11%15%35%4%222
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 independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain

% of the Unaffiliated independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Survey yearReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
20148%14%63%11%4%310
20072%13%68%9%8%222
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 independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain

% of the Unaffiliated independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain who say…

Survey yearThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
201422%74%2%2%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.

Frequency of reading scripture among the Unaffiliated independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain

% of the Unaffiliated independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain who read scripture…

Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
20146%7%6%80%< 1%310
200710%4%6%79%1%222
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 independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain

% of the Unaffiliated independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain 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
201411%20%2%57%11%310
200712%14%2%52%21%222
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 independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain

% of the Unaffiliated independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain who …in heaven

Survey yearBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
201461%26%13%310
200749%28%22%222
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 independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain

% of the Unaffiliated independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain who …in hell

Survey yearBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
201445%43%13%310
200740%40%20%222
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

Political ideology among the Unaffiliated independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain

% of the Unaffiliated independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain who are…

Survey yearConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
201420%41%24%16%310
200715%43%24%18%222
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 the Unaffiliated independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain

% of the Unaffiliated independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain who would rather have…

Survey yearSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
201449%43%4%4%310
200739%46%6%8%222
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 independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain

% of the Unaffiliated independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain who say government aid to the poor…

Survey yearDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
201440%52%6%2%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.

Views about abortion among the Unaffiliated independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain

% of the Unaffiliated independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain who say abortion should be…

Survey yearLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
201456%38%6%310
200766%27%7%222
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 independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain

% of the Unaffiliated independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain who say homosexuality…

Survey yearShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
201475%14%4%7%310
200763%23%6%8%222
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 independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain

% of the Unaffiliated independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain who …same-sex marriage

Survey yearStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
201471%17%12%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.

Views about environmental regulation among the Unaffiliated independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain

% of the Unaffiliated independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain 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
201435%58%2%5%310
200726%62%4%8%222
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 independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain

% of the Unaffiliated independents and those who don't lean to either party who say they believe in God; fairly certain 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
201450%18%8%19%6%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.