Age distribution among atheists by parental status
% of atheists who are ages…
Chart
Table
Share
Parent of children under 18
18-29
30-49
50-64
65+
Sample size
Parents
12%
74%
12%
2%
226
Non-parents
48%
27%
15%
11%
856
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 atheists by parental status
% of atheists who are…
Chart
Table
Share
Parent of children under 18
Younger Millennial
Older Millennial
Generation X
Baby Boomer
Silent
Greatest
Sample size
Parents
5%
18%
63%
12%
1%
< 1%
226
Non-parents
35%
22%
18%
19%
6%
1%
856
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 atheists by parental status
% of atheists who are…
Chart
Table
Share
Parent of children under 18
Men
Women
Sample size
Parents
59%
41%
226
Non-parents
70%
30%
871
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 atheists by parental status
% of atheists who identify as…
Chart
Table
Share
Parent of children under 18
White
Black
Asian
Latino
Other/Mixed
Sample size
Parents
80%
2%
2%
11%
5%
224
Non-parents
78%
3%
8%
10%
2%
862
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 atheists by parental status
% of atheists who are…
Chart
Table
Share
Parent of children under 18
Immigrants
Second generation
Third generation or higher
Sample size
Parents
16%
8%
76%
223
Non-parents
11%
15%
74%
863
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 atheists by parental status
% of atheists who have a household income of…
Chart
Table
Share
Parent of children under 18
Less than $30,000
$30,000-$49,999
$50,000-$99,999
$100,000 or more
Sample size
Parents
17%
9%
29%
44%
220
Non-parents
25%
20%
28%
26%
788
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 atheists by parental status
% of atheists who have completed…
Chart
Table
Share
Parent of children under 18
High school or less
Some college
College
Post-graduate degree
Sample size
Parents
22%
26%
31%
21%
226
Non-parents
27%
33%
25%
15%
870
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.
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.
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 atheists by parental status
% of atheists who say religion is…
Chart
Table
Share
Parent of children under 18
Very important
Somewhat important
Not too important
Not at all important
Don't know
Sample size
Parents
4%
4%
10%
83%
< 1%
226
Non-parents
1%
5%
11%
82%
< 1%
871
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 atheists by parental status
% of atheists who attend religious services…
Chart
Table
Share
Parent of children under 18
At least once a week
Once or twice a month/a few times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Parents
1%
13%
86%
< 1%
226
Non-parents
1%
10%
90%
< 1%
871
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 atheists by parental status
% of atheists who pray…
Chart
Table
Share
Parent of children under 18
At least daily
Weekly
Monthly
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Parents
2%
1%
1%
97%
< 1%
226
Non-parents
1%
< 1%
1%
97%
< 1%
871
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 atheists by parental status
% of atheists who attend prayer group…
Chart
Table
Share
Parent of children under 18
At least once a week
Once or twice a month
Several times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Parents
2%
< 1%
1%
97%
< 1%
226
Non-parents
1%
1%
1%
97%
< 1%
871
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 atheists by parental status
% of atheists who meditate…
Chart
Table
Share
Parent of children under 18
At least once a week
Once or twice a month
Several times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Parents
25%
7%
3%
65%
< 1%
226
Non-parents
17%
9%
6%
68%
< 1%
871
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 atheists by parental status
% of atheists who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…
Chart
Table
Share
Parent of children under 18
At least once a week
Once or twice a month
Several times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Parents
42%
11%
9%
37%
< 1%
226
Non-parents
28%
14%
8%
47%
3%
871
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 atheists by parental status
% of atheists who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…
Chart
Table
Share
Parent of children under 18
At least once a week
Once or twice a month
Several times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Parents
51%
19%
11%
18%
1%
226
Non-parents
54%
16%
11%
18%
1%
871
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 atheists by parental status
% of atheists who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong
Chart
Table
Share
Parent of children under 18
Religion
Philosophy/reason
Common sense
Science
Don't know
Sample size
Parents
2%
19%
44%
33%
2%
226
Non-parents
< 1%
22%
44%
32%
2%
871
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 atheists by parental status
% of atheists who say…
Chart
Table
Share
Parent of children under 18
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong
Right or wrong depends on the situation
Neither/both equally
Don't know
Sample size
Parents
14%
85%
< 1%
< 1%
226
Non-parents
16%
83%
1%
1%
871
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 atheists by parental status
% of atheists who read scripture…
Chart
Table
Share
Parent of children under 18
At least once a week
Once or twice a month
Several times a year
Seldom/never
Don't know
Sample size
Parents
3%
2%
4%
91%
< 1%
226
Non-parents
2%
3%
5%
89%
< 1%
871
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 atheists by parental status
% of atheists who say the holy scripture is…
Chart
Table
Share
Parent of children under 18
Word of God; should be taken literally
Word of God; not everything taken literally
Word of God; other/don't know
Not the word of God
Other/don't know
Sample size
Parents
1%
1%
< 1%
93%
4%
226
Non-parents
< 1%
1%
< 1%
97%
1%
871
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 atheists by parental status
% of atheists who …in heaven
Chart
Table
Share
Parent of children under 18
Believe
Don't believe
Other/don't know
Sample size
Parents
4%
93%
2%
226
Non-parents
5%
94%
1%
871
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.
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.
Party affiliation among atheists by parental status
% of atheists who identify as…
Chart
Table
Share
Parent of children under 18
Republican/lean Rep.
No lean
Democrat/lean Dem.
Sample size
Parents
16%
16%
67%
226
Non-parents
14%
17%
69%
871
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 atheists by parental status
% of atheists who are…
Chart
Table
Share
Parent of children under 18
Conservative
Moderate
Liberal
Don't know
Sample size
Parents
12%
31%
53%
4%
226
Non-parents
10%
29%
57%
5%
871
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 atheists by parental status
% of atheists who would rather have…
Chart
Table
Share
Parent of children under 18
Smaller government; fewer services
Bigger government; more services
Depends
Don't know
Sample size
Parents
43%
50%
5%
2%
226
Non-parents
40%
53%
4%
3%
871
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 atheists by parental status
% of atheists who say government aid to the poor…
Chart
Table
Share
Parent of children under 18
Does more harm than good
Does more good than harm
Neither/both equally
Don't know
Sample size
Parents
24%
74%
2%
< 1%
226
Non-parents
22%
74%
3%
1%
871
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 atheists by parental status
% of atheists who say abortion should be…
Chart
Table
Share
Parent of children under 18
Legal in all/most cases
Illegal in all/most cases
Don't know
Sample size
Parents
84%
14%
2%
226
Non-parents
88%
10%
3%
871
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 atheists by parental status
% of atheists who say homosexuality…
Chart
Table
Share
Parent of children under 18
Should be accepted
Should be discouraged
Neither/both equally
Don't know
Sample size
Parents
92%
6%
2%
< 1%
226
Non-parents
95%
3%
1%
1%
871
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 atheists by parental status
% of atheists who …same-sex marriage
Chart
Table
Share
Parent of children under 18
Strongly favor/favor
Oppose/strongly oppose
Don't know
Sample size
Parents
92%
6%
2%
226
Non-parents
93%
4%
4%
871
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 atheists by parental status
% of atheists who say…
Chart
Table
Share
Parent of children under 18
Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy
Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost
Neither/both equally
Don't know
Sample size
Parents
22%
75%
2%
2%
226
Non-parents
16%
80%
2%
2%
871
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 atheists by parental status
% of atheists who say humans…
Chart
Table
Share
Parent of children under 18
Evolved; due to natural processes
Evolved; due to God's design
Evolved; don't know how
Always existed in present form
Don't know
Sample size
Parents
91%
1%
1%
6%
1%
226
Non-parents
91%
2%
2%
5%
< 1%
871
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.