Age distribution among adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by religious group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who are ages…

Religious tradition18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Catholic20%35%29%16%1,820
Evangelical Protestant24%34%25%17%816
Historically Black Protestant31%28%29%12%172
Jewish22%27%24%27%227
Mainline Protestant18%33%25%24%1,521
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")32%40%21%7%1,588
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: 18-29, 30-49, 50-64, 65+

DemographicInformation

Generational cohort among adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by age group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who are…

Age distributionYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
18-2961%39%< 1%< 1%< 1%< 1%1,212
30-49< 1%19%81%< 1%< 1%< 1%1,897
50-64< 1%< 1%< 1%100%< 1%< 1%1,925
65+< 1%< 1%< 1%31%63%6%1,640
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by age group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who are…

Age distributionMenWomenSample size
18-2950%50%1,212
30-4953%47%1,897
50-6454%46%1,925
65+50%50%1,640
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by age group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who identify as…

Age distributionWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
18-2954%11%7%23%5%1,206
30-4962%6%5%24%4%1,884
50-6473%5%3%17%3%1,909
65+82%4%1%11%1%1,627
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by age group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who are…

Age distributionImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
18-2917%16%67%1,200
30-4926%8%66%1,874
50-6419%6%74%1,909
65+13%12%75%1,620
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by age group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who have a household income of…

Age distributionLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
18-2943%22%24%11%1,060
30-4931%17%27%24%1,759
50-6428%20%26%26%1,743
65+39%20%24%17%1,371
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by age group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who have completed…

Age distributionHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
18-2944%39%13%5%1,209
30-4940%27%18%15%1,892
50-6441%28%18%13%1,919
65+46%23%17%15%1,635
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by age group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who are…

Age distributionMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
18-2913%16%4%< 1%67%1,209
30-4957%12%12%1%18%1,895
50-6458%7%19%5%11%1,919
65+57%3%14%23%4%1,633
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by age group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who are…

Age distributionParentsNon-parentsSample size
18-2922%78%1,211
30-4956%44%1,892
50-6418%82%1,920
65+2%98%1,639
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by age group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who say religion is…

Age distributionVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
18-2922%49%22%7%< 1%1,212
30-4926%44%21%8%1%1,897
50-6429%47%16%7%< 1%1,925
65+34%44%16%5%1%1,640
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by age group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who attend religious services…

Age distributionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
18-2918%48%34%< 1%1,212
30-4916%44%40%< 1%1,897
50-6419%42%39%< 1%1,925
65+31%32%36%1%1,640
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by age group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who pray…

Age distributionAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
18-2928%25%14%33%< 1%1,212
30-4934%25%12%28%< 1%1,897
50-6436%24%12%27%1%1,925
65+40%24%9%25%2%1,640
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by age group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who attend prayer group…

Age distributionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
18-299%11%8%72%< 1%1,212
30-4911%9%8%72%< 1%1,897
50-6411%6%7%77%< 1%1,925
65+12%5%9%73%1%1,640
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by age group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who meditate…

Age distributionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
18-2923%12%5%58%1%1,212
30-4931%12%5%50%1%1,897
50-6433%10%5%51%1%1,925
65+38%10%6%43%2%1,640
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by age group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…

Age distributionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
18-2941%25%14%19%1%1,212
30-4942%19%16%23%1%1,897
50-6444%17%15%23%1%1,925
65+45%17%14%21%2%1,640
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by age group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…

Age distributionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
18-2946%19%14%20%< 1%1,212
30-4940%16%17%26%1%1,897
50-6441%19%17%22%1%1,925
65+39%15%17%27%3%1,640
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by age group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Age distributionReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
18-2911%19%57%12%1%1,212
30-4915%13%57%14%1%1,897
50-6416%13%57%12%3%1,925
65+19%11%58%9%3%1,640
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by age group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who say…

Age distributionThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
18-2919%80%1%< 1%1,212
30-4925%73%1%1%1,897
50-6428%69%2%1%1,925
65+26%71%2%1%1,640
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by age group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who read scripture…

Age distributionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
18-2914%13%9%64%< 1%1,212
30-4915%10%10%65%1%1,897
50-6415%9%10%66%< 1%1,925
65+19%9%11%60%1%1,640
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by age group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who say the holy scripture is…

Age distributionWord of God; should be taken literallyWord of God; not everything taken literallyWord of God; other/don't knowNot the word of GodOther/don't knowSample size
18-2912%33%< 1%48%7%1,212
30-4917%25%1%48%8%1,897
50-6416%26%2%49%8%1,925
65+14%27%3%45%11%1,640
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by age group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who …in heaven

Age distributionBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
18-2977%18%5%1,212
30-4970%22%8%1,897
50-6468%22%10%1,925
65+64%23%13%1,640
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by age group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who …in hell

Age distributionBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
18-2958%36%6%1,212
30-4950%41%9%1,897
50-6447%43%10%1,925
65+36%50%14%1,640
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by age group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who identify as…

Age distributionRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
18-2930%21%49%1,212
30-4932%21%46%1,897
50-6434%16%50%1,925
65+35%14%50%1,640
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by age group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who are…

Age distributionConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
18-2921%40%32%7%1,212
30-4925%38%32%6%1,897
50-6430%39%27%4%1,925
65+32%39%24%5%1,640
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by age group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who would rather have…

Age distributionSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
18-2942%53%1%3%1,212
30-4947%48%2%3%1,897
50-6452%41%3%4%1,925
65+55%37%4%4%1,640
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by age group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who say government aid to the poor…

Age distributionDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
18-2940%56%3%2%1,212
30-4943%52%3%1%1,897
50-6443%52%3%2%1,925
65+42%52%4%2%1,640
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by age group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who say abortion should be…

Age distributionLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
18-2961%37%3%1,212
30-4964%33%3%1,897
50-6467%29%4%1,925
65+63%30%6%1,640
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by age group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who say homosexuality…

Age distributionShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
18-2987%11%2%1%1,212
30-4978%16%3%3%1,897
50-6475%18%4%3%1,925
65+66%27%3%4%1,640
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by age group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who …same-sex marriage

Age distributionStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
18-2981%15%4%1,212
30-4970%22%8%1,897
50-6463%28%8%1,925
65+53%36%11%1,640
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by age group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who say…

Age distributionStricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economyStricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the costNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
18-2930%65%2%2%1,212
30-4933%63%2%2%1,897
50-6436%60%2%3%1,925
65+38%55%2%5%1,640
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by age group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who say humans…

Age distributionEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
18-2950%28%4%17%2%1,212
30-4947%24%5%21%3%1,897
50-6445%26%6%19%4%1,925
65+38%23%7%23%8%1,640
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.