Survey yearLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
201457%39%4%8,498
200756%38%6%7,279
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: Legal in all/most cases, Illegal in all/most cases

Views about abortion among adults in the West by religious group

% of adults in the West who say abortion should be…

Religious traditionLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Buddhist71%27%2%113
Catholic48%48%4%1,660
Evangelical Protestant37%59%4%1,819
Historically Black Protestant57%36%7%143
Jewish89%9%2%181
Mainline Protestant65%30%5%1,141
Mormon23%75%2%480
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")79%17%5%2,388
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: Legal in all/most cases, Illegal in all/most cases

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among adults in the West by views about abortion

% of adults in the West who are ages…

Views about abortion18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Legal in all/most cases25%34%25%16%4,933
Illegal in all/most cases22%37%25%16%3,045
Don't know14%36%26%23%348
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 adults in the West by views about abortion

% of adults in the West who are…

Views about abortionYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Legal in all/most cases15%16%27%30%10%1%4,933
Illegal in all/most cases14%15%30%30%11%1%3,045
Don't know7%14%30%31%16%2%348
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 in the West by views about abortion

% of adults in the West who are…

Views about abortionMenWomenSample size
Legal in all/most cases49%51%5,028
Illegal in all/most cases49%51%3,110
Don't know59%41%360
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 in the West by views about abortion

% of adults in the West who identify as…

Views about abortionWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Legal in all/most cases61%4%10%20%5%4,962
Illegal in all/most cases49%4%8%34%5%3,062
Don't know52%8%8%26%6%332
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 in the West by views about abortion

% of adults in the West who are…

Views about abortionImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Legal in all/most cases18%15%67%4,982
Illegal in all/most cases30%12%58%3,056
Don't know22%11%67%349
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 in the West by views about abortion

% of adults in the West who have a household income of…

Views about abortionLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
Legal in all/most cases30%20%26%24%4,497
Illegal in all/most cases40%21%24%15%2,717
Don't know38%26%19%17%257
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 in the West by views about abortion

% of adults in the West who have completed…

Views about abortionHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Legal in all/most cases32%35%20%13%5,002
Illegal in all/most cases46%33%14%8%3,095
Don't know44%33%17%6%352
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 in the West by views about abortion

% of adults in the West who are…

Views about abortionMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Legal in all/most cases43%11%14%5%27%5,007
Illegal in all/most cases53%7%12%6%22%3,098
Don't know47%7%12%9%24%351
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 in the West by views about abortion

% of adults in the West who are…

Views about abortionParentsNon-parentsSample size
Legal in all/most cases26%74%5,013
Illegal in all/most cases34%66%3,096
Don't know28%72%351
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 adults in the West by views about abortion

% of adults in the West who say they…

Views about abortionBelieve 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
Legal in all/most cases44%24%10%1%18%3%5,028
Illegal in all/most cases74%18%4%1%2%1%3,110
Don't know61%18%3%4%12%3%360
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 adults in the West by views about abortion

% of adults in the West who say religion is…

Views about abortionVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases30%30%19%21%1%5,028
Illegal in all/most cases71%19%5%3%1%3,110
Don't know54%19%10%13%4%360
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 in the West by views about abortion

% of adults in the West who attend religious services…

Views about abortionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases17%36%46%1%5,028
Illegal in all/most cases53%29%18%< 1%3,110
Don't know32%27%40%1%360
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 in the West by views about abortion

% of adults in the West who pray…

Views about abortionAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases38%15%7%40%1%5,028
Illegal in all/most cases70%13%5%11%1%3,110
Don't know54%11%7%25%3%360
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 in the West by views about abortion

% of adults in the West who attend prayer group…

Views about abortionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases11%7%8%74%< 1%5,028
Illegal in all/most cases40%12%8%40%< 1%3,110
Don't know27%6%5%56%6%360
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 in the West by views about abortion

% of adults in the West who meditate…

Views about abortionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases34%10%5%49%1%5,028
Illegal in all/most cases50%8%3%37%2%3,110
Don't know46%7%2%40%6%360
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 in the West by views about abortion

% of adults in the West who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…

Views about abortionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases50%17%12%20%1%5,028
Illegal in all/most cases69%13%7%10%1%3,110
Don't know59%7%7%21%5%360
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 in the West by views about abortion

% of adults in the West who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…

Views about abortionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases47%17%14%21%1%5,028
Illegal in all/most cases50%15%12%22%2%3,110
Don't know52%9%10%24%6%360
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 in the West by views about abortion

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

Views about abortionReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases14%17%53%13%2%5,028
Illegal in all/most cases53%6%31%7%2%3,110
Don't know30%11%39%9%11%360
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 in the West by views about abortion

% of adults in the West who say…

Views about abortionThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases24%74%1%1%5,028
Illegal in all/most cases45%52%2%2%3,110
Don't know26%59%6%9%360
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 in the West by views about abortion

% of adults in the West who read scripture…

Views about abortionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases17%9%9%64%< 1%5,028
Illegal in all/most cases53%11%6%29%1%3,110
Don't know33%9%7%47%4%360
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 in the West by views about abortion

% of adults in the West who say the holy scripture is…

Views about abortionWord 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
Legal in all/most cases13%22%1%56%8%5,028
Illegal in all/most cases43%32%4%15%6%3,110
Don't know25%16%10%25%25%360
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 in the West by views about abortion

% of adults in the West who …in heaven

Views about abortionBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases54%38%8%5,028
Illegal in all/most cases82%11%7%3,110
Don't know63%24%14%360
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 in the West by views about abortion

% of adults in the West who …in hell

Views about abortionBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases38%54%8%5,028
Illegal in all/most cases68%24%8%3,110
Don't know44%35%21%360
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 in the West by views about abortion

% of adults in the West who identify as…

Views about abortionRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Legal in all/most cases25%17%57%5,028
Illegal in all/most cases49%22%30%3,110
Don't know27%40%32%360
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 in the West by views about abortion

% of adults in the West who are…

Views about abortionConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases21%38%36%5%5,028
Illegal in all/most cases50%28%15%6%3,110
Don't know33%24%22%21%360
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 in the West by views about abortion

% of adults in the West who would rather have…

Views about abortionSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases46%47%4%3%5,028
Illegal in all/most cases56%40%2%3%3,110
Don't know50%33%7%11%360
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 in the West by views about abortion

% of adults in the West who say government aid to the poor…

Views about abortionDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases35%60%4%1%5,028
Illegal in all/most cases52%43%3%2%3,110
Don't know40%42%8%10%360
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 in the West by views about abortion

% of adults in the West who say homosexuality…

Views about abortionShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases84%12%3%2%5,028
Illegal in all/most cases43%47%5%4%3,110
Don't know50%27%9%14%360
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 in the West by views about abortion

% of adults in the West who …same-sex marriage

Views about abortionStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases78%17%5%5,028
Illegal in all/most cases34%59%7%3,110
Don't know40%33%27%360
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 in the West by views about abortion

% of adults in the West who say…

Views about abortionStricter 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
Legal in all/most cases28%67%2%2%5,028
Illegal in all/most cases48%45%3%4%3,110
Don't know32%49%5%14%360
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 in the West by views about abortion

% of adults in the West who say humans…

Views about abortionEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases52%22%5%18%3%5,028
Illegal in all/most cases19%25%3%48%5%3,110
Don't know25%19%10%29%17%360
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.