Age distribution by religious group

% of adults who are ages…

Religious tradition18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Buddhist34%30%23%14%259
Catholic17%33%29%20%7,061
Evangelical Protestant17%33%29%20%8,417
Hindu34%56%6%4%194
Historically Black Protestant20%36%29%15%1,873
Jehovah's Witness15%34%29%23%238
Jewish22%27%26%26%825
Mainline Protestant16%29%29%26%5,946
Mormon22%40%22%16%651
Muslim44%37%13%5%234
Orthodox Christian26%40%21%13%177
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")35%37%19%9%7,437
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+

Switch Display To: religious group by age group

BeliefsandPractices

Belief in God by age group

% of adults who say they…

Age distributionBelieve 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
18-2951%22%8%< 1%16%3%5,544
30-4962%21%5%< 1%9%2%9,178
50-6469%19%4%1%6%2%10,296
65+70%17%4%2%6%2%9,327
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: Believe in God; absolutely certain, Believe in God; fairly certain, Believe in God; not too/not at all certain, Do not believe in God

Switch Display To: age group by belief in God

Importance of religion in one's life by age group

% of adults who say religion is…

Age distributionVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
18-2940%28%16%16%< 1%5,544
30-4951%25%11%12%1%9,178
50-6459%24%9%8%1%10,296
65+65%20%7%8%1%9,327
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: Very important, Somewhat important, Not too important, Not at all important

Attendance at religious services by age group

% of adults who attend religious services…

Age distributionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
18-2927%37%35%< 1%5,544
30-4933%35%32%< 1%9,178
50-6438%34%28%1%10,296
65+48%25%26%1%9,327
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: At least once a week, Once or twice a month/a few times a year, Seldom/never

Frequency of prayer by age group

% of adults who pray…

Age distributionAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
18-2941%17%7%34%< 1%5,544
30-4954%16%6%23%1%9,178
50-6461%16%5%17%1%10,296
65+65%13%4%17%2%9,327
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: At least daily, Weekly, Monthly, Seldom/never

Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups by age group

% of adults who attend prayer group…

Age distributionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
18-2917%11%9%63%< 1%5,544
30-4924%10%8%57%< 1%9,178
50-6427%8%8%56%< 1%10,296
65+30%7%8%53%1%9,327
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: At least once a week, Once or twice a month, Several times a year, Seldom/never

Frequency of meditation by age group

% of adults who meditate…

Age distributionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
18-2929%10%5%56%1%5,544
30-4938%9%4%47%1%9,178
50-6444%8%4%43%1%10,296
65+53%7%4%32%3%9,327
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: At least once a week, Once or twice a month, Several times a year, Seldom/never

Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing by age group

% of adults 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
18-2950%19%10%19%1%5,544
30-4957%16%10%16%1%9,178
50-6463%13%9%14%1%10,296
65+65%11%7%15%2%9,327
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: At least once a week, Once or twice a month, Several times a year, Seldom/never

Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe by age group

% of adults 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
18-2948%20%12%20%1%5,544
30-4943%16%14%26%1%9,178
50-6448%15%12%24%2%10,296
65+46%12%12%27%3%9,327
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: At least once a week, Once or twice a month, Several times a year, Seldom/never

Sources of guidance on right and wrong by age group

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

Age distributionReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
18-2924%16%47%12%2%5,544
30-4932%10%45%10%2%9,178
50-6438%9%44%7%3%10,296
65+40%7%43%7%3%9,327
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: Religion, Philosophy/reason, Common sense, Science

Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong by age group

% of adults who say…

Age distributionThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
18-2923%76%1%1%5,544
30-4934%64%1%1%9,178
50-6438%59%2%1%10,296
65+37%59%2%2%9,327
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: There are clear standards for what is right and wrong, Right or wrong depends on the situation

Frequency of reading scripture by age group

% of adults who read scripture…

Age distributionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
18-2927%12%8%53%< 1%5,544
30-4934%11%9%46%1%9,178
50-6439%10%8%43%1%10,296
65+42%9%7%40%2%9,327
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: At least once a week, Once or twice a month, Several times a year, Seldom/never

Interpreting scripture by age group

% of adults 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
18-2920%29%2%43%6%5,544
30-4931%26%2%34%7%9,178
50-6435%26%3%29%7%10,296
65+37%26%4%25%8%9,327
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: Word of God; should be taken literally, Word of God; not everything taken literally, Not the word of God

Belief in Heaven by age group

% of adults who …in heaven

Age distributionBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
18-2968%27%6%5,544
30-4971%21%7%9,178
50-6474%18%8%10,296
65+74%18%8%9,327
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: Believe, Don't believe

Switch Display To: age group by belief in heaven

Belief in Hell by age group

% of adults who …in hell

Age distributionBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
18-2956%38%6%5,544
30-4959%34%8%9,178
50-6460%32%9%10,296
65+56%33%10%9,327
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: Believe, Don't believe

Switch Display To: age group by belief in hell