After decades of decline, Christianity may be finding its footing in America again as a new Pew Research Center survey reveals a stabilization in religious affiliation across the country.
At a Glance
- 62% of U.S. adults currently identify as Christian, following years of steady decline
- The Christian population has remained stable between 60% and 64% since 2020
- 29% of Americans identify as religiously unaffiliated, up from 16% a decade ago
- Generational differences remain stark, with younger Americans being less religious
- Political polarization increasingly aligns with religious identity
Christian Decline Appears to Stabilize
The latest Religious Landscape Study from Pew Research Center offers welcome news for American Christians: the decades-long decline in religious affiliation appears to be slowing down or possibly leveling off. While Christianity has experienced a 9 percentage point decrease over the past decade, the rate of decline has dramatically slowed since 2020, with the Christian share of the U.S. adult population holding steady between 60% and 64%.
The comprehensive survey included over 35,000 randomly selected adults across the nation, providing one of the most detailed pictures of America’s religious landscape. The stabilization marks a potential turning point in a religious shift that has been transforming American society since the early 2000s. Nevertheless, Christianity remains significantly lower than its historical position, dropping from 78% in 2007 to the current 62%.
A New Religious Era
The religiously unaffiliated – those who describe themselves as atheists, agnostics, or “nothing in particular” – now constitute 29% of the population. This group has shown remarkable growth over recent decades but appears to be stabilizing alongside the Christian population.
The makeup of American Christianity continues to evolve even as overall numbers stabilize. Evangelical Protestants represent the largest Christian group at 23% of the population, followed by Catholics at 19%, mainline Protestants at 11%, and historically Black Protestant traditions at 5%. Within these broader categories, Baptists remain the largest denomination at 12%, while nondenominational Protestants account for 7% of Americans.
Generational Divide and Political Alignment
Demographics remain a driving force behind religious trends in America. Younger generations consistently show lower rates of religious affiliation compared to their older counterparts. This generational replacement continues to exert downward pressure on overall Christian identification.
A growing alignment between religious affiliation and political identity has become increasingly pronounced. More religious Americans tend to align with the Republican Party, while less religious Americans gravitate toward the Democratic Party. This pattern has exceptions, particularly among Black Americans.
