According to sociologists as of 2022, "the proportion of atheists in the US has held steady at 3% to 4% for more than 80 years."[4] According to the Pew Research Center in a 2014 survey, self-identified atheists make up 3.1% of the US population, even though 9% of Americans agreed with the statement "Do not believe in God" while 2% agreed with the statement "Do not know if they believe in God".[3] Other polling by Gallup in 2022 showed that 17% of respondents replied "No" when asked "Do you believe in God?", and another from 2023 found that 12% of respondents replied they "Do not believe in" God with 14% replying they were "Not sure about" the existence of God.[5] Regardless of question or polling service, there is evidence the number of people not believing in God is increasing.[5]
According to the 2014 General Sociological Survey, the number of atheists and agnostics in the U.S. grew over the previous 23 years. In 1991, only 2% identified as atheist, and 4% identified as agnostic; while in 2014, 3.1% identified as atheists, and 5% identified as agnostics.[6]
In 2009, Pew stated that only 5% of the US population did not have a belief in a god and out of that small group only 24% self-identified as "atheist", while 15% self-identified as "agnostic" and 35% self-identified as "nothing in particular".[7]
According to the 2008 ARIS, only 2% the US population was atheist, while 10% were agnostics.[8]
One 2018 research paper using indirect methods estimated that 26% of Americans are atheists, which is much higher than the 3%-11% rates that are consistently found in surveys.[9] However, methodological problems have been identified with this particular study; in particular, it has been posted that many people might not have a binary outlook to the question of the existence of God.[10]
Accurate demographics of atheism are difficult to obtain since conceptions of atheism and self-identification are context dependent by culture.[11]
Age group | % of lack of belief in god/gods | % of self described atheists | Source | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
18-29 year olds | 16 | 6 | [3] | ||
30-49 year olds | 9 | 3 | [3] | ||
All Americans | 9 | 3.1 | [3] | ||
50-64 year olds | 6 | 2 | [3] | ||
65+ year olds | 6 | 2 | [3] |
Highest degree earned | % of lack of belief in god/gods | % of self described atheists | Source | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Post-graduate degree | 14 | 5 | [3] | ||
College graduate | 14 | 5 | [3] | ||
All Americans | 9 | 3.1 | [3] | ||
Some college | 9 | 3 | [3] | ||
High school or less | 6 | 2 | [3] |
Gender | % of lack of belief in god/gods | % of self described atheists | Source | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Male American | 12 | 4 | [3] | ||
Americans | 9 | 3.1 | [3] | ||
Female American | 6 | 2 | [3] |
Generation | % of lack of belief in god/gods | % of self described atheists | Source | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Younger Millennial Americans | 17 | 6 | [3] | ||
Older Millennial Americans | 13 | 4 | [3] | ||
Americans | 9 | 3.1 | [3] | ||
Generation X Americans | 9 | 3 | [3] | ||
Greatest Americans | 7 | 2 | [3] | ||
Baby Boomer Americans | 6 | 2 | [3] | ||
Silent Americans | 6 | 1 | [3] |
Cohort | % of lack of belief in god/gods | % of self described atheists | Source | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
$100,000 or more, Americans | 14 | 5 | [3] | ||
$50,000-$99,999, Americans | 11 | 3 | [3] | ||
$30,000-$49,999, Americans | 9 | 3 | [3] | ||
Americans | 9 | 3.1 | [3] | ||
Less than $30,000, Americans | 7 | 2 | [3] |
Generation | % of lack of belief in god/gods | % of self described atheists | Source | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Second generation Americans | 14 | 4 | [3] | ||
Americans | 9 | 3.1 | [3] | ||
Third generation or higher Americans | 9 | 3 | [3] | ||
Immigrants | 8 | 3 | [3] |
Cohort | % of lack of belief in god/gods | % of self described atheists | Source | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Never married Americans | 15 | 5 | [3] | ||
Living with a partner Americans | 14 | 5 | [3] | ||
Americans | 9 | 3.1 | [3] | ||
Married Americans | 7 | 2 | [3] | ||
Divorced/separated Americans | 6 | 2 | [3] | ||
Widowed Americans | 3 | 1 | [3] |
State/federal district | % of lack of belief in god/gods | % of self described atheists | Source | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Greater San Francisco Bay Area | 21 | 5 | [3] | ||
Seattle metropolitan area | 20 | 10 | [3] | ||
Boston metropolitan area | 17 | 4 | [3] | ||
Providence metropolitan area | 15 | 4 | [3] | ||
Baltimore metropolitan area | 14 | 3 | [3] | ||
Philadelphia metropolitan area | 13 | 5 | [3] | ||
Tampa metropolitan area | 13 | 4 | [3] | ||
San Diego metropolitan area | 12 | 3 | [3] | ||
Washington metropolitan area | 12 | 4 | [3] | ||
Greater Los Angeles Area | 11 | 4 | [3] | ||
New York metropolitan area | 11 | 4 | [3] | ||
Phoenix metropolitan area | 11 | 3 | [3] | ||
Chicago metropolitan area | 10 | 3 | [3] | ||
Americans | 9 | 3.1 | [3] | ||
Detroit metropolitan area | 9 | 3 | [3] | ||
Miami metropolitan area | 9 | 3 | [3] | ||
Riverside metropolitan area | 8 | 1 | [3] | ||
Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex | 7 | 1 | [3] | ||
Atlanta metropolitan area | 6 | 3 | [3] | ||
Houston metropolitan area | 6 | 2 | [3] | ||
St. Louis metropolitan area | 6 | 3 | [3] | ||
Pittsburgh metropolitan area | 5 | 3 | [3] |
Political affiliation | % of lack of belief in god/gods | % of self described atheists | Source | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democrat/Lean Democrat Americans | 13 | 5 | [3] | ||
Americans | 9 | 3.1 | [3] | ||
No lean, Americans | 9 | 3 | [3] | ||
Republican/Lean Republican Americans | 5 | 1 | [3] |
Parental status | % of lack of belief in god/gods | % of self described atheists | Source | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Non-parents of children under 18 year old Americans | 10 | 3 | [3] | ||
Americans | 9 | 3.1 | [3] | ||
Parents of children under 18 year old Americans | 7 | 2 | [3] |
Political ideology | % of lack of belief in god/gods | % of self described atheists | Source | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal Americans | 19 | 7 | [3] | ||
Americans | 9 | 3.1 | [3] | ||
Moderate Americans | 9 | 3 | [3] | ||
Don't know, Americans | 8 | [3] | |||
Conservative Americans | 3 | 1 | [3] |
Racial group | % of lack of belief in god/gods | % of self described atheists | Source | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Asian Americans | 19 | 6 | [3] | ||
White Americans | 11 | 4 | [3] | ||
Americans | 9 | 3.1 | [3] | ||
Other/Mixed Americans | 8 | 2 | [3] | ||
Latino Americans | 6 | 2 | [3] | ||
African Americans | 2 | 1 | [3] |
State/federal district | % of lack of belief in god/gods | % of self described atheists | Source | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Northeastern United States | 12 | 4 | [3] | ||
Western United States | 12 | 4 | [3] | ||
Americans | 9 | 3.1 | [3] | ||
Midwestern United States | 8 | 3 | [3] | ||
Southern United States | 7 | 2 | [3] |
Sexual orientation | % of self described atheists | Source | |
---|---|---|---|
LGBT Americans | 8 | [3] | |
Americans | 3.1 | [3] | |
Straight Americans | 3 | [3] |
State/federal district | % of lack of belief in god/gods | % of self described atheists | Source | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
# of population | # of population | ||||||
Vermont | 131,406 | 21 | 43,802 | 7 | [3][2] | ||
Massachusetts | 1,178,573 | 18 | 327,381 | 5 | [3][2] | ||
Maine | 212,538 | 16 | 26,567 | 2 | [3][2] | ||
New Hampshire | 210,635 | 16 | 78,988 | 6 | [3][2] | ||
District of Columbia | 84,241 | 14 | 24,069 | 4 | [3][2] | ||
Oregon | 498,040 | 13 | 191,554 | 5 | [3][2] | ||
Washington | 874,190 | 13 | 336,227 | 5 | [3][2] | ||
Alaska | 85,228 | 12 | 35,512 | 5 | [3][2] | ||
California | 4,470,475 | 12 | 1,490,158 | 4 | [3][2] | ||
Connecticut | 427,834 | 12 | 178,264 | 5 | [3][2] | ||
Nevada | 324,066 | 12 | 135,028 | 5 | [3][2] | ||
Wisconsin | 682,438 | 12 | 170,610 | 3 | [3][2] | ||
New York | 2,131,591 | 11 | 968,905 | 5 | [3][2] | ||
Idaho | 172,434 | 11 | 31,352 | 2 | [3][2] | ||
New Mexico | 226,510 | 11 | 61,775 | 3 | [3][2] | ||
Rhode Island | 115,782 | 11 | 42,103 | 4 | [3][2] | ||
Arizona | 639,202 | 10 | 191,761 | 3 | [3][2] | ||
Colorado | 502,920 | 10 | 201,168 | 4 | [3][2] | ||
Florida | 1,880,131 | 10 | 564,039 | 3 | [3][2] | ||
Indiana | 648,380 | 10 | 194,514 | 3 | [3][2] | ||
Maryland | 577,355 | 10 | 173,207 | 3 | [3][2] | ||
Pennsylvania | 1,270,238 | 10 | 381,071 | 3 | [3][2] | ||
Hawaii | 122,427 | 9 | 27,206 | 2 | [3][2] | ||
Illinois | 1,154,757 | 9 | 384,919 | 3 | [3][2] | ||
Iowa | 274,172 | 9 | 121,854 | 4 | [3][2] | ||
Michigan | 889,528 | 9 | 296,509 | 3 | [3][2] | ||
Minnesota | 477,353 | 9 | 159,118 | 3 | [3][2] | ||
Nebraska | 164,371 | 9 | 18,263 | 1 | [3][2] | ||
United States | 27,787,098 | 9 | 9,571,112 | 3.1 | [3][2] | ||
Montana | 79,153 | 8 | 39,577 | 4 | [3][2] | ||
New Jersey | 703,352 | 8 | 175,838 | 2 | [3][2] | ||
North Dakota | 53,807 | 8 | 13,452 | 2 | [3][2] | ||
Utah | 221,111 | 8 | 82,917 | 3 | [3][2] | ||
Virginia | 640,082 | 8 | 160,020 | 2 | [3][2] | ||
Kentucky | 303,756 | 7 | 173,574 | 4 | [3][2] | ||
Delaware | 62,855 | 7 | 17,959 | 2 | [3][2] | ||
Kansas | 199,718 | 7 | 57,062 | 2 | [3][2] | ||
North Carolina | 667,484 | 7 | 190,710 | 2 | [3][2] | ||
Ohio | 807,555 | 7 | 230,730 | 2 | [3][2] | ||
South Dakota | 56,993 | 7 | 24,425 | 3 | [3][2] | ||
Georgia | 581,259 | 6 | 193,753 | 2 | [3][2] | ||
Louisiana | 272,002 | 6 | 90,667 | 2 | [3][2] | ||
Missouri | 359,336 | 6 | 119,779 | 2 | [3][2] | ||
Texas | 1,508,734 | 6 | 502,911 | 2 | [3][2] | ||
Wyoming | 33,818 | 6 | 16,909 | 3 | [3][2] | ||
South Carolina | 231,268 | 5 | 46,254 | 1 | [3][2] | ||
West Virginia | 92,650 | 5 | 18,530 | 1 | [3][2] | ||
Arkansas | 116,637 | 4 | 58,318 | 2 | [3][2] | ||
Mississippi | 118,692 | 4 | 29,673 | 1 | [3][2] | ||
Tennessee | 190,383 | 3 | 63,461 | 1 | [3][2] | ||
Alabama | 95,595 | 2 | 47,797 | 1 | [3][2] |
Photo | Name | State | Position | Party | Term | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pete Stark | California | United States Representative from California's 8th district, 9th district, 13th district | Democratic | 1973–2013 | [12] | |
Jared Huffman | California | United States Representative from California's 2nd district | Democratic | 2013–present | [13] | |
Barney Frank | Massachusetts | United States Representative from Massachusetts's 4th district | Democratic | 1981–2013 | [14] |
Photo | Name | State | Position | Party | Term | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Thomas Gore | Oklahoma | United States Senator from Oklahoma | Democratic | 1907–1921
1931, 1937 |
[15] | |
Kyrsten Sinema | Arizona | United States Senator from Arizona | Independent | 2019– | [16] |
Photo | Name | State | Position | Party | Term | Source | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Culbert Olson | California | 29th Governor of California | Democratic | 1939–1943 | [17] | ||
Jesse Ventura | Minnesota | 38th Governor of Minnesota | Reform (1998-2000) |
Independence (2000-2003) |
1999–2003 | [18] |
Photo | Name | State | Position | Party | Term | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Timothy Smith | New Hampshire | New Hampshire State Representative | Democratic | 2012-Present | [19] | |
Culbert Olson | California | California State Senator | Democratic | 1934–1938 | [17] | |
Jared Huffman | California | California State Assembly, 2nd district | Democratic | 2006–2012 | [13] | |
Sean Faircloth | Maine | Maine Representative, 17th and 117th districts | Democratic | 1992–1994 2002–2008 1994–1996 |
||
Barney Frank | Massachusetts | Massachusetts State Representative, 5th and 8th Suffolk districts | Democratic | 1973–1981 | [14] | |
Ernie Chambers | Nebraska | Nebraska State Senator, 11th district | Independent | 1971–2009 2013–2021 |
[20] | |
Megan Hunt | Nebraska | Nebraska State Senator, 8th district | Democratic | 2019–present | [21] | |
Lori Lipman Brown | Nevada | Nevada State Senator | Democratic | 1992–1994 | [22] | |
Andrew Zwicker | New Jersey | New Jersey General Assembly, 16th District | Democratic | 2016–present | [23] | |
Culbert Olson | Utah | Utah State Senator | Democratic | 1916–1920 | [17] |
Photo | Name | State | Position | Party | Term | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jesse Ventura | Minnesota | Mayor of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota | Independent | 1991–1995 | [18] | |
Rocky Anderson | Utah | 33rd Mayor of Salt Lake City, Utah | Democratic | 2000–2008 | [24] |
Photo | Name | State | Position | Party | Term | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sean Faircloth | Maine | Chair of the City Council of Bangor | Democratic | 2016–present | ||
Cecil Bothwell | North Carolina | City councilor of Asheville | Democratic | 2009–2017 |
A June–September 2014 Pew Research Center survey found that 69% of atheist Americans identity as Democratic or lean Democratic, 17% have no lean, 15% identify as Republican, 56% liberal, 29% moderate, 10% conservative, and 5% don't know. Among Americans who don't believe in god/gods, 65% identity as Democratic or lean Democratic, 17% have no lean, 18% identity as Republican, 50% liberal, 31% moderate, 13% conservative, and 6% don't know. That makes atheist and nonbelievers in god/gods Americans as belief groups to be the most politically liberal belief group in America and the least politically aligned belief group with Republicans and conservatism in the United States.[3]
In 2014, a Pew survey found that 53% of Americans claimed they would be less likely to vote for a presidential candidate who was an atheist.[25]
A October 2013 Public Religion Research Institute American Values Survey found 58% of American libertarians report they believe in a personal god, 25% believe god is an impersonal force in the universe, and 16% report that they do not believe in a god. It also found 73% of Americans who identify with the Tea Party report they believe in a personal god, 19% believe god is an impersonal force in the universe, and 6% report that they do not believe in a god. It also found 90% of white evangelical Protestants report they believe in a personal god, 8% believe god is an impersonal force in the universe, and less than 1% report that they do not believe in a god.[26]
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The percentage answering 'no religion' was 21 percent in 2014, 20 percent in 2012, just 14 percent as recently as 2000, and only 8 percent in 1990." & "In 2014, 3 percent of Americans did not believe in God and 5 percent expressed an agnostic view; the comparable percentages were 2 percent and 4 percent in 1991. More people believed in a 'higher power' in 2014 (13%) than in 1991 (7%).
Formerly a Lutheran, Ventura generally considers himself an atheist.