Survey yearConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
201437%36%22%5%7,202
200736%38%18%8%8,054
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: Conservative, Moderate, Liberal

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among Catholics by political ideology

% of Catholics who are ages…

Political ideology18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Conservative13%31%32%25%2,721
Moderate18%34%29%19%2,582
Liberal22%35%26%16%1,453
Don't know18%39%26%17%305
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 Catholics by political ideology

% of Catholics who are…

Political ideologyYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Conservative8%9%27%38%17%2%2,721
Moderate12%11%29%34%12%1%2,582
Liberal14%14%30%31%9%2%1,453
Don't know9%18%31%30%11%2%305
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 Catholics by political ideology

% of Catholics who are…

Political ideologyMenWomenSample size
Conservative49%51%2,780
Moderate45%55%2,619
Liberal46%54%1,474
Don't know43%57%329
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 Catholics by political ideology

% of Catholics who identify as…

Political ideologyWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Conservative64%2%3%30%2%2,736
Moderate63%3%3%29%2%2,599
Liberal48%3%3%44%2%1,460
Don't know39%7%1%49%3%318
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 Catholics by political ideology

% of Catholics who are…

Political ideologyImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Conservative25%13%62%2,755
Moderate23%17%60%2,604
Liberal36%16%48%1,461
Don't know44%8%48%307
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 Catholics by political ideology

% of Catholics who have a household income of…

Political ideologyLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
Conservative33%19%28%20%2,348
Moderate31%20%27%21%2,288
Liberal46%18%20%15%1,303
Don't know53%21%20%6%198
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 Catholics by political ideology

% of Catholics who have completed…

Political ideologyHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Conservative47%28%16%9%2,767
Moderate41%29%18%12%2,612
Liberal50%24%15%11%1,465
Don't know61%25%9%5%313
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 Catholics by political ideology

% of Catholics who are…

Political ideologyMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Conservative57%7%12%8%17%2,772
Moderate52%8%11%7%22%2,612
Liberal43%11%15%5%26%1,468
Don't know46%10%12%9%23%324
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 Catholics by political ideology

% of Catholics who are…

Political ideologyParentsNon-parentsSample size
Conservative30%70%2,765
Moderate31%69%2,613
Liberal32%68%1,470
Don't know29%71%324
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 Catholics by political ideology

% of Catholics who say they…

Political ideologyBelieve 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
Conservative72%22%3%1%1%1%2,780
Moderate64%28%5%1%1%1%2,619
Liberal52%35%8%2%3%1%1,474
Don't know64%24%6%4%< 1%2%329
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 Catholics by political ideology

% of Catholics who say religion is…

Political ideologyVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Conservative67%26%5%2%< 1%2,780
Moderate52%37%9%2%< 1%2,619
Liberal50%35%10%4%1%1,474
Don't know62%28%6%3%1%329
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 Catholics by political ideology

% of Catholics who attend religious services…

Political ideologyAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Conservative48%35%17%< 1%2,780
Moderate36%44%19%< 1%2,619
Liberal31%43%25%< 1%1,474
Don't know34%39%24%2%329
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 Catholics by political ideology

% of Catholics who pray…

Political ideologyAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Conservative66%18%5%9%1%2,780
Moderate55%21%9%14%1%2,619
Liberal51%23%8%17%< 1%1,474
Don't know61%16%6%13%3%329
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 Catholics by political ideology

% of Catholics who attend prayer group…

Political ideologyAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Conservative21%10%11%57%1%2,780
Moderate14%9%11%67%< 1%2,619
Liberal15%9%8%68%< 1%1,474
Don't know20%11%7%59%3%329
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 Catholics by political ideology

% of Catholics who meditate…

Political ideologyAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Conservative43%8%3%44%1%2,780
Moderate39%9%5%46%< 1%2,619
Liberal38%9%6%44%2%1,474
Don't know37%12%4%40%7%329
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 Catholics by political ideology

% of Catholics who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…

Political ideologyAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Conservative61%16%9%12%1%2,780
Moderate55%18%13%13%1%2,619
Liberal53%16%12%18%1%1,474
Don't know54%13%9%16%9%329
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 Catholics by political ideology

% of Catholics who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…

Political ideologyAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Conservative43%14%14%28%1%2,780
Moderate40%17%17%26%1%2,619
Liberal46%15%13%25%1%1,474
Don't know37%11%11%33%7%329
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 Catholics by political ideology

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

Political ideologyReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
Conservative40%8%43%8%2%2,780
Moderate23%11%53%10%2%2,619
Liberal25%13%48%14%2%1,474
Don't know28%6%48%9%9%329
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 Catholics by political ideology

% of Catholics who say…

Political ideologyThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Conservative39%58%1%2%2,780
Moderate27%72%1%1%2,619
Liberal21%76%1%1%1,474
Don't know26%66%3%5%329
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 Catholics by political ideology

% of Catholics who read scripture…

Political ideologyAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Conservative31%12%10%47%1%2,780
Moderate22%11%12%55%1%2,619
Liberal22%10%9%58%< 1%1,474
Don't know25%12%8%50%4%329
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 Catholics by political ideology

% of Catholics who say the holy scripture is…

Political ideologyWord 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
Conservative31%41%3%17%7%2,780
Moderate19%39%2%32%8%2,619
Liberal26%26%2%40%7%1,474
Don't know31%20%10%24%14%329
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 Catholics by political ideology

% of Catholics who …in heaven

Political ideologyBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Conservative89%7%5%2,780
Moderate85%10%4%2,619
Liberal79%16%6%1,474
Don't know80%9%11%329
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 Catholics by political ideology

% of Catholics who …in hell

Political ideologyBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Conservative71%22%7%2,780
Moderate61%31%8%2,619
Liberal56%36%7%1,474
Don't know57%26%17%329
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 Catholics by political ideology

% of Catholics who identify as…

Political ideologyRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Conservative59%15%26%2,780
Moderate33%16%50%2,619
Liberal15%19%65%1,474
Don't know10%57%34%329
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 Catholics by political ideology

% of Catholics who would rather have…

Political ideologySmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Conservative62%35%1%2%2,780
Moderate48%45%3%4%2,619
Liberal26%67%3%3%1,474
Don't know31%54%7%8%329
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 Catholics by political ideology

% of Catholics who say government aid to the poor…

Political ideologyDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Conservative60%35%3%1%2,780
Moderate42%52%4%2%2,619
Liberal31%65%3%1%1,474
Don't know41%46%7%6%329
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 Catholics by political ideology

% of Catholics who say abortion should be…

Political ideologyLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Conservative35%61%4%2,780
Moderate55%41%4%2,619
Liberal59%36%4%1,474
Don't know47%42%11%329
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 Catholics by political ideology

% of Catholics who say homosexuality…

Political ideologyShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Conservative57%34%5%4%2,780
Moderate77%16%3%3%2,619
Liberal81%14%2%3%1,474
Don't know60%24%7%9%329
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 Catholics by political ideology

% of Catholics who …same-sex marriage

Political ideologyStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Conservative40%50%10%2,780
Moderate65%27%8%2,619
Liberal72%21%6%1,474
Don't know52%27%21%329
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 Catholics by political ideology

% of Catholics who say…

Political ideologyStricter 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
Conservative52%42%2%4%2,780
Moderate34%62%2%2%2,619
Liberal26%70%1%3%1,474
Don't know41%45%5%9%329
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 Catholics by political ideology

% of Catholics who say humans…

Political ideologyEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
Conservative23%33%4%35%6%2,780
Moderate32%34%4%26%3%2,619
Liberal43%27%3%23%4%1,474
Don't know25%21%11%30%13%329
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.