DemographicInformation

Age distribution among adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who are ages…

Survey year18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
201426%45%21%8%542
200730%46%17%7%473
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 who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who are…

Survey yearYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
201415%22%34%24%6%< 1%542
2007< 1%23%39%29%7%2%473
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 who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who are…

Survey yearMenWomenSample size
201450%50%546
200749%51%482
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 who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who identify as…

Survey yearWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
201443%29%2%23%3%539
200750%24%< 1%20%5%476
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 who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who are…

Survey yearImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
201423%5%72%529
200716%6%77%479
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 who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who have a household income of…

Survey yearLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
201460%21%13%6%453
200756%21%16%7%393
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 who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who have completed…

Survey yearHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
201474%18%6%2%544
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 who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who are…

Survey yearMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
201431%11%16%5%38%544
200742%10%13%4%30%478
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 who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who are…

Survey yearParentsNon-parentsSample size
201433%67%545
200741%59%482
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 who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who say they…

Survey yearBelieve 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
201473%20%5%1%1%< 1%546
200781%15%2%< 1%1%1%482
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 who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who say religion is…

Survey yearVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
201451%30%10%7%1%546
200752%33%9%5%< 1%482
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 who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who attend religious services…

Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201421%37%42%1%546
200718%33%49%1%482
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 who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who pray…

Survey yearAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201456%20%5%18%< 1%546
200752%20%7%20%2%482
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 who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who attend prayer group…

Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201425%11%7%55%< 1%546
200722%9%6%60%2%482
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 who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who meditate…

Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201437%9%3%49%2%546
200732%8%4%52%4%482
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 who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…

Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201453%14%10%21%3%546
200746%13%11%26%4%482
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 who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…

Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201441%13%9%34%2%546
200733%11%12%39%6%482
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 who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Survey yearReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
201437%7%46%8%2%546
200725%6%58%5%6%482
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 who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who say…

Survey yearThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
201431%65%2%2%546
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 who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who read scripture…

Survey yearAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
201437%14%5%43%1%546
200731%14%7%46%2%482
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 who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who …in heaven

Survey yearBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
201487%9%4%546
200786%9%5%482
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 who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who …in hell

Survey yearBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
201470%26%5%546
200772%20%8%482
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 who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who identify as…

Survey yearRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
201426%30%44%546
200727%29%44%482
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 who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who are…

Survey yearConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
201433%28%25%14%546
200734%34%18%15%482
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 who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who would rather have…

Survey yearSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
201430%64%1%4%546
200727%66%3%4%482
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 who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who say government aid to the poor…

Survey yearDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
201439%53%4%3%546
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 adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who say abortion should be…

Survey yearLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
201437%57%6%546
200740%53%7%482
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 who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who say homosexuality…

Survey yearShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
201451%39%3%6%546
200744%46%3%7%482
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 who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who …same-sex marriage

Survey yearStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
201439%51%10%546
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 who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who say…

Survey yearStricter 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
201444%48%1%7%546
200736%52%4%8%482
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 who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones")

% of adults who say their holy scripture is the word of God and should be taken literally who are Unaffiliated (religious "nones") who say humans…

Survey yearEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
201422%25%3%44%7%546
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.