Survey year | Believe in God; absolutely certain | Believe in God; fairly certain | Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | Believe in God; don't know | Do not believe in God | Other/don't know if they believe in God | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 54% | 22% | 8% | 1% | 12% | 2% | 3,697 |
2007 | 62% | 22% | 4% | 1% | 7% | 4% | 3,574 |
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
Belief in God among adults in California by religious group
% of adults in California who say they…
Religious tradition | Believe in God; absolutely certain | Believe in God; fairly certain | Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | Believe in God; don't know | Do not believe in God | Other/don't know if they believe in God | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 58% | 31% | 7% | 2% | 1% | 1% | 878 |
Evangelical Protestant | 87% | 11% | < 1% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 718 |
Jewish | 22% | 22% | 24% | 1% | 24% | 7% | 125 |
Mainline Protestant | 60% | 32% | 4% | 1% | 3% | 1% | 452 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 22% | 21% | 14% | 1% | 37% | 6% | 1,042 |
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: religious group among adults in California by belief in God
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among adults in California by belief in God
% of adults in California who are ages…
Belief in God | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 20% | 36% | 27% | 17% | 1,917 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 23% | 38% | 25% | 14% | 784 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 39% | 33% | 17% | 11% | 264 |
Do not believe in God | 36% | 35% | 16% | 13% | 499 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 20% | 28% | 35% | 17% | 105 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in California by age group
Generational cohort among adults in California by belief in God
% of adults in California who are…
Belief in God | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 13% | 13% | 30% | 31% | 12% | 1% | 1,917 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 16% | 14% | 32% | 29% | 9% | < 1% | 784 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 27% | 22% | 23% | 21% | 7% | < 1% | 264 |
Do not believe in God | 22% | 22% | 26% | 20% | 8% | 1% | 499 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 9% | 16% | 23% | 39% | 11% | 1% | 105 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in California by generational group
Gender composition among adults in California by belief in God
% of adults in California who are…
Belief in God | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 43% | 57% | 1,965 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 51% | 49% | 803 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 62% | 38% | 270 |
Do not believe in God | 67% | 33% | 507 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 58% | 42% | 113 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in California by gender
Racial and ethnic composition among adults in California by belief in God
% of adults in California who identify as…
Belief in God | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 40% | 9% | 10% | 37% | 4% | 1,927 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 39% | 3% | 14% | 42% | 2% | 792 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 44% | 2% | 21% | 30% | 3% | 265 |
Do not believe in God | 60% | 2% | 23% | 12% | 3% | 501 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 68% | 3% | 12% | 15% | 2% | 109 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in California by race/ethnicity
Immigrant status among adults in California by belief in God
% of adults in California who are…
Belief in God | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 32% | 16% | 52% | 1,935 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 41% | 17% | 43% | 790 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 35% | 23% | 42% | 266 |
Do not believe in God | 22% | 20% | 57% | 502 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 24% | 12% | 65% | 110 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in California by immigrant status
Income distribution among adults in California by belief in God
% of adults in California who have a household income of…
Belief in God | Less than $30,000 | $30,000-$49,999 | $50,000-$99,999 | $100,000 or more | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 39% | 19% | 23% | 19% | 1,668 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 39% | 17% | 22% | 22% | 703 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 34% | 18% | 24% | 24% | 237 |
Do not believe in God | 20% | 19% | 26% | 35% | 462 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in California by household income
Educational distribution among adults in California by belief in God
% of adults in California who have completed…
Belief in God | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 40% | 36% | 15% | 9% | 1,945 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 49% | 23% | 16% | 12% | 795 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 37% | 32% | 18% | 13% | 267 |
Do not believe in God | 23% | 33% | 25% | 18% | 507 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 17% | 35% | 27% | 21% | 110 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in California by educational group
Marital status among adults in California by belief in God
% of adults in California who are…
Belief in God | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 47% | 8% | 16% | 7% | 22% | 1,953 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 47% | 12% | 9% | 4% | 28% | 798 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 35% | 10% | 8% | 2% | 44% | 268 |
Do not believe in God | 42% | 11% | 7% | 3% | 38% | 506 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 50% | 7% | 15% | 2% | 26% | 109 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in California by marital status
Parent of children under 18 among adults in California by belief in God
% of adults in California who are…
Belief in God | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 32% | 68% | 1,957 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 33% | 67% | 802 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 21% | 79% | 268 |
Do not believe in God | 19% | 81% | 506 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 20% | 80% | 110 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in California by parental status
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Importance of religion in one's life among adults in California by belief in God
% of adults in California who say religion is…
Belief in God | Very important | Somewhat important | Not too important | Not at all important | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 70% | 22% | 4% | 3% | 1% | 1,965 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 31% | 43% | 18% | 8% | 1% | 803 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 9% | 34% | 37% | 19% | < 1% | 270 |
Do not believe in God | 3% | 7% | 24% | 66% | < 1% | 507 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 10% | 17% | 37% | 33% | 3% | 113 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in California by importance of religion
Attendance at religious services among adults in California by belief in God
% of adults in California who attend religious services…
Belief in God | At least once a week | Once or twice a month/a few times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 46% | 34% | 20% | < 1% | 1,965 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 21% | 44% | 35% | < 1% | 803 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 5% | 42% | 52% | < 1% | 270 |
Do not believe in God | 3% | 17% | 81% | < 1% | 507 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 9% | 24% | 66% | 1% | 113 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in California by religious attendance
Frequency of prayer among adults in California by belief in God
% of adults in California who pray…
Belief in God | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 74% | 14% | 4% | 7% | 1% | 1,965 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 40% | 22% | 12% | 25% | 1% | 803 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 17% | 6% | 12% | 65% | < 1% | 270 |
Do not believe in God | 3% | 1% | 4% | 91% | < 1% | 507 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 13% | 6% | 7% | 71% | 3% | 113 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in California by frequency of prayer
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults in California by belief in God
% of adults in California who attend prayer group…
Belief in God | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 34% | 11% | 9% | 46% | < 1% | 1,965 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 11% | 11% | 10% | 68% | 1% | 803 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 3% | 6% | 6% | 84% | < 1% | 270 |
Do not believe in God | < 1% | 1% | 3% | 95% | < 1% | 507 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 1% | 2% | 4% | 91% | 1% | 113 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in California by attendance at prayer groups
Frequency of meditation among adults in California by belief in God
% of adults in California who meditate…
Belief in God | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 52% | 7% | 4% | 35% | 2% | 1,965 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 36% | 12% | 6% | 44% | 2% | 803 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 22% | 18% | 4% | 56% | < 1% | 270 |
Do not believe in God | 18% | 8% | 6% | 67% | < 1% | 507 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 17% | 12% | 5% | 59% | 7% | 113 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in California by frequency of meditation
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults in California by belief in God
% of adults in California who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…
Belief in God | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 70% | 13% | 7% | 8% | 1% | 1,965 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 48% | 19% | 14% | 16% | 2% | 803 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 32% | 18% | 15% | 34% | < 1% | 270 |
Do not believe in God | 34% | 14% | 12% | 38% | 2% | 507 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 41% | 8% | 18% | 29% | 4% | 113 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults in California by belief in God
% of adults in California who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…
Belief in God | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 50% | 14% | 11% | 22% | 2% | 1,965 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 42% | 16% | 19% | 21% | 2% | 803 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 48% | 14% | 16% | 21% | < 1% | 270 |
Do not believe in God | 43% | 18% | 18% | 19% | 1% | 507 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 47% | 18% | 15% | 18% | 1% | 113 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults in California by belief in God
% of adults in California who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong
Belief in God | Religion | Philosophy/reason | Common sense | Science | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 43% | 8% | 40% | 6% | 3% | 1,965 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 19% | 16% | 48% | 14% | 3% | 803 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 8% | 21% | 50% | 19% | 2% | 270 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | 24% | 47% | 27% | 2% | 507 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 5% | 24% | 48% | 17% | 5% | 113 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults in California by belief in God
% of adults in California who say…
Belief in God | There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | Right or wrong depends on the situation | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 36% | 61% | 2% | 2% | 1,965 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 23% | 74% | 1% | 2% | 803 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 17% | 79% | 2% | 2% | 270 |
Do not believe in God | 16% | 82% | 1% | 1% | 507 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 25% | 73% | 2% | 1% | 113 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults in California by belief in God
% of adults in California who read scripture…
Belief in God | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 46% | 11% | 9% | 33% | 1% | 1,965 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 18% | 11% | 10% | 60% | 1% | 803 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 5% | 6% | 7% | 82% | < 1% | 270 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | 2% | 4% | 92% | < 1% | 507 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 10% | 3% | 8% | 77% | 1% | 113 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in California by frequency of reading scripture
Interpreting scripture among adults in California by belief in God
% of adults in California who say the holy scripture is…
Belief in God | Word of God; should be taken literally | Word of God; not everything taken literally | Word of God; other/don't know | Not the word of God | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 38% | 31% | 3% | 19% | 8% | 1,965 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 19% | 24% | 1% | 46% | 10% | 803 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 5% | 9% | < 1% | 79% | 7% | 270 |
Do not believe in God | < 1% | 1% | < 1% | 95% | 4% | 507 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 5% | 3% | < 1% | 71% | 21% | 113 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in California by interpretation of scripture
Belief in Heaven among adults in California by belief in God
% of adults in California who …in heaven
Belief in God | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 82% | 11% | 7% | 1,965 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 69% | 23% | 8% | 803 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 43% | 49% | 9% | 270 |
Do not believe in God | 5% | 92% | 3% | 507 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 10% | 52% | 39% | 113 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in California by belief in heaven
Belief in Hell among adults in California by belief in God
% of adults in California who …in hell
Belief in God | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 66% | 26% | 8% | 1,965 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 51% | 41% | 9% | 803 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 29% | 63% | 8% | 270 |
Do not believe in God | 4% | 93% | 3% | 507 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 14% | 59% | 27% | 113 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in California by belief in hell
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults in California by belief in God
% of adults in California who identify as…
Belief in God | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 35% | 21% | 44% | 1,965 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 28% | 22% | 50% | 803 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 24% | 17% | 59% | 270 |
Do not believe in God | 16% | 16% | 68% | 507 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 28% | 27% | 45% | 113 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in California by political party
Political ideology among adults in California by belief in God
% of adults in California who are…
Belief in God | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 39% | 35% | 20% | 6% | 1,965 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 26% | 37% | 33% | 4% | 803 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 19% | 34% | 39% | 8% | 270 |
Do not believe in God | 11% | 29% | 55% | 5% | 507 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 22% | 32% | 38% | 8% | 113 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in California by political ideology
Views about size of government among adults in California by belief in God
% of adults in California who would rather have…
Belief in God | Smaller government; fewer services | Bigger government; more services | Depends | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 48% | 46% | 4% | 3% | 1,965 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 38% | 56% | 3% | 3% | 803 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 46% | 48% | 3% | 2% | 270 |
Do not believe in God | 38% | 53% | 5% | 4% | 507 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 48% | 34% | 10% | 8% | 113 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in California by views about size of government
Views about government aid to the poor among adults in California by belief in God
% of adults in California who say government aid to the poor…
Belief in God | Does more harm than good | Does more good than harm | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 44% | 51% | 3% | 2% | 1,965 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 38% | 56% | 4% | 2% | 803 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 32% | 61% | 4% | 3% | 270 |
Do not believe in God | 21% | 74% | 3% | 2% | 507 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 39% | 43% | 14% | 4% | 113 |
Views about abortion among adults in California by belief in God
% of adults in California who say abortion should be…
Belief in God | Legal in all/most cases | Illegal in all/most cases | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 46% | 50% | 5% | 1,965 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 61% | 34% | 4% | 803 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 77% | 22% | 1% | 270 |
Do not believe in God | 88% | 7% | 5% | 507 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 81% | 15% | 4% | 113 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in California by views about abortion
Views about homosexuality among adults in California by belief in God
% of adults in California who say homosexuality…
Belief in God | Should be accepted | Should be discouraged | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 57% | 34% | 5% | 4% | 1,965 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 78% | 16% | 3% | 3% | 803 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 84% | 10% | 2% | 4% | 270 |
Do not believe in God | 92% | 5% | 1% | 1% | 507 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 76% | 15% | 5% | 4% | 113 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in California by views about homosexuality
Views about same-sex marriage among adults in California by belief in God
% of adults in California who …same-sex marriage
Belief in God | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 49% | 44% | 7% | 1,965 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 70% | 24% | 6% | 803 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 75% | 20% | 6% | 270 |
Do not believe in God | 90% | 5% | 5% | 507 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 78% | 20% | 2% | 113 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in California by views about same-sex marriage
Views about environmental regulation among adults in California by belief in God
% of adults in California who say…
Belief in God | Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 39% | 53% | 3% | 4% | 1,965 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 32% | 62% | 2% | 4% | 803 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 33% | 63% | 3% | 1% | 270 |
Do not believe in God | 16% | 81% | 2% | 1% | 507 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 29% | 65% | 3% | 3% | 113 |
Views about human evolution among adults in California by belief in God
% of adults in California who say humans…
Belief in God | Evolved; due to natural processes | Evolved; due to God's design | Evolved; don't know how | Always existed in present form | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 22% | 29% | 3% | 40% | 6% | 1,965 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 48% | 22% | 7% | 19% | 4% | 803 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 67% | 9% | 4% | 19% | 1% | 270 |
Do not believe in God | 87% | 4% | 1% | 7% | 1% | 507 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 79% | 1% | 13% | 3% | 4% | 113 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among adults in California by views about human evolution