In 2016, that number had increased to 38%, and declined slightly in 2020, to 36%. In 1986, only 10% of those ages 18–29 identified as religiously unaffiliated. The increase in proportion of religiously unaffiliated Americans has occurred across all age groups but has been most pronounced among young Americans. Reflecting the patterns above, the proportion of religiously unaffiliated Americans hit a high point of 26% in 2018 but has since slightly declined, to 23% in 2020. Only 16% of Americans reported being religiously unaffiliated in 2007 this proportion rose to 19% by 2012, and then gained roughly a percentage point each year from 2012 to 2017. The Rise of the “Nones” Slowsĭisaffiliating white Christians have fueled the growth of the religiously unaffiliated during this period.
That proportion has generally held steady since 2017 (15% in 2017, 2018, and 2019). Since 2006, white evangelical Protestants have experienced the most precipitous drop in affiliation, shrinking from 23% of Americans in 2006 to 14% in 2020. It is unclear if the bump back up to 12% in 2020 indicates a new trend. White Catholics have also declined from a high point of 16% of the population in 2008, and their low point of 11% occurred in 2018. Since 2007, white mainline (non-evangelical) Protestants have declined from 19% of the population to a low of 13% in 2016, but the last three years have seen small but steady increases, up to 16% in 2020. The slight increase in white Christians between 20 was driven primarily by an uptick in the proportion of white mainline (non-evangelical) Protestants and a stabilization in the proportion of white Catholics. That tick upward indicates the decline is slowing from its pace of losing roughly 11% per decade. The proportion of white Christians hit a low point in 2018, at 42%, and rebounded slightly in 20, to 44%. By 2006, that had declined to 54%, and by 2017 it was down to 43%. As recently as 1996, almost two-thirds of Americans (65%) identified as white and Christian. population that is white Christian has declined by nearly one-third. Over the last few decades, the proportion of the U.S. The Decline of White Christian America Slows Religiously unaffiliated Americans comprise those who do not claim any particular religious affiliation (17%) and those who identify as atheist (3%) or agnostic (3%).
The rest of religiously affiliated Americans belong to non-Christian groups, including 1% who are Jewish, 1% Muslim, 1% Buddhist, 0.5% Hindu, and 1% who identify with other religions.
Christians of color include Hispanic Catholics (8%), Black Protestants (7%), Hispanic Protestants (4%), other Protestants of color (4%), and other Catholics of color (2%). More than four in ten Americans (44%) identify as white Christian, including white evangelical Protestants (14%), white mainline (non-evangelical) Protestants (16%), and white Catholics (12%), as well as small percentages who identify as Latter-day Saint (Mormon), Jehovah’s Witness, and Orthodox Christian. The most substantial cultural and political divides are between white Christians and Christians of color. Nearly one in four Americans (23%) are religiously unaffiliated, and 5% identify with non-Christian religions. Seven in ten Americans (70%) identify as Christian, including more than four in ten who identify as white Christian and more than one-quarter who identify as Christian of color.