Recent data indicates a significant shift in American religious demographics over the past decades. In 1972, 90% of Americans identified as Christians, but this figure dropped to 62% by 2021. The proportion of white Christians decreased from 73% to 46%, while the share of nonwhite Christians remained constant at 16%. Additionally, the rise of individuals identifying with no religion, or 'nones,' appears to have plateaued. Surveys show no increase in 'nones' among Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z between 2020 and 2023. Specifically, the share of 'nones' in Gen Z decreased from 45% to 42%, and in Millennials from 43% to 42%. The Silent generation and Boomers saw an increase of 3% each. Among 63-year-olds, 27% are 'nones,' and among 43-year-olds, 40% are 'nones.' Researchers suggest that the rapid growth of 'nones' seen in previous decades is unlikely to continue at the same pace in the future.
New study says religious "nones" have hit a ceiling https://t.co/ECDTyi8MZU
If you compare the share who are nones by age, you begin to see that the trend lines are flattening. Among 63 year olds, 27% are nones. Among 43 year olds, 40% are nones. Among 23 year olds, 45% are nones. https://t.co/b2mfjsmzTS https://t.co/bCsTw1B3v7
NEW: π¨The religious nones βhave hit a ceilingβ β and the share of religious nones is even shrinking among Gen Z.π¨ New research by @ryanburge https://t.co/540SG8m6Ak @FamStudies https://t.co/6I5cTCvSTa
I think we may have entered a new phase in American religious demography. The nones rose for three decades with almost no interruption. The next three decades will not see the same trend lines. The nones will likely increase but at a much slower pace. https://t.co/tyNGYzhsF2
Key takeaways from @ryanburge's latest: (1) the rise of the Nones has plateaued and (2) the traditionally religious retain strong identities. "The loose top soil has been scooped off and hauled away, leaving nothing but hard bedrock underneath." https://t.co/L3Xkz7pqx9
Here's the share of each generation that identified with no religion in 2020 vs 2023: Silent - 18% to 21% (+3) Boomers - 25% to 28% (+3) Gen X - 34% to 34% (No Change) Millennials - 43% to 42% (-1) Gen Z - 45% to 42% (-3) https://t.co/DkpKlhWB2d
I have looked at three different surveys on the last several years of data. The rise of the nones has slowed considerably now. It may have even reversed. The CES shows no increase in nones between 2020 and 2023 in Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z. https://t.co/tzC64qsinO
In 1972, 90% of all Americans identified as Christians. It was 62% in 2021. The share of Americans who were white Christians went from 73% to 46%. Meanwhile, nonwhite Christians stayed the same - 16% in both 1972 and 2021. https://t.co/C55ftTn2mm