Generational cohort by religious group

% of adults who are…

Religious traditionYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Buddhist23%17%23%30%7%< 1%259
Catholic11%11%28%35%13%2%7,061
Evangelical Protestant11%12%28%35%14%1%8,417
Hindu14%36%40%8%1%< 1%194
Historically Black Protestant12%14%30%33%10%1%1,873
Jehovah's Witness10%10%29%33%17%1%238
Jewish13%13%23%33%15%3%825
Mainline Protestant10%10%25%36%17%2%5,946
Mormon14%17%31%26%11%1%651
Muslim29%22%31%15%4%< 1%234
Orthodox Christian18%16%32%25%8%1%177
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")22%22%28%22%5%< 1%7,437
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: Younger Millennial, Older Millennial, Generation X, Baby Boomer, Silent, Greatest

BeliefsandPractices

Belief in God by generational group

% of adults who say they…

Generational cohortBelieve 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
Younger Millennial50%21%9%< 1%17%3%3,291
Older Millennial54%22%7%1%13%3%4,128
Generation X64%20%5%< 1%9%2%7,303
Baby Boomer69%18%4%1%6%2%13,049
Silent71%16%4%2%6%2%5,989
Greatest66%15%4%5%7%3%585
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: Believe in God; absolutely certain, Believe in God; fairly certain, Believe in God; not too/not at all certain, Do not believe in God

Importance of religion in one's life by generational group

% of adults who say religion is…

Generational cohortVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Younger Millennial38%29%17%16%< 1%3,291
Older Millennial44%27%14%15%1%4,128
Generation X53%25%11%11%1%7,303
Baby Boomer59%24%9%8%1%13,049
Silent67%18%6%7%1%5,989
Greatest72%15%7%6%1%585
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: Very important, Somewhat important, Not too important, Not at all important

Attendance at religious services by generational group

% of adults who attend religious services…

Generational cohortAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Younger Millennial28%38%34%< 1%3,291
Older Millennial27%36%37%1%4,128
Generation X34%35%31%< 1%7,303
Baby Boomer38%33%28%1%13,049
Silent51%23%24%1%5,989
Greatest51%23%25%1%585
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: At least once a week, Once or twice a month/a few times a year, Seldom/never

Frequency of prayer by generational group

% of adults who pray…

Generational cohortAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Younger Millennial39%18%7%36%< 1%3,291
Older Millennial46%16%7%31%< 1%4,128
Generation X56%16%6%22%1%7,303
Baby Boomer61%16%5%17%1%13,049
Silent67%13%4%16%2%5,989
Greatest69%9%2%17%3%585
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: At least daily, Weekly, Monthly, Seldom/never

Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups by generational group

% of adults who attend prayer group…

Generational cohortAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Younger Millennial18%11%9%62%< 1%3,291
Older Millennial18%10%8%64%< 1%4,128
Generation X25%10%8%57%< 1%7,303
Baby Boomer27%8%8%57%1%13,049
Silent32%7%8%51%1%5,989
Greatest29%7%7%55%2%585
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: At least once a week, Once or twice a month, Several times a year, Seldom/never

Frequency of meditation by generational group

% of adults who meditate…

Generational cohortAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Younger Millennial27%10%5%58%1%3,291
Older Millennial33%10%5%52%1%4,128
Generation X39%9%4%47%2%7,303
Baby Boomer45%8%4%42%2%13,049
Silent56%7%4%30%3%5,989
Greatest60%8%3%24%5%585
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: At least once a week, Once or twice a month, Several times a year, Seldom/never

Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing by generational group

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

Generational cohortAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Younger Millennial49%20%10%19%1%3,291
Older Millennial53%17%10%18%1%4,128
Generation X58%15%10%15%1%7,303
Baby Boomer62%13%9%14%1%13,049
Silent66%10%6%15%2%5,989
Greatest70%7%6%16%2%585
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: At least once a week, Once or twice a month, Several times a year, Seldom/never

Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe by generational group

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

Generational cohortAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Younger Millennial49%20%11%19%1%3,291
Older Millennial44%18%14%23%1%4,128
Generation X43%16%14%26%1%7,303
Baby Boomer48%15%12%24%2%13,049
Silent45%12%12%27%3%5,989
Greatest44%11%11%29%5%585
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: At least once a week, Once or twice a month, Several times a year, Seldom/never

Sources of guidance on right and wrong by generational group

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

Generational cohortReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
Younger Millennial23%17%46%12%2%3,291
Older Millennial26%13%48%11%2%4,128
Generation X33%10%45%10%2%7,303
Baby Boomer38%9%44%7%3%13,049
Silent41%7%42%6%4%5,989
Greatest40%6%43%6%4%585
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: Religion, Philosophy/reason, Common sense, Science

Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong by generational group

% of adults who say…

Generational cohortThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Younger Millennial21%78%1%1%3,291
Older Millennial28%70%1%1%4,128
Generation X35%63%1%1%7,303
Baby Boomer38%59%2%1%13,049
Silent37%59%2%2%5,989
Greatest31%62%1%5%585
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: There are clear standards for what is right and wrong, Right or wrong depends on the situation

Frequency of reading scripture by generational group

% of adults who read scripture…

Generational cohortAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Younger Millennial25%13%8%53%< 1%3,291
Older Millennial29%10%8%52%1%4,128
Generation X36%11%9%44%1%7,303
Baby Boomer38%9%8%44%1%13,049
Silent44%9%7%38%2%5,989
Greatest45%9%6%38%2%585
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: At least once a week, Once or twice a month, Several times a year, Seldom/never

Interpreting scripture by generational group

% of adults who say the holy scripture is…

Generational cohortWord 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
Younger Millennial20%31%1%44%5%3,291
Older Millennial23%25%1%42%7%4,128
Generation X32%27%2%33%7%7,303
Baby Boomer35%26%3%29%7%13,049
Silent39%26%4%23%8%5,989
Greatest44%20%5%19%12%585
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: Word of God; should be taken literally, Word of God; not everything taken literally, Not the word of God

Belief in Heaven by generational group

% of adults who …in heaven

Generational cohortBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Younger Millennial68%26%6%3,291
Older Millennial67%27%6%4,128
Generation X72%20%7%7,303
Baby Boomer74%18%8%13,049
Silent75%16%8%5,989
Greatest69%22%9%585
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: Believe, Don't believe

Belief in Hell by generational group

% of adults who …in hell

Generational cohortBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Younger Millennial56%38%5%3,291
Older Millennial55%38%7%4,128
Generation X59%33%8%7,303
Baby Boomer59%32%9%13,049
Silent57%32%11%5,989
Greatest50%36%14%585
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: Believe, Don't believe