Religious ‘nones’ reach record high, only 47% of Americans say religion is ‘very important’

March 9, 2026

New data from Gallup polling shows that fewer than 50% of U.S. adults who were surveyed say that religion is “very important” in their lives.

The Christian Post reports that the recent findings show that the number of Americans with no religious identity, also known as “nones”, has reached a record share of the population with a new high of 24%.

The survey included interviews with more than 13,000 individuals across the U.S. and shows that the number of Americans who identify as “nones” has grown steadily since it was first measured at 2% in 1948 to its current record high.

Less than half (47%) of American adults say religion is “very important” in their lives, while another 25% said it is “fairly important” to them.

According to Gallup, the share of Americans who say their religion is “very important” has been gradually declining since 2012, after being measured at 70% to 75% in the 1950s and 1960s.

Megan Brenan, a senior editor at Gallup, explained, “Americans’ relationship with religion continues to evolve, marked by fewer adults describing religion as central to their lives, rising religious nonaffiliation and persistently low levels of religious service attendance.”

According to the Christian Post, Gallup research shows only six groups remain highly religious, well over 50% today, including Latter-day Saints (Mormons), Republicans, Protestant or nondenominational Christians, black adults, adults aged 65 and older, and Southerners.

The survey also showed that a majority of lower-income Americans, women, and those aged 50 to 64 also report that religion is very important to them.

Brennan said, “While religion remains deeply important to major segments of the population (Republicans, Protestants, Black adults, older Americans, and Southerners in particular), the long-term trajectory shows a steady decline driven largely by generational replacement.”

She added, “Younger adults are both less likely to identify with a religion and less likely to attend services, reshaping the nation’s religious landscape as they constitute a growing share of the population.”

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