Fewer Americans Calling Themselves Christians, Survey Finds

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By Maya Rhodan
May 12, 2015

The share of Americans calling themselves Christians has dropped sharply in recent years, according to a new Pew Research Center survey — while the population of religiously unaffiliated adults has risen.

Though more Christians call America home than any other country, the percentage of American adults identifying as Christians has fallen from 78.4% in 2007 to about 70.6%. Meanwhile, over one in five (22.8%) say they are unaffiliated with any faith, a 6.7% percentage point jump since 2007.

Pew finds the Millennial generation is leading the decline in religious affiliation, though adults of all ages and across all demographic groups are steering away from Christianity. About 36% of Americans between 18 and 24 claim to be religiously unaffiliated, along with some 34% of Americans between 24 and 33.

Protestants and Catholics experienced the greatest drop in population, according to the survey, with populations declining respectively by 5 and 3 million people. There has, however, been a bump in the number of Evangelical Christians in the U.S.—Pew estimates that population has grown by 2 million since 2007.

The survey is Pew’s second to examine the religious landscape of America. The survey seeks to fill a gap left by the Census, which does not question Americans’ religious affiliation. A little over 35,000 adults were interviewed for the survey, which has a margin of error of 0.6 percentage points.

Inside the Most 'Bible-Minded' City in America
A giant cross by highway I-65 marks the site of Gardendale First Baptist Church in Gardendale, Ala. on March 21, 2015.
A giant cross by highway I-65 marks the site of Gardendale First Baptist Church in Gardendale, Ala. on March 21, 2015.
Matt Eich for TIME
Pietro “P.J.” Garrett, 17, and his family pray at breakfast before heading to services at 16th Street Baptist Church.
Pietro “P.J.” Garrett, 17, and his family pray at breakfast before heading to services at 16th Street Baptist Church.
Matt Eich for TIME
Pete Garrett's hat and bible rest on the kitchen counter of his home in Trussvile, Ala.
Pete Garrett's hat and bible rest on the kitchen counter of his home in Trussvile, Ala.
Matt Eich for TIME
Pete Garrett prepares to leave for services at 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala. on March 22, 2015.
Pete Garrett prepares to leave for services at 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala. on March 22, 2015.
Matt Eich for TIME
P.J. Garrett holds an umbrella for his mother, Dr. Cynthia Garrett, as they arrive at 16th Street Baptist Church.
P.J. Garrett holds an umbrella for his mother, Dr. Cynthia Garrett, as they arrive at 16th Street Baptist Church.
Matt Eich for TIME
Left: The old sign from 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala. Right: A deacon gives instructions to two young greeters at 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala. on March 22, 2015. The church, an icon of the Civil Rights movement, is struggling to keep up attendance. Pastor Arthur Price says he tries to relate the deadly 1963 bombing at the church by white supremacists and the current mission. “Because of the tragedy, triumph took place—the ‘64 passage of the Civil Rights Act and the ‘65 passage of the Voting Rights Act, which galvanized a generation and motivated a movement so change would be continuous throughout the ages," he says. "I believe the early pioneers of the Civil Rights movement continued to move forward because they didn’t want that innocent blood to be taken in vain.”
Left: The old sign from 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala. Right: A deacon gives instructions to two young greeters at 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala. on March 22, 2015. The church, an icon of the Civil Rights movement, is struggling to keep up attendance. Pastor Arthur Price says he tries to relate the deadly 1963 bombing at the church by white supremacists and the current mission. “Because of the tragedy, triumph took place—the ‘64 passage of the Civil Rights Act and the ‘65 passage of the Voting Rights Act, which galvanized a generation and motivated a movement so change would be continuous throughout the ages," he says. "I believe the early pioneers of the Civil Rights movement continued to move forward because they didn’t want that innocent blood to be taken in vain.”
Matt Eich for TIME
Left: A stack of hymnals at 16th Street Baptist Church. Right: A woman wears cross earrings during a service
Left: A stack of hymnals at 16th Street Baptist Church. Right: A woman wears cross earrings during a service
Matt Eich for TIME
Left: Flowers at the cornerstone of the 16th Street Baptist Church. Right: A cross marks a parking spot outside the church
Left: Flowers at the cornerstone of the 16th Street Baptist Church. Right: A cross marks a parking spot outside the church
Matt Eich for TIME
Services at Church of the Highlands, a mega-church, in Birmingham, Ala. on March 22, 2015. In a region with plenty of large houses of worship, Church of the Highlands -- one of the fastest-growing churches in America -- may be the largest. Sunday worship service at Grants Mill—headquarters for a dozen campuses—averages over 3,500 people, mostly couples in their 30s with young kids. That number is up from 600 in 2001, and there are some 31,000 weekly worshippers across the 12 sites.
Services at Church of the Highlands, a mega-church, in Birmingham, Ala. on March 22, 2015. In a region with plenty of large houses of worship, Church of the Highlands -- one of the fastest-growing churches in America -- may be the largest. Sunday worship service at Grants Mill—headquarters for a dozen campuses—averages over 3,500 people, mostly couples in their 30s with young kids. That number is up from 600 in 2001, and there are some 31,000 weekly worshippers across the 12 sites.
Matt Eich for TIME
Worshippers at Church of the Highlands.
Worshippers at Church of the Highlands.
Matt Eich for TIME
The view of services from the sound booth at Church of the Highlands.
The view of services from the sound booth at Church of the Highlands.
Matt Eich for TIME
A family waits outside of the auditorium at Church of the Highlands.
A family waits outside of the auditorium at Church of the Highlands.
Matt Eich for TIME
(L-R) Michael McClure Jr., Michael McClure Sr. and his granddaughter Brooklyn, and Darius McClure laugh during a family dinner at the home of Rev. Michael McClure Sr., in Birmingham, Ala. on March 22, 2015.
(L-R) Michael McClure Jr., Michael McClure Sr. and his granddaughter Brooklyn, and Darius McClure laugh during a family dinner at the home of Rev. Michael McClure Sr., in Birmingham, Ala. on March 22, 2015.
Matt Eich for TIME
Both of McClure's sons have followed in his footsteps and are pastors at churches of their own.
Both of McClure's sons have followed in his footsteps and are pastors at churches of their own.
Matt Eich for TIME
Angelique McClure hangs out with her nieces and nephews in the living room during a family dinner at her father's home.
Angelique McClure hangs out with her nieces and nephews in the living room during a family dinner at her father's home.
Matt Eich for TIME
The stained glass glows at night from inside the First Memorial Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala. on March 21, 2015.
The stained glass glows at night from inside the First Memorial Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala. on March 21, 2015.
Matt Eich for TIME
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