Household Pulse Survey Expands Focus to Religion
The U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey now includes questions on religious attendance, marking a shift from its typical focus on economic and health indicators. With a robust sample size of over 55,000 respondents, the survey’s quick data release allows for timely analysis. Though it measures religious attendance loosely—asking about frequency over the past year—it provides critical insights into American religiosity across states and demographics.
Stark Geographic Differences in Church Attendance
Four states—Utah, Mississippi, Alabama, and South Carolina—have the highest rates of monthly church attendance, with over 35% reporting regular participation. However, Utah stands out: while 35% attend regularly, 52% never attend, showing a stark religious divide within the state. Conversely, Vermont, New Hampshire, Oregon, and Rhode Island report the lowest attendance levels, up to 75% never participating in religious services.
Age, Region, and Declining Youth Engagement
Age plays a significant role in religiosity. New England’s young adults (18–39) are particularly secular—only 3% of Vermonters under 40 attend monthly services. In contrast, states in the Midwest and South show higher attendance rates among the young. Yet, even in Bible Belt states like Tennessee and Georgia, younger demographics are showing less religious involvement, raising concerns about the region’s future religious identity.
Education and Parenting Status Drive Attendance
Education and age both correlate positively with church attendance. However, the most influential factor appears to be parental status. Parents are significantly more likely to attend religious services than non-parents, with the biggest gap observed among those raising infants. Surprisingly, education alone has little impact on attendance unless the individual is a parent, suggesting a strong interaction between the two.
Racial and Gender Disparities in Attendance
Regression analysis shows that being white, male, or wealthy lowers the likelihood of religious attendance. In contrast, people of color, women, parents, and older individuals are more likely to attend services regularly. Notably, being white decreased the odds of regular attendance by 33%, even after controlling for other variables.
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Who are filling up the pews? Highly educated parents.
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