The rise of the religious “nones” is continuing, according to new data, with the percentage of Americans who consider religion “very important” to their lives now dipping below 50%.
Newly published data from Gallup found that, in 2025, the share of U.S. adults who identified as “nones” — those with no religious affiliation at all — reached a record high of 24%, up from 21% and 22% the previous four years. Additionally, 28% said religion is “not very important” in their lives.
The just-released study showed less than half (47%) of American adults say religion is “very important” to their lives, while another 25% described it as “fairly important” to them.
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Over the years, Americans have steadily viewed religion as less valuable to their lives. In the 1950s and 60s, it was “very important” for 70% to 75% of U.S. adults, then, in 2012, it dropped to 58%.
Only six demographic groups remain highly religious today, with more than 50% saying religion is “very important” to them. Those groups are Latter-day Saints, Republicans, Protestant or nondenominational Christians, black adults, those ages 65 and older, and Southerners.
“While religion remains deeply important to major segments of the population … the long-term trajectory shows a steady decline driven largely by generational replacement,” said Megan Brenan, a senior editor at Gallup. “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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