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The Religious Behavior Index: How Engaged Are Americans, Really?

Exclude from home pageCurated Content  |  September 16, 2026

Read the full story: Graphs About Religion

In 1972, 41% of Americans in the General Social Survey reported that they attended religious services nearly every week or more. In 2024, that share had declined to just about 25%. At the same time, the share of those who never attend religious services rose from 9% to 30%. If I include people who attend more than never but less than once a year, those percentages become 17.5% and 40.5%, respectively.

Tags:religion in AmericaGeneral Social SurveyRyan Burge
  • This BNG series of articles on Christianity and democracy led toward the July 4 celebration of America’s 250th birthday. The series was curated by Carol McEntyre, senior minister at First Baptist Church of Greenville, S.C.  See the series here.

     

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