Religion Remains Stable in the U.S., With Mixed Signals for Young Adults - Pew Research Center

The Pew-Knight Initiative supports new research on how Americans absorb civic information, form beliefs and identities, and engage in their communities. Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan, nonadvocacy fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes, and trends shaping the world. This report summarizes the latest trends in American religion and takes a close look at what is happening with religion among young adults.

According to the Pew Research Center, after a prolonged decline, religion in the United States has shown signs of strength and stability in recent years. Since 2020, steady percentages of U.S. adults have reported identifying with a religion, praying daily, considering religion very important in their lives, and attending religious services at least monthly. The percentage of Americans attending religious services in the last month continues to climb following a pandemic-era low point. In a June 2026 survey, 34% of U.S. adults indicated they attended religious services in person during the last month, while 45% either attended in person or watched services online or on TV. Both figures represent the highest levels since the Center began asking these questions in July 2020.

These findings coincide with media reports suggesting a potential religious resurgence among young U.S. adults, particularly young conservative men. However, the Center's latest surveys reveal mixed signals regarding young adults' religious engagement. Among the youngest adults, those born from 2004 to 2008, now roughly ages 18 to 22, there are relatively high rates of attendance at religious services. Approximately 41% of this age group report attending services at least once or twice a month, surpassing the overall U.S. public attendance rate of 33%.

Conversely, young adults aged 23 to 26, born from 2000 to 2003, represent the least religious age group in terms of prayer frequency, the importance of religion in their lives, and religious identification. Only 27% of this group attend religious services at least monthly, marking one of the lowest attendance rates among all age groups. Additionally, the youngest adults (ages 18 to 22) today are no more religious than their peers were in 2014, while those aged 23 to 26 are less religious than their counterparts were in 2014. Both age categories show significantly lower religious engagement compared to young adults of similar ages in 2007.

There is no clear evidence from Pew Research Center surveys that any birth cohort of Americans tracked over time has become more religious in recent years. The surveys include individuals aged 18 and older, and thus do not provide insights into the religious engagement of the 2004-08 birth cohort during their minor years. However, preceding birth cohorts have remained relatively stable over the last six years.

In terms of religion and politics among young adults, the youngest Republicans report attending religious services more frequently than their Democratic counterparts, which aligns with historical trends. Notably, the youngest Republicans attend services at higher rates compared to older Republicans, but they are not solely responsible for the increased attendance among the youngest adults, as the youngest Democrats also show relatively high attendance rates.