As Americans continue to shift in their religious affiliations, recent data from the 2024 Cooperative Election Study (CES) reveals a noteworthy trend in the growing number of nonreligious individuals. This research, which surveys 60,000 American adults before and after U.S. elections, paints a complex picture of faith in the United States. According to the study, the increase in the number of people who identify as “nonreligious” appears to have plateaued, and in some generations, the numbers are even beginning to decline.
Ryan Burge, research director for Faith Counts, noted on X, “the 2024 data reveals a plateau in the country’s population of ‘nonreligious’ or ‘nones.’” This is significant, especially considering the steady rise of secularism in the U.S. in recent decades. However, the data offers some hope, as it also highlights generational shifts that show certain age groups moving away from nonreligious identification.
A Generational Snapshot of Nonreligiosity
The CES findings reveal distinct trends across generations. For Baby Boomers, who have historically shown a significant increase in nonreligious identification, 2024 marks the first year of a decrease. The percentage of nonreligious Baby Boomers dropped from 28% in 2023 to 24% in 2024. As Burge pointed out, this represents a noteworthy decline, especially since 28% was the highest number of nonreligious Baby Boomers since the survey’s inception.
Similarly, Generation X experienced a 3 percentage point drop, with only 31% of individuals in this cohort identifying as nonreligious. This is the lowest figure seen for Generation X since 2012. The Silent Generation, which includes those born between 1928 and 1945, also saw a slight decline, with their nonreligious population falling by 2 points to 19%. These findings suggest that even as younger generations tend toward secularism, older generations seem to be moving back toward faith, at least in some cases.
The Challenge of Millennial and Gen Z Secularism
Millennials, who have been a central focus of discussions about secularism in America, did not show any significant change in 2024. A full 42% of American Millennials still do not identify with any religion. However, Generation Z, the youngest group, demonstrated a continued shift away from religion, with their nonreligious population increasing from 42% in 2023 to 46% in 2024. This indicates that younger generations, particularly Gen Z, are increasingly distancing themselves from religious affiliation.
While these shifts may seem discouraging, they also highlight the need for continued faith-based education and outreach. In times when so many are drifting away from religion, we must remain vigilant in our mission to spread the message of hope and salvation that the Catholic Church offers.
A Call to Action: Supporting Catholic Education
As we reflect on these trends, it is clear that the role of faith-based education has never been more crucial. At Catholic Online School, we are committed to providing educational resources that help individuals of all ages grow in their faith and deepen their understanding of Catholic teachings. By supporting Catholic education, we can help combat the growing trend of secularism and inspire future generations to rediscover the joy and fulfillment found in a life lived with Christ.
Your donations to Your Catholic Voice Foundation help fund initiatives like Catholic Online School, where we offer free resources, courses, and materials that bring Catholic teachings to students across the globe. With your support, we can continue to reach people at all stages of life and equip them with the tools they need to live out their faith more fully.
As the 2024 CES data suggests, secularism may be plateauing in some areas, but the work of spreading the Gospel and fostering faith-based education is far from over. Join us in this mission by making a donation today. Together, we can ensure that the light of the Catholic faith continues to shine brightly in a world that desperately needs it.
