LoginAre 1 in 5 Americans atheists?
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No.
About 5% of Americans identify as atheists, though one poll shows about 1 in 5 donβt believe in God.
Atheists believe God doesnβt exist.
According to recent polls (2023 and 2024):
Pew Research Center: Asked about their religion, 5% said they are atheists.
Asked if they believe in God or a universal spirit, 16% said no.
Pew also found that 29% of Americans (including atheists) said they are not religiously affiliated, up from 16% in 2007. The largest affiliation was Christian β 62%, down from 78%.
PRRI: 5% atheist (8% in Wisconsin).Β
AP-NORC: 7% atheist. 7% agnostic (believe Godβs existence is unknown). 16% βnothing in particular.β Overall, 79% professed belief in God or a higher power, including 4% of atheists.
Republican U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman, who represents part of eastern Wisconsin, said Oct. 13 that over 18% of Americans are atheists. His office didnβt reply to comment requests.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
- Pew Research Center: Religious identity
- Pew Research Center: 8 facts about atheists
- American Atheists: What is Atheism?
- Pew Research Center: Religious and spiritual beliefs
- Pew Research Center: Email
- PRRI: Atheist identification
- Associated Press: Highlights from AP-NORC poll about the religiously unaffiliated in the US
Are 1 in 5 Americans atheists? is a post from Wisconsin Watch, a non-profit investigative news site covering Wisconsin since 2009. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.
