Recent survey data has revealed that Seattle holds the distinction of being the least-religious large metro area in the United States. As Americans become less religious overall, with declining attendance at religious services across the country, certain regions stand out as particularly non-religious. Seattle is one such place, where a significant majority of adults, approximately 64%, never attend church or religious services or go less than once a year.
The survey data, collected through the ongoing Household Pulse Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, provides insight into the religious landscape of the Seattle area. Out of the total population of 3.1 million adults aged 18 and older in the metro area, which includes King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties, around 1.98 million individuals identify as non-attenders of religious services.
The survey, conducted from January 9 to February 5, encompassed approximately 68,500 respondents nationwide and included data from all 50 states and the nation’s 15 largest metro areas, including Seattle. Among these 15 metro areas, Seattle emerged as the least religious, narrowly surpassing San Francisco, where 63% of respondents reported never attending religious services or going less than once a year. Boston ranked a distant third with 56% non-attenders.
It is not surprising that the southern parts of the U.S., known as the Sunbelt, tend to be more religious compared to the Pacific Northwest. In Dallas, for instance, 40.5% of respondents reported never attending religious services or going less than once a year, while Houston and Atlanta had slightly higher percentages.
The survey sheds light on the shifting religious landscape in the country, as fewer Americans identify with organized religion and engage in regular religious activities. Factors contributing to this trend may include changing societal attitudes, increased secularism, and a growing emphasis on individual spirituality.
In Seattle, a city known for its progressive and diverse culture, the low attendance at religious services reflects the secular nature of the community. People in the area may find spiritual fulfillment through alternative means or prioritize personal beliefs and values over formal religious institutions.