A new survey by the Pew Research Institute, conducted from 2023 to 2024, reveals that a significant majority of Alabamians consider their faith in God crucial to their daily lives. This research adds to a broader national study, released in September 2025, that provides an in-depth look at religious identity and practices throughout the United States.
This study gathered responses from 36,908 adults across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, with interviews offered in both English and Spanish to capture diverse expressions of faith.
Researchers evaluated faith and practice using four main indicators:
- Importance of religion in life
- Frequency of attending services
- Regularity of prayer
- Belief in God or a universal spirit
Based on these inquiries, Pew categorized participants, with those exhibiting the highest faith expression labeled as “highly religious.”
The findings indicate that around 40% of Alabama adults are considered “highly religious,” positioning the state as eighth nationwide for religiosity.
When discussing faith identity, 73% of respondents identified as Christian, whereas only 3% identified with other religions. The remaining adults—about a quarter—view themselves as unaffiliated, labeling themselves as atheist, agnostic, or simply “nothing in particular.”
Alabama ranks among the top ten states for several specific measures of religious devotion:
- Fourth in the proportion of adults stating that religion is extremely important (51%)
- Sixth in monthly church attendance (44%)
- Eleventh in daily prayer engagement (50%)
- Sixth again for absolute certainty in belief in God or a universal spirit (66%)
These results bolster Alabama’s long-held image as a place where faith is both deeply personal and actively practiced.
On a national level, Mississippi is noted as the most religious state, followed by South Carolina, South Dakota, and Louisiana. In contrast, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine rank at the bottom for religiosity.
Pew researchers highlight that even though Alabama remains a leading state in terms of religious adherence, overall national religious affiliation has seen a slow decline in recent decades. Changes in research methodology also warrant caution when making direct comparisons to past studies.
The results align with observations from church leaders and local insiders who note that for many in Alabama, faith plays a significant role in both personal lives and community engagement. Alabamians proudly demonstrate their dedication to spiritual life through regular attendance at services, prayer, and deep-rooted beliefs.
