Seattle Ties as Least Religious U.S. Metro Area

New survey shows Seattle's religious affiliation has declined over the past decade.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 4:50pm

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph of a blurred cityscape in muted tones of gray, blue, and green, conveying a sense of isolation and detachment.As religious affiliation continues to decline in Seattle, the city's urban landscape takes on a more muted, introspective tone.Seattle Today

A new Pew Research Center study found that Seattle has tied for the highest share of residents with no religious affiliation among the nation's largest metro areas. For the first time, the number of adults in Seattle who identify as atheist, agnostic, or 'nothing in particular' is equal to the number who identify as Christian.

Why it matters

Seattle has long been considered one of the least religious parts of the country, and this new data confirms that the city's religious landscape has continued to shift over the past decade. The findings provide insight into the changing religious demographics of major U.S. metropolitan areas.

The details

The Pew Research Center's 2023-24 Religious Landscape Study, which surveyed around 37,000 respondents across the U.S., found that Seattle tied with another major metro area for the highest share of residents with no religious affiliation. The study also revealed that the number of adults in Seattle who identify as atheist, agnostic, or 'nothing in particular' is now equal to the number who identify as Christian.

  • The Pew Research Center's Religious Landscape Study was conducted in 2023-24.
  • The previous Religious Landscape Study was conducted in 2007 and 2014.

The players

Pew Research Center

A nonpartisan American think tank that provides information on social issues, public opinion, and demographic trends shaping the United States and the world.

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The takeaway

The findings from the Pew Research Center's latest Religious Landscape Study underscore the continued decline of religious affiliation in Seattle, a trend that has been observed in the city for years. As the number of adults identifying as atheist, agnostic, or 'nothing in particular' grows, it will be important to monitor how this shift in the religious landscape impacts the city's culture, politics, and community.