(ZENIT News / Seattle, 03.24.2025).- Seattle has long been recognized as one of the least religious cities in the United States, but a new survey suggests that its secular identity has deepened even further. For the first time in recorded history, the number of religiously unaffiliated adults in the Seattle metropolitan area has matched the number of Christians—a striking milestone in the region’s evolving cultural landscape.
The data, collected by the Pew Research Center as part of its 2023-24 Religious Landscape Study, reveals a profound shift not just in Seattle but across the country. While Christianity remains the dominant religious identity nationwide, its numbers are steadily declining, while the number of those identifying as atheist, agnostic, or simply unaffiliated continues to rise.
A City in Transition
Seattle, which encompasses King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties, now reports that 44% of adults identify as Christian—precisely the same percentage as those who claim no religious affiliation at all. This marks a sharp decline from 2014, when Christians made up 52% of the population, and those without a religious identity accounted for 37%.
The shift in Seattle is part of a broader trend in the Pacific Northwest, a region historically known for its independent and progressive ethos. Portland, Seattle’s southern neighbor, recorded nearly identical numbers, tying Seattle for the highest percentage of religiously unaffiliated adults among the 34 major U.S. metropolitan areas studied. In Portland, however, the number of Christians fell even lower, to just 42%, making it the only metro area in the country where the religiously unaffiliated now outnumber Christians.
A Broader National Trend
Seattle’s transformation is emblematic of changes happening on a national scale. Across the United States, Christianity is losing ground, dropping from 71% of the adult population in 2014 to 62% today. Meanwhile, the percentage of Americans identifying as religiously unaffiliated has jumped from 23% to 29%. The shift isn’t only a matter of declining Christianity—other religious traditions, though a smaller share of the population, have seen modest growth, increasing from 6% to 7%.
Among other major metropolitan areas, San Francisco reported the third-highest proportion of religiously unaffiliated adults at 42%, while Boston and San Diego followed closely with 40%. These numbers reflect a growing secularization in some of America’s most culturally influential urban centers.
Why Is Religion Declining in Seattle?
Seattle’s embrace of secularism is shaped by a combination of historical, cultural, and demographic factors. The Pacific Northwest has long been known for its individualistic and nonconformist spirit, often resistant to institutional authority—including organized religion. The region’s early settlers were less influenced by religious traditions than those in other parts of the country, and that independent mindset continues to shape its modern identity.
The city’s thriving tech industry may also play a role in the decline of religious affiliation. Studies have suggested that higher levels of education and scientific literacy correlate with lower levels of religious belief. As Seattle continues to attract a highly educated workforce, particularly in fields like technology, engineering, and academia, the cultural emphasis may be shifting away from traditional religious structures and toward secular and philosophical worldviews.
Another factor may be generational change. Younger Americans are far less likely to identify with any religion compared to previous generations, and cities like Seattle—with their progressive social climates—tend to attract younger, more secular populations. The rise of online communities and alternative forms of spirituality may also be contributing to the decline of traditional religious institutions.
The Future of Faith in the Pacific Northwest
Seattle’s shift toward secularism raises questions about the future role of religion in public life. Will organized religion continue to lose ground, or could new forms of spiritual expression emerge to fill the void? Will religious institutions adapt to these changing social landscapes, or will they struggle to remain relevant?
While traditional religious affiliation may be declining, the search for meaning and purpose remains an enduring human pursuit. In Seattle, as in other increasingly secular cities, that search may take new and unexpected forms—whether through philosophy, science, humanism, or personal spirituality.
For now, one thing is clear: Seattle is no longer just a city with low religious affiliation. It is now a city where faith and non-faith stand on equal footing, marking a profound transformation in its cultural and spiritual identity.
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