Unites States >> Religion >> Washington (state)
Religion in Washington (state)
The United States had rich and diverse religious cultures, and the freedom to practice beliefs has helped give rise to a highly unique religious pluralism and freedom. Washington is the US state with the 13th largest population, Christianity being the majority religion and Protestantism as its largest branch.
Like the Other Pacific Northwest States, It has the lowest rate of church attendance in the United States and consistently reports the highest percentage of atheism; A recent study indicates that one-quarter of those in Washington and Oregon have no religion. Since the 1990s, the religious share of Christians has decreased, while Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Sikhism, and other religions have spread, mainly from immigration.
also read about Race and Ethnicity in Washington
Table of Content
Washington Religion Percentage
Christianity is the main religion followed by 61% of the population. The largest Christian denomination in Washington is Protestant (40%) followed by Roman Catholics (17%); Mormonism (3%); Jehovah’s Witnesses (2%); and Other Christians (1%).
About 32% of the population don’t follow or adhere to any faith or religion and the rest 6% follow other non-Christian-based religions. Other Religions include Hinduism (1%), Buddhism (1%), Jews (1%), Islam (1%), and other smaller faiths (3%).
| Religion/Affiliations | Percentage |
| Christianity | 61% |
| – Protestantism | – 40% |
| – Roman Catholicism | – 17% |
| – Mormonism | -3% |
| – Eastern Orthodoxy | – <1% |
| – Jehovah’s Witnesses | – 2% |
| – Other Christian | – 1% |
| Other Religion | 6% |
| Judaism | 1% |
| Islam | <1% |
| Buddhism | 1% |
| Hinduism | 1% |
| Other religion | 3% |
| No religion | 32% |
| Don’t know | 1% |
Source: Pew Research Center
read about Religion in the United States
Christianity in Washington
Christianity with 61% followers is the largest in Washington State. All Protestant denominations accounted for 40% of the population, Catholics are 17% of the population and are the largest individual denomination if Protestantism is divided into various denominations instead of being counted as a single category.
Of the Protestants in the state, Evangelical Protestants compose 25% of the population, Mainline Protestants 13%, and Historically Black Protestants 2%.
Rest include Mormons, Eastern Orthodoxy, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and other smaller denominations.
| Christianity Affiliations | Percentage |
| Protestantism | 61% |
| – Evangelical Protestant | – 25% |
| – Mainline Protestant | – 13% |
| – Black church | – 2% |
| Roman Catholicism | 17% |
| Mormonism | 3% |
| Eastern Orthodoxy | <1% |
| Jehovah’s Witnesses | 2% |
| Other Christians | 1% |
read about Christianity in the United States
Protestantism in Washington
Among Christians in Washington, Protestantism is the largest group comprising about 40% of the state’s population. Protestantism in the United States has branched out into several branches, denominations, and various interdenominational and related movements.
Protestants by tradition can be further classified into three main denominations. Evangelical is the largest and followed by 25% of the population, Next are Mainline Protestants (13%) and Historically Black Protestants (2%).
| Protestants Affiliation | % of population |
| Evangelical Protestant | 25% |
| Mainline Protestant | 13% |
| Black church | 2% |
Protestantism is also comprised of numerous denominational families (e.g., Baptist, Methodist, and Pentecostal) that fit into one or more of the traditions. According to the Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA), the largest Protestants denominations by adherents in 2020 is as follows
| # | Protestant Churches | Tradition | Family | Adherents |
| 1 | Non-denominational Christian Churches | Evangelical | Other Groups | 1,103,660 |
| 2 | Assemblies of God | Evangelical | Pentecostal | 144,023 |
| 3 | Evangelical Lutheran Church in America | Mainline | Lutheran | 64,596 |
| 4 | Seventh-day Adventist Church | Evangelical | Adventist | 58,655 |
| 5 | International Church of the Foursquare Gospel | Evangelical | Pentecostal | 45,084 |
| 6 | Southern Baptist Convention | Evangelical | Baptist | 43,341 |
| 7 | United Methodist Church | Mainline | Methodist | 41,743 |
| 8 | Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) | Mainline | Presbyterian/Reformed | 32,689 |
| 9 | Church of the Nazarene | Evangelical | Holiness | 28,889 |
| 10 | Episcopal Church | Mainline | Anglican/Episcopal | 26,625 |
read about Protestantism in the United States
Catholics in Washington
Catholic Church at 17% of the state population is the second largest religious grouping, after Protestantism. According to the Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA), the largest denomination in Washington State by adherents in 2020 was the Catholic Church with 826,597 members.
Since the 1990s, the religious share of Christians has decreased, while Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Sikhism, and other religions have spread, mainly from immigration. Other Religions include Hinduism (1%), Buddhism(1%), Jews (1%), Islam (1%), and other smaller faiths (3%)
Tibetan Buddhism, Yogic teachings, Sufism, tribal and ancient beliefs, and other philosophies are widely studied and appreciated in State. Two of the five Shingon Buddhist temples in America are located in Seattle. Some people in the area also embrace alternative religions, such as New Age spirituality and Neo-Paganism.
also read about Population in Washington
Sources
Note: The US census does not contain questions about one’s religious affiliation. Our Article is based on surveys conducted by various institutions and agencies.
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