The largest religious group in the U.S. is now -- None. "While the US is made up of people from all over the world holding beliefs from the most popular religions to the obscure, new data has suggested that people are moving away from established religion." Pew: Over a quarter of U.S. adults don't identify with a religion https://www.unilad.com/news/us-news/no-religion-largest-group-us-842453-20240124 More than a quarter of U.S. adults do not affiliate with any religion, according to a Pew Research Center study released Wednesday. Why it matters: In keeping with a global increase in the number of people without a religious affiliation, the figurereflects howthe once powerful force of religion continues to dwindle in influence. By the numbers: About28% of U.S. adults do not have a religious affiliation — a group referred to as "nones" — based largely on a 2023 survey of 11,201. For comparison, 40% of Americans identify as Protestant and 20% as Catholic, per the research center's latest figures. Between the lines: Among the "nones," most described their religion as "nothing in particular," while a fifth described themselves as "agnostic" and 17% as "atheist." "Nones" make up younger populations, with 69% below the age of 50. The majority of "nones" are white, and there's a near split between men and women, at 51% and 47%, respectively. "Nones" are also more likely than people with a religious affiliation to identify as "liberal." Meanwhile, two-thirds of the group cited nonbelief, skepticism or a combination of the two as the main drivers for not being religious. Zoom out: In 2007, "nones" accounted for 16% of U.S. adults, and that figure has steadily increased. Our thought bubble via Axios' Russell Contreras: The number of religious "nones" appears to be growing with each generation, and current trends show that number could surpass all Protestants by mid-century. Go deeper: The world's departure from organized religion