Religious Landscape of Utah: A Closer Look at the State’s Faithful Population

The Most Religious State in the U.S. Revealed

In a recent study conducted by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah, Utah has been identified as the most religious state in the nation. The research, which utilized data from the U.S. Religion Census, found that 76.1% of Utahns adhere to a religious affiliation, the highest percentage among all states in the country. This percentage has been steadily increasing over the past decade, showcasing the strong religious presence in the state.

The study also highlighted the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the predominant faith in Utah, with the highest number of adherents. The faith experienced a significant growth rate of 11.3% from 2010 to 2020, with over 2 million adherents in the recent year. Additionally, other religions such as Traditional Temples Hindus, Muslims, and the National Baptist Convention showed substantial growth rates in the state.

Furthermore, the report identified Garfield, Rich, and Box Elder counties as leading in adherents as a percentage of the population. Salt Lake County and Utah County, the two largest counties in the state, also have high percentages of adherents, signaling the religious diversity across various regions in Utah.

Despite being named the most religious state, Utah ranks low in religious diversity according to a separate analysis by the Washington Post. The state was placed near the bottom, along with Alabama, in terms of representing the religious makeup of the U.S. as a whole. Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin were found to be most similar to the overall religious demographics of the country.

The full report from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute provides further insights into the religious landscape of Utah and can be accessed for more detailed information.