Study shows most detailed estimates to date of the size and demographic characteristics of religious groups in the United States

Washington, D.C.—In a noon conference call for journalists on Monday, Feb. 25, 2008, the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life will release the first report of a landmark survey that details the religious affiliation of the American public and explores the remarkable dynamism taking place in the U.S. religious marketplace.

CONTACT

Mary Schultz
Communications Manager
202.419.4556
mschultz@pewresearch.org/religion

Based on interviews conducted in English and Spanish with a representative sample of over 35,000 adults, the survey includes detailed information on religious affiliation and provides estimates of the size of religious groups that are as small as three-tenths of 1 percent of the adult population. The report also describes changes in religious affiliation and analyzes the relationship between religious affiliation and various demographic factors, including age, ethnicity, nativity, educational and income levels, gender, family composition and regional distribution (including state breakdowns).

Subsequent releases will include analyses of the survey’s findings on Americans’ religious beliefs and practices as well as their social and political views.

Telephone News Conference

Who:
Luis Lugo, Director, Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life
John Green, Senior Fellow, Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life
Greg Smith, Research Fellow, Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life

When:
Monday, Feb. 25, 2008, noon EST

RSVP:
Email Robbie Mills at rmills@pewresearch.org/religion to reserve your place.

The online presentation of the findings, which includes interactive mapping, dynamic charts and a variety of other tools, will be available at religions.pewresearch.org/religion at noon EST on Feb. 25.