U.S. Department of Commerce

Religion Statistics and Publications

The Bureau of the Census collected information in the Census of Religious Bodies from 1906-1936. This information was obtained from religious organizations.

Public Law 94-521 prohibits us from asking a question on religious affiliation on a mandatory basis; therefore, the Bureau of the Census is not the source for information on religion.

Some statistics on religion can be found in the Statistical Abstract of the United States, the section on Population.

Other sources for religious data:

American Religion Data Archive Link to a non-federal Web site

"The Pew Forum on Religion & the Public Life" Link to a non-federal Web site

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Source: U.S. Census Bureau