CRC Staff | Glendale, AZ (June 11, 2025) — Could your worldview be partly a product of where you grew up? A new report from the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University reveals vast disparities in biblical worldview adherence across all 50 states, underscoring both the regional resilience of biblical Christianity and its fragile footing nationwide.
The latest research in the American Worldview Inventory 2025 from Dr. George Barna and the Cultural Research Center reveals dramatic state-by-state differences in biblical worldview incidence. Alabama tops the list with 12.6% of adults qualifying as “Integrated Disciples”—individuals who possess a biblical worldview—more than three times the national average of 4%. Mississippi follows closely at 12.5%. At the other end of the spectrum, Rhode Island ranks last, with fewer than one out of every 400 adults embracing the biblical worldview.
“The rankings might not surprise many, but when you factor in population size, the story takes a turn,” according to Barna, CRC Director of Research. California, for instance, with an average incidence of 4.6%, has the highest total number of Integrated Disciples—nearly 1.5 million—simply due to its enormous population. Florida and Texas follow, with just over and just under 1.1 million respectively.
Still, concerns emerge even in parts of the country traditionally identified with large numbers of believers. Texas, often viewed as a bastion of biblical Christianity, ranks only 30th in worldview incidence. Massive population shifts—more than 9 million new residents since 2000—have reshaped the Lone Star state’s spiritual landscape, particularly in urban centers like Austin and Houston.
“Perhaps Texas is a harbinger of things to come,” Barna explains. “The fastest-growing areas are attracting a flood of non-Christians and secular-minded young adults. The state’s long-standing tradition of biblical Christianity is being diluted at an alarming rate.”
Here are other key findings from the report:
- Top and bottom biblical worldview states: Alabama, Mississippi, and South Carolina top the list, while Rhode Island, Maine, and Massachusetts have the lowest levels of biblical worldview.
- By region: Despite cultural shifts over the past 25 years, the South (6.3%) outpaces all others, while the Northeast (3.0%) falls far behind. In fact, seven of the bottom 10 states are in the Northeast.
- Unexpected insights: While Texas is often thought of as a biblical stronghold, it ranks just 30th in biblical worldview incidence. Meanwhile, Colorado, Hawaii, and Washington show above-average numbers despite progressive political leanings.
- Population size matters: California, Florida, and Texas house the largest numbers of Integrated Disciples—thanks to sheer population—even if their worldview percentages are average or below.
The top 10 states by worldview incidence are dominated by the South and Mountain West, with Montana and Idaho joining Southern mainstays like South Carolina, Arkansas, and Virginia. In contrast, seven of the bottom 10 states are located in the Northeast, reflecting a persistent regional secularism. The report ranks all 50 states according to worldview levels.
On a regional level, the South leads with a 6.3% average, while the Northeast lags at 3.0%. The West and Central regions hover near the national average, at 4.7% and 4.3% respectively.
Barna cautions against complacency, even in the highest-ranking states. “People in Alabama or Mississippi might look at their biblical worldview numbers and feel they can relax—they’re faring better than all the other states,” he said.
“But keep in mind, even though those two states have a higher incidence of Integrated Disciples than elsewhere, seven out of eight adults in their states still lack a biblical worldview,” he said. “Yes, comparatively speaking, they’re doing better—but in absolute terms, every state in the union is failing miserably at developing the biblical worldview among its residents.”
Indeed, the findings point to a sobering national reality: no state is truly succeeding in instilling biblical thinking in its population. The widespread reliance on syncretism—blending conflicting beliefs from multiple worldviews—continues to dominate American spirituality.
The full American Worldview Inventory 2025: Report 7: “Report Identifies How U.S. States Rank When It Comes to Incidence of Biblical Worldview,” are available here.
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