Study: Mississippi among the nation’s most religious states
Aug. 19, 2025 – A new national study confirms what many already know: Mississippi is one of the most religious states in America.
SmileHub, a research group that analyzed religious practices across all 50 states, ranked Mississippi seventh overall for religious importance. The state led the nation in several categories, underscoring its deep-rooted faith traditions:
- 1st in the share of adults who consider religion very important in their lives
- 1st in weekly attendance at religious services
- 1st in the share of people who pray at least once a day
- 7th in congregations per capita
Mississippi also ranked 19th in religious establishments per capita, highlighting a strong presence of churches, ministries and faith-based organizations across the state.
“Religion remains a central part of daily life for Mississippians, shaping communities, culture, and values,” the report stated.
The study examined 13 factors across three categories: Religious Interest & Places of Worship, Religious Education & Careers, and Religion-Affiliated Organizations. These included prayer habits, the number of congregations, religious charities, and careers in faith-related fields.
With more than two-thirds of U.S. adults nationally identifying with a religion, Mississippi continues to stand out for its strong church attendance and commitment to daily prayer. The findings reinforce the state’s reputation as one of the most faith-oriented in the country.
Data for the rankings came from the U.S. Census Bureau, Gallup, Pew Research Center, the U.S. Religion Census, and other national sources.
