Study Idaho ranks 14th in the country for most religious state

Idaho ranks 14th and Washington 37th in the Pew Research Center's 2023-24 Religious Landscape Study, which evaluates state religiosity based on survey responses. The study found that 61% of highly religious Idahoans lean Republican, while 67% of less religious Washingtonians lean Democrat. Sociologists attribute these rankings to political migration that intertwines religious and political identities. Mark Killian from Whitworth University emphasized the correlation between political beliefs and religious identity, suggesting that migration often reflects this alignment. Scott Draper from the College of Idaho noted that over the past decade, many individuals identify as both Republicans and conservative Protestants.

The merging of evangelical beliefs with political views began in the mid-20th century, driven by figures like Jerry Falwell. The Pew study assessed religiosity through four factors: prayer frequency, belief in God, the importance of religion, and attendance. The findings indicate that 37% of Idaho residents are highly religious compared to 25% in Washington.