By Guy Page
A new poll released from the University of New Hampshire Survey Center reveals a sharp divide between the private beliefs of Vermonters and their desire for religion to remain absent from the public sphere.
According to the March 2026 Green Mountain State Poll, while many residents still hold personal spiritual beliefs, a significant majority now identify as non-religious and favor a strict separation between church and state.
Generational shift in attendance
The poll highlights a dramatic decline in religious participation over time. While 77% of Vermont adults attended religious services at least a few times a year during their childhood, that number has plummeted in adulthood.
Currently, 67% of Vermonters report they never attend religious services, with only 9% attending weekly or more.
Overall, 62% of the state’s residents say they attend services less often now than they did as children.
This shift is reflected in the state’s religious makeup. Nearly half of the population now identifies as agnostic (14%), atheist (16%), or religiously unaffiliated (16%). Both Roman Catholics and Protestants now represent just 18% of the population each.
Spiritual beliefs persist despite low attendance
Despite the lack of formal religious engagement, spiritual belief has not vanished from the Green Mountain State. The survey found that 50% of Vermonters definitely or probably believe in God or a supernatural entity.
Additionally, 46% believe in heaven or some form of supernatural afterlife.
Views on human origins are also varied: 52% of residents believe humans evolved without divine intervention, while 31% believe evolution occurred with a role played by a supernatural entity.
Keeping faith out of politics and schools
The most striking findings of the poll concern the role of religion in public life. An overwhelming 82% of Vermonters agree that religious institutions are too concerned with money and power.
This skepticism extends to the intersection of faith and governance, with 71% of residents stating that religion should play no role in public affairs whatsoever.
On the topic of religious leadership in politics, 59% of respondents believe it is inappropriate for clergy to endorse political candidates.
Vermonters are also largely opposed to religious practices in the classroom; 62% believe it is inappropriate for public school teachers to lead classes in prayers referring to Jesus, and 61% feel the same about general prayers to a non-specific God.
A stark political divide
The data reveals that views on religion are heavily influenced by political affiliation. While 64% of Republicans say religion is very or somewhat important in their lives, 68% of Democrats and 57% of Independents say it is not important.
Similarly, 80% of Democrats view school prayer as inappropriate, compared to a 51% majority of Republicans who believe it is appropriate.