As an atheist or agnostic in the United States, it can feel quite lonely. Over 40 percent of Americans call themselves very religious, while only 31 percent consider themselves not religious. So where can you go to find other people who believe like you? Here are some of the cities in the United States with the largest populations of atheists, or non-religious persons.
The first three cities on the list were tied for the most religiously unaffiliated residents in a survey by Public Religion Research Institute’s American Values Atlas.
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Portland, Oregon
In Portland, look for a group known as the Portland Humanists to find others who are like-minded. The group has regular activities in the area and provides many resources for Humanists.
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San Francisco, California
The Bay Area has many different groups for atheists, humanists or free-thinkers. Check out the listings on Meetup or just search for groups close to you.
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Seattle, Washington
The Seattle Atheists established their non-profit in 2002, with just nine members. Their website does not list how many members they have today, but their Facebook page has almost 2,500 followers.
These five cities were deemed most non-religious in a 2015 Gallup poll.
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Burlington, Vermont
Burlington is one of the coldest cities in the United States, and it also has a large atheist population. There are few churches in the city and at least five non-religious groups that meet in Burlington.
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Boulder, Colorado
Boulder is one of the few non-religious cities not on the coast. Boulder atheists were brought to the national forefront for billboards posted in 2012 calling God an imaginary friend. The Boulder Atheists are an active group in the community, cleaning up a section of a roadway, holding blood drives and planning activities for members.
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Manchester, New Hampshire
Not many states boast a lobbying group for atheists, but the Secular Coalition for America is doing just that in the New Hampshire legislature. Information about local groups for atheists is sparse, but it’s most likely due to people not keeping websites updated.
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Portland, Maine
In Portland on the East Coast, atheists may actually be more populous than the religious. Only 22 percent of the population identifies as religious. There are many groups that are trying to create community for atheists in the area.
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Santa Rosa, California
Santa Rosa is home to many organizations for humanists and free-thinkers, which should be no surprise. The North Bay Skeptics is the main group, but you might find others in the area.
Bustle lists four other towns that are home to many atheists: Albany, New York; Boston, Massachusetts; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Providence, Rhode Island. Boston used to be known for its Catholic population, and Providence has a strong religious heritage. However, Rhode Island and Massachusetts are now on the top of the list of least religious states in the country.
Finding Atheists in Your Community
Southern states tend to be more religious in nature, but there are more atheists in the United States than ever before. If you are in a community where you feel alone, you might be able to find atheists through Meetup.com or Think Atheist online forums. Many colleges have secular student alliances, which can be another place to look. Search for atheist groups online with your city name, but also look for variations on the theme, such as free-thinkers or humanist.
Being an atheist can be a lonely path, especially if you believe you have to conceal your beliefs to fit into your community. You are not alone as a humanist, atheist or agnostic. There are people out there who believe like you. It may take some effort to find them, but you will be glad you did.