The Most Bible-Minded Cities in America

Chattanooga, Tenn., is the most Bible-minded city in the U.S., according to American Bible Society’s fourth annual America’s Top Bible-Minded Cities study. The recognition marks the second time in three years Chattanooga has taken home the top spot. Birmingham, Ala., ranked first in 2014.

Driven to equip 100 million people in the U.S. to actively engage with God’s Word, American Bible Society regularly conducts research to learn more about Bible behavior and perceptions. By executing the Top Bible-Minded Cities study, American Bible Society better understands which cities have a Bible-reading culture and how many people in these cities regularly read Scripture.

Rankings

Locations in the South, particularly those in the Bible Belt, continue to lead U.S. cities in Bible-mindedness, according to the 2016 report. The region claims each of the study’s top five Bible-minded cities: Chattanooga; Birmingham; Roanoke/Lynchburg, Va.; Shreveport, La.; and Tri-Cities, Tenn. In the 2015 report, these same five cities occupied the top five spots.

Springfield, Mo., also performed well in the 2016 report, jumping five spots from 11 to six. Lexington, Ky., followed suit, advancing from 15 to 10.

For a list of the 100 most Bible-minded cities in America, check out the infographic below.

Methodology

To calculate each city’s ranking, The Barna Group collected data by analyzing survey respondents’ Bible reading habits and beliefs about the Bible. The most Bible-minded respondents said they had read the Bible in the past seven days and believe strongly in the accuracy of the Bible. Nationally, 25 percent of the population is considered Bible minded.

Looking to help your community or congregation engage with the Bible? Check out the Bible memorization app BibleMinded, which offers memory plans and study modes to help you commit Scripture verses to memory. You can also sign up for daily Bible devotionals—delivered to your phone or email inbox—with our Journeys resource. You can start with a Bible introduction devotional by signing up here.

2015 Most Bible-Minded Cities 1. Birmingham/Anniston/Tuscaloosa, AL 2. Chattanooga, TN 3. Tri-Cities, TN 4. Roanoke/Lynchburg, VA 5. Shreveport, LA 6. Springfield, MO 7. Jackson, MS 8. Charlotte, NC 9. Greenville/Spartanburg/Anderson, SC / Asheville, NC 10. Little Rock/Pine Buff, AZ