This is an updated version of the Spotlight originally published on October 13, 2023
In recent elections, greater attention has been paid to the Hispanic vote as this group has become the largest ethnic minority group in the United States. Although Hispanic Americans make up less than 20% of the population, they represent a significant share of the American electorate. This Spotlight Analysis explores the political and religious makeup of Hispanic Americans.
According to the PRRI Census of American Religion—including the recently published 2024 edition—the percentage of Hispanic Americans who identify as religiously unaffiliated has steadily increased over the past decade, rising from 18% in 2013 to 25% in 2024. During the same period, the share who identify as Christian has decreased slightly, from 79% in 2013 (including 53% Catholic and 23% Protestant) to 73% today (47% Catholic and 23% Protestants).
When it comes to partisanship, one-third of Hispanic Americans identify as Democrats (33%), one in four as independent (24%), and two in ten as Republicans (20%). Hispanics’ party affiliation has changed significantly from a decade ago. The share who identify as Democrats has held steady (34% in 2013 vs. 33% in 2024), but more now identify as Republicans (10% in 2013 vs. 20% in 2024) and fewer as independents (41% in 2013 vs. 24% in 2024). Political ideology has shifted as well. While the percentage of liberal Hispanics has remained stable (29% in 2013 vs. 28% in 2024), the share identifying as moderate has increased notably (from 27% to 40%). At the same time, the proportion of conservatives has dropped by 6 percentage points (33% to 27%).
Religiously Unaffiliated Hispanic Americans
Data from the PRRI Census of American Religion show that in 2024, 30% of religiously unaffiliated Hispanic Americans identify as Democrats, similar to 2013. By contrast, the share who identify as Republicans has grown from 8% in 2013 to 13% in 2024, while the proportion identifying as independents has dropped significantly, from 51% to 27%. Patterns in political ideology has shifted as well. The percentage who identify as liberal has remained steady (41% in 2013 vs. 42% in 2024), but fewer now identify as conservative (16%, down from 24%). Meanwhile, the share identifying as moderate has increased from 26% to 39%.
Hispanic Protestants
Hispanic Protestants have shifted significantly in party affiliation over the past decade. The share who identify as Republican has nearly doubled, from 17% in 2013 to 31% in 2024. At the same time, the percentage identifying as Democrats shrunk by 8 percentage points (31% in 2013 vs. 23% in 2024), and those identifying as independents have dropped by 13 percentage points from 37% in 2013 to 24% in 2024. Ideological identification has shifted as well. While the population of Hispanic Protestants who identify as conservative has remained steady (42% in 2013 vs. 44% in 2024), the share identifying as moderate has grown from 25% to 36%. As a result, fewer now identify as liberal than a decade ago (23% in 2013 vs. 17% in 2024).
Hispanic Catholics
Among Hispanic Catholics, identification with both major parties has increased. In 2013, 9% identified as and 38% as Democrats; today, those shares have grown to 19% and 42%, respectively. By contrast, the percentage who identify as independents has declined from 39% to 23%. Ideologically, Hispanic Catholics are 9 percentage points less likely to identify as conservative than they were a decade ago (25% in 2024 vs. 34% in 2013). Instead, more now identify as moderate—43%, up from 29% in 2013. The share who identify as liberal has remained relatively stable (28% in 2013 vs. 26% in 2024).
