Protestants for the first time in U.S. history no longer represent a majority of religious Americans.

A new survey by The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life found that only 48% of adults considered themselves Protestants. Five years ago, 53% said they were Protestant.

Experts say the number of Protestants has declined because more Americans are not part of any religious movement or institution. One-fifth of respondents said they have no religious affiliation, and among people under 30, the rate is even higher: one third.

Atheists and agnostics now number 13 million (or 6% of the population), while 33 million Americans say they have no particular religious affiliation (or 14%).

Of the 46 million unaffiliated adults, 68% say they believe in God.

For the first time in history, there are no Protestants on the U.S. Supreme Court and, also for the first time, neither of the members of the Republican presidential ticket is Protestant. Mitt Romney is Mormon and Paul Ryan Catholic.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

To Learn More:

“Nones” on the Rise (Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life)

US Protestants No Longer a Majority - Study (BBC News)

The Protestant-Free, Harvard/Yale-Only Supreme Court (by David Wallechinsky, AllGov)