When you’re planning a move or your next vacation, one aspect you may not have considered is your destination city’s religious aspects. Some people want to know if there’s a good place to worship on a Sunday, and some people are anxious to leave Jesus as far in the dust as possible. Fortunately, every year, the Barna Group performs a study of the nation’s top media markets and turns out their annual list of the United States Most Bible-Minded Cities. The analysis was commissioned by the American Bible Society which interviewed 42,855 people in 96 metropolitan areas across the nation. Those who report reading the Bible every week, believe the good book is accurate and assert its principles and teachings qualify as “Bible-minded.” Here are the country’s most religious hot spots according to this research.
15. Springfield, Missouri
Inspiration for the Masters of Sex
Here’s a mildly surprising entry on the list. Not to speak ill of Springfield; I’m sure the vast majority of their population are perfectly normal, well-adjusted folks. That said, one of their most famous natives (beyond Brad Pitt, by the way) was Virginia Johnson … who you might recognize as the real life inspiration for one-half of the Masters of Sex duo. What do the 44 percent of Bible-minded citizens think of that?
14. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Cowboys and Jesus
Well, it’s no secret that cowboys and Jesus go together like peanut butter and jelly. The city that’s renowned for its annual rodeo and all around love for things that do stuff on the range is also a public fan of the word of God. The city has 41 percent Bible-minded population.
13. Savannah, Georgia
Georgia’s Oldest City
The oldest city in the state of Georgia is also very open to the teachings of the Bible. Given its age (it was founded in 1733), the city of Savannah is actually home to several longstanding and respected religious traditions in the country. It’s home to the First African Baptist Church, one of the nation’s oldest predominately black congregations, as well as Temple Mickve Israel, America’s third oldest synagogue. Their Bible-minded citizens make up 42 percent of the locals.
12. Huntsville, Alabama
Bible-minded Townsfolk
I suppose when you’re a real live rocket scientist and you’re searching for a new way to get giant machines into space, you need to do all the praying you can (aerospace technology is big in Huntsville, AL). Either that or they’re hitting up church in the hopes of having God keep their dwindling budget alive for another year. 42 percent of the townsfolk are Bible-minded.
11. Jackson, Mississippi
The City with Soul
The current slogan for Jackson, Mississippi is “The City with Soul”, so it seems kind of fitting that a city who’s so proud of its intangible qualities is all kinds of excited about the Bible. A full 41 percent of residents identify as Bible-minded. On the flip side is knowing that a city with such Biblical devotion is also slowly making progress into the new millennium. Jackson’s first annual LGBT pride parade is scheduled for later this year.
10. Lexington, Kentucky
Nearly 40 Percent of Citizens Have at Least a Bachelor’s Degree
Never let it be said that being intelligent and believing in the written word of the Bible were mutually exclusive. Not only is Lexington number 10 on this list, it’s also tenth in the nation in college education rate. Nearly 40 percent of Lexington, KY citizens have at least a bachelor’s degree, which means that most of its people are both moderately smart and happy to attend some church.
9. Greenville/Asheville, NC
Don’t Visit in August
If you’re lucky enough to visit the area, you probably shouldn’t let the citizen’s belief in God to sway your decision, because in Asheville and Greenville, the folks are just nice, no matter your beliefs. The beautiful area has been the breeding ground for an economic revival in recent years, so it’s always a great time to visit. Okay, not in August. It’s very humid in August. The study showed 44 percent of locals are Bible-minded.
8. Knoxville, Tennessee
45 % of People Are Good-Book-minded
In addition to being the home to one of the nation’s most populous universities, the Smoky Mountain adjacent Knoxville is stunningly beautiful to boot. What’s more, the locals in the area are extremely proud of their independent, home spun, and, yes, religious history. Their isolationist attitude may be a thing of the past, but their Bible-oriented leanings haven’t changed much. A full 45 percent of surveyed people are Good-Book-minded.
7. Little Rock, Arkansas
People Here Strictly Follow the Bible’s Words
Yep, another southern city makes the list (are you noticing a trend here?). On the real, pretty much the only reason to visit Arkansas is to check out Little Rock, a city that was instrumental in helping mold modern America. Today, Little Rock is home to a large portion of people who strictly follow the Bible’s words, and it’s also the state’s cultural and economic center.
6. Charlotte, North Carolina
One Religious Venue for Every Thousand Citizens
According to a study done last year, Charlotte, NC has around 1 religious venue for every thousand citizens, which makes it number 8 in the country. It’s also the only one of the cities in the top 15 churchiest as well. The study found 46 percent of residents to be proudly Bible-minded.
5. Tri-Cities, Tennessee
Watching Grass Grow, 2nd Favorite Activity
The very northeastern tip of Tennessee and the bottom bit of Virginia form the Tri-Cities and, let’s be honest, we’ll have to give this entry the added caveat of … I wonder what else there is to do in Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol, Tennessee besides go to church? It’s a great source of community, it teaches some solid lessons, and it breaks the monotony of watching grass grow. 47 percent of people in this region are said to be Bible-minded.
4. Shreveport, Louisiana
These Bible Lovers Are Just Down the Street from Mardi Gras
Sure, the entire area surrounding the city is home to a large contingent of religious people, but it’s pretty obvious why Shreveport ranks so high on a list of cities that love the Bible, right? With New Orleans right down the proverbial street, it’s not surprising that some of the nation’s more moral citizens would hole up and band together in response to the heathen horde. 47 percent of them cling to their Bible for guidance and direction.
3. Lynchburg, Virginia
The Only Major Virginia City to Withstand Onslaught During the Civil War
The dual city of Lynchburg not only has several education institutions within its borders (further refuting the “smart people don’t need Jesus” theory), but it’s also got a reputation for rugged independence. Guess there’s a reason they were able to stick it out for so long during the war. A full 48 percent of these folks identify as Bible-minded.
2. Birmingham/Tuscaloosa, Alabama
The Highest Ratio of Protestants in the Country
This one should come as little surprise. In a study done in 2010, Birmingham was found to be super religious, with the second highest ratio of Christians and the highest ratio of Protestants in the country. Tuscaloosa, as well, has a reputation for a heavy Christian population, with large congregations of every denomination from Catholic down to Baptist. More than half (51 percent, to be precise) are Bible-loving citizens.
1. Chattanooga, Tennessee
The Veritable Buckle on the Bible Belt
Chattanooga is home to the highest concentration of God fearing folks within these contiguous United States (and probably anywhere else, too). If Jesus could pick the friendliest place possible to come back to, he’d skip right over Jerusalem and make his first stop in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The number one spot boasts a 52 percent Bible-minded population. Amen!
