Despite declining participation in organized religion, new data shows that millions of Americans are turning back to Scripture, driving Bible sales to their highest levels in two decades.
As of September, Bible sales were up 11% over last year, with 2.4 million copies sold in September alone, according to Circana, which tracks book sales nationwide.
In total, more than 18 million Bibles have already been sold this year.
The surge notably coincided with the murder of conservative Christian activist Charlie Kirk, which several retailers say sparked renewed interest in church participation and Scripture engagement.
“Sales for Bibles have been steadily growing in the U.S. since 2021 and have set unprecedented annual sales records since 2022,” Circana BookScan analyst Brenna Connor told Religion News Service.
“2024 marked a 20-year high for Bible sales in the U.S., and 2025 is on track to surpass these levels, underscoring the growing interest in religious content among U.S. consumers.”
What Americans Are Buying
The bestselling Bible in the country is an economy edition of the “English Standard Version” (ESV), followed by the popular “Adventure Bible” for kids and the “She Reads Truth Bible,” part of a large online women’s Bible-reading community.
A pink, giant-print King James Version continues to be a top seller.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump earned more than $1.3 million last year for endorsing the patriotic “God Bless the USA” Bible, inspired by Lee Greenwood’s famous song.
A Search for Stability Amid Chaos
Publishers cannot track buyer demographics, but Bible expert and YouTuber Tim Wildsmith believes Americans are looking for something solid during a period marked by cultural upheaval.
“Part of me wonders if people are just looking for something to kind of settle themselves — that spiritual looking for peace, whatever you want to call it,” Wildsmith said.
At Christian Connection bookstore in Sycamore, Illinois, co-owner Kelli Malm says the New Living Translation (NLT) is flying off shelves, especially editions that link to the new “Filament” study app.
“People want the readability, especially if they’re new Christians, and if they’re younger, they can use an app,” Malm said.
“It’s kind of a no-brainer situation for people — they’ve got a Bible and carry it around with them, and they don’t have to necessarily grab the big study Bible.”
The store saw a noticeable spike after Charlie Kirk’s passing, with at least one customer telling Malm it inspired them to return to church.
Younger Generations Reengaging with Scripture
Major publishers like HarperCollins Christian Publishing and Tyndale House say the growth spans every category, from children’s Bibles to Gen Z-focused editions like “The Jesus Bible.”
HarperCollins Bible publisher Melinda Bouma said demand is so broad that having numerous editions helps retailers stay stocked:
“If one version sells out, there are many other options.”
The American Bible Society’s annual State of the Bible report found:
• 41% of Americans qualify as “Bible users” (reading Scripture at least 3 times per year).
• 36% of Gen Z and 39% of Millennials fit that category—an increase among Millennials from the previous year.
• Only 20% of Americans qualify as “Scripture engaged,” meaning the Bible plays a central role in their lives.
A Nation Hungry for Truth, Even as Faith Institutions Decline
Despite record-setting Bible sales, Americans’ self-reported religiosity continues to fall.
A recent Gallup survey found that only 49% say religion is important in their lives, marking a new low in a multi-decade decline.
Even so, millions appear to be reaching for Scripture as political polarization, social unrest, and economic uncertainty grow.
Whether this Bible boom translates into long-term revival remains to be seen, but the hunger for truth, meaning, and stability is unmistakable.
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