The top two made it back-to-back-to-back.

Mississippi and Utah finished first and second for the third consecutive year in Gallup’s annual survey of the most religious states in the United States.  The survey has been conducted annually since 2008.

Vermont and its neighboring New England states continue to rank near the bottom.

Mississippi reported that 61 percent of residents classified themselves as “very religious” meaning they consider religion to be an important part of their lives.  They also attend a worship service at least once a week, many more than once.  Utah is close behind with 60 percent.  Alabama was third followed by Louisiana, South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia.

Vermont was the least religious with 22 percent of residents saying they were “very religious.”  Vermont was followed by New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts and western state Oregon.

The poll showed the number of “very religious” Americans was up slightly at 41.4 percent while the number of “nonreligious” fell to 29.4, the lowest of any previous survey.