Poll: Americans say they're happy

PRINCETON, N.J., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Most Americans say they are very satisfied with the way things are going for them personally but are unhappy with how things are going in the United States.

More than 80 percent of Americans say they are satisfied with their lives at this time, including a solid majority who say they are "very satisfied," according to a recent Gallup Poll. Fourteen percent of respondents said they are dissatisfied personally.

The Gallup Poll found that Republicans, married adults, those residing in higher income households, parents of young children, those attending church weekly, and whites are most likely to say they are satisfied and happy at this time.

The percentage of Americans who say they are satisfied with their personal life has averaged 82 percent since 1979, with a low of 73 percent in July 1979 and a high of 88 percent in December 2004.

At least six in 10 Americans who attend church services weekly said they are very satisfied with their personal lives and are very happy.

The poll, based on telephone interviews with 1,027 national adults, was conducted Dec. 6-9. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 3 points.