Timothy P. Carney, author of "Alienated America: Why Some Places Thrive While Others Collapse," writes about what he's discovered in a recent editorial for the New York Post.

Carney references Sioux County, Iowa as an example. The county is known for its strong Christian presence in the state. The Association of Religious Data Archives states the county has the highest portion of evangelicals and mainline Protestants in Iowa. Carney's research reveals the county rates low in problems such as drug overdose.

On the other hand, Carney highlights how areas such as Pottawattamie County—Iowa's least religious county—have the highest rates in the state for violent crimes, overdoses, and disability claims.

Carney reports research from Deseret News and BYU that families attending church at least once a week are "very happy" and are more likely to eat dinner together daily and participate in family activities. The increased family time results in a healthier household.

"Belonging to a church is a crucial element of living a good, happy, healthy life. And this phenomenon ripples out from the individuals into the community," writes Carney. "Places like Sioux Center, or like Salt Lake City, with full vibrant churches, are places with more upward mobility, more marriage, and more family formation."

"The key is churches that deliberately and unceasingly try to build communities and become institutions of civil society, not merely places of worship. These churches teach their followers to live out their faith by serving their neighbors, and they provide the safety net and sense of purpose that only tight-knit communities can provide," Carney added.

Though statistics have proven the church's benefits, Pew Research shares that overall church attendance has been on the decline, with only 36 percent of Americans attending weekly services in 2014. The number is a 14 percent decline from a 1950's Gallup Report.

CBN recently reported on the rising "None" movement. "Nones" are people identifying themselves as having no religious affiliation. Many believe there is a God but have lost the desire to be affiliated with a religion. This mindset reflects the lifestyles of many millennials—over 59 percent have already left the church.

Carney believes shrinking church attendance in the US is clearly connected to societal problems.

"As politicians and social leaders try to pinpoint the root cause of American woe, they should start by looking at the closing churches—and the ones that are bustling," writes Carney. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

California Town Tears Down Beloved Hillside Cross

Danielle Smith Again Defends Alberta's Coming Ban on Transgender Mutilation of Children

Detransitioners: We Were Pushed to Transition as Teens, Now We're 'Vindicated' By Study Showing Kids Grow Out of It

US Supreme Court Says Idaho Can Enforce Ban on Child 'Sex Changes' as Lawsuit Continues

How Bidenomics Shattered the American Dream of Homeownership

Bill Aims to Stop Illegal Aliens from Squatting in US Homes

Soros-Linked NGO Distributes Flyers in Mexico Telling Illegal Immigrants to 'Vote For Biden': Report

Long-Awaited Articles of Impeachment against DHS Secretary Mayorkas Finally Arrive in Senate

Justices Gorsuch and Alito Highlight Biden Admin's Glaring Double Standard during J6 Hearing

Louisiana House Passes Bill That Requires All Schools Receiving State Funds to Display the Ten Commandments Inside Classrooms

NPR Suspends Editor Who Blew Whistle on Left-Wing Takeover of Newsroom

Sri Lanka: Pro-Family Activists Successfully Derail Effort to Turn Country Pro-LGBT, But Now There's a New Fight in Parliament over Broad 'Gender' Bills

50,000 Join Polish March for Life in the Midst of Government Push to Overturn Abortion Ban

Hamas Remains Obstacle to Gaza Ceasefire, Israel Has Moved in a 'Significant Way,' US Says

Wow. Joe Biden Approved Iran's Assault on Israel 'Within Certain Limits'

'Unjust Scam': Trump Says He Will Likely Miss Son Barron's Graduation Due to 'Conflicted and Corrupt' Judge

Maine Governor Allows National Popular Vote Legislation to Become Law

Election Integrity: Trump, Mike Johnson Back Bill Assuring Only US Citizens Vote in Elections

Fox News Host Lawrence Jones Delivers Powerful Gospel Message: I'm 'Proud to Be a Believer'

California Mom Wants Child Castrated Without Father's Consent