The population is largely literate, well informed, and versely modern. Dressing is mainly western style, and the culture may be best described as an Afro-african-Western fusion. The general outlook to life is religious and conservative. As one would expect though,the younger generation, being more exposed and educated,is more liberal,and will tolerate and widely practice with the thinnest of veils, promiscuity and even abortion . Younger women will wear trousers and sexy outfits, though revealing to much flesh is frowned upon and has on a few occasions led to embarrassing episodes. Singlemotherhood is common and accepted. Gayism, though, is viewed by the vast majority as abhorrent, criminal, and taboo behavior. Though the depth of belief and dedication to religion varies, most people in Nyeri express belief in God. Following the national pattern of Kenya being a predominantly Christian country, Christianity is the main religion. The main Christian denominations are Catholic, Presbyterian, Anglican, Pentecostals and indigenous denominations, in that order. The
older residents, who tend to attend the mainstream churches, are invariably more religious than the younger ones. Pentecostal Churches, usually with a cult-like structure led and controlled by a charismatic dominant preacher, mainly attract impressionable younger congregations.

Muslims,traditional African believers and Hinduism, in declining order,make up a small minority.

About 5 km from the Town Centre is the Mathari Mission settlement, a complex of several Catholic buildings and institutions. It was established by Italian missionaries at the beginning of the 20th Century. The mission is home to the Catholic Mission, hosts several convents for nuns, schools,
a teacher training college and other vocational colleges.It also hosts the Consolata Hospital and School of Nursing, which is staffed largely by nuns of the Consolata order.