Between 60% and 75% of the U.S. population opposes the construction of new artificial intelligence (AI) data centers in their local communities, according to major national surveys from 2026.
• Gallup Poll (March 2026): 71% of Americans oppose building AI data centers in their local area, with 48% reporting they are strongly opposed. Only 27% favor them.
• Heatmap/Embold Research (August 2026): 75% of Americans oppose local AI data center development near their residence, with 61% strongly opposed.
• Pew Research Center (August 2026): 60% of U.S. adults feel uncomfortable with a new local data facility in their area.
• Annenberg Public Policy Center (August 2026): 61% of U.S. adults oppose new data center construction in their local community.
• YouGov/The Economist (August 2026): 63% oppose local data center construction, while only 19% support it.
— Jacob Windrix (@JacobWindrix) September 29, 2026