Americans do not want AI data centers in their backyards

Over 70 percent of Americans oppose AI data center construction in their area, according to a new Gallup survey. Just 7 percent said they were “strongly” in favor of new data centers. According to Gallup, data centers are so strongly disliked that Americans would prefer to live near a nuclear power plant than a data center — even at its peak, opposition to nuclear power plant construction topped out at 63 percent.

Gallup’s data is based on a March 2026 survey of 1,000 randomly selected American adults in all 50 US states and the District of Columbia, along with an April 2026 survey of 2,054 adults “who are members of the Gallup Panel.” Among those in opposition, 50 percent said data centers’ impact on resources like water and electricity was their top concern. A Pew Research survey published earlier this month similarly reported that 43 percent of Americans view data centers as a “major reason” for skyrocketing power bills.

Opposition to new data center construction was strongest among Democrats at 75 percent, followed by 74 percent of independent voters and 63 percent of Republicans.

Quality-of-life concerns, effects on cost of living, pollution, and negative views of AI were among other top reasons survey respondents weren’t in favor of data center construction in their area. For those who support new data centers, 55 percent said job opportunities were their main reason. Maine governor Janet Mills also cited jobs as her reason for vetoing an 18-month moratorium on new data center construction in her state earlier this year.