Polls show most Americans oppose AI data centers near their homes

In short: Polls in 2026 show around three-quarters of Americans oppose building AI data centers in their local area, mainly due to resource use and local disruption.

What's going on

A growing share of Americans say they do not want an AI data center built near them. A Gallup survey from March 2026 found 71% oppose building AI data centers in their area, and nearly half said they strongly oppose it.

People’s top worry is basic local resources. In Gallup’s polling, about half of opponents pointed first to heavy use of electricity and water. Reuters and Ipsos found 77% of Americans worry that AI-driven data centers will make electricity more expensive, and Pew Research found far more people say data centers are mostly bad than mostly good for the environment and home energy costs.

Many residents also describe day-to-day impacts. Data centers are often large, windowless buildings, and nearby neighbors complain about constant noise from cooling equipment and backup generators. Some communities worry about water use for cooling, with reports comparing a mid-sized facility’s water needs to a small town (like adding a new town’s worth of demand without adding new lakes or rivers).

Another common complaint is that the trade-off feels uneven. Construction brings activity, but long-term staffing is usually limited, and some areas offer tax breaks that residents see as a public subsidy for private companies. People also say projects move too quickly, with decisions made through closed-door negotiations and limited public input.

What to watch

Local and state officials are likely to face more pressure to slow approvals, require clearer public hearings, and set rules on water and power use. Companies may respond by promising community benefits, but polls suggest many people remain skeptical of both AI and big tech firms.

Source: NYTimes