Most oppose data centers locally; few feel informed

public skepticism – A CBS News/YouGov survey of 2,023 U.S. adults conducted June 2–4, 2026 finds more Americans oppose than favor building a new data center in their area. Skepticism is tied to how familiar people feel with data centers: the less they say they know, the less like

On paper, the debate over data centers sounds technical. On the ground, the feeling is simpler: many Americans don’t want one nearby, and a lot of them say they don’t really understand what data centers do.

In a CBS News/YouGov survey of 2,023 U.S. adults interviewed between June 2 and 4, 2026, overall results tilt sharply against new construction in local communities. By more than two to one, more Americans oppose than favor having a new data center built in their area. Even among the relatively few people—16%—who say they know “a lot” about data centers, opposition still outweighs support.

The unease isn’t just about the idea of a data center. It’s tied to what people think the building will take and what it will cost them. Majorities of respondents believe data centers are mostly bad for the environment and for resources such as water and electricity. and they also expect negative impacts on people’s energy or utility costs in the areas where data centers are built.

At the same time, people don’t sound settled about their views. Sizable percentages say they are “not sure,” and that uncertainty lines up with familiarity. People’s own lack of familiarity with data centers contributes to their unease about having one in their local area. The pattern is straightforward: while people tend not to favor data centers no matter how much they feel they know. the less they feel they know about data centers. the less likely they are to favor one. Those who report knowing “nothing” about data centers are mostly unsure about having one in their area.

That matters because the country is also split on the larger question of whether the U.S. needs more data centers to stay competitive in technology and AI. For those who would favor a new data center in their area. one belief stands out: they overwhelmingly think data centers are necessary for the U.S. to compete with other countries.

But local comfort doesn’t automatically follow national purpose. More Republicans than Democrats think data centers are needed for competitiveness, yet many in both parties—like Democrats—still aren’t sold on having one where they live.

Even when people see upside, the benefits don’t wipe out the local doubts. Slightly more Americans think building data centers is good rather than bad for both the local economy and for tax revenue. And those who anticipate these benefits are more inclined to favor than oppose a data center in their area. On jobs. perceptions are similarly mixed: half of Americans see data centers as boosting the number of jobs where they are built in the short term. but far fewer think that will be true in the long term.

Taken together. the survey paints a picture of communities forming judgments in the middle of a fast-moving buildout—often with limited knowledge and a lot of “not sure.” The polling itself underscores the stakes of that gap. With a margin of error of ±2.8 points. the survey’s toplines are clear: more people oppose new data centers locally than support them. and familiarity—or the lack of it—appears to shape just how hard that resistance sticks.

data centers CBS News YouGov AI infrastructure cybersecurity infrastructure environmental impact energy costs water use utility bills jobs public opinion poll