Data center opposition jumps to 75% in U.S. survey

A Heatmap News survey cited by The Decoder finds that 75 percent of Americans now oppose having a data center built near them. That is up from 42 percent opposed a year ago, when views were nearly even, with 43 percent in favor and 42 percent against. The latest result also shows 61 percent are “strongly opposed,” signaling not just broader resistance but deeper intensity.

The survey asked the same question repeatedly over the past year, according to the article. A slim majority against nearby data centers first emerged in February, and Heatmap News journalist Robinson Meyer described the change as “a swift, massive shift.” For companies and local governments, the takeaway is direct: community acceptance can no longer be treated as a background issue.

The Decoder reports that the top concerns are local power costs, water use and land use. Those are practical, place-based issues, which helps explain why the question of building a data center “near them” can draw strong reactions. Developers and policymakers looking to reduce resistance will likely need to address those local impacts clearly and early.

The article says the latest numbers roughly match a Gallup poll from May that found 71 percent opposed, including 48 percent “strongly” opposed. It also says data centers now rank above racism and Israel as a campaign issue. That suggests the debate around AI infrastructure is moving beyond technology circles and into mainstream local and national politics.