AI news ·
Nearly half of Americans oppose AI data centers in their neighborhoods, survey finds
47% of Americans oppose building an AI data center in their neighborhood, outpacing resistance to apartment complexes (37%) and mixed-use development (31%). Top concerns include energy and water use, noise, and environmental impact.
Nearly Half of Americans Oppose AI Data Centers in Their Neighborhoods
Forty-seven percent of U.S. residents oppose building an AI data center nearby, according to a survey of 4,000 Americans conducted in November 2025. Thirty-eight percent support the construction.
The opposition to data centers now exceeds resistance to other major developments. Only 37 percent of respondents oppose a new apartment complex in their neighborhood, and 31 percent oppose mixed-use development. Converting single-family homes into multi-unit dwellings comes closest to data center opposition at 46 percent.
What's Driving the Opposition
Residents cite three main concerns: electricity and water consumption, noise, and environmental impact. About 60 percent of survey respondents also said they believe AI will eliminate jobs.
The U.S. currently has more than 3,000 AI data centers, with thousands more under development as demand for AI grows.
Economic Trade-Offs
Data centers do generate local economic benefits. They create jobs in IT, security, and construction. They also drive investment in energy and water infrastructure.
Age and Politics Shape Views
Younger Americans are significantly more supportive. Fifty percent of millennials and 48 percent of Gen Zers support nearby data center construction, compared with 38 percent of Gen Xers and 22 percent of baby boomers.
Political affiliation also matters. Forty-nine percent of Republicans support data center construction in their neighborhood, while 36 percent of Democrats do.
The survey carries a credibility interval of plus or minus 1.9 percentage points.