The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence has sparked a national conversation about the infrastructure that supports it, particularly data centers. A recent survey by Rasmussen Reports sheds light on public sentiment regarding these facilities and who should oversee their development.
The survey, conducted between June 21-23, 2026, polled 1,129 likely U.S. voters and found that 52% would oppose a proposal to build a data center in their community. This opposition includes 35% who strongly oppose such projects. Meanwhile, 39% expressed support, with 15% strongly in favor.
Environmental concerns and broader context
The debate surrounding data centers often centers on their environmental impact including energy use, water consumption, and land use. However, some analysts argue that these concerns are part of a larger discussion about artificial intelligence’s footprint. A June 16 opinion piece in the New York Post contended that data centers have become a political and environmental scapegoat for broader AI concerns.
Citing data from the Taxpayers Protection Alliance the article noted that in 2026, data centers accounted for a small fraction of resources in key states. For instance, they used 0.2% of New York state’s water and 3.5% of its electricity. In Florida, data centers consumed 0.1% of the state’s water and 1.6% of its electricity. Virginia, a major data center hub, saw these facilities use 1.4% of water and 4.6% of electricity.
The article also highlighted that data center water use pales in comparison to other sectors. Agriculture, for example, accounts for about 80% of U.S. water use, while golf courses use 476 billion gallons annually. Data centers, by contrast, account for less than 1% of national water consumption. Despite these figures, local concerns about data centers persist and require careful planning and community engagement.
Public opinion on regulation and demographics
The Rasmussen survey also explored voters’ preferences for regulation. Thirty-seven percent of likely voters believe Congress should pass legislation to regulate data center construction at the national level. However, 51% think decisions about data centers should be left to state and local governments, with another 12% unsure.
Political affiliation played a significant role in these views. Republicans were more likely than Democrats or unaffiliated voters to support a data center in their own community, with 48% expressing at least some support. In contrast, only 36% of Democrats and 32% of unaffiliated voters supported such projects. Opposition was highest among unaffiliated voters at 59%, followed by Democrats at 55% and Republicans at 44%.
Views on federal regulation were more mixed. Democrats and Republicans were both at 35% support for congressional regulation, while 30% of unaffiliated voters supported national legislation. Half of self-identified liberal voters said data center construction should be regulated at the national level, while 56% of conservatives and 55% of moderates favored state and local control.
Demographic differences in opinion
The survey also revealed notable differences in opinion based on gender, race, age, and income. Men were more likely than women to support a data center in their community, with 44% of men backing such a proposal compared with 34% of women. Men were also more likely to favor national regulation by Congress.
Opposition varied by race and ethnicity. Fifty-seven percent of white voters said they would oppose a data center in their community, compared with 40% of Black voters, 38% of Hispanic voters, and 60% of other minority voters. Black voters were the most likely group to support federal legislation regulating data center construction.
Age was also a factor. Voters 50 and older were the most likely to oppose having a data center built in their community, while voters under 30 were the most likely to favor congressional regulation. By income, voters earning between $30,000 and $50,000 annually were the most likely to support a data center in their community. Voters earning between $100,000 and $200,000 were the most likely to say the issue should be left to state and local governments.
Retirees were among the most opposed to data centers, with 59% saying they would oppose one being built in their community. That compares with 55% of private-sector workers and 49% of government employees.
The Rasmussen Reports survey highlights the complex and nuanced views of U.S. voters regarding data centers. As the demand for these facilities continues to grow, so too will the need for thoughtful dialogue and policy-making that balances technological advancement with community concerns.
