Sixty-three percent of U.S. voters now oppose the construction of AI data centers in or near their communities. This figure, from a new poll by Emerson College, indicates a 21-point increase since December 2025. The drastic rise in opposition highlights growing resistance to technology once thought to promise prosperity but perceived as a burden in terms of costs, especially concerning electricity and water resources.
Public Outlook on AI Data Centers
A survey conducted by Emerson College between July 19 and 20, surveying 1,100 likely 2026 voters, reveals that Americans are more concerned (63 percent) than excited (14 percent) about artificial intelligence. Furthermore, 22 percent of respondents expressed neither concern nor excitement. When focusing on data centers necessary for AI and machine learning, skepticism grows with educational attainment.
Those with postgraduate degrees show the strongest opposition, climbing 27 points to 79 percent since December. Similarly, 72 percent of college graduates oppose AI data centers, marking a 25-point increase. Among high school graduates, opposition has increased by 9 points to 37 percent.
Community ‘NIMBY’ Attitudes
Only 27 percent of voters support developing AI data centers in their vicinity, while 10 percent remain neutral. A Redfin survey in May, involving 4,000 adults, echoed this sentiment with 53 percent opposing local data centers and 34 percent supporting them.
The survey demonstrated generational differences in opposition: 65 percent of baby boomers and 60 percent of Gen Xers resisted AI data centers in their neighborhoods, compared to 42 percent of Gen Zers and 43 percent of millennials.
Community concerns extend beyond data centers to other developments. For example, 39 percent opposed nearby apartment complexes. Matt Ferris, a Redfin agent in Virginia, reported growing client concerns over noise, traffic, and the industrial nature of data centers, fearing negative neighborhood changes.
Grassroots Resistance Grows
There are now at least 430 local data center opposition groups across 40 states organizing via Facebook, of which 192 groups formed in the past three months,according to the Data Center Opposition Report. Membership in these groups has grown seven-fold since December.
State Reactions to Data Center Concerns
States are reevaluating incentives for AI data centers. New York imposed a statewide freeze on new hyperscale data centers, with a one-year moratorium announced by Governor Kathy Hochul. The moratorium aims to develop environmental standards to address concerns about utility costs and resource consumption.
Maine’s legislature passed a bill imposing an 18-month halt on large data centers, but it was vetoed. Virginia’s attempt to restrict new data centers until July 2028 failed. Meanwhile, Oregon suspended data centers’ access to a major tax-break program. Illinois lawmakers have proposed the POWER Act, requiring large data centers to fund their energy infrastructure, disclose water use, and satisfy community-benefit standards.
States like Delaware, Georgia, Michigan, and others are considering similar restrictions.
Potential Advantages of Hosting Data Centers
Despite opposition, some reports highlight benefits of hosting data centers. A Redfin analysis of Virginia’s Loudoun and Prince William counties shows substantial growth in education spending, fueled by data centers, over the past 15 years.
Loudoun County, with 176 data centers, sees its primary source of personal property tax revenue coming from computer equipment in data centers. Similarly, Prince William County, home to 77 data centers, has seen significant tax revenue increases, contributing to education funding.
Personal property tax revenue per resident increased by 639 percent in Loudoun County and 349 percent in Prince William County. Education spending rose by 82 percent in Prince William and 77 percent in Loudoun County per resident.
A Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis report also indicates that AI construction positively impacts local economic activity.
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