Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Americans Grow More Concerned About Data Centers’ Local Costs
A new survey asked more than 10,000 adults in the United States what they think about data centers.
These are places that house computers and other equipment.
More people now say data centers can hurt the environment, raise home energy costs, or make nearby communities less pleasant.
These concerns have grown since January, including in rural areas where many new projects are planned.
People are less sure about whether data centers help local jobs and tax revenue.
Some respondents say they do help, while many are unsure.
Six out of 10 people say they would feel uncomfortable with a new data center nearby.
More Americans have heard about data centers than earlier in the year.
A Pew Research Center survey of 10,548 U.S. adults found 54% say data centers are mostly bad for the environment, up from 39% in January.
Half say data centers are mostly bad for home energy costs, and 49% say they harm nearby residents’ quality of life.
Negative views rose among rural residents, including from 32% to 50% on environmental effects between January and August.
Views on local jobs and tax revenue remain divided, with many respondents unsure and roughly one in five saying data centers are mostly beneficial.
Six in 10 Americans say they would be uncomfortable with a new data center operating in their area.
- Who
- 10,548 U.S. adults surveyed by Pew Research Center.
- What
- The survey found growing concern about data centers’ environmental, energy-cost, and community effects.
- When
- The latest survey was conducted in August; results were compared with January.
- Where
- United States.
- Why
- The survey measured public views as debate grows over data centers’ local costs and potential economic benefits.
Concerned about local costs
See potential economic benefits
Community and environmental effects
Concerned about local costs
Many respondents say data centers are mostly bad for the environment, home energy costs, and the quality of life of nearby residents.
See potential economic benefits
Only 4% said data centers have a mostly good impact on any of those three areas.
Jobs and tax revenue
Concerned about local costs
Negative views have increased: 24% said data centers are mostly bad for local jobs and 21% said they are mostly bad for local tax revenue.
See potential economic benefits
22% said data centers are mostly good for local jobs, and the same share said they are mostly good for local tax revenue; many others were unsure.
- Survey sample
- 10,548 U.S. adults
- Environmental impact
- 54% said data centers are mostly bad for the environment, compared with 39% in January.
- Home energy costs
- 50% said data centers are mostly bad for home energy costs, compared with 38% in January.
- Nearby quality of life
- 49% said data centers are mostly bad for the quality of life of nearby residents, compared with 30% in January.
- Comfort with a nearby center
- 60% said they would be not too or not at all comfortable with a new data center in their area.
- Awareness
- 88% had heard at least a little about data centers; 35% had heard or read a lot, up from 25% in January.
- Economic views
- 22% said data centers are mostly good for local jobs, and 22% said they are mostly good for local tax revenue.