POLITICO Poll on Data Centers
ReviewedNational
Study Details
- Pollster
- Public First
- Sponsor
- POLITICO
- Sponsor Category
- Media
- Field Dates
- Jan 16, 2026 – Jan 19, 2026
- Published
- Feb 13, 2026
- Geography
- National
- Sample Size
- n=2,093
- Margin of Error
- +/- 2%
- Mode
- online
- Population
- U.S. adults
Questions (11)
Q1. Do you expect data centers to be a campaign issue in your area in the next five years?
OtherAI Infrastructure
Expect to be campaign issue50%
Q2. Would you support a data center in your area at $10 monthly electric bill increase?
TradeoffElectricity CostsAI Infrastructure
Support halved50%
Q3. Would you support a data center in your area at $25 monthly electric bill increase?
TradeoffElectricity CostsAI Infrastructure
Crosstabs
Those likely to support
| Response | % | n |
|---|---|---|
| Support | 39% |
Originally supportive
| Response | % | n |
|---|---|---|
| Oppose | 48% |
Q4. Would you support a data center in your area at $50 monthly electric bill increase?
TradeoffElectricity CostsAI Infrastructure
Oppose60%
Q5. What are the main drawbacks or benefits of building data centers in the United States?
ConcernElectricity CostsGridJobs/Taxes
Crosstabs
Overall - Top concern
| Response | % | n |
|---|---|---|
| Higher electricity prices | — |
Overall - Second concern
| Response | % | n |
|---|---|---|
| Risk of blackouts | — |
Ages 18-24
| Response | % | n |
|---|---|---|
| Job losses | 30% |
Supporters - Top benefit
| Response | % | n |
|---|---|---|
| Job creation | — |
Supporters - Second benefit
| Response | % | n |
|---|---|---|
| Secure data storage in the U.S. | — |
Q6. Do you support or oppose a plan to build more data centers in the U.S.?
Support/OpposeAI Infrastructure
Support50%
Crosstabs
Trump voters
| Response | % | n |
|---|---|---|
| Support | 61% |
Harris voters
| Response | % | n |
|---|---|---|
| Support | 49% |
Undecided voters
| Response | % | n |
|---|---|---|
| Support | 36% |
Q7. Do you support Trump's push to develop AI models by building data centers across the U.S.?
Support/OpposeAI Infrastructure
Crosstabs
Harris voters
| Response | % | n |
|---|---|---|
| Support | 28% |
Undecided voters
| Response | % | n |
|---|---|---|
| Support | 15% |
Q8. Do you support building more data centers around the country?
Support/OpposeAI Infrastructure
Crosstabs
Men
| Response | % | n |
|---|---|---|
| Support | 58% |
Women
| Response | % | n |
|---|---|---|
| Support | 41% |
Women - Trump version
| Response | % | n |
|---|---|---|
| Support | 26% |
Q9. Would you support or oppose a new data center within three miles of your home?
Support/OpposeCommunity ImpactAI Infrastructure
Support/Strongly support37%
Oppose/Strongly oppose28%
Neither support nor oppose36%
Crosstabs
Within 1 mile of existing data center
| Response | % | n |
|---|---|---|
| Support | 53% |
20+ miles from data center
| Response | % | n |
|---|---|---|
| Support | 31% |
Q10. Would you support construction of various facilities near your home?
Support/OpposeCommunity Impact
Crosstabs
Support/Strongly support
| Response | % | n |
|---|---|---|
| Train station | 45% | |
| Road or highway | 53% | |
| Shopping mall | 49% | |
| Low-income housing | 57% | |
| Delivery warehouse | 50% | |
| Power plant or electric infrastructure | 36% | |
| Data center | 37% |
Q11. How confident are you in your understanding of data centers?
AwarenessAI Infrastructure
Very confident21%
Somewhat confident44%
Don't know what data center is or answered inaccurately25%
Incorrect understanding15%