# Americans are more likely to support datacenters if it means lower bills

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/ai/data-centers-and-household-benefits/
Published: 2026-10-07

> Featured topic in AI & Tech.

Most Americans oppose a data center near home (77.7%). But 69.8% would support one that lowers their electricity bills, and 65.8% would support one that pays residents about $5,000 per household.

## Overview: Household benefits draw more support

In a Verasight survey of 1,500 U.S. adults conducted September 16 to 21, 2026, 77.7% oppose a large data center within 10 miles of home. Support reaches 69.8% when a proposed community investment would lower electricity bills.

Each benefit scenario describes a company investing about $100 million in the community over ten years. Payments of about $5,000 per household also draw support from 65.8%.

## The initial proposal draws opposition

Without a stated community benefit, 53.3% strongly oppose a nearby data center and 24.4% somewhat oppose it. Support totals 22.3%.

Every scenario keeps the location within 10 miles of the respondent’s home. The later questions add different uses for the proposed investment.

## Lower bills and direct payments draw support

When the money would lower electricity bills, 39.6% strongly favor the data center and 30.2% somewhat favor it, for 69.8% support.

Direct household payments draw 65.8% support, including 36.2% who strongly favor the proposal. These are separate answers to hypothetical offers; the totals do not establish how many individual respondents changed their minds.

## How the community spends the money matters

A $50,000 bonus for every public-school teacher draws 54.8% support. Funding for local police and fire departments draws 53.0%.

Support falls to 25.7% when the money goes to local government to use however it wishes. Opposition to that version totals 74.3%.

## Supporting evidence

### 77.7% somewhat or strongly oppose a large data center being built within 10 miles of home.

Question: Would you favor or oppose a large data center being built within 10 miles of your home?

Topline:

- Strongly oppose: 53.3%
- Somewhat oppose: 24.4%
- Somewhat favor: 17.4%
- Strongly favor: 4.9%

### 69.8% of Americans favor a data center within 10 miles of home when a hypothetical $100 million community investment over ten years funds lower electricity bills.

Question: - Used to lower residents' electricity bills

Topline:

- Strongly favor: 39.6%
- Somewhat favor: 30.2%
- Strongly oppose: 19.0%
- Somewhat oppose: 11.2%

### 65.8% of Americans favor a data center within 10 miles of home when a hypothetical $100 million community investment over ten years funds payments of about $5,000 per household.

Question: - Paid directly to residents, about $5,000 per household

Topline:

- Strongly favor: 36.2%
- Somewhat favor: 29.6%
- Strongly oppose: 21.6%
- Somewhat oppose: 12.6%

### 74.3% of Americans oppose a data center within 10 miles of home when a hypothetical $100 million community investment over ten years goes to local government without restrictions.

Question: - Paid to your local government to use however they wish

Topline:

- Strongly oppose: 47.5%
- Somewhat oppose: 26.8%
- Somewhat favor: 18.6%
- Strongly favor: 7.2%

### 54.8% of Americans favor a data center within 10 miles of home when a hypothetical $100 million community investment over ten years funds a $50,000 bonus for every public-school teacher.

Question: - $50,000 bonus for all public school teachers

Topline:

- Somewhat favor: 33.3%
- Strongly oppose: 26.6%
- Strongly favor: 21.5%
- Somewhat oppose: 18.6%

### 53.0% of Americans favor a data center within 10 miles of home when a hypothetical $100 million community investment over ten years supports police and fire departments.

Question: - Paid to local police and fire departments

Topline:

- Somewhat favor: 34.0%
- Strongly oppose: 26.9%
- Somewhat oppose: 20.1%
- Strongly favor: 19.0%

## Methodology

- Mode: Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting
- Population: US adults age 18+
- Field dates: 2026-09-16 → 2026-09-21
- Base (unweighted): 1,500
- Margin of error: +/- 2.6%
- Module: Current Events Survey #2026-243
- Sponsor: Verasight
- Weight variable: weight
- Weighting targets: age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status

## Sources

- [Would you favor or oppose a large data center being built within 10 miles of your home?](https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-243-current-events-report#q-19): reports.verasight.io/r/2026-243-current-events-report
- [- Paid to your local government to use however they wish](https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-243-current-events-report#q-20): reports.verasight.io/r/2026-243-current-events-report
- [- $50,000 bonus for all public school teachers](https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-243-current-events-report#q-20): reports.verasight.io/r/2026-243-current-events-report
- [- Paid to local police and fire departments](https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-243-current-events-report#q-20): reports.verasight.io/r/2026-243-current-events-report
- [- Paid directly to residents, about $5,000 per household](https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-243-current-events-report#q-20): reports.verasight.io/r/2026-243-current-events-report
- [- Used to lower residents' electricity bills](https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-243-current-events-report#q-20): reports.verasight.io/r/2026-243-current-events-report

## Citation

September Verasight National Survey: Current Events and Prediction Markets, fielded September 16-21, 2026, N=1,500 US adults age 18+, +/- 2.6%.

Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-243-current-events-report#q-19](https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-243-current-events-report#q-19)