# Three-in-ten Americans say a data center is operating or planned nearby

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/ai/three-in-ten-americans-say-a-data-center-is-operating-or-planned-nearby/

> Indexed question in AI & Tech.

## Reading

Verasight surveyed 1,500 U.S. adults from September 16 to 21, 2026. 29.8% say a large data center is operating or planned within about 10 miles of home.

Planned data centers account for 20.3%, and already operating centers for 9.5%. Another 40.0% say neither is nearby and 30.2% are unsure. These are residents’ reports, not a verified inventory of facilities.

## Topline

As far as you know, is there a large data center, a building full of computers that powers things like cloud storage and artificial intelligence, currently operating or planned within about 10 miles of your home?

Three-in-ten Americans say a data center is operating or planned nearby.

- No: 40.0%
- Not sure: 30.2%
- Yes, one is planned or proposed: 20.3%
- Yes, one is already operating: 9.5%

## 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

## Source

- Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-243-current-events-report#q-18](https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-243-current-events-report#q-18)

## 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-18](https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-243-current-events-report#q-18)