Half of Americans rely only on free sources for local news
Core finding
Verasight surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults from September 25 to 30, 2026. 50.3% of Americans use only free local news sources, while 11.5% pay for a subscription, some of whom also donate. 14.6% don't use local news.
Some 8.7% pay for their own subscription, and 4.4% use one paid for by someone else. The shares cover all adults, including the 14.6% who don't use local news and the 16.8% who say none of the answers applies.
Topline distribution
Half of Americans rely only on free sources for local news.
Do you pay for at least one local news source covering your city, town, or county? Please select the option that best fits.
n = 1,000 · Sep 25–30, 2026 · MoE ±3.4%
Methodology
Full 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 | Sep 25–30, 2026 |
| Base (unweighted) | 1,000 |
| Margin of error | ±3.4% |
| Module | Technology, Security, and Global Affairs |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- reports.verasight.io/r/2026-153-apsa-omnibus-report
Please select the option that best fits.
Cite this question
APSA Omnibus Survey #2026-153, fielded September 25-30, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.4%.