# Half of Americans rely only on free sources for local news

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/culture/half-of-americans-rely-only-on-free-sources-for-local-news/

> Indexed question in Culture.

## Reading

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

Do you pay for at least one local news source covering your city, town, or county? Please select the option that best fits.

Half of Americans rely only on free sources for local news.

- No, I only use local news resources that are free.: 50.3%
- None of the these apply to me.: 16.8%
- No, I do not use local news.: 14.6%
- Yes, I pay for my own subscription to a local news source.: 8.7%
- No, but I have access to a local news subscription paid for by someone else.: 4.4%
- Yes, I have donated to a local news source, AND I pay for a local news source subscription.: 2.9%
- Yes, I have donated to a local news source, but I do NOT pay for a subscription.: 2.4%

## 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: 2026-09-25 → 2026-09-30
- 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

## Source

- Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-153-apsa-omnibus-report#q-146](https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-153-apsa-omnibus-report#q-146)

## Citation

APSA Omnibus Survey #2026-153, fielded September 25-30, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.4%.

Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-153-apsa-omnibus-report#q-146](https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-153-apsa-omnibus-report#q-146)