Redfin Reports Most Americans Say ‘Not in My Backyard’ to AI Data Centers

(Data Center Stock photo courtesy of Christina Morillo via Pexels)

More than half of U.S. residents–53%–oppose the construction of an AI data center in their neighborhood, according to Redfin, Seattle. Just one-third (34%) support it.

Redfin surveyed 4,000 U.S. residents in May about how respondents feel about building certain types of properties in their neighborhoods.

“AI data centers are controversial largely because they strain electricity and water resources, which can push up energy costs and spark environmental concerns, per various news sources,” Redfin said. “They can also disrupt communities with noise and large, industrial-looking structures.”

Redfin cited one example of opposition: New York state recently passed a statewide ban on building large data centers.

“For some people, AI data centers also represent broader fears about AI: Nearly three in five (58%) of U.S. residents believe that advances in AI will eliminate jobs and make it harder to afford homes,” Redfin said.

One Redfin real estate agent in Virginia said concerns about nearby data centers are becoming increasingly common among homebuyers. “One recent buyer asked the agent to verify that no data center was planned near a home she was considering, and another northern Virginia buyer later said they likely would have chosen a different neighborhood had they known how many data centers were nearby,” the report said. “House hunters are concerned about noise, traffic, heavy water and electricity use, and the impact of industrial buildings on the character of neighborhoods.”

Looking at the data by age, older generations are more likely than younger generations to oppose data centers in their area. Roughly two-thirds (65%) of baby boomers and 60% of Gen Xers oppose the construction of an AI data center in their neighborhood, compared with 42% of Gen Zers and 43% of millennials, the report noted.

“Additionally, Americans are more likely to oppose data centers in their neighborhood than any other type of building Redfin asked about,” the report said. “More than half of U.S. residents oppose construction of a data center near their home, while 39% oppose a new apartment complex and 32% oppose a mixed-use development. Forty-eight percent oppose converting single-family homes into smaller dwellings to increase supply in their area.”