Redfin: Half of Americans Don’t Want Data Centers in Their Neighborhoods

(Image courtesy of Ron Lach/pexels.com)

Redfin, Seattle, found 47% of U.S. residents oppose the construction of AI data centers in their neighborhoods. In contrast, 38% say they support it.

Redfin commissioned the poll, conducted by Ipsos.

By generation, Gen Zers, at 48%, and millennials, at 50%, are more likely to support data centers in their neighborhood. That compares with 38% of Gen Xers and 22% of Baby Boomers.

Thirty-nine percent of homeowners approve, compared with 36% of renters.

Respondents were slightly more likely to oppose data centers in their neighborhood than any other type of building listed in the poll. For example, 46% oppose converting single-family homes near them into multifamily buildings. Thirty-seven percent of respondents oppose building new apartments complexes in their neighborhoods, and 31% oppose mixed-use developments.

Data centers present specific concerns for potential neighbors, including electricity and water resources, and worries about the impact of AI on the local job market. On the other hand, they could improve employment in specific fields like construction and IT.

“A lot of local residents are frustrated about the surge in data centers in our community,” said Hazel Shakur, a Redfin agent who sells homes primarily in Prince George’s County, Md. “There are already five data centers in our county, with another one planned at the site of what was once a popular mall. People are questioning whether county officials are trading long-term community vision and quality of life for projects that may not directly benefit the people who live here.”