← Capacity ReportOnly 12% of Virginians
Pillar · Public Will
Only 12% of Virginians
support new data centers.
The Commonwealth is home to the largest data-center corridor on Earth — and to a population that, county after county, hearing after hearing, is saying no. This page collects the polling, the quantitative research, and the qualitative testimony that make Public Will Virginia's most under-reported constraint.
Headline finding
12%
approve of building new data centers in their community
Wason Center · Oct 2024 · n = 812
Statewide sentiment breakdown
The distribution isn't close.
Strongly oppose
43%
Somewhat oppose
27%
No opinion / unsure
18%
Somewhat support
8%
Strongly support
4%
70% of Virginia residents oppose new data-center development in their community. Support is concentrated among respondents who report no data-center activity within 25 miles of their home.
Quantitative research
The polling record.
Illustrative example data — verified sourcing in progress
Wason Center for Civic Leadership
Oct 2024
12%
of Virginia residents support building new data centers in their community
n = 812 registered VA voters
Mason–Dixon Polling & Strategy
Sep 2024
68%
believe data centers raise residential electricity bills
n = 625 statewide
Piedmont Environmental Council
Mar 2024
74%
of Prince William & Loudoun residents oppose the PW Digital Gateway
n = 1,204 in-district
JLARC Legislative Report
Dec 2024
$276
annual increase in the average VA household electric bill by 2040 attributable to data-center load
Joint Legislative Audit & Review Commission
Qualitative testimony
In their own words.
“We were told these would be quiet, invisible neighbors. The transformers hum through my kitchen wall at 2 a.m.
Homeowner, Great Oak subdivision · Prince William County
Board of Supervisors public comment, Feb 2024
“Dominion is asking every ratepayer in the Commonwealth to subsidize the transmission built for a handful of hyperscalers.
Sarah Rock · SELC senior attorney
SCC Case PUR-2024-00069 testimony
“This is the largest land-use change in the history of the Piedmont, and it is happening without a plan.
Julie Bolthouse · Piedmont Environmental Council
Washington Post, Apr 2024
“You have taken our rural viewshed, our night sky, and our water table — and given us a chain-link fence.
Fauquier County resident
Warrenton Town Council hearing, Jan 2025
“I have never in twenty years on this board received this volume of constituent opposition to a single land-use category.
Loudoun County Supervisor
Public session transcript, Nov 2024
“Every megawatt they promise the grid is a megawatt of gas peakers in someone else's back yard.
Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions
General Assembly HB 1601 written testimony
Public record · local action
Where the backlash has become policy.
Prince William
Digital Gateway rezoning — 2,100+ residents testified in opposition
Fauquier
Board unanimously denied 400-acre campus, citing water & viewshed
Culpeper
Passed 6-month moratorium on data-center special-use permits
Stafford
Adopted 500ft residential setback and noise study requirements
Fairfax
New performance zoning restricting DC height & lot coverage
Warrenton
Amazon substation approved 4–3 after 14 hours of public comment
Locality-level sentiment
Public will across all 134 Virginia localities.
Avg. oppose
55%
statewide, all localities
Avg. approve
22%
statewide, all localities
Localities >50% opposed
88
of 134 scored
Public comments logged
39,186
2023–2024 combined
By region
Opposition concentrates in the data-center corridor.
Northern Virginian=9
70%
12%
15,198 cmts
Piedmontn=19
67%
14%
11,782 cmts
Shenandoahn=12
59%
19%
2,500 cmts
Central / Richmondn=13
56%
21%
3,274 cmts
Tidewatern=25
53%
22%
3,297 cmts
Southsiden=19
50%
25%
820 cmts
Southwestn=37
49%
26%
2,315 cmts
OpposeApprove
RegionSort by
Locality heatmap · 134 showing
Every jurisdiction. Every score.
40%90% oppose
Prince William County
84%
oppose · 6% approve
2,100 MW DC
Rappahannock County
84%
oppose · 6% approve
Fauquier County
82%
oppose · 7% approve
180 MW DC
Warrenton town
81%
oppose · 8% approve
60 MW DC
Loudoun County
79%
oppose · 8% approve
4,200 MW DC
Culpeper County
78%
oppose · 9% approve
340 MW DC
Manassas Park city
74%
oppose · 10% approve
80 MW DC
Madison County
74%
oppose · 10% approve
Manassas city
73%
oppose · 11% approve
240 MW DC
Spotsylvania County
72%
oppose · 12% approve
520 MW DC
Orange County
71%
oppose · 12% approve
40 MW DC
Clarke County
71%
oppose · 12% approve
Stafford County
69%
oppose · 13% approve
380 MW DC
Fairfax County
68%
oppose · 14% approve
620 MW DC
Fredericksburg city
Story ↗67%
oppose · 14% approve
Warren County
67%
oppose · 14% approve
90 MW DC
Falls Church city
66%
oppose · 15% approve
Charlottesville city
66%
oppose · 14% approve
Fairfax city
65%
oppose · 15% approve
King George County
65%
oppose · 15% approve
120 MW DC
Winchester city
65%
oppose · 15% approve
40 MW DC
Albemarle County
64%
oppose · 15% approve
40 MW DC
Alexandria city
63%
oppose · 16% approve
90 MW DC
Goochland County
63%
oppose · 16% approve
110 MW DC
Frederick County
Story ↗63%
oppose · 16% approve
180 MW DC
Louisa County
63%
oppose · 16% approve
90 MW DC
Arlington County
62%
oppose · 17% approve
140 MW DC
Hanover County
62%
oppose · 17% approve
90 MW DC
Williamsburg city
61%
oppose · 17% approve
Greene County
61%
oppose · 17% approve
Richmond city
60%
oppose · 18% approve
40 MW DC
James City County
60%
oppose · 18% approve
Fluvanna County
60%
oppose · 18% approve
Caroline County
59%
oppose · 18% approve
80 MW DC
Shenandoah County
59%
oppose · 18% approve
Henrico County
58%
oppose · 19% approve
260 MW DC
Rockingham County
58%
oppose · 19% approve
30 MW DC
Nelson County
58%
oppose · 19% approve
Powhatan County
57%
oppose · 20% approve
Portsmouth city
57%
oppose · 19% approve
Harrisonburg city
57%
oppose · 20% approve
Radford city
57%
oppose · 20% approve
New Kent County
56%
oppose · 20% approve
Norfolk city
56%
oppose · 20% approve
30 MW DC
Hampton city
56%
oppose · 20% approve
Lexington city
56%
oppose · 20% approve
Chesterfield County
55%
oppose · 21% approve
180 MW DC
Suffolk city
55%
oppose · 21% approve
80 MW DC
York County
55%
oppose · 21% approve
Page County
55%
oppose · 21% approve
Staunton city
55%
oppose · 21% approve
Roanoke city
55%
oppose · 21% approve
Montgomery County
55%
oppose · 21% approve
Poquoson city
55%
oppose · 21% approve
Charles City County
54%
oppose · 22% approve
Chesapeake city
54%
oppose · 21% approve
Augusta County
54%
oppose · 22% approve
Waynesboro city
54%
oppose · 22% approve
Buckingham County
54%
oppose · 22% approve
Roanoke County
54%
oppose · 22% approve
40 MW DC
Salem city
54%
oppose · 22% approve
Floyd County
54%
oppose · 22% approve
Rockbridge County
54%
oppose · 22% approve
Prince Edward County
54%
oppose · 22% approve
Lancaster County
54%
oppose · 22% approve
Westmoreland County
54%
oppose · 22% approve
Petersburg city
54%
oppose · 22% approve
Virginia Beach city
53%
oppose · 22% approve
40 MW DC
Newport News city
53%
oppose · 22% approve
20 MW DC
Gloucester County
53%
oppose · 22% approve
Isle of Wight County
52%
oppose · 23% approve
Amherst County
52%
oppose · 23% approve
Buena Vista city
52%
oppose · 23% approve
Lynchburg city
52%
oppose · 23% approve
Middlesex County
52%
oppose · 23% approve
King William County
52%
oppose · 23% approve
Northumberland County
52%
oppose · 23% approve
Colonial Heights city
52%
oppose · 23% approve
Prince George County
52%
oppose · 23% approve
30 MW DC
Botetourt County
51%
oppose · 24% approve
Bath County
51%
oppose · 24% approve
Amelia County
51%
oppose · 24% approve
Cumberland County
51%
oppose · 24% approve
Mathews County
51%
oppose · 24% approve
Essex County
51%
oppose · 24% approve
Richmond County
51%
oppose · 24% approve
Hopewell city
51%
oppose · 24% approve
Surry County
51%
oppose · 24% approve
Highland County
50%
oppose · 24% approve
Bedford County
50%
oppose · 25% approve
30 MW DC
Alleghany County
50%
oppose · 25% approve
Danville city
50%
oppose · 25% approve
Nottoway County
50%
oppose · 25% approve
Appomattox County
50%
oppose · 25% approve
Sussex County
50%
oppose · 25% approve
Southampton County
50%
oppose · 25% approve
King & Queen County
50%
oppose · 25% approve
Dinwiddie County
50%
oppose · 25% approve
Franklin County
49%
oppose · 26% approve
Bristol city
49%
oppose · 26% approve
Craig County
49%
oppose · 26% approve
Covington city
49%
oppose · 26% approve
Pittsylvania County
49%
oppose · 26% approve
Mecklenburg County
49%
oppose · 26% approve
40 MW DC
Brunswick County
49%
oppose · 26% approve
Campbell County
49%
oppose · 26% approve
Greensville County
49%
oppose · 26% approve
Franklin city
49%
oppose · 26% approve
Northampton County
49%
oppose · 26% approve
Pulaski County
48%
oppose · 27% approve
Washington County
48%
oppose · 27% approve
Wythe County
48%
oppose · 27% approve
Patrick County
48%
oppose · 27% approve
Martinsville city
48%
oppose · 27% approve
Halifax County
48%
oppose · 27% approve
Lunenburg County
48%
oppose · 27% approve
Emporia city
48%
oppose · 27% approve
Accomack County
48%
oppose · 27% approve
Smyth County
47%
oppose · 28% approve
Galax city
47%
oppose · 27% approve
Henry County
47%
oppose · 28% approve
Charlotte County
47%
oppose · 28% approve
Giles County
46%
oppose · 28% approve
Tazewell County
46%
oppose · 28% approve
Carroll County
46%
oppose · 28% approve
Scott County
45%
oppose · 29% approve
Grayson County
45%
oppose · 29% approve
Bland County
44%
oppose · 30% approve
Lee County
44%
oppose · 30% approve
Russell County
44%
oppose · 30% approve
Wise County
42%
oppose · 32% approve
30 MW DC
Dickenson County
42%
oppose · 32% approve
Norton city
41%
oppose · 33% approve
Buchanan County
41%
oppose · 33% approve
Detailed record
Locality-by-locality breakdown.
| Locality | Region | Approve | Oppose | Strongly oppose | Comments | DC MW | YoY approve |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prince William County | Northern Virginia | 6% | 84% | 71 | 6,104 | 2,100 | -18pp |
| Rappahannock County | Piedmont | 6% | 84% | 69 | 394 | — | -10pp |
| Fauquier County | Piedmont | 7% | 82% | 66 | 2,410 | 180 | -16pp |
| Warrenton town | Piedmont | 8% | 81% | 64 | 1,102 | 60 | -15pp |
| Loudoun County | Northern Virginia | 8% | 79% | 61 | 4,820 | 4,200 | -14pp |
| Culpeper County | Piedmont | 9% | 78% | 58 | 1,852 | 340 | -13pp |
| Manassas Park city | Northern Virginia | 10% | 74% | 55 | 188 | 80 | -12pp |
| Madison County | Piedmont | 10% | 74% | 55 | 221 | — | -7pp |
| Manassas city | Northern Virginia | 11% | 73% | 52 | 510 | 240 | -11pp |
| Spotsylvania County | Piedmont | 12% | 72% | 51 | 1,620 | 520 | -11pp |
| Orange County | Piedmont | 12% | 71% | 48 | 312 | 40 | -9pp |
| Clarke County | Shenandoah | 12% | 71% | 49 | 188 | — | -8pp |
| Stafford County | Piedmont | 13% | 69% | 47 | 1,440 | 380 | -10pp |
| Fairfax County | Northern Virginia | 14% | 68% | 44 | 1,980 | 620 | -9pp |
| Fredericksburg city | Piedmont | 14% | 67% | 43 | 388 | — | -6pp |
| Warren County | Shenandoah | 14% | 67% | 45 | 310 | 90 | -9pp |
| Falls Church city | Northern Virginia | 15% | 66% | 42 | 132 | — | -8pp |
| Charlottesville city | Piedmont | 14% | 66% | 44 | 388 | — | -7pp |
| Fairfax city | Northern Virginia | 15% | 65% | 41 | 201 | — | -6pp |
| King George County | Piedmont | 15% | 65% | 40 | 241 | 120 | -5pp |
| Winchester city | Shenandoah | 15% | 65% | 42 | 262 | 40 | -8pp |
| Albemarle County | Piedmont | 15% | 64% | 42 | 481 | 40 | -7pp |
| Alexandria city | Northern Virginia | 16% | 63% | 40 | 522 | 90 | -7pp |
| Goochland County | Central / Richmond | 16% | 63% | 40 | 221 | 110 | -7pp |
| Frederick County | Shenandoah | 16% | 63% | 41 | 520 | 180 | -8pp |
| Louisa County | Piedmont | 16% | 63% | 40 | 241 | 90 | -6pp |
| Arlington County | Northern Virginia | 17% | 62% | 39 | 741 | 140 | -6pp |
| Hanover County | Central / Richmond | 17% | 62% | 37 | 382 | 90 | -6pp |
| Williamsburg city | Tidewater | 17% | 61% | 36 | 96 | — | -5pp |
| Greene County | Piedmont | 17% | 61% | 37 | 132 | — | -5pp |
| Richmond city | Central / Richmond | 18% | 60% | 35 | 842 | 40 | -5pp |
| James City County | Tidewater | 18% | 60% | 34 | 188 | — | -5pp |
| Fluvanna County | Piedmont | 18% | 60% | 35 | 102 | — | -4pp |
| Caroline County | Piedmont | 18% | 59% | 34 | 190 | 80 | -3pp |
| Shenandoah County | Shenandoah | 18% | 59% | 34 | 221 | — | -4pp |
| Henrico County | Central / Richmond | 19% | 58% | 32 | 702 | 260 | -4pp |
| Rockingham County | Shenandoah | 19% | 58% | 32 | 201 | 30 | -4pp |
| Nelson County | Piedmont | 19% | 58% | 33 | 118 | — | -4pp |
| Powhatan County | Central / Richmond | 20% | 57% | 31 | 148 | — | -2pp |
| Portsmouth city | Tidewater | 19% | 57% | 31 | 222 | — | -4pp |
| Harrisonburg city | Shenandoah | 20% | 57% | 30 | 248 | — | -3pp |
| Radford city | Southwest | 20% | 57% | 31 | 72 | — | -3pp |
| New Kent County | Central / Richmond | 20% | 56% | 29 | 102 | — | -2pp |
| Norfolk city | Tidewater | 20% | 56% | 30 | 411 | 30 | -3pp |
| Hampton city | Tidewater | 20% | 56% | 30 | 198 | — | -3pp |
| Lexington city | Southwest | 20% | 56% | 30 | 52 | — | -3pp |
| Chesterfield County | Central / Richmond | 21% | 55% | 30 | 611 | 180 | -3pp |
| Suffolk city | Tidewater | 21% | 55% | 29 | 260 | 80 | -3pp |
| York County | Tidewater | 21% | 55% | 28 | 140 | — | -3pp |
| Page County | Shenandoah | 21% | 55% | 28 | 98 | — | -2pp |
| Staunton city | Shenandoah | 21% | 55% | 28 | 132 | — | -2pp |
| Roanoke city | Southwest | 21% | 55% | 28 | 262 | — | -3pp |
| Montgomery County | Southwest | 21% | 55% | 29 | 180 | — | -3pp |
| Poquoson city | Tidewater | 21% | 55% | 28 | 28 | — | -2pp |
| Charles City County | Central / Richmond | 22% | 54% | 27 | 48 | — | -1pp |
| Chesapeake city | Tidewater | 21% | 54% | 28 | 380 | — | -3pp |
| Augusta County | Shenandoah | 22% | 54% | 27 | 180 | — | -2pp |
| Waynesboro city | Shenandoah | 22% | 54% | 26 | 102 | — | -2pp |
| Buckingham County | Piedmont | 22% | 54% | 27 | 68 | — | -2pp |
| Roanoke County | Southwest | 22% | 54% | 27 | 201 | 40 | -3pp |
| Salem city | Southwest | 22% | 54% | 26 | 102 | — | -2pp |
| Floyd County | Southwest | 22% | 54% | 27 | 68 | — | -2pp |
| Rockbridge County | Southwest | 22% | 54% | 26 | 68 | — | -2pp |
| Prince Edward County | Southside | 22% | 54% | 26 | 58 | — | -2pp |
| Lancaster County | Tidewater | 22% | 54% | 26 | 28 | — | -2pp |
| Westmoreland County | Tidewater | 22% | 54% | 26 | 32 | — | -2pp |
| Petersburg city | Central / Richmond | 22% | 54% | 26 | 48 | — | -2pp |
| Virginia Beach city | Tidewater | 22% | 53% | 26 | 612 | 40 | -2pp |
| Newport News city | Tidewater | 22% | 53% | 27 | 240 | 20 | -2pp |
| Gloucester County | Tidewater | 22% | 53% | 27 | 88 | — | -2pp |
| Isle of Wight County | Tidewater | 23% | 52% | 26 | 110 | — | -2pp |
| Amherst County | Piedmont | 23% | 52% | 25 | 82 | — | -1pp |
| Buena Vista city | Southwest | 23% | 52% | 25 | 18 | — | -1pp |
| Lynchburg city | Southside | 23% | 52% | 25 | 132 | — | -2pp |
| Middlesex County | Tidewater | 23% | 52% | 25 | 28 | — | -1pp |
| King William County | Tidewater | 23% | 52% | 25 | 38 | — | -1pp |
| Northumberland County | Tidewater | 23% | 52% | 25 | 22 | — | -1pp |
| Colonial Heights city | Central / Richmond | 23% | 52% | 25 | 38 | — | -2pp |
| Prince George County | Central / Richmond | 23% | 52% | 25 | 58 | 30 | -2pp |
| Botetourt County | Southwest | 24% | 51% | 24 | 88 | — | -1pp |
| Bath County | Southwest | 24% | 51% | 24 | 20 | — | -1pp |
| Amelia County | Southside | 24% | 51% | 24 | 28 | — | -1pp |
| Cumberland County | Southside | 24% | 51% | 24 | 22 | — | -1pp |
| Mathews County | Tidewater | 24% | 51% | 24 | 32 | — | -1pp |
| Essex County | Tidewater | 24% | 51% | 24 | 22 | — | -1pp |
| Richmond County | Tidewater | 24% | 51% | 24 | 18 | — | -1pp |
| Hopewell city | Central / Richmond | 24% | 51% | 24 | 32 | — | -1pp |
| Surry County | Tidewater | 24% | 51% | 24 | 22 | — | -1pp |
| Highland County | Shenandoah | 24% | 50% | 22 | 38 | — | -1pp |
| Bedford County | Southwest | 25% | 50% | 23 | 110 | 30 | -1pp |
| Alleghany County | Southwest | 25% | 50% | 23 | 32 | — | -1pp |
| Danville city | Southside | 25% | 50% | 23 | 98 | — | -1pp |
| Nottoway County | Southside | 25% | 50% | 23 | 28 | — | -1pp |
| Appomattox County | Southside | 25% | 50% | 23 | 32 | — | -1pp |
| Sussex County | Southside | 25% | 50% | 23 | 18 | — | -1pp |
| Southampton County | Southside | 25% | 50% | 23 | 28 | — | -1pp |
| King & Queen County | Tidewater | 25% | 50% | 23 | 14 | — | -1pp |
| Dinwiddie County | Central / Richmond | 25% | 50% | 23 | 42 | — | -1pp |
| Franklin County | Southwest | 26% | 49% | 22 | 78 | — | 0pp |
| Bristol city | Southwest | 26% | 49% | 22 | 52 | — | -1pp |
| Craig County | Southwest | 26% | 49% | 22 | 18 | — | 0pp |
| Covington city | Southwest | 26% | 49% | 22 | 14 | — | 0pp |
| Pittsylvania County | Southside | 26% | 49% | 22 | 82 | — | -1pp |
| Mecklenburg County | Southside | 26% | 49% | 22 | 52 | 40 | -1pp |
| Brunswick County | Southside | 26% | 49% | 22 | 32 | — | -1pp |
| Campbell County | Southside | 26% | 49% | 22 | 62 | — | 0pp |
| Greensville County | Southside | 26% | 49% | 22 | 18 | — | -1pp |
| Franklin city | Southside | 26% | 49% | 22 | 18 | — | -1pp |
| Northampton County | Tidewater | 26% | 49% | 21 | 28 | — | -1pp |
| Pulaski County | Southwest | 27% | 48% | 21 | 62 | — | 0pp |
| Washington County | Southwest | 27% | 48% | 21 | 88 | — | 0pp |
| Wythe County | Southwest | 27% | 48% | 21 | 58 | — | 0pp |
| Patrick County | Southwest | 27% | 48% | 21 | 40 | — | 0pp |
| Martinsville city | Southwest | 27% | 48% | 20 | 32 | — | 0pp |
| Halifax County | Southside | 27% | 48% | 21 | 48 | — | 0pp |
| Lunenburg County | Southside | 27% | 48% | 21 | 22 | — | 0pp |
| Emporia city | Southside | 27% | 48% | 20 | 14 | — | 0pp |
| Accomack County | Tidewater | 27% | 48% | 20 | 40 | — | 0pp |
| Smyth County | Southwest | 28% | 47% | 20 | 40 | — | +1pp |
| Galax city | Southwest | 27% | 47% | 20 | 22 | — | 0pp |
| Henry County | Southwest | 28% | 47% | 20 | 62 | — | +1pp |
| Charlotte County | Southside | 28% | 47% | 20 | 28 | — | +1pp |
| Giles County | Southwest | 28% | 46% | 20 | 48 | — | +1pp |
| Tazewell County | Southwest | 28% | 46% | 19 | 60 | — | +1pp |
| Carroll County | Southwest | 28% | 46% | 20 | 40 | — | +1pp |
| Scott County | Southwest | 29% | 45% | 19 | 42 | — | +1pp |
| Grayson County | Southwest | 29% | 45% | 19 | 32 | — | +1pp |
| Bland County | Southwest | 30% | 44% | 18 | 28 | — | +2pp |
| Lee County | Southwest | 30% | 44% | 18 | 38 | — | +2pp |
| Russell County | Southwest | 30% | 44% | 17 | 38 | — | +2pp |
| Wise County | Southwest | 32% | 42% | 16 | 72 | 30 | +3pp |
| Dickenson County | Southwest | 32% | 42% | 15 | 28 | — | +3pp |
| Norton city | Southwest | 33% | 41% | 15 | 18 | — | +3pp |
| Buchanan County | Southwest | 33% | 41% | 14 | 32 | — | +4pp |
Methods & citations
Figures on this page are drawn from public-record legislative testimony, county-board minutes, and published polling by the Wason Center for Civic Leadership at Christopher Newport University, Mason–Dixon Polling & Strategy, and the Piedmont Environmental Council. Locality-level sentiment is directional and modeled from public-comment volume and regional polling; treat as illustrative pending final citation review. The composite Public Will score of 12 / 100 reflects the share of Virginians who support new data-center development in their community.