Texas poll finds 79% of likely voters want limits on data centers

Texas likely voters want more than promises that data centers will pay their own way. A University of Houston survey published October 27 found 79% support limiting how many can be built statewide. Almost everyone surveyed—99%—said proposed facilities should cover the cost of expanding the electric grid to supply their power.

The Hobby School of Public Affairs surveyed 2,000 Texas likely voters between October 10 and 14, ahead of the November 3 election. The stated margin of error is plus or minus 2.19 percentage points. Its findings describe voter expectations and concerns, not measured effects of individual projects.

Electricity costs cut across party lines

More than 80% of respondents expressed concern about data centers’ effects on electricity prices, water supplies and power outages. About two-thirds were extremely or very concerned about each issue. Noise and air pollution also registered: 53% reported those higher levels of concern.

The household-cost worry was especially clear. Three-quarters of respondents, 76%, believed a new data center in their community would increase their electricity costs. Just 7% expected costs to fall, while 17% expected no effect. Another 61% believed nearby home values would decline.

93%Democrats

Democratic respondents who were very or extremely concerned about data centers’ impact on electricity prices.

70%Independents

Independent respondents who reported the same high levels of concern.

51%Republicans

Republican respondents who reported the same high levels of concern.

Expected benefits do not erase the doubts

Respondents did not dismiss every potential benefit. Their answers distinguished technological and infrastructure gains from the jobs-and-revenue case for development. The survey found markedly different expectations across four kinds of local benefit:

• Technology: 45% expected an extremely or very beneficial impact on technological advancement; another 32% expected a somewhat beneficial impact.
• Electrical infrastructure: 40% expected an extremely or very beneficial impact, and 26% expected a somewhat beneficial one.
• Jobs: 40% said data centers would not be beneficial for job creation, compared with 33% predicting a beneficial impact.
• Tax revenue: 38% expected no beneficial impact, while 33% expected a beneficial one.

Renée Cross, the Hobby School’s senior executive director, contrasted those answers with public officials’ promotion of jobs, taxes and economic gains. Voters expected some technological and infrastructure benefits, she said, but many remained skeptical of the economic payoff.

Texas is already reconsidering its bargain

The survey arrives amid a fight over incentives and resource use. Texas introduced a data-center sales and use tax exemption in 2013 and broadened it to include hyperscale facilities in 2015. In 2025, state officials estimated the exemption would cost $3.2 billion in forgone sales tax revenue over two years, The Verge reported.

Water concerns also have a measurable backdrop. The Houston Advanced Research Center estimated that Texas data centers used about 25 billion gallons in 2025, roughly 0.4% of statewide water use. Its projection puts their share as high as 2.7% by 2030. Those statewide figures can mask heavier pressure in individual communities.

Governor Greg Abbott directed utility regulators in June to require operators to cover infrastructure built to serve them. He subsequently announced permit pauses pending electricity and water audits, and has backed repealing the sales tax exemption. His campaign told The Verge that facilities should pay their own infrastructure costs, reuse water and avoid disrupting residential neighborhoods.