Rural Texans Lead Opposition to Data Centers, Poll Shows, as Celina Growth Continues

[CELINA, Texas] -- A statewide poll released June 23 by the University of Texas/Texas Politics Project found that 56% of Texans oppose the construction of a data center in their community, compared to just 29% who support it. The poll surveyed 1,200 self-reported registered voters with a margin of error of plus or minus 2.83 points.

Celina, located 45 miles north of Dallas in Collin County, has a population of approximately 35,000 and is one of the fastest-growing small cities in Texas.

Opposition was strongest in rural areas, where 62% of respondents said they oppose a local data center and only 22% expressed support. Democrats opposed data centers at 71%, independents at 62%, while Republicans were nearly evenly split at 44% opposed and 42% in support.

A Texas Tribune analysis identified 248 planned data centers across the state, roughly half of them in unincorporated county areas where local regulatory authority is limited. Many projects target rural counties with abundant land and weaker oversight.

Gov. Greg Abbott, in a June 10 letter, called for tighter regulation of data center energy and water use and urged the repeal of a state sales tax exemption for data centers that costs Texas more than $1 billion annually. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in March directed Senate committees to explore legislation addressing water and energy use.

What the data underlines is how much of a problem the business stakeholders that are heavily in favor of data center development have on their hands. I think the pushback on the issue emerged more quickly and is more widespread than the conventional response to economic development in Texas has historically.

-- James Henson, co-director of the UT/Texas Politics Project poll

Henson added that while the issue is not an existential threat to the Republican Party, it represents a challenge that has prompted Gov. Abbott and other leaders to take a proactive stance heading toward the November general election and the January 2027 legislative session.