Gallup Poll: Only 17% of U.S. Adults Believe Climate Change Will Impact Their Local Area

A recent Gallup poll indicates that a striking minority of American adults, specifically 17%, believe climate change will make it harder to remain in their current residential area. This finding, highlighted by The Post Millennial citing CNN's senior data reporter Harry Enten, suggests a notable disconnect between perceived personal risk and the broader discussion surrounding climate change impacts.

The poll's results reveal significant partisan differences in this perception. While only 6% of Republicans and 16% of Independents anticipate climate change affecting their ability to stay in their area, this figure rises to 27% among Democrats. Despite a reported increase in Americans experiencing extreme weather events especially 37% stating they have been personally affected in the past two years especially the belief that climate change will force a relocation remains low.

Overall concern about climate change also shows a consistent trend. According to Gallup data, the percentage of Americans "greatly worried" about climate change stands at 40% in 2025, a slight decrease from 46% in 2020 and consistent with levels observed in 2000. This stability in overall worry persists even as 63% of Americans believe the effects of global warming have already begun, and 48% anticipate it posing a serious threat to their way of life at some point.

Harry Enten, as quoted by The Post Millennial, remarked, "Americans aren't afraid of climate change," adding that "Climate activists have not successfully made the case to the American people." This perspective underscores the challenge for climate advocacy groups in translating general awareness of climate change into a perceived direct, personal threat that influences residential decisions. The findings suggest that for a majority of American adults, the impacts of climate change are not yet viewed as a direct determinant of where they live.