Most Americans Say They’re Proud of the U.S. But Deep Worries Remain

A new Fox News national poll shows that a growing number of Americans are feeling proud of their country more than at any time in over a decade. According to the survey, 58% of voters say they are proud to be American, marking a 13-point increase since June 2024 and the highest level since 2011, when a record 69% felt the same way.

This surge in national pride is driven mostly by Republicans. Today, an overwhelming 85% of Republican voters say they feel proud, a huge jump from just 36% last summer. The survey notes that Republicans are now about 30 percentage points prouder than Democrats were a year ago. By comparison, only 36% of Democrats say they are proud of the United States, while 61% say they are not. Among Independents, about four in ten feel pride, a figure that has stayed fairly consistent.

While pride in the United States is rising overall, the poll also reveals how deeply divided feelings remain. Majorities of Republican men, supporters of the Make America Great Again movement, and White evangelical Christians are most likely to express pride. On the other hand, women with college degrees, voters under 30, and most Democrats are the most likely to say they are not proud.

“Although pride in the U.S.A. seems like it should be above partisan wrangling, that’s only partially borne out by the data,” said Republican pollster Daron Shaw, who surveyed along with Democratic pollster Chris Anderson. “The reality is the out-party has become saltier in recent years when asked about the ‘land of the free.’”

In addition to measuring pride, the poll asked whether people still believe America is the best place in the world to live. While 68% agree that it is, this number is much lower than in 2011, when 84% felt that way. For Democrats especially, the decline is striking; only half now say the U.S. is the best country, down 34 points from 2011.

Perhaps even more telling is the level of anxiety about the future. A full 85% of voters say they are extremely or very concerned about where the country is heading, making it the top worry across all groups. Inflation, government spending, and fears that Iran could get a nuclear weapon are also near the top of the list of concerns.

Trust in the federal government remains low, with nearly two-thirds saying they distrust Washington. That level of skepticism has stayed consistent in recent years and reflects how many Americans, even those proud of their country, remain frustrated with their leaders.

The findings paint a complex picture: more people are proud to be American, but under the surface, worries about the nation’s direction are higher than ever.