Americans' Pride in Country Plummets Ahead of 250th Anniversary

A new survey from the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute reveals a significant decline in American pride and unity as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary. According to the PRRI American Identity Survey conducted between May 1-18, 2026, only 51% of Americans now express extreme or very high levels of pride in being American, marking a sharp decrease from the 82% reported in 2013. The survey also highlights a deepening ideological divide, with stark differences between Republicans and Democrats on issues such as national identity, religion, and faith in democratic institutions.

The poll underscores a growing sense of disillusionment among younger Americans regarding the American Dream. Among those aged 18 to 29, belief in the notion that hard work leads to success has dropped from 50% in 2024 to just 36% today. Additionally, less than half of Democrats now view being born in America, believing in God, or being Christian as important aspects of national identity, while majorities of Republicans hold these views strongly.

PRRI president and founder Robert P. Jones emphasized the increasingly polarized nature of American society, noting that Republicans are becoming more isolated from the broader population on key issues related to faith and democracy. "Yes, we're polarized," Jones said, "but increasingly what we're seeing is Republicans as outliers, and further and further from the middle." This ideological rift has significant implications for democratic functioning, with only 18% of Americans expressing extreme or very high levels of pride in how democracy operates today.

The survey's findings suggest a critical moment for American identity and civic cohesion. As citizens become less united in their beliefs about what it means to be an American and more skeptical of the effectiveness of democratic processes, the future stability of the nation may hinge on bridging these ideological divides.