Americans Are Still Divided on Climate Change. Here’s Where People Trust the Science the Most

24/7 Wall St. Insights

Nationwide, 72.2% of Americans believe climate change is happening.
Yet only 55.6% of Americans think most scientists believe in climate change.
The places that believe in scientific consensus the most are a mix of wealthy, educated cities and counties with high natural disaster risk.
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One of the largest issues in the battle against climate change is scale. Many of the changes that need to happen to reach net zero emissions by 2050 – the transition from fossil fuels to renewables, energy efficiency improvements in buildings and industrial technology, widespread implementation of carbon capture – require broad, comprehensive legislation from the federal and state governments to implement, and cannot happen on an individual, incremental level.

Meaningful actions on climate change require a public consensus that policymakers and government communications have been unable to achieve. While most Americans agree that climate change is happening, there are large disparities in perceptions about risk, cause, and what to do about it. Beliefs differ by demographic and geography.

Twice a year, the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication conducts the most comprehensive survey on climate change knowledge and opinion in the United States. Out of 30 questions, one of the most contentious is about whether Americans trust the science behind climate change, and views towards the scientists studying the problem.

In their survey, Yale asked participants which viewpoint most closely matches their own: “Most scientists think global warming is happening,” “There is a lot of disagreement among scientists about whether or not global warming is happening,” “Most scientists think global warming is not happening, or “Don’t know enough to say.”. While nationwide 55.6% of Americans believe most scientists think global warming is happening, large regional disparities persist throughout the country.

In San Francisco County, 77.5% of residents believe most scientists think climate change is happening, the most of any county nationwide. Meanwhile, in Lawrence County in northeast Kentucky, just 29.6% of residents believe most scientists think climate change is happening, the least of any county. On average, 60.9% of residents in the Northeast believe scientists think climate change is happening, compared to 59.5% of residents in the West, 53.1% in the Midwest, and 51.8% in the South.

To determine the counties that believe scientists think climate change is happening the most, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data on climate change belief from the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication. Counties were ranked based on the percentage of surveyed residents who answered that “most scientists think global warming is happening” in 2023. Supplemental data on median household income and the percentage of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree is from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey and is for 2022. Data on natural hazard risk rating is from FEMA.

50. Loudoun County, VA

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 68.0%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 79.7%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 63.5%
Median household income: $170,463
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Low
County seat: Leesburg

49. Queens County, NY

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 68.1%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 82.4%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 34.8%
Median household income: $82,431
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively High
County seat: Queens

48. Ouray County, CO

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 68.1%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 78.7%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 49.6%
Median household income: $78,750
FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
County seat: Ouray

47. Hampshire County, MA

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 68.1%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 81.1%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 50.4%
Median household income: $84,025
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Low
County seat: Northampton

46. Hennepin County, MN

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 68.2%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 81.1%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 52.6%
Median household income: $92,595
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively High
County seat: Minneapolis

45. Summit County, UT

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 68.4%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 78.8%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 57.4%
Median household income: $126,392
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Low
County seat: Coalville

44. Chittenden County, VT

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 68.4%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 77.0%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 55.7%
Median household income: $89,494
FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
County seat: Burlington

43. Broomfield County, CO

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 68.5%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 79.7%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 58.4%
Median household income: $117,541
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Low
County seat: Broomfield

42. Durham County, NC

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 68.5%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 81.4%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 51.9%
Median household income: $74,927
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
County seat: Durham

41. Honolulu County, HI

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 68.7%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 81.1%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 36.6%
Median household income: $99,816
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
County seat: Honolulu

40. Western Connecticut Planning Region, CT

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 68.8%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 81.6%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 54.2%
Median household income: $118,930
FEMA disaster risk level: N/A
County seat: N/A

39. San Juan County, WA

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 68.9%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 79.8%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 52.6%
Median household income: $76,745
FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
County seat: Friday Harbor

38. Benton County, OR

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 69.0%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 79.0%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 53.8%
Median household income: $72,882
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
County seat: Corvallis

37. Orange County, NC

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 69.2%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 80.8%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 61.7%
Median household income: $85,785
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Low
County seat: Hillsborough

36. Clear Creek County, CO

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 69.2%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 79.6%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 55.0%
Median household income: $87,169
FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
County seat: Georgetown

35. Dukes County, MA

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 69.2%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 79.3%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 43.2%
Median household income: $93,225
FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
County seat: Edgartown

34. Travis County, TX

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 69.3%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 83.4%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 53.8%
Median household income: $92,731
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively High
County seat: Austin

33. Marin County, CA

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 69.5%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 82.5%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 61.1%
Median household income: $142,019
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively High
County seat: San Rafael

32. Middlesex County, MA

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 69.6%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 79.6%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 58.5%
Median household income: $121,304
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively High
County seat: Lowell

31. Fairfax County, VA

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 69.6%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 79.1%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 64.1%
Median household income: $145,165
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
County seat: Fairfax

30. Sitka City And Borough, AK

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 69.7%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 80.4%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 34.2%
Median household income: $95,261
FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
County seat: Sitka

29. Contra Costa County, CA

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 69.9%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 81.0%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 44.5%
Median household income: $120,020
FEMA disaster risk level: Very High
County seat: Martinez

28. Richmond City, VA

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 69.9%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 83.1%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 44.1%
Median household income: $59,606
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Low
County seat: Richmond

27. Norfolk County, MA

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 70.1%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 80.2%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 56.3%
Median household income: $120,621
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
County seat: Dedham

26. Philadelphia County, PA

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 70.2%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 80.3%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 33.6%
Median household income: $57,537
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively High
County seat: Philadelphia

25. Johnson County, IA

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 70.2%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 79.3%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 54.1%
Median household income: $72,977
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
County seat: Iowa City

24. Santa Clara County, CA

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 70.3%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 83.4%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 55.3%
Median household income: $153,792
FEMA disaster risk level: Very High
County seat: San Jose

23. Fairfax City, VA

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 70.3%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 81.6%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 60.1%
Median household income: $128,708
FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
County seat: Fairfax

22. Denver County, CO

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 70.4%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 83.2%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 54.2%
Median household income: $85,853
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
County seat: Denver

21. Santa Cruz County, CA

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 70.5%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 83.5%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 42.5%
Median household income: $104,409
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively High
County seat: Santa Cruz

20. Hudson County, NJ

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 70.8%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 81.2%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 46.6%
Median household income: $86,854
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
County seat: Jersey City

19. Dekalb County, GA

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 70.9%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 84.7%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 46.7%
Median household income: $76,044
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
County seat: Decatur

18. Charlottesville City, VA

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 71.0%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 81.2%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 58.9%
Median household income: $67,177
FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
County seat: Charlottesville

17. Falls Church City, VA

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 71.7%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 81.3%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 78.9%
Median household income: $164,536
FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
County seat: Falls Church

16. Washington County, OR

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 71.7%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 81.0%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 45.8%
Median household income: $100,121
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively High
County seat: Hillsboro

15. Dane County, WI

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 71.8%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 81.0%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 54.0%
Median household income: $84,297
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
County seat: Madison

14. Ramsey County, MN

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 71.8%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 81.2%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 44.7%
Median household income: $78,108
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
County seat: Saint Paul

13. Montgomery County, MD

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 71.9%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 84.2%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 60.0%
Median household income: $125,583
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
County seat: Rockville

12. Tompkins County, NY

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 72.1%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 81.6%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 57.5%
Median household income: $69,995
FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
County seat: Ithaca

11. Washtenaw County, MI

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 72.5%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 82.8%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 57.4%
Median household income: $84,245
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
County seat: Ann Arbor

10. District of Columbia, DC

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 73.0%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 86.7%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 62.6%
Median household income: $101,722
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
County seat: Washington

9. San Mateo County, CA

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 73.4%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 84.8%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 52.9%
Median household income: $149,907
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively High
County seat: Redwood City

8. Multnomah County, OR

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 74.0%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 83.0%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 47.7%
Median household income: $83,668
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively High
County seat: Portland

7. Suffolk County, MA

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 74.6%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 82.3%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 49.2%
Median household income: $87,669
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
County seat: Boston

6. Arlington County, VA

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 75.1%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 83.9%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 76.8%
Median household income: $137,387
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Low
County seat: Arlington

5. King County, WA

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 75.1%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 83.9%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 54.8%
Median household income: $116,340
FEMA disaster risk level: Very High
County seat: Seattle

4. Alameda County, CA

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 75.5%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 86.1%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 50.9%
Median household income: $122,488
FEMA disaster risk level: Very High
County seat: Oakland

3. Alexandria City, VA

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 76.3%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 85.6%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 66.0%
Median household income: $113,179
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Low
County seat: Alexandria

2. New York County, NY

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 76.3%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 84.8%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 62.8%
Median household income: $99,880
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively High
County seat: Manhattan

1. San Francisco County, CA

Residents who believe most scientists think climate change is happening: 77.5%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 87.1%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 59.8%
Median household income: $136,689
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively High
County seat: San Francisco City and County

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