The survey, which included 1,862 adults and was conducted between June 11 and June 18, 2026, found that 92 percent of Americans believe hard work is an important value, while 71 percent think patriotism is important and 68 percent consider belief in God to be important. Additionally, 92 percent of respondents said that respect for private property, free markets, and free enterprise are extremely, very, or somewhat important to the United States' identity as a nation.
Despite these findings, the Wall Street Journal's reporting on the survey focused on more negative aspects, such as a decline in support for capitalism among young people and a decrease in patriotism and religious faith. However, the survey also found that 73 percent of Americans are extremely, very, or moderately proud of America's history, and 44 percent of people think the news media has too much power in Washington.
The Journal's online headline claimed that "America's Support for Capitalism Has Declined Over Last Decade," without mentioning the finding that 92 percent of Americans believe in the importance of free markets and free enterprise. The survey's findings on religion also showed that 68 percent of Americans consider belief in God to be important, despite a reported decline in religious faith.
The National Opinion Research Center, which conducted the survey, is a University of Chicago-affiliated research center that partners with news organizations, including the Wall Street Journal. The survey's results have a margin of sampling error of +/- 3.4 percentage points, and 41 percent of respondents did not vote in the 2024 presidential election.
The Journal's reporting on the survey has been criticized for selecting narrow categories to report, rather than lumping categories together. For example, a graphic about pride in America's history only reported results for those who were "extremely" or "very" proud, without including those who said they were "moderately" proud. This approach may have contributed to a negative spin on the survey's findings.
While it is true that some Americans have negative feelings about the country, the survey's findings suggest that the vast majority of Americans are proud of their country and its history. As one columnist put it, "What makes America great... is Americans. I don't mean American politicians; I mean everyday, hardworking, generous, friendly, decent Americans, who I believe greatly outnumber the idiots."
The survey's findings also highlight the importance of considering the levels of support for certain values and institutions, rather than just focusing on changes over time. By doing so, we can gain a more nuanced understanding of American public opinion and avoid distortions in our understanding of the country's mood.
Ultimately, the survey suggests that Americans are proud of their country and its history, and that they value hard work, patriotism, and free enterprise. While there may be some negative trends and challenges facing the country, the survey's findings offer a more optimistic view of America's 250th anniversary than the one presented by the Wall Street Journal.