Trust in America: Who Do We Believe?
The U.S. Census Bureau is the most trusted institution at 70.7%. Congress ranks dead last at 17.9%.
✨ Key Insight
The Census Bureau is the most trusted institution in America at 70.7%. Congress is the least trusted at 17.9%. This isn't just a polling curiosity — trust in institutions predicts everything from vaccine uptake to tax compliance to democratic participation.
70.5%
Trust Federal Statistics
Census Bureau #1
Most Trusted at 70.7%
17.9%
Congress — Last Place
Institution Trust Rankings
Percentage with "a great deal" or "quite a lot" of confidence
U.S. Census Bureau70.7%
The Military65.1%
U.S. Statistical Agencies62.3%
The Police53.4%
Public Schools46.8%
U.S. Supreme Court34.5%
Criminal Justice System31.8%
The Presidency27.5%
Congress17.9%
Trust Levels by Institution
U.S. Census Bureau
30.4%
40.3%
25.5%
A great deal: 30.4%
Quite a lot: 40.3%
Some: 25.5%
Very little: 3.8%
The Military
36.4%
28.7%
25.9%
9%
A great deal: 36.4%
Quite a lot: 28.7%
Some: 25.9%
Very little: 9%
U.S. Statistical Agencies
24.5%
37.8%
30%
A great deal: 24.5%
Quite a lot: 37.8%
Some: 30%
Very little: 7.7%
The Police
23.2%
30.2%
31.2%
15.3%
A great deal: 23.2%
Quite a lot: 30.2%
Some: 31.2%
Very little: 15.3%
Public Schools
15%
31.8%
37.7%
15.5%
A great deal: 15%
Quite a lot: 31.8%
Some: 37.7%
Very little: 15.5%
U.S. Supreme Court
12.1%
22.4%
38.6%
26.9%
A great deal: 12.1%
Quite a lot: 22.4%
Some: 38.6%
Very little: 26.9%
Criminal Justice System
24.2%
46.5%
21.7%
A great deal: 7.6%
Quite a lot: 24.2%
Some: 46.5%
Very little: 21.7%
The Presidency
15.1%
12.4%
18.6%
53.9%
A great deal: 15.1%
Quite a lot: 12.4%
Some: 18.6%
Very little: 53.9%
Congress
12.2%
40.3%
41.7%
A great deal: 5.7%
Quite a lot: 12.2%
Some: 40.3%
Very little: 41.7%
Trust by Income Bracket
High trust (great deal + quite a lot) for key institutions by household income
U.S. Census Bureau
Under $25K65.9%
$25K-$35K69.8%
$35K-$50K66.1%
$50K-$75K71.0%
$75K-$100K69.2%
$100K-$150K73.3%
$150K+79.1%
The Military
Under $25K52.5%
$25K-$35K63.9%
$35K-$50K68.9%
$50K-$75K68.1%
$75K-$100K66.9%
$100K-$150K67.9%
$150K+71.5%
The Police
Under $25K40.9%
$25K-$35K47.4%
$35K-$50K53.8%
$50K-$75K58.4%
$75K-$100K57.4%
$100K-$150K58.9%
$150K+58.4%
Congress
Under $25K29.8%
$25K-$35K16.4%
$35K-$50K14.6%
$50K-$75K16.1%
$75K-$100K17.1%
$100K-$150K13.7%
$150K+15.3%
Trust by Age Group
U.S. Census Bureau
18-2961.7%
30-4467.1%
45-5976.0%
60-7474.4%
75+77.9%
The Military
18-2943.8%
30-4454.7%
45-5972.8%
60-7479.9%
75+84.3%
The Police
18-2933.6%
30-4442.7%
45-5957.6%
60-7470.1%
75+73.9%
Congress
18-2918.3%
30-4416.2%
45-5919.9%
60-7418.5%
75+15.1%
Trust by Education Level
U.S. Census Bureau
Less than grade school73.9%
Less than HS63.9%
HS graduate/GED63.5%
Some college70.4%
Associate's66.8%
Bachelor's76.5%
Graduate degree82.6%
The Police
Less than grade school32.3%
Less than HS44.5%
HS graduate/GED51.6%
Some college57.1%
Associate's54.6%
Bachelor's54.0%
Graduate degree57.4%
Congress
Less than grade school41.7%
Less than HS32.7%
HS graduate/GED18.9%
Some college13.7%
Associate's18.1%
Bachelor's16.3%
Graduate degree13.5%
Trust: Metro vs. Non-Metro
U.S. Census Bureau
Non-metro72.0%
Metro69.5%
The Military
Non-metro65.5%
Metro64.7%
The Police
Non-metro53.1%
Metro53.7%
Congress
Non-metro16.9%
Metro18.9%
Do Americans Trust Government Data?
70.5% of Americans tend to trust federal statistics
Overall Trust in Federal Statistics
Tend to trust70.5%
Tend not to trust29.5%
Trust in Federal Statistics by Income
Under $25K57.1%
$25K-$35K67.9%
$35K-$50K65.4%
$50K-$75K69.9%
$75K-$100K69.4%
$100K-$150K77.4%
$150K+82.2%
"Policymakers should use federal statistics to make decisions"
Strongly agree55.8%
Somewhat agree25.8%
Neither agree nor disagree14.1%
Somewhat disagree2.2%
Strongly disagree2.1%
Who Lobbies Congress?
Congress ranks last in trust at just 17.9%. See who's spending money to influence them.
Explore at theailobby.com →Data source: U.S. Census Bureau HTOPS, March 2026.