local
Americans' pride in US history and democracy drops, and fewer are proud to be American, polls find
By Linley Sanders, Simran Parwani And Amelia Thomson-Deveaux, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· June 29, 2026
· 6 min read
Americans have grown less proud of their country's history or the way its democracy works over the past decade, according to a new AP-NORC poll. Americans’ pride in the U.S. on several key attributes has dropped since 2017 — including the nation's military and its political influence around the g...
Key takeaway on several key attributes has dropped since 2017 — including the nation's military and its political influence around the globe — according to the survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
Why this matters in The Pearland
In Pearland , a community within the Houston area, the decline in American pride may resonate differently given the city's diverse population and strong sense of patriotism. As a community with a significant number of residents who work in the energy industry and have ties to the military, the drop in pride for the US armed forces may be particularly notable. The city's residents, who have a strong connection to their community, may be reflecting on what it means to be an American and how that identity intersects with their local pride. The fact that most US adults still consider being an American important to their identity suggests that, even in Pearland, there is a enduring connection to the country, despite criticisms of its past or current government actions. As Pearland continues to grow and evolve, it will be interesting to see how this shift in American pride affects community events and discussions around patriotism and national identity.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Pearland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 29, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Americans have grown less proud of their country's history or the way its democracy works over the past decade, according to a new AP-NORC poll. Americans’ pride in the U.S. on several key attributes has dropped since 2017 — including the nation's military and its political influence around the g...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 29, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Pearland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Linley Sanders, Simran Parwani And Amelia Thomson-Deveaux, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Pearland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Pearland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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