Public Opinion Polls
Polls Show that People Don’t Want Billboards
Between 1957 and 1977, at least eight polls found 70% or more of respondents to be anti-billboard. Even as the political and environmental landscape has changed, public opinion polls continue to show that Americans do not like billboards.
Below are some past examples of states and cities that have conducted public opinion polls demonstrating this overall distaste for outdoor advertising.
Utah Residents Overwhelmingly Oppose Billboards
According to Scenic Utah, a January 2019 poll conducted by the American Institute of Applied Politics found that the vast majority of likely Utah voters did not want to see more billboards.
- 75% of respondents agreed with the statement, “Billboards are a total eyesore in our community and they have no redeeming value.”
- 79% of respondents disagreed with the statement, “Billboards are simply a form of advertising, no better, no worse than any other form of advertising.
- 80% disagreed with the statement, “Billboards are an important source of information in our community.”
- 72% of respondents strongly supported a total ban on billboards.
75%
UT residents who said that billboards have no value.
72%
UT residents supporting a total billboard ban.
Polls Show Reno Voters Oppose Billboards
An April 2011 telephone poll showed that the majority of Reno voters are opposed to allowing digital billboards there. Reno voters went to the polls in 2000 and voted to ban the construction of new billboards in the city.
- 88% of voters believed it was “important” or “very important” that drivers are not distracted.
- 80% of voters believed it was “important” of “very important” to protect the area’s scenic beauty and visual character.
- 2/3 of voters would object to seeing a digital billboard from their windows.
Texas Poll Shows Residents Think There Are Too Many Billboards
A 2007 poll of Texas voters by Baselice & Associates found that 86% thought there were too many or enough billboards already in the state.
76% favored giving counties the ability to prohibit billboards within their jurisdictions.
Survey Shows Arizonans Disapprove of Digital Billboards
This 2005 survey of Arizona residents showed they overwhelmingly disapproved of allowing digital billboards in that state.
