American pride has collapsed to its lowest level in over a decade, with just 51% of citizens saying they are extremely or very proud to be American, according to a new survey from the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI). That figure marks a dramatic fall from 82% recorded in 2013. The findings arrive just ahead of the nation's 250th birthday, suggesting a profound identity crisis.
Democracies can endure policy disagreements, but they struggle when citizens lose faith in shared institutions and abandon a common civic story. The survey indicates that Americans are retreating into ideological camps, increasingly viewing political opponents not as rivals but as existential threats to democracy itself. This shift, researchers warn, weakens the social fabric needed for governance.
The PRRI data reveals stark partisan divides on national identity. Among Democrats, less than half believe that being born in America (42%), believing in God (41%), or being Christian (29%) are important to being truly American. In contrast, majorities of Republicans consider all three criteria essential. The survey, conducted May 1-18, 2026, also found diminishing belief in the American Dream across the population.
These trends pose significant challenges for social cohesion and political stability. When citizens no longer share a common understanding of what it means to be American, public discourse fractures and trust in institutions erodes. The data suggests that politics is increasingly filling the void left by declining religious and community ties, a dynamic that can fuel polarization.
Some analysts caution that national pride surveys can be volatile and influenced by current events, and that a single poll does not necessarily signal permanent decline. The PRRI findings, however, align with long-term trends observed by multiple research organizations over the past decade.