Public Opinion Polls | Scenic America

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.

Billboards in Salt Lake City courtesy Deseret News

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.

Learn more about the study here

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.

View the full poll results here