The American Promise at 250: Young Americans on Identity, Values and the Future Sine Institute survey reveals young people's perspectives on America's future
The Sine Institute is proud to present its 2026 poll of young Americans, “The American Promise at 250: Young Americans on Identity, Values and the Future.” This is the fifth annual Sine Institute survey focused on understanding young Americans’ unique perspectives on politics, policy, identity, and more.
This revealing survey of young Americans ages 18-34 reveals new insight into young people's perspectives regarding how they view their generation, how they view the U.S., their view toward the future of the country and what it means to be an American. It also discusses their political participation as we look toward the 2026 midterms and their role as the car generation.
The survey was designed by the Sine Institute in partnership with Future Caucus and the Close Up Foundation and was based on interviews conducted by Generation Lab, a data intelligence company that gathers and interprets the views and behavior of young adults.
An advisory group of 19 AU graduate and undergraduate students from schools across American University helped to design the poll, formulate its questions, and provide feedback on the survey methodology and results.
How Young Americans See Themselves
Respondents' views on the shifiting identities of Americans.
America Through Young Eyes
How young Americans see the state of the nation and what defines this point in U.S. history.
Hope, Doubt & the Road Ahead
Learn more about young Americans' views on the future of the nation, and the road ahead.
Young Americans & Political Participation
Young Americans report offer their perspectives on the mid-term 2026 elections.
The Care Generation
Respondents reported that they were responsible for the care of another.
Meet Our Student Advisors
Meet this year's group of students who served as polling advisors who provided instrumental guidance, feedback and participation throughout the process.
Read Toplines
For full crosstabs, please contact the Sine Institute at [email protected].
Meet Our Partners
Future Caucus
Future Caucus
Future Caucus is an organization dedicated to renewing American democracy. Future Caucus works directly with our nation’s leading young policymakers on both a national and state level to bridge the partisan divide and lead a new era of collaborative governance.
Close Up Foundation
Close Up Foundation
Founded in 1971, Close Up Foundation is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, civic education organization that believes a strong democracy requires active, informed participation by all citizens. Close Up seeks to serve young people from all communities and all backgrounds, regardless of race, religion, gender, socioeconomic level, or academic standing.
The Generation Lab
The Generation Lab is a data intelligence company that studies young people and the trends that shape the future. Generation Lab translates youth views and behavior for media, academia, businesses, government, and the American public.
Student Polling Advisors on "The American Promise at 250"
The Sine Institute of Policy & Politics was aided by a group of 19 AU students from schools across campus for guidance in formulating, creating, and interpreting its 2026 poll of young Americans.