The Fading American Dream Voters See It Slipping Away

Independents and Younger Voters Feel Particularly Left Behind

Our polling reveals deep skepticism about the attainability of the American Dream. Nearly half of all voters feel the dream is out of reach for them personally, with Independents expressing higher levels of pessimism than Republicans. While there is some optimism for the next generation, a significant portion of the electorate believes the path to upward mobility has closed for their families.

Methodology

Online sample of 1,247 likely voters fielded over web panels on December 13, 2025, and weighted by gender, race, education, 2024 vote choice, and birth year. Respondents were also weighted by whether they passed attention checks. The margin of error is +/- 4.9%.

Key Findings

The Dream Feels Inaccessible to Many

Nearly half of all voters (47%) say the American Dream is “out of reach” for them personally. Only 20% believe they have already achieved it.

Independents are the Most Pessimistic

Independents are the most likely group to feel left behind, with 50% saying the American Dream is out of reach for them, compared to 33% of Republicans and 59% of Democrats.

Generational Stalling

When asked about their families, 36% of voters believe the American Dream is out of reach. This sentiment is consistent across party lines, with 40% of Independents and 36% of white voters feeling the dream is unreachable for their families.

Mixed Outlook for Children

Voters are somewhat more hopeful for the next generation. Forty-one percent believe their children are “on the way” to achieving the dream. However, nearly a quarter (24%) still believe it will be out of reach for their children, a concern held by 26% of Independents and 30% of Democrats.