United States public opinion on September 11 attacks 25 years later

Twenty-five years after the September 11 attacks, recent polling reveals shifting American perspectives on the event's legacy and its impact on national security. A YouGov survey indicates that 51% of Americans believe September 11 should be designated as a national holiday, a view held by 62% of Republicans compared to 43% of Democrats. While 90% of Americans aged 30 and older remember their location when they heard the news, only 15% of adults under 30 report the same.

Regarding security and governance, public sentiment has evolved since the immediate aftermath of the attacks. While approximately 70% of Americans once expressed confidence in the federal government's ability to prevent terrorism, more recent data shows a decline in these sentiments. In a 2025 Gallup poll, 40% of respondents expressed significant worry about future terrorist attacks on U.S. soil, though this concern was ranked lower than economic issues. Additionally, 46% of Americans believe that increased military operations abroad and domestic surveillance have been worth the cost, while 28% disagree.