Many Americans intend to mark the country’s 250th anniversary on July 4 with familiar rituals such as grilling or attending parades, while a meaningful portion of the population treats the holiday as less important or as another day, according to a recent nationwide poll.
Participation and how people will celebrate
The poll found that 80% of respondents plan to celebrate this year. That share varied by party identification - 76% among Democrats, 74% among independents and 91% among Republicans said they will observe the holiday. Conversely, roughly one in five Americans said they will not be celebrating.
- 57% said they mostly regard July 4 as a day to rest from work, spend time with friends or family, or simply as a day like any other.
- 48% plan to attend a cookout with family or friends, and 16% said they will prepare red, white and blue themed foods, drinks or desserts using the colors of the American flag.
- 34% intend to attend a fireworks show, while 18% said they will set off fireworks themselves.
- 41% reported they will display an American flag or bunting outside their homes. That practice was more common among Republicans, with 64% saying they will display a flag or bunting, and Republicans were also reported as more likely to display the flag regularly throughout the year compared with independents or Democrats.
Public attitudes about the nation’s future
Political divisions surfaced in broader views about America’s durability. The poll asked about perceptions looking forward 250 years and found that 38% of respondents considered it unlikely that the United States will still exist as a single country a quarter-century from now. The poll did not provide further detail in the responses beyond this share.
Methodology
The survey was conducted online and nationwide from June 12 to June 15 and included 1,537 U.S. adults. Results carry a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
Overall, the results portray a country in which traditional Independence Day activities remain widespread, but where a significant minority expresses detachment from the holiday and doubts about long-term national unity. The survey highlights variation by partisan identification in both celebratory behavior and civic displays such as flag-waving.