GALLUP: American Dream is Alive at America 250

By SBE Council at 23 June, 2026, 6:56 am

by Raymond J. Keating –

What’s the state of the American Dream with the arrival of our nation’s 250th birthday? Gallup offers some answers in a new survey.

According to the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream (MCAAD)-Gallup American Dream Study, an open-ended question asked, “What words or phrases come to mind when you think about the American Dream?”

Three answers far outdistanced all others: 33% pointed to freedom or individual rights, 28% said financial security or homeownership, and 18% said success or upward mobility. All other answers offered registered in the low single digits.

As for achieving the American Dream, many Americans see it within their own reach, but less so for others:

● “Forty-six percent agree strongly (21%) or somewhat (25%) that everyone in the country has the opportunity to achieve the American Dream, down five percentage points from 2024.”

● “At the same time, most Americans continue to express confidence in their own ability to achieve the Dream and to consider it important. Nearly seven in 10 (69%) agree they will personally achieve the American Dream, down four points, while almost eight in 10 (78%) agree that it is important for people to strive for it, essentially unchanged from 2024.”

Regarding the status of the American Dream, the survey asked, “When you think about the United States at 250 years old, do you believe the American Dream has succeeded, has failed or is unfinished?” In terms of responses, 58% of Americans said it was unfinished, 16% said it has succeeded, and 26% said it has failed.

Americans with the most optimistic views are those born outside the country. The survey found the following:

● Immigrants “are more likely than adults born in the U.S. to U.S.-born parents to say people can get ahead by working hard (77% vs. 66%), to say they can achieve a better life than their parents’ generation (75% vs. 66%), and to feel optimistic about the future of the American Dream (51% vs. 42%).”

Gallup summarized: “Adults born outside the U.S. hold the most forward-looking views of the Dream. They are the most likely group of Americans to define the Dream as opportunity, to believe in upward mobility, and to feel optimistic about its future.”

It should be kept in mind that America is, indeed, a nation of immigrants, and immigrants renew our nation in so many ways, including by starting new businesses at about twice the rate of the native born. Those willing to leave their own nations for a chance at a better life in America know the American Dream quite well.

Raymond J. Keating is chief economist for the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council. He is the author of “The Weekly Economist” book series, and 10 Points from Walt Disney on Entrepreneurship.