Are there really people in the USA that don't believe in Evolution?

I don't live in the USA but my friend was telling me there are a number of groups in the US that shun evolution. He even said they believe the earth was only created less than 10 millennia ago... I couldn't believe it, is he telling the truth?! How can a nation that was once so scientifically advanced have such scientifically illiterate people living in it?