From Business Insider · Roya Shahidi · · 3m
Virginia leads US with 452 data centers
A state-by-state ranking shows Virginia dominates the data center boom, while smaller states lag far behind.
In brief
A state-by-state ranking shows Virginia dominates the data center boom, while smaller states lag far behind. Virginia has four hundred fifty-two operational data centers, the most of any US state, as the data center industry accelerates nationwide. Originally reported by Business Insider.
The data center boom accelerates
Data centers house computing machines powering digital services. The AI boom has accelerated their development and brought the industry into mainstream attention.
How this ranking was made
Business Insider analyzed Data Center Map, an industry source tracking data center locations worldwide. The ranking shows a snapshot of the US database as of October two thousand twenty-six, limited to fully operational data centers.
Data Center Map's methodology
Data Center Map tracks cloud and colocation service providers. Each data center tracked must have an initial capacity of at least ten cabinets. The company compiles data from multiple sources and monitors external databases.
Coverage limitations
There is no federal requirement for data centers to register in a central database, so figures should not be interpreted as a complete census.
States with fewest data centers
Vermont has three operational data centers in Stowe, South Burlington, and Williston. The state has a limited electrical grid, according to the Vermont Natural Resources Council.
Alaska faces electricity challenges
Alaska has four operational data centers, with half located in Anchorage. The University of Alaska Fairbanks said high electricity and network connection costs are challenges for data center buildout.
South Dakota rejects tax incentives
South Dakota has five operational data centers, mostly in Sioux Falls. Lawmakers rejected industry tax incentive proposals in two thousand twenty-six while enacting new restrictions on electricity and water use.
Delaware mandates energy independence
Delaware has six operational data centers, with half in Wilmington. Gov. Matt Meyer signed legislation in August requiring data centers to generate their own energy and cover infrastructure costs.
New York imposes AI data center moratorium
New York has one hundred forty-nine operational data centers, with large concentrations in New York City, Buffalo, and Albany.
Ohio's Silicon Heartland emerges
Ohio has one hundred eighty-nine operational data centers, the most concentrated in Columbus.Intel announced plans in two thousand twenty-two for a major semiconductor manufacturing facility in New Albany, a suburb known as the Silicon Heartland.
California's Santa Clara dominates
California has two hundred eighty-five operational data centers. Santa Clara has the largest concentration with seventy-five facilities, followed by Los Angeles with fifty-one and San Jose with twenty-six.
Texas on track for global dominance
Texas has three hundred fifty-eight operational data centers, with fifty-eight in Dallas, forty-two in Houston, and thirty-nine in San Antonio.
Texas hosts massive projects
Texas is home to some of the world's largest planned data center projects, such as Fermi America's Project Matador. The state's rapid expansion reflects its appeal to major operators.
Virginia's Northern Virginia dominates
Virginia has four hundred fifty-two operational data centers, the most of any US state. Northern Virginia is not only the largest data center market in the US but also in the world.
Virginia's major operators
Major data center operators in Virginia include Equinix, Digital Realty, Microsoft, Vantage Data Centers, and Amazon. Ashburn has one hundred two facilities, Sterling has eighty-four, and Manassas has sixty.
Virginia's AWS infrastructure
An Amazon Web Services data center under construction in Sterling, Virginia demonstrates the state's continued expansion. Virginia's dominance reflects its proximity to major population centers and reliable power infrastructure.
The takeaway
Virginia has four hundred fifty-two operational data centers, the most of any US state, as the data center industry accelerates nationwide.
