10 Biggest Data Center Locations in the U.S. in 2026

Every time we stream a movie, scroll through social media, or back up files to the cloud, we’re tapping into the power of massive data centers. But those facilities don’t just pop up randomly. They’re clustered in key locations across the U.S. where power, space, and connectivity come together.

In this post, we look at the 10 biggest data center locations in the United States as of mid-2026. These are the regions that host sprawling campuses of servers, operated by some of the world’s biggest tech and infrastructure companies. We’ll break down where they are, why they matter, and who’s leading the charge in each one.

For anyone who has wondered where “the cloud” actually lives, this is your behind-the-scenes look.

Key Takeaways

• Northern Virginia is the top U.S. data center hub with 300+ facilities and 4,039.6 MW of inventory, nearly three and a half times more capacity than all secondary U.S. markets combined, hosting AWS, Equinix, and Digital Realty.
• Atlanta now ranks second with 1,459.2 MW of inventory and 2,076 MW under construction, the fastest-growing major market in the country.
• Dallas-Fort Worth ranks third at 1,067.3 MW, the third U.S. market to surpass 1 gigawatt, while Chicago ranks fourth and now carries the nation’s highest rental rates.
• Phoenix (807.3 MW) and Silicon Valley (489.2 MW) round out the established markets, while Hillsboro, Oregon and Central Washington have entered the top 10 on the strength of cheap power and hyperscale demand.
• Austin-San Antonio and Southern California surpassed the New York Tri-State area in inventory in 2025 for the first time since CBRE began tracking the market.
• The largest U.S. data center is Switch’s TAHOE RENO 1 in Nevada, while major operators include Equinix, CoreSite, and Digital Realty.

Overview of US Data Centers

The United States is home to a vast and growing data center industry, with numerous primary data center markets and a wide range of data center services available. As a result, the country’s data center infrastructure is designed to support the increasing demand for data storage and processing, driven by the growth of cloud computing, big data, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

The market is expanding at a record pace. Supply across the eight primary U.S. markets grew 36% year over year to 9,432 MW at year-end 2025, net absorption hit a record 2,497.6 MW, and vacancy fell to a historic low of 1.4%, according to CBRE.

1. Northern Virginia: America’s Data Center Capital

Northern Virginia leads the U.S. data center industry with over 300 facilities in Loudoun, Prince William, and Fairfax counties. With 4,039.6 megawatts of total inventory at year-end 2025, up 37% in a single year, it’s nearly four times larger than Dallas-Fort Worth and the first market to surpass 4 gigawatts. The region holds nearly three and a half times more data center capacity than all secondary U.S. markets combined.

Notably, Loudoun County, especially Ashburn and Sterling, anchors the region, while Prince William and Fairfax counties include critical areas like Manassas and Reston. Together with these counties, they form America’s largest data center market.

Demand keeps outrunning supply. Northern Virginia recorded 1,102 MW of net absorption in 2025, a 144% increase from 2024, while vacancy fell to just 0.5%, the lowest of any primary market. Only 21.5 MW of supply remained available at year-end, 96% of 2026 scheduled supply is already committed, and preleasing now stretches into 2027.

A Global Connectivity Powerhouse

Given its strategic location, Northern Virginia sits near Washington, D.C., providing access to major transoceanic fiber cable systems, including MAREA and BRUSA. Moreover, proximity to Virginia Beach’s subsea cable landing stations further strengthens connectivity. For instance, Equinix’s DC2 facility in Ashburn serves as a critical interconnection point for carriers and cloud service providers.

Cost-Effective and Reliable Power Supply

Dominion Energy and NOVEC supply commercial electricity at competitive rates of $0.06 to $0.08 per kWh, among the lowest in the Mid-Atlantic. In addition, Loudoun County offers economic incentives, including a 6% sales and use tax exemption on data center equipment, driving continued industry growth.

Home to Leading Operators

Major operators in the region include:

• Digital Realty – Runs several facilities supporting global data needs.
• Equinix – Offers extensive interconnection services across its centers.
• QTS Realty Trust – Provides large-scale colocation and cloud services.
• CoreSite – Operates carrier-neutral centers under American Tower.
• AWS, Google, and Microsoft – Each maintain major cloud infrastructure in the area.

Secure and Resilient Infrastructure

From a security standpoint, Northern Virginia’s strategic inland positioning minimizes hurricane-related disruptions. For example, facilities like AWS’s Northern Virginia Computing Facility reinforce the region’s stability and security.

As a result, Northern Virginia’s scale, connectivity, reliable power, and business-friendly environment make it the nation’s top data center market. With rapid expansion, it remains a critical force in the global digital economy.

2. Atlanta: Growing Hub with Economic and Connectivity Advantages

Atlanta is now the second-largest data center market in the U.S., with 1,459.2 MW of inventory across the metro and suburbs. The hub at 56 Marietta Street (ATL13) anchors the region’s connectivity, housing hundreds of carriers in a 10-story downtown facility.

In 2024, Atlanta led the nation in growth, adding 705.8 MW of capacity and claiming the top spot for net absorption. The expansion has not slowed: the market now has 2,076 MW under construction, the largest pipeline of any market, while vacancy fell to 1% in early 2026. That rapid growth triggered new city regulations to address land use and community concerns. Even with pushback, Atlanta’s location, fiber access, and power capacity keep it a top choice for data center development.

Economic Advantages

Atlanta’s strong regional economy, coupled with competitive energy costs and low natural disaster risk, makes it highly attractive for businesses. In addition, the region boasts excellent transportation infrastructure and a highly reliable power grid, primarily managed by Georgia Power, with electricity rates ranging from $0.05 to $0.06 per kWh. The city also has access to a skilled workforce, adding to its appeal as a data center location.

Key Data Center Operators

Atlanta is gaining momentum as a regional tech and infrastructure hub, supported by several distinct data center operators.

• Switch, Inc. – Developing a massive 1M+ sq. ft. data center campus, bringing hyperscale capacity to the region.
• QTS Realty Trust – Operates the QTS Atlanta-Metro campus, one of the largest data center facilities in the Southeast.
• DC Blox – Operates a local facility as part of its Southeastern data center network, offering strong regional interconnectivity.
• H5 Data Centers – Provides scalable wholesale and colocation services from its Atlanta facility.

3. Dallas: Central Connectivity & Economic Efficiency

Dallas, Texas, along with its neighboring suburbs such as Allen, Carrollton, Fort Worth, Frisco, Garland, Irving, Lewisville, Plano, and Richardson, has emerged as a pivotal data center hub strategically located between Northern Virginia and Silicon Valley.

The Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) metroplex is now the third-largest data center market in the country, with 1,067.3 MW of inventory, making it the third U.S. market to surpass 1 gigawatt of total supply. The region absorbed 470.8 MW in 2025, up 424 MW year over year, and CBRE expects the market to keep growing rapidly with 89% of under-construction space already preleased.

Cost-Efficient Power Supply

Managed by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), Dallas benefits from an independent power grid supplying nearly 90% of Texas’s electricity. As a result, power rates remain highly competitive, averaging $0.05 to $0.065 per kWh.

Strategic Connectivity Hub

Equinix operates a major connectivity hub at the Infomart carrier hotel, improving metro and long-haul connections through DA1, DA2, DA3, and DA6. Situated at 1950 North Stemmons Freeway in downtown Dallas, it serves as a critical component of the region’s network infrastructure.

Key Data Center Operators

Dallas has established itself as a key data center market, supported by a strong mix of colocation, cloud, and hyperscale infrastructure.

Leading operators include:

• CyrusOne – Known for highly secure, enterprise-grade data centers with strong uptime and innovation.
• DataBank – Offers scalable colocation and cloud hosting tailored for business agility.
• Cologix – Operates out of the Infomart with direct cloud access and a core Meet-Me-Room.
• Flexential – Delivers high-speed connectivity and disaster recovery with a 100% power uptime SLA.
• Zayo Group – Provides the fiber backbone supporting much of the region’s data traffic.
• Compass Datacenters – Builds hyperscale campuses with national reach, headquartered in Dallas.
• QTS Realty Trust – Supports diverse industries with scalable, carrier-neutral solutions.

4. Chicago: Central Connectivity and Strategic Location

Chicago serves as a vital central hub for data center operations in the United States, strategically positioned between East and West Coast markets. The region, including Chicago and surrounding suburbs such as Elk Grove Village, Franklin Park, and Aurora, hosts around 130 data center facilities.

With 904.6 megawatts of inventory, Chicago ranks fourth among U.S. data center markets. Demand has pushed Chicago’s rental rates to the highest in the nation, at $200 to $230 per kW/month for a 250 to 500 kW requirement, up 14.7% year over year.

Connectivity & Infrastructure

Chicago is renowned for its exceptional connectivity, hosting multiple Internet exchange points (IXPs) and serving as a key intersection for long-haul fiber routes. For instance, 350 East Cermak Road, one of North America’s largest carrier hotels, operates as a major connectivity hub under Digital Realty.

Power and Economic Advantages

ComEd (Commonwealth Edison) provides a stable and reliable power supply with competitive electricity rates averaging $0.06 to $0.07 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Additionally, the area benefits from tax incentives, affordable real estate, and proximity to major financial and business operations.

Key Data Center Operators

Chicago plays a key role in enterprise infrastructure, supported by several distinctive operators in the region.

• Rackspace Technology – Runs a 70,000+ sq. ft. facility in Elk Grove Village, staffed 24/7 for consistent uptime and support.
• ServerCentral Turing Group (SCTG) – A local provider offering managed colocation, network services, and cloud hosting with a strong footprint in downtown Chicago.
• Lumen Technologies – Offers edge computing and data center services across several locations in the Chicago metro area.
• Element Critical – Manages a high-density data center in the West Loop, serving financial and healthcare industries.

These operators give Chicago a unique edge, supporting specialized business and industry needs across the Midwest.

5. Phoenix: A Leading Alternative for Data Centers

The Phoenix metropolitan area, encompassing Phoenix, Chandler, Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale, Goodyear, and Glendale, ranks fifth among U.S. data center markets. With more than 100 data centers providing 807.3 megawatts of inventory, Phoenix remains a rapidly expanding hub for data center operations.

Attractive Power Costs & Sustainability

Meanwhile, Arizona Public Service (APS) primarily supplies power to the region, with additional support from Salt River Project (SRP). Significantly, the area boasts highly competitive electricity rates, averaging between $0.065 to $0.075 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), making it an appealing option for cost-conscious businesses. Furthermore, Phoenix’s power grid is reliable, and providers actively support sustainability through access to renewable energy sources.

Connectivity & Strategic Location

Digital Realty operates a major connectivity hub at 120 East Van Buren Street in downtown Phoenix, further strengthening the region’s fiber and cable network. Moreover, this strategic location has minimal exposure to natural disasters, making it a safer alternative to riskier West Coast sites.

Economic Advantages & Infrastructure

Phoenix provides businesses with substantial economic advantages, including lower taxes, affordable real estate, and low operating costs. The metro area’s favorable business environment has attracted major data center operators and significant investment, bolstering its competitive edge.

Key Data Center Operators

Phoenix, Arizona, has become a major U.S. data center hub, thanks to its strategic location, low operational costs, tax incentives, and strong infrastructure.

Key operators in the region include:

• Digital Realty – Offers retail and wholesale colocation solutions.
• phoenixNAP – Headquartered in Phoenix, with a major interconnectivity hub and cloud access.
• CyrusOne – Serves large enterprises and cloud providers.
• Iron Mountain – Runs multiple facilities east of downtown, with a third under development.
• Flexential – Supports small businesses with colocation and IT services.
• Comarch – Opened in 2024, offers Tier III-standard hosting and disaster recovery.
• Prime Data Centers – Operates a five-facility hyperscale campus powered by 100% renewable energy.

6. Silicon Valley: Hub of Innovation and Connectivity

Silicon Valley remains a major data center market despite high real estate and power costs. Home to tech giants like Google, IBM, Microsoft, Sony, and Amazon, the region hosts nearly 150 data center facilities with 489.2 MW of inventory, making it a critical digital infrastructure hub.

Power constraints and high construction costs have limited growth to 4% year over year, and rental rates of $180 to $275 per kW/month are among the highest in the primary markets. The 144 MW under construction is 84% preleased.

Premier Connectivity and Infrastructure

With direct onramps to major cloud providers, multiple internet exchange points (IXPs), and high-capacity fiber networks, Silicon Valley is one of the most interconnected regions on the West Coast.

Innovation and Skilled Workforce

Silicon Valley’s access to top IT talent and cutting-edge energy solutions keeps it competitive despite high costs. The region remains a prime location for global companies seeking high-performance data infrastructure.

With strong connectivity, industry-leading operators, and a highly skilled workforce, Silicon Valley continues to be a major force in the global data center market.

Leading Data Center Operators

Silicon Valley, the heart of tech innovation, is home to key players that support its powerful data infrastructure.

Notable companies include:

• Equinix – Operates multiple interconnection and colocation facilities in Palo Alto, San José, and Sunnyvale.
• CoreSite – Offers carrier-neutral colocation and peering services for enterprises and cloud providers.
• Cupertino Electric – Specializes in building data centers for major tech companies across the region.
• Supermicro – Provides high-performance servers and storage systems used widely in data centers.
• Broadcom – Supplies essential networking and storage hardware that powers modern data operations.

7. Hillsboro, Oregon: The Pacific Gateway

Hillsboro, just west of Portland, has climbed into the top U.S. data center markets with 475.4 MW of inventory. CBRE now counts it among the eight primary North American markets, and it is one of the tightest in the country, with just 1.0 MW of available supply at year-end 2025.

Several advantages drive the market. Oregon has no state sales tax, and enterprise zone programs offer substantial property tax abatements for data center development. Power costs are among the lowest on the West Coast, supplied largely by hydroelectric generation. Hillsboro serves as a landing area for trans-Pacific subsea cables, giving it direct, low-latency connectivity to Asia-Pacific markets.

A Direct Gateway To Asia-Pacific

Hillsboro’s strongest connectivity advantage comes from its access to transpacific subsea cable systems. Flexential’s Hillsboro 2 facility, known as the Network Access Point of the Northwest, connects to the Bifrost, Hawaiki, and New Cross Pacific cable systems.

Bifrost entered service in 2025 as the first subsea cable to directly connect Singapore with the west coast of North America. The Hillsboro campus provides access to more than 300 on-net carriers, major cloud platforms, and regional carrier hotels. These connections make the city a strategic location for cloud, media, gaming, and enterprise workloads serving Asia-Pacific markets.

Power Supply And Economic Advantages

Portland General Electric supplies the Hillsboro market. According to PGE, 40% of its 2025 retail electricity load was served through non-emitting resources. PGE continues to add renewable generation, energy storage, and grid infrastructure to support regional electricity demand.

Oregon’s POWER Act created a separate utility customer class for large data centers. The framework requires high-load facilities to cover more of the grid and infrastructure costs associated with their development. PGE received regulatory approval to implement the new data center rate structure in May 2026.

Hillsboro’s Enterprise Zone program can provide a 100% property tax abatement on qualified new capital assets for three to five years. Oregon enacted a temporary moratorium on new Enterprise Zone approvals for data centers in March 2026 while state and local officials reviewed development and incentive policies.

Key Data Center Operators

Hillsboro supports a growing mix of hyperscale, wholesale, and colocation operators.

• Flexential - Operates Hillsboro 1 through Hillsboro 5 and plans to develop Hillsboro 6, a 350,000-square-foot facility designed to support 27 MW of capacity.
• STACK Infrastructure - Operates its flagship POR03 campus, which spans approximately 55 acres and is planned for around 200 MW of total capacity.
• QTS Data Centers - Maintains three Hillsboro campuses, including the 51-acre Hillsboro 2 campus with more than 180 MW of planned power capacity.
• NTT Global Data Centers - Operates the 36 MW HI1 facility and plans to expand its total Hillsboro capacity to approximately 354 MW.
• Aligned Data Centers - Is developing a 27-acre, 108 MW campus and deploying a 31 MW battery storage system to improve access to grid power.

Hillsboro’s near-zero vacancy, direct transpacific cable routes, access to non-emitting electricity, and large campus developments make it one of the West Coast’s leading data center markets.

Land and transmission limitations will restrict short-term availability, but the city’s connection to Asia-Pacific networks will continue to support demand from cloud, AI, and enterprise customers.

8. Central Washington: Hydropower-Driven Growth

Central Washington is now the eighth-largest data center market in North America, with development concentrated around Quincy, East Wenatchee, and nearby Columbia Basin communities. The market reached 402 MW of total inventory at year-end 2025, up from 246.4 MW one year earlier. This growth allowed Central Washington to surpass the New York Tri-State market in total capacity for the first time.

Demand absorbed most of the new capacity entering the market. Central Washington recorded 147.9 MW of net absorption in 2025, the highest level among North American secondary markets and a 146.5% increase from 2024. Vacancy stood at 2.9%, leaving approximately 11.7 MW available. The region had another 32.1 MW under construction, with 72% of that capacity already preleased.

Low-Cost Hydroelectric Power

Hydroelectric power remains Central Washington’s main advantage. Grant County Public Utility District owns and operates the Priest Rapids and Wanapum dams on the Columbia River. Together with its smaller hydroelectric projects, these facilities provide more than 2,100 MW of renewable generation capacity.

Access to locally generated hydropower has given Quincy and surrounding communities some of the lowest data center operating costs in the country. The dry regional climate supports extensive outside-air and evaporative cooling, reducing the amount of mechanical cooling required during much of the year.

Rapid data center expansion is beginning to place pressure on the regional grid. Grant PUD introduced temporary limits on additional data center load growth to reduce the risk of voltage instability and outages. The utility is adding solar generation and other power resources as electricity demand grows beyond the output available from its existing Columbia River dams.

Expanding Regional Fiber Connectivity

Central Washington combines rural operating economics with access to several regional fiber networks. Grant PUD maintains an open-access fiber-optic system across Grant County, supporting gigabit services for local businesses and infrastructure operators.

New long-haul routes are strengthening connections between the region’s data center clusters. Intermountain Infrastructure Group operates a diverse fiber ring between Quincy and East Wenatchee and activated new routes connecting Wenatchee, Quincy, and Spokane. These systems provide additional paths toward Seattle, Spokane, and other western cloud markets.

Data Center Tax Advantages

Washington provides a sales and use tax exemption for qualifying data center businesses and tenants. Eligible purchases can include server equipment, electrical infrastructure, and installation services. These benefits have helped reduce the capital cost of developing large facilities in rural markets such as Grant County.

The state narrowed part of the rural incentive program in July 2026. New exemption certificates are no longer available for refurbished rural data centers, and replacement servers are no longer treated as eligible equipment under that provision. New qualifying facilities may still receive exemptions under the broader data center program.

Key Data Center Operators

Central Washington supports a mix of hyperscale, wholesale, and colocation facilities.

• Microsoft - Operates data centers in Quincy and East Wenatchee and is developing additional facilities in Malaga and East Wenatchee.
• Vantage Data Centers - Operates an 89 MW Quincy campus containing three facilities and approximately 775,000 square feet of data center space.
• Sabey Data Centers - Provides colocation, powered-shell, and build-to-suit services from its Quincy campus. A major expansion is adding more than 85 MW of critical power across two buildings.
• CyrusOne - Operates the PNW1 campus, which provides approximately 720,000 square feet of technical IT space and access to renewable hydroelectric power.
• H5 Data Centers - Operates a 240,000-square-foot purpose-built Quincy facility with capacity planned to reach 40 MW at full development.

Central Washington’s hydropower, tax incentives, expanding fiber routes, and available development land have supported one of the fastest capacity increases in North America. Limited transmission capacity may slow near-term projects, but continued investment around Quincy, Wenatchee, and Malaga keeps the region central to Washington’s cloud and AI infrastructure growth.

9. Southern California (Los Angeles): A Key West Coast Market

Southern California is a major West Coast data center market supported by a large customer base, dense network infrastructure, and direct Asia-Pacific connectivity. Development is concentrated in Downtown Los Angeles, Vernon, El Segundo, Torrance, Burbank, and Orange County.

Southern California reached 200.3 MW of total inventory at year-end 2025, surpassing the New York Tri-State market for the first time since CBRE began tracking the sector in 2016, with 24.5 MW available.

About 100 MW is under construction and 300 MW is planned.

Much of the market's older available space is unsuitable for high-density AI workloads, and CBRE expects AI deployments to remain the primary source of new demand.

A Pacific Connectivity Hub

Los Angeles connects U.S. businesses with Asia-Pacific through transpacific subsea cables and long-haul fiber routes. One Wilshire anchors the region's network ecosystem, supporting media, gaming, content delivery, cloud, and other latency-sensitive applications.

High Power Costs And Limited Space

Power costs remain a major constraint. California’s average commercial electricity price reached 25.75 cents per kWh in April 2026, nearly twice the national average.

Vernon has become a preferred expansion area due to its municipally owned utility, industrial land, and proximity to Downtown Los Angeles. New facilities can connect to major carrier hotels through short dark-fiber routes.

AI-Ready Development

Prime Data Centers opened its 33 MW LAX01 facility in Vernon. The site supports liquid-cooled and GPU-dense AI systems.

DataBank and Goodman Group are developing another 32 MW facility in Vernon, with capacity scheduled to enter service between late 2026 and 2027.

Key Data Center Operators

• CoreSite - Operates One Wilshire and two nearby facilities with access to more than 325 networks.
• Digital Realty - Runs facilities across Downtown Los Angeles, El Segundo, and Burbank.
• Equinix - Connects customers with cloud providers, carriers, and media platforms.
• Prime Data Centers - Operates the 33 MW LAX01 AI-ready facility in Vernon.
• DataBank - Operates at One Wilshire and is developing a 32 MW Vernon facility.

Southern California remains a key West Coast market due to its interconnection ecosystem, Asia-Pacific access, and growing AI infrastructure. High electricity costs and limited powered land continue to restrict new development.

10. Austin-San Antonio: Texas’s Second Data Center Corridor

Austin and San Antonio form Central Texas’s second major data center corridor after Dallas-Fort Worth. Development extends from Austin and Round Rock through San Marcos and New Braunfels to San Antonio, creating an infrastructure market along Interstate 35.

Austin supplies a large technology workforce and enterprise customer base, while San Antonio offers lower land costs and room for hyperscale campuses.

The corridor is expanding faster than its existing supply. CBRE recorded a 2.3% vacancy rate. Capacity under construction reached 462 MW, with 97% already preleased.

By year-end 2025, Austin-San Antonio had surpassed the New York Tri-State market in total inventory for the first time since CBRE began tracking the sector in 2016. 

Expanding Beyond Central Austin

New development is shifting toward areas where larger parcels and utility capacity remain available. Operators are targeting northeastern Austin suburbs served by Oncor, including Round Rock, Pflugerville, and Hutto. Interest has moved south into Lower Colorado River Authority territory as power requests increase across the metro.

San Antonio adds another major development cluster west and southwest of the city. Microsoft operates facilities across Bexar and Medina counties, while Stream Data Centers is expanding through its Westover Hills campuses. The separation between Austin and San Antonio gives companies multiple deployment locations within the same regional market. 

Competitive Power And Utility Access

Central Texas operates within the ERCOT electricity market and receives power through several utilities. Austin Energy serves the central city, Oncor supplies many northern and eastern suburbs, and LCRA supports communities south of Austin. CPS Energy supplies the San Antonio market.

Austin Energy manages or contracts for more than 4,600 MW of generation capacity, including natural gas, nuclear, wind, and solar resources. CPS Energy strengthened San Antonio’s power portfolio through the 2025 acquisition of four natural gas facilities with approximately 1,632 MW of combined capacity. 

Large power requests are creating longer interconnection timelines across both metros. CBRE reported historically high demand for utility capacity, while CPS Energy has warned that transmission upgrades will be required to accommodate major new loads. 

A Connected Technology Corridor

Austin’s concentration of technology companies, cloud users, and semiconductor operations creates steady demand for colocation and low-latency infrastructure. Carrier-neutral facilities offer access to metro fiber systems and long-haul routes connecting Central Texas with Dallas, Houston, and other major markets.

Facilities such as Sabey’s Round Rock campus provide dual fiber entrances, redundant pathways, and access to carriers including AT&T, Cogent, LOGIX, and Zayo. Stream’s San Antonio campus uses separate telecommunications entrances and multiple carrier rooms to provide physical network diversity. 

Data Center Tax Advantages

Texas provides a 6.25% state sales and use tax exemption for eligible equipment, electricity, cooling systems, servers, storage devices, and network infrastructure used by qualifying data centers.

Standard qualifying facilities must invest at least $200 million and create at least 20 jobs within five years. The facility must contain at least 100,000 square feet used by a single qualifying occupant. These incentives reduce the cost of developing large enterprise and hyperscale facilities throughout Central Texas. 

Key Data Center Operators

Austin-San Antonio supports hyperscale cloud campuses, wholesale developments, and enterprise colocation facilities.

• Microsoft – Operates and develops data centers across Bexar and Medina counties. Its Greater San Antonio facilities employed approximately 530 people as of 2025. 
• Stream Data Centers – Is developing a 135-acre San Antonio campus planned for 200 MW and 1.5 million square feet at full build. Its first building has been commissioned and fully leased.
• Sabey Data Centers – Operates its Austin campus in Round Rock, designed for up to 84 MW. A second liquid-cooling-ready building will add 54 MW. 
• CyrusOne – Operates the AUS2 and AUS3 facilities near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, providing a combined 242,000 square feet of technical space. 
• Digital Realty – Provides cloud-neutral and carrier-neutral colocation from its Austin facilities, including the AUS11 location in the Met Center area. 
• DataBank – Operates Austin facilities with enterprise colocation, interconnection, cloud, and managed infrastructure services. 

Austin-San Antonio’s low vacancy, large construction pipeline, technology workforce, and available suburban development sites have turned the corridor into one of the fastest-growing U.S. data center markets. 

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Other Key Connectivity Hubs

Three long-established regions no longer rank in the top 10 by inventory, but they remain among the most important interconnection points in the country.

New York Tri-State Area: The Financial Sector’s Hub

The New York Tri-State area, covering New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, hosts more than 130 data centers, driven largely by demand from the financial sector. In 2025 the region was surpassed in inventory by Austin-San Antonio, Southern California, and Central Washington, though it remains a critical hub for low-latency, high-performance data infrastructure.

Rising energy use, especially from AI workloads, has sparked legislative efforts like the proposed Sustainable Data Centers Act, aiming to require renewable energy use and annual reporting.

The region offers proximity to NYC at lower costs, with more space and expansion opportunities in New Jersey than Manhattan. It provides direct access to transatlantic cabling and high-speed fiber networks, supporting fast, reliable global connections. 

Electricity is primarily provided by Consolidated Edison (ConEd) in New York at approximately $0.14 to $0.16 per kWh, while PSE&G and Jersey Central Power & Light supply New Jersey at approximately $0.10 to $0.12 per kWh.

The region’s critical connectivity hubs include Digital Realty’s prominent facilities at 60 Hudson Street and 111 8th Avenue in Manhattan. Equinix operates major connectivity points at 755 and 800 Secaucus Road in New Jersey (sites NY2, NY4, NY5, and NY6). 

Standout regional providers include Telehouse America, which operates facilities in Manhattan and Staten Island and manages NYIIX, one of the largest internet exchanges in the region, and Sabey Data Centers, which runs SDC Manhattan at 375 Pearl Street with over a million square feet of secure, purpose-built space.

Miami: A Strategic Gateway to Latin America

Miami is a key global data hub, connecting the U.S. with Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe. At the center is Equinix’s NAP of the Americas, a 750,000 sq. ft. facility hosting 160+ carriers and handling traffic for over 150 countries. Built for resilience, it’s a main entry point for subsea cables like ARCOS-1.

With strong logistics via PortMiami and MIA, plus business perks like low taxes and foreign trade zones, Miami attracts tech and finance firms looking for fast, reliable international connectivity. 

Its infrastructure includes the ARCOS-1 Cable Landing Station, which supports direct, efficient links to Mexico and Latin America. Economic incentives include no inventory or unitary taxes, relatively low state corporate income tax rates, four strategically located foreign trade zones (FTZ), and competitive energy costs that support cost-efficiency for large-scale operations.

How Many Data Centers Are in the United States?

There are approximately 4,530 listed data centers in the United States as of July 2026. The total varies between industry databases based on which facility types they include.

Northern Virginia remains the country’s largest data center market by installed capacity, followed by Atlanta and Dallas-Fort Worth.

Cloud computing and AI demand continue to drive development across primary and emerging US markets.

5 Notable Data Centers in the US

The United States hosts major interconnection hubs for cloud platforms, financial firms, and large enterprises. The following five facilities stand out for their scale, connectivity, and regional role.

1. Equinix DC2 Data Center (Ashburn, Virginia)

Equinix DC2 sits on the company’s Ashburn campus in Northern Virginia. The facility provides 118,446 square feet of colocation space. It provides access to one of the world’s largest peering markets and the largest peering exchange on the US East Coast.

DC2 uses N+1 power and cooling redundancy, with at least 30 hours of generator autonomy at full load. Its certifications include ISO 27001, NIST 800-53/FISMA High, PCI DSS, and SOC 2 Type II. The facility supports cloud, enterprise, and public-sector workloads near Washington, D.C.

2. Equinix NY4 Data Center (Secaucus, New Jersey)

Equinix NY4 in Secaucus serves financial, media, and enterprise customers across the New York metropolitan area. The facility provides 151,771 square feet of colocation space and access to Equinix International Business Exchange services.

NY4 uses N+1 power and cooling redundancy, with at least 30 hours of generator autonomy at full load. Its certifications include ISO 27001, PCI DSS, NIST 800-53/FISMA High, and SOC 2 Type II. These features support trading systems, financial platforms, and regulated enterprise workloads near New York City.

3. CoreSite LA1 Data Center (Los Angeles, California)

CoreSite LA1 occupies One Wilshire in downtown Los Angeles, one of the West Coast’s most connected buildings. The facility provides more than 171,000 square feet of data center space. CoreSite’s wider Los Angeles campus provides access to more than 325 networks, including global carriers and subsea cable systems.

LA1 connects to CoreSite LA2 and LA3 through dark fiber. Multiple subsea cables provide routes between the West Coast and Asia-Pacific markets. CoreSite completed a major electrical upgrade at One Wilshire in August 2025, including a new generator plant and other critical infrastructure improvements.

4. Equinix MI1 Data Center (Miami, Florida)

Equinix MI1 in downtown Miami serves as a primary network exchange point between the United States and Latin America. The facility provides 255,513 square feet of colocation space within a six-story reinforced-concrete building.

MI1 uses N+1 power and cooling redundancy, with at least 30 hours of generator autonomy at full load. The facility is positioned above the 500-year base flood elevation. Its certifications include ISO 27001, NIST 800-53/FISMA High, PCI DSS, and SOC 2 Type II, supporting regulated deployments that require direct access to Latin American markets.

5. Digital Realty ORD10 at 350 E Cermak (Chicago, Illinois)

Digital Realty’s ORD10 at 350 E Cermak is a major Midwest interconnection hub. The eight-story facility spans 1,005,500 square feet and supports deployments ranging from individual cabinets to multi-megawatt suites. It provides access to more than 70 network providers.

ORD10 uses N+1 UPS and cooling redundancy. Its compliance coverage includes ISO 27001, PCI DSS, SOC 2, and SOC 3. The building holds LEED Gold and Energy Star certifications. Its scale and network density support cloud, financial, and enterprise deployments that require direct connectivity in Chicago.

What Are Tier 1 Data Centers?

Tier 1 data centers, formally called Tier I facilities, provide the basic infrastructure needed to operate IT systems beyond a standard office environment. 

A Tier I facility must include an uninterruptible power supply, dedicated IT space, cooling equipment that operates outside normal office hours, and an engine generator. 

Tier I facilities use a single distribution path and must shut down during major maintenance or repairs. Unexpected equipment or distribution failures can interrupt IT operations. 

The commonly cited 99.671% uptime, equal to about 28.8 hours of downtime per year, is an industry estimate rather than a current Uptime Institute certification requirement. 

Uptime Institute now classifies facilities according to infrastructure topology and operational capabilities.

Where Are the Largest Data Centers in the US?

Some of the largest publicly documented data center campuses and buildings in the United States include:

1. The Citadel Campus (Tahoe Reno, Nevada): Operated by Switch, the Citadel Campus is projected to reach 17.4 million square feet of data center space and 850 MW of power capacity at full completion. The campus serves Northern California, the Pacific Northwest, and other western US markets from a site covering more than 2,000 acres.
2. The Core Campus (Las Vegas, Nevada): Switch’s Core Campus provides up to 2.4 million square feet of data center space and 315 MW of power capacity. The multi-building campus serves cloud, enterprise, and high-density computing deployments across the southwestern United States.
3. DataBank Red Oak Campus (Red Oak, Texas): DataBank currently lists four data centers totaling 800,000 square feet of IT space and 240 MW of critical IT load. The planned eight-building campus will provide 1.6 million square feet of IT space and up to 480 MW when fully developed.
4. Digital Realty ORD10 (Chicago, Illinois): Digital Realty’s ORD10 facility at 350 East Cermak spans 1,005,500 square feet across eight stories. The facility provides access to more than 70 network providers and supports deployments ranging from individual cabinets to multi-megawatt data center suites.

Final Thoughts

The U.S. data center market is driven by strategic location, connectivity, power availability, and cost efficiency. As demand for cloud computing, AI, and digital services grows, these markets will keep expanding. This growth reinforces the U.S. as the global leader in data center infrastructure. Businesses have plenty of options to support their data operations, whether they prioritize low-latency performance, cost-effective power, or international connectivity.

Find the Right Data Center Solution with Brightlio

Businesses across the country turn to Brightlio for data center solutions in the leading US markets. As a telecommunications and colocation broker, we connect you with top-tier colocation, cloud, and connectivity services matched to your requirements.

You need scalable colocation in Northern Virginia, cost-effective power in Phoenix, or high-speed connectivity in New York, and we'll pair you with the right provider. Tell us your space, power, and connectivity needs, and we'll deliver colocation pricing at no charge.

Beyond colocation, we offer connectivity, unified communications, cloud, and advisory services to support your IT infrastructure. Brightlio serves as a single partner for performance, reliability, and cost efficiency across your technology stack.

Contact Brightlio today to get started!

FAQs

1. What defines a "data center market" in the U.S.?

A data center market refers to a region with multiple large-scale data center campuses. These offer substantial infrastructure, such as power, network connectivity, and real estate, and host a mix of colocation providers, cloud hyperscalers, and enterprise operators.

2. Which region is the largest data center market in the U.S.?

Northern Virginia, often called "Data Center Alley," is the nation's largest market. It hosts over 300 data centers with 4,039.6 MW of inventory and a 0.5% vacancy rate, supporting hyperscalers like AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and Meta.

3. What are the second and third largest data center hubs?

Atlanta ranks second with 1,459.2 MW of inventory and the nation's largest construction pipeline at 2,076 MW. Dallas-Fort Worth is third with 1,067.3 MW, the third U.S. market to surpass 1 gigawatt of supply.

4. Which other U.S. regions host significant data center clusters?

Other major hubs include Chicago (904.6 MW), Phoenix (807.3 MW), Silicon Valley (489.2 MW), Hillsboro, Oregon (475.4 MW), and Central Washington (402 MW), followed by fast-growing markets such as Southern California and Austin-San Antonio.

5. Why are these specific locations particularly attractive?

Key factors include low electricity costs (typically $0.05 to $0.08 per kWh), tax incentives, abundant fiber networks, and strong power infrastructure. For instance, Quincy, WA, hosts Microsoft's ultra-low-cost data center powered by hydroelectric energy priced between 1.9¢ and 2.5¢ per kWh.

6. How is the rapid growth in AI impacting data center development?

The AI boom has triggered a surge in data center construction. Hyperscale operators alone have a pipeline of almost 800 future data centers, enough to double hyperscale capacity within a few years. Hyperscalers such as Meta, Google, and Microsoft are developing large-scale campuses in Virginia, Texas, Indiana, Louisiana, Wisconsin, and other states.

7. What are some of the largest individual data center sites?

Examples include:

• Meta's Prineville, OR center: ~4.6 million sq ft
• QTS Atlanta-Metro: ~970,000 sq ft with its own substation
• Microsoft's Quincy, WA campus: ~800,000 sq ft
• NSA's Utah Data Center ("Bumblehive"): ~140,000 sq m (~1.5 million sq ft)

8. How much power do U.S. data centers consume?

Data center supply in the eight primary U.S. markets alone reached 9,432 MW at year-end 2025, up 36% in a single year. Northern Virginia alone is expected to require up to 11 GW by the end of the decade.

9. What role do energy and sustainability considerations play?

Operators focus on low-cost, reliable energy, often hydroelectric or natural gas. Many facilities are integrating renewable energy sources like solar and wind to balance consumption and meet environmental goals.

10. How do data center locations impact latency and global connectivity?

Proximity to large metro areas and key network exchange points, such as Equinix's Ashburn campus, the Infomart in Dallas, and Miami's NAP of the Americas, helps reduce latency and improve performance. These hubs also support intercontinental data transfer.

11. Which US state has the most data centers?

Virginia has the most, anchored by Northern Virginia, the world's largest data center market. The state hosts more than 300 data centers, and Loudoun County alone is often cited as carrying a large share of global internet traffic on any given day.

12. Who is the biggest builder of data centers in the US?

Digital Realty is one of the largest builders and operators of data centers in the United States, with a national network of facilities alongside global operators such as Equinix and hyperscalers building their own campuses.

13. How many data centers are there in the US?

The United States hosts approximately 4,530 listed data centers as of July 2026, the most of any country. Totals vary between industry databases depending on which facility types are counted.

14. How many data centers are in North Carolina?

North Carolina hosts major corporate data center campuses, including Google's facility in Lenoir, operational since 2009, and Apple's campus in Maiden. AWS is building an approximately $10 billion campus in Richmond County, the largest upfront corporate investment in the state's history.